Heath Shuler

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise to welcome World War II veterans from my home district to Washington, DC. I am honored to welcome these members of the Greatest Generation to Washington to visit the National World War II Memorial. For the past year Honor Air of Henderson and Buncombe counties has provided trips free of charge for World War II Veterans to ensure that they would have an opportunity to see the memorial which honors their service to our nation, and remembers their comrades in arms who never made it home. I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to the dedicated volunteers of Honor Air for making these trips possible. World War II was a defining moment for our country during the 20th Century. The men and women who served in uniform during that war dedicated their lives and spirit to guiding our Nation through some of its most trying hours. On behalf of all the residents of North Carolina's 11th District, I offer our deepest appreciation. The National World War II Memorial was opened to the public in May of 2004, and has been visited by millions of visitors. Built to honor the 16 million Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Merchant Mariners who served our Nation during World War II, the National World War II Memorial serves as a reminder of their sacrifice and service to the American people. I am thankful that we have finally found a permanent memorial here in the Nation's capital to honor their service.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the exceptional service of a most distinguished constituent, William Murdock. Mr. Murdock serves as Executive Director of the Eblen Charities and Eblen Center for Social Enterprise, an Asheville-based non-profit organization that assists low-income children, adults, and families battling illnesses and disabilities. Mr. Murdock is a graduate of Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College, Mars Hill College, Duke University, and the Harvard Business School. Along with his work at Eblen Charities, Mr. Murdock lectures at Duke University and has been named an outstanding scholar in social enterprise by the International Biographical Centre of Cambridge, England. Growing up in Asheville, North Carolina, Mr. Murdock developed a passion for wrestling which he pursued as a student-athlete and then as a high school coach. He is widely regarded as one of wrestling's preeminent historians and was most recently honored as the first recipient of the Lou Thesz World Heavyweight Championship Award. The award recognizes an individual connected with wrestling who has ``taken the skills, courage and mental toughness that are the essentials of the sport and has applied those characteristics to the realm of public service.'' In nearly two decades of service at the Eblen Charities, Mr. Murdock has done that and more. Under his leadership, Eblen Charities has grown from a two-person partnership that assisted 300 families in 1991 to a world-class organization that served 65,000 in 2006. Mr. Murdock currently oversees roughly 60 programs designed to help families in western North Carolina secure health care coverage, low-cost prescription drugs, heating and cooling for their homes, and other life essentials. In so doing, Mr. Murdock delivers hope in trying times and the wherewithal to meet whatever challenges might lie ahead. His example serves to remind us that a single individual, armed with compassion, ingenuity, and resolve, can do extraordinary things. I am honored to represent Mr. Murdock in the United States Congress, and I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding his outstanding work.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember one of our Nation's darkest days, and one of its finest hours. None of us will ever forget the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Nor will we ever forget the images of firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, and other first responders placing themselves in harm's way at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. We will never forget the passengers of United Flight 93, whose heroism may well have saved the United States Capitol. We will never forget the way this Nation joined in prayer and determination in the days which followed. And we will never forget the outpouring of support from our friends throughout the world. In my home in western North Carolina, young men and women answered the challenge of a nation thrown suddenly into war, as new volunteers signed up for the Armed Forces, and reservists and Guardsmen readied for deployment. In the six years which followed, these brave citizens and their families have sacrificed through multiple deployments and hazardous service in Afghanistan, Iraq, and throughout the world. Since that time, many have been wounded, and six young men from my district have made the ultimate sacrifice. The thoughts and prayers of a grateful nation will always be with them and their families. In the years since that tragic September day, our Nation has stepped up its vigilance at home and abroad. I am proud of the efforts of our local law enforcement officials to improve training and expertise in our communities to identify potential threats and prevent any future attacks. I would also like to recognize all of those who stand guard in our Nation's intelligence and Federal law enforcement communities, and all Americans serving abroad to reduce the conditions that breed terrorism and to increase hope in distant lands. This Congress has taken the important steps of implementing the recommendations of the 9-11 Commission and enhancing homeland security efforts, however there is still work to be done. Our ports remain vulnerable, and our borders remain porous. Hurricane Katrina exposed serious problems with our Nation's disaster response mechanisms, and it is unclear how far we have come in fixing those problems. I am committed to working with my colleagues to address these problems and ensure the safety of all Americans. So today we remember, as we look forward. I join with all my colleagues in today in honoring the memory of those who lost their lives on September 11th, remembering those who have sacrificed defending our Nation since that day, and praying for those who continue to serve our Nation today.