Bennie Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the commendable efforts of Clear Channel Communications Inc. in their support of diversity and small businesses within the radio broadcasting industry. For a long time, public broadcasting, especially in the area of radio, excluded or carried heavy restrictions on the voices coming from minorities and women of this country. These binding practices limited the freedom of expression for minorities and women in broadcasting and provided a frail platform upon which to deliver meaningful public affairs and news within these communities. Radio broadcasting in past decades has experienced dramatic, positive change with the cultivation of environments which support minorities and women's matriculation from their traditional auxiliary support positions, such as disk jockeys or custodial workers, into more influential roles such as managers, engineers, and program directors. The change also removed barriers which once denied favorable circumstances for members of these populations to gain ownership and syndication. This shift has allowed for a broad array of broadcast opportunities to include more autonomy in the presentation of public affairs discussions, music, and information which more specifically reflects the culture and interest of the minority and female listening audiences. Technological advancements and a growing social affinity for more digital interface have placed pressure on the radio industry to maintain its standing among other broadcasting mediums. This strain, coupled with the nation's financial tensions, has made staying up to speed with the changing times all the more difficult. However, impressively, the radio world continues to provide phenomenal listening programs to the masses. This tenacity has been seen in no place greater than within the minority and women sectors. Clear Channel recognizes the impact minority and women broadcasters have had on broadcasting and has taken a laudable position to make investments to ensure their productive futures. Their plan to divest 448 radio stations in 88 markets, which lead to the donation of six stations to the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council, MMTC, shows that Clear Channel has a keen awareness of the value diversity plays in broadcasting and shows that they have a sound understanding of the needs of small, local radio stations. Clear Channel's efforts to enhance the infrastructure for these individuals and business owners will aid in their abilities to boost their hiring capabilities, expand their listening audiences, increase advertisement revenues and support their communities by delivering excellent content. Mississippi was one of the states privileged to be a part of this gesture of good faith with the acquisition of WHJA (AM) in Laurel, Mississippi. James Hardman, a minority broadcaster from Tulsa, Oklahoma, with decades of experience, plans to put WHJA back on the air under a local marketing agreement (LMA) with MMTC. Hardman intends to produce high quality and innovative programs focused on the African- American community while encompassing the cultural differences across the State of Mississippi. Economic and political empowerment in the African-American community has been difficult to achieve without access and control of the mass media resources that impact our communities. Clear Channel's dedication to assist with gains in this area creates opportunities for success for African-Americans in Mississippi. Mister Speaker, I ask you and my fellow colleagues to join me in recognizing the meritorious efforts put forth by Clear Channel Inc. towards ensuring the viability of the minority and women communities within the radio broadcasting industry.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Roosevelt Lee, Sr. of Kosciusko, Mississippi; as a father, husband and agricultural entrepreneur in recognition of his 109th birthday. Born October 23, 1902 to Mr. Tom Lee and Mrs. Mary Young Lee, Roosevelt is the eldest and last surviving of nine siblings. Mr. Lee is the father of eighteen (18) children, grandfather to sixty (60) grandchildren and great-grandfather to more than fifty (50) great- grandchildren. During a period when educational resources for African Americans were slim to none, Mr. Lee managed to receive up to a third grade education which was offered out of a local church in Kosciusko where he is a native. At a very young age Mr. Lee committed his time and talent to working to help support his family; he worked as a farmer, mechanic, and raiser of cattle and other livestock. He is a devote Christian and passionate steward of the Lord. He was a member of the Mount Ollie Missionary Baptist Church in Kosciusko, Mississippi for 67 years where he actively served as Sunday school superintendent, treasurer, head deacon, and trustee for the church. Currently, he is a member of the Bell Grove Missionary Baptist Church of Clarksdale and has been for the past eight years. Mr. Lee is a member of the Sir Knight Masons of Clarksdale, Mississippi. He has selflessly devoted his time to helping other local farmers maintain and repair their farming equipment and vehicles. Mr. Lee's work ethic and commitment to making provisions for his family has allowed his family to keep its farm for 81 years. In October of 2007, Mayor Henry Epsy of Clarksdale, Mississippi, declared October 27th as Roosevelt Lee, Sr. Day. At the seasoned age of 109, Mr. Lee does not suffer from high blood pressure, cholesterol, heart issues or diabetes but has most recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer disease. Boxing and wrestling are two of his favorite sports. He has a passion for checkers and loves to travel. He has frequented many of America's most popular destinations such as Chicago, St. Louis, California, Atlanta and a host of others. Out of his more than a century of life, Mr. Lee confirms that his commitment to Christ has been what has sustained him. He believes that if you serve the Lord and do the right thing regardless of what the next person does, God will bless you. He is a true example of the wondrous works of the Lord and what it means to be a provider for your family. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in celebrating a true champion of the life, Mr. Roosevelt Lee, Sr. for his tenacious and zealous works as a farmer, father and one fine American.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give honor to the life and legacy of Evangelist Della Mae King Sutton of Nesbit, Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, Evangelist Sutton was an indomitable woman of God. She devoted her life to empowering those around her with the knowledge found both in traditional school settings as well as within the Christian church. Born July 20, 1941 in Desoto County, Mississippi, Ms. Della was the first born daughter to the late Turner King, Sr. and the late Remell Bridgeforth King. Ms. Sutton began her educational training at Shiloh M.B. Church in Desoto County, Mississippi where her father was the instructor. She later attended Hernando High School which culminated at 8th grade. Ms. Sutton graduated from Hernando High as class Valedictorian and went on to finish her secondary education at Eastern High School in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Finishing as Salutatorian of her Eastern High class, Ms. Sutton decided to further her education by enrolling in the Mississippi Industrial College in Holly Springs, Mississippi. It was during this time that she met her life companion and husband, Mr. Jesse Sutton, Jr. From their union came three beautiful children who were raised and reared by the same biblical principles and standards Ms. Sutton and her husband had walked their entire lives. After completing studies at Mississippi Industrial Ms. Sutton continued on to receive her Master's of Science degree from Jackson State University. Ms. Della Mae believed in supporting efforts which would produce nurturing environments which fostered quality learning conditions for children. She served as a dedicated educator for more than thirty years in several learning facilities throughout Mississippi. Some of them included East Side High School in Olive Branch, Mississippi; Oakley Training School in Learned, Mississippi; Mendenhall Junior High School in Mendenhall, Mississippi and Northside Elementary School in Pearl, Mississippi from which she retired. Throughout the years, Ms. Sutton has been recognized on several occasions for her outstanding works. The most notable was when she was recognized by former Governor and First Lady Ronnie Musgrove as one of the Most Outstanding Women for the Each One-Reach One Mother of the Year contest. She served as Chairperson of the Elementary Language Arts and was recognized for a host of other social awareness and scholastic advancement achievements. Ms. Sutton was also recognized by Who's Who Among Teachers, Teacher of the Year and by the Jackson District Association's with their Living Legacy Award. Ms. Sutton was a civically engaged woman. She was a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a member of ``Keep Jackson Beautiful'', an instructor of the Jackson District Ministers' Wives/Widows group and passionate supporter of the Mississippi Baptist Seminary. She was an active member of the General Missionary Baptist Convention and a devote member of the New McRaven