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the hard work and dedication of the cadets and volunteers of the Asheville Division U.S. Naval Sea Cadets. The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps program is a federally chartered youth training organization for students ages eleven to seventeen that is designed to educate young people about service in the Navy and Coast Guard both ashore and afloat. The Asheville Division provides the young people of Western North Carolina with unparalleled opportunities to learn new skills and experience new challenges in a safe, alcohol and drug free environment. Some Cadets choose to continue to serve their country through military service, while many others go on to pursue civilian careers. Regardless of their future path, cadets benefit from the lessons learned in the program--good citizenship, self-discipline, a sense of responsibility, and leadership skills. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Katelyn Kassel for reaching the rank of Chief Petty Officer, the highest rank a cadet can achieve while participating in the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Program. CPO Kassel is the first in the history of the Asheville Division to reach this honor. She is currently enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she is participating in the Army ROTC program and studying as a pre-law student. I am extremely proud of CPO Kassel for her hard work and dedication to this program. She was a wonderful asset to the program at her high school and serves as an excellent role model to other students. I have no doubt that CPO Kassel will serve our country well in the U.S. military. I commend each of the cadets for their service in this important program, as well as the volunteers who keep this program going, especially Commanding Officer LTJG Heath Collins and Executive Officer R. Scott Lunsford. I ask each of my colleagues to join me in congratulating the cadets and volunteers of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets in Asheville and throughout the United States.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1315, the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2007, which would expand housing assistance for disabled veterans of the United States Armed Forces. The Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act amends title 38 of the United States Code so that specially-adaptive housing assistance can be provided to certain members of the Armed Forces who are disabled and residing temporarily in housing owned by family. America's veterans have sacrificed in the defense and well-being of our country and should be rewarded for their bravery and compensated for their sacrifices. Therefore, we have a duty to see to it that the appropriate benefits are made available to every disabled veteran, regardless of residential status. We must remember that with nearly 30,000 troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, more young veterans are in need of disability assistance. Mr. Speaker, this bill provides the necessary revisions that will enable more veterans to receive the special housing assistance they need. I fully support this bill and encourage others to do so as well.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2874, the Veterans' Health Care Improvement Act of 2007, which will make the readjustment period easier for our troops returning from combat. It focuses on the improvement of mental health services as well as homelessness prevention. These brave men and women in uniform have dedicated themselves to defending our freedom, and as a grateful nation we owe them whatever support we can provide to ensure that after they return home our veterans have their needs met. This bill puts into place a number of important and timely measures to improve the care offered to veterans. It allows for readjustment counseling and mental health services provided by qualified peers. This will allow veterans to receive whatever therapy they might require to readjust to civilian life from fellow veterans who have undergone a similar process, and are best placed to offer understanding and quality care. I am especially pleased that this legislation contains provisions addressing the needs of female veterans. It also deals with the prevention of homelessness for returning troops. The problem of homelessness is worse for the veteran community than society at large, and thus we must ensure that all programs, for both men and women, are of a high standard. Finally, H.R. 2874 offers more support to low-income veteran families living in permanent housing. The Federal Government needs to provide more assistance to these families and the organizations that help care for them, and I am pleased that this bill offers that assistance. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation and support our troops as they return from their courageous missions.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Merchant Mariners who served in our Nation during World War II and were an integral part of our victory. They suffered the highest casualty rate of any of the branches of the service while delivering troops, tanks, food, airplanes, fuel and other needed supplies to every theater of the war. Without the services of the Merchant Mariners, victory would have been more difficult, and certainly more lives would have been lost. Unfortunately, they were denied any rights under the GI Bill of Rights. The Merchant Mariners became the forgotten service. It wasn't until 1988 that they were given any benefits, and even then they did not qualify for some portions of the GI Bill. I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 23, the Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007, under which certain honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marine would receive a monthly benefit of $1,000. This benefit to the veterans (or their survivors) would be an important step in recognizing their crucial contribution to the protection and preservation of the freedom of the United States of America. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the Merchant Mariners who deserve recognition and benefits for their service to the United States of America during World War II.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today as a proud cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 49, which commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and honors those members of our Armed Forces who have received Purple Hearts for their dedicated service. The Military Order of the Purple Heart was founded in 1932 and is composed solely of veterans who have received Purple Hearts, making it the only veteran organization that is composed of only combat veterans. The organization promotes education, fraternity, service, and patriotism, and they provide service for veterans and their families who are in need. In addition, they work to support relevant legislative initiatives. As an organization committed to the care and support of combat veterans, the Military Order of the Purple Heart deserves the recognition of this Congress for 75 years of hard work serving our Nation's brave veterans of the Armed Forces. I cannot begin to express the gratitude I feel to the members of our Armed Forces, both past and present, for the gift of freedom that they have given to every American. They have given freely of themselves to defend this great Nation deserve our everlasting gratitude and respect. We have the privilege and responsibility of both taking care of and honoring the sacrificial service of our combat veterans. I urge my colleagues to vote for the adoption of this resolution.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to the amendment put forward by the gentleman from Arizona. We should not be reducing the funding for the National Textile Center. Our national economic prosperity has grown from the formidable work ethic of the American people and vigorous investment in all areas of science and technology. We must not lose the scientific commitment which has brought our Nation so far and can help us go so much further. The National Textile Center conducts advanced research work with life-saving applications. Some examples include the use of micro- technologies to develop heart stents, and three-dimensional weaving techniques to produce life-saving armor. Beneficiaries of the National Textile Center's work include fire-fighters, police officers and soldiers who require protective clothing that allows them to carry out their dangerous jobs. I am proud to have several companies in my district including 3Tex and FirstChoice Armor who are working closely with the National Textile Center to produce the next generation of life-saving textile products. The research conducted by the National Textile Center is also advancing our understanding of more efficient textile manufacturing. New developments spearheaded by the National Textile Center help make our industrial processes more effective and help ensure we remain competitive in the international arena. I urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment and maintain our national commitment to investments in science and technology that provide real benefits to American workers and real solutions for the greater good.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Madam Chairman, this bill includes important reforms that will help conservation efforts by private forest landowners. Today I offer an amendment to help out a little more. Over 260 million acres of forest lands are in the hands of families and individuals. At least 75 million acres of forests are part of farms. Forests provide habitats for wildlife, a source for clean water, and places to hunt, fish, hike and enjoy other recreational activities. But many of our privately owned forest lands are threatened by insects or diseases, and these threats are real. Most of the insects or diseases are non-native and invasive, making them difficult to contain. In my district, private landowners expect to lose all of their hemlocks from the attack of the hemlock wooly adelgid. This loss would permanently alter the diversity and unique forest environment in our region. Madam Chairman, this bill provides emergency restoration funding for private forest lands that experience a loss or damage from natural disaster. My amendment would take this one step further and allow the emergency restoration funds to be used for treating private forest lands under imminent threat of attack by insect and disease. In the case of insect or disease, we must stop their invasion before they create the disaster. Preventing the losses will save money and save our forests. Prevention is less expensive than restoration. Madam Chairman, I thank the members of the committee for their work on this bill to support healthy forests, and I urge my colleagues to support the Shuler amendment.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today on behalf of myself and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp). In 1941, the United States was building up for World War II in dire need of new sources of energy. The Tennessee Valley Authority obtained Federal authority for construction of a hydroelectric dam in Swain County, North Carolina. This construction required that an important road be flooded. In a 1943 agreement, the Federal Government promised to rebuild the road. In the 64 years since the agreement was signed, no road has been completed and no settlement was offered to the people of Swain County. The 2001 Transportation bill provided $16 million to study the environmental costs of building this new road. The National Park Service will complete this study in September. Mr. Chairman, the financial and economical costs are too high to build this road. The National Park Service has said that the final environmental impact study will recommend a cash settlement with the people of Swain County. Senators Alexander and Dole have amended the Senate version of this bill with language to allow the Park Service to use remaining funds from this study for this solution. This commonsense solution enjoys strong bipartisan support in the North Carolina and Tennessee House delegations. Mr. Chairman, would you be willing to work with me and Congressman Wamp to ensure that this bipartisan language is included in the final conference version of this bill?

Mr. SHULER. Thank you, and I would like to thank my colleague Zack Wamp for his hard work along with this bill, and I certainly thank the chairman for your hard work and your dedication.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Chairman, I rise to enter into a colloquy with the chairman of the committee, Mr. Obey.

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Chairman, Oconaluftee Job Corps Center in Cherokee, North Carolina, has served a vital role in providing opportunity and direction to the young people of western North Carolina. This center has operated under the control of the National Parks Service along with the Harpers Ferry Job Corps Center and the Great Onyx Jobs Corps Center in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, all three of these centers face uncertain future. Earlier this year, the Department of Labor closed the Oconaluftee center without warning, citing safety concerns. The U.S. Forest Service has expressed interest in fixing these safety concerns and reopening the Oconaluftee center. The U.S. Forest Service has also proposed to assume management of the other two centers. The National Park Service has stated it is willing to transition these three centers to the Forest Service. The U.S. Forest Service has a long-standing tradition of quality and service in the Appalachian region. Mr. Chairman, the Senate Interior Appropriations bill contains language directing the Park Service to transfer control of these three Job Corps centers to the U.S. Forest Service. The community surrounding the Oconaluftee Job Corps Center is in favor of this transition. Mr. Chairman, would you be willing to work with me to ensure that this language is included in the final conference version of this bill?

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Chairman, thank you for your continued cooperation and help.

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, 90 years ago, the Skyland Camp for Girls was born with the auctioneer's call, ``Sold to the lady in the apron.'' With $3,000, Susan Courtney Harris saved the hotel she loved in Clyde, North Carolina, and created a sanctuary for five generations of young women. Four generations of the Harris family have kept the camp true to its purpose of building lifelong relationships founded in camaraderie and learning from one another. Mrs. Harris ran the camp until her daughters, Francis Brown and Helen Harris, took over and ran the camp until 1973 . Bunny Brown, bride of Mrs. Harris' grandson Timothy, owns the camp today, and it is run by her daughter Sherry. I invite my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Skyland Camp for Girls and the generations of vibrant young female leaders it has helped raise in North Carolina.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to sincerely congratulate the Appalachian State University football team for winning the 2006 National Collegiate for the second year in a row, Athletic Association Division I-AA Football championship. December 15, 2006, marked a historic day for this university as the Appalachian State University football team defeated the University of Massachusetts 28-17 to win the championship. Most Valuable Player Kevin Richardson's four touchdowns and Corey Lynch's fourth-quarter interception, all under the direction of Coach Jerry Moore, secured the road to victory crowning the remarkable season for the Mountaineers. An intimidating defense led by Marques Murell, Jeremy Wiggins, Monte Smith, and Corey Lynch, complemented by a high- powered offense led by Richardson, who rushed for over 1,000 yards, and William Mayfield, who had over 1,000 yards receiving, and an impenetrable offensive line, made it possible for this championship to occur. Undefeated in conference games and champions of the Southern Conference for the second year in a row, Appalachian State University affirmed its position as a dominant football program by securing its second consecutive national championship. Not only have they become great sportsmen, but they have consistently showed great dedication to each other, continued sportsmanship to their opponents, gratitude to their unwavering fans and respect for the sport itself. I am proud of the 2006 Appalachian State University football team for bringing the championship home to western North Carolina. These student athletes are excellent representatives of a fine university and have contributed to its long history of excellence and achievement.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Chairman, I have great respect for the gentleman from Arizona, and I appreciate what he is doing. No Member should ask to spend the people's money if he or she is not willing to come to the people's House and explain his or her request. That is why I'm so pleased to have this opportunity to talk about the good work that Advantage West is doing for the people of western North Carolina. Communities that have been hit hard with plant closings and job losses have two choices: they can give up or they can look forward. The partnership between Advantage West and the Federal Government will provide local communities with the tools to make themselves ``business ready.'' This checklist includes broadband access, access to capital, streamlined permit systems, and cooperation with schools and universities. This program is a great example of how the government can partner with distressed communities to offer a helping hand instead of a hand- out. Mr. Chairman, without these types of funding and this type of work with our community, it would be nothing more than us having to give a hand-out. We're asking for a helping hand. Advantage West has done an outstanding job of working, not only in the 11th District, but the 8th District and the 10th District of North Carolina, being able to help small businesses. And I might add to my colleagues that 95 percent of new businesses in America today come in small businesses. Here's a situation where the corporations are helping. The community is helping. Our universities, our schools are helping to create these small businesses in our community so a husband and wife can fulfill a dream come true, that they can have the opportunity to purchase their new home and have a business that they can feel proud of and that they too could maybe pass down for generations to come. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from New York for his leadership and support through this bill and the hard work and dedication that the entire appropriations have put in this. Once again, I do oppose this amendment. It is a very important piece of the economic structure for the people of west North Carolina. It gives them an opportunity in small business to create the economic structure that we need. So many of our jobs, some 78 percent, of the textile industries in the State of North Carolina have been lost. We have to find other ways to create work, and I am so proud of the people of the mountains that they have that never-give-up attitude. As always, I do appreciate the gentleman's, his hard work and his dedication. And so many times I do agree on so many of the issues, and I commend you for your efforts. Just at this time I would oppose this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to request that a great honor be bestowed on an equally great soldier. I am referring to PFC Charles George, a son of western North Carolina who bravely sacrificed himself for his fellow soldiers and for his country. Private First Class George came from Cherokee, NC. He was a proud member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and an exemplary soldier in the U.S. Army. On the night of November 30, 1952, George's company was operating near the South Korean village of Songnae-dong. While charging an enemy camp, Private First Class George dodged mortar and machine-gun fire, jumped into the enemy's trenches, and engaged in hand-to-hand combat. When the American soldiers were ordered to retreat, Private First Class George remained behind to ensure the safety of his withdrawing companions. The enemy then launched a grenade into his company, at which point Private First Class George dove upon the explosive, absorbing the blast and saving his comrades. He died soon after while being evacuated by his fellow soldiers. Private First Class George was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and is the only member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians to be given this mark of distinction. Now, Mr. Speaker, I ask that we bestow another honor upon Private First Class George by placing his name on the Asheville VA Medical Center. This center has a 112-bed acute care facility and a 120-bed extended care facility that serves veterans in western North Carolina and sections of Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. It provides quality and comprehensive primary, tertiary, and long-term health care to those who have valiantly sacrificed for our country. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Filner for his leadership on this issue, as well as the American Legion and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for their diligent efforts to ensure that PFC George is given the honor he deserves. I ask that my colleagues support me in renaming the Asheville VA Medical Center the Charles George VA Medical Center.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the memory of Ruth Bell Graham, wife of the Reverend Billy Graham. On Thursday, June 14, 2007, Ruth Graham passed away, after being bed-ridden for several months with pneumonia, surrounded by her husband and all five of her children. She may be best known as the wife of the world-famous evangelist Reverend Billy Graham, but Ruth made her own mark on the world as an author, poet, mother, and spiritual leader in her own right. Ruth Bell, the second child of five children, grew up in China where her parents were missionaries. They instilled in her the dependence on the Bible for strength and guidance. Reverend Billy Graham would later confide in her, relying on her knowledge of the Scripture and her strength of character as guidance. Due to her husband's travels, she bore major responsibility for raising the couple's five children: Franklin (William Franklin III), Nelson, Virginia, Anne, and Ruth. Ruth Graham was the author or co-author of 14 books, including collections of poetry and the autobiographical scrapbook ``Footprints of a Pilgrim.'' In 1996, the Grahams were each awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for ``outstanding and lasting contributions to morality, racial equality, family, philanthropy, and religion.'' She helped establish the Ruth and Billy Graham Children's Health Center in Asheville, and the Billy Graham Training Center near Montreat. I am honored to have Reverend and Mrs. Graham as two of my constituents in Western North Carolina. The Grahams moved to Montreat many decades ago, and have made an indelible mark on the area. I have the utmost respect for Reverend Graham. Madam Speaker, the legacy of Ruth Graham will live on long after she is gone. Ruth Bell Graham has served her Lord for a lifetime, and it is an honor to have served Ruth Graham in the United States Congress. I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing remorse for the loss of Ruth Graham and may God bless and comfort the family and friends she has left behind.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule. The Bureau of Indian Affairs have established a process for recognizing Indian tribes. Recognition of tribes is a job for experts and requires facts. This decision should not be made by politicians relying upon a motion. Every time a legislature has gotten involved in this case, they have gotten it wrong. The North Carolina State House mislabeled the group four different times. The U.S. Congress made the decision worse in 1955 by blocking them from going through the standard process. I offered an amendment which would have taken the emotion and politics out of this process. It would have allowed the experts of the Bureau of Indian Affairs to establish the facts of this case, but this rule blocks that amendment. Today, we have missed an opportunity to settle this case. Instead, once again, we will leave it up to politicians. I am not an expert on Indian tribes. My colleagues are not experts on Indian tribes. None of us are qualified to make this decision. I urge my colleagues to reject this rule and let the Bureau of Indian Affairs do its job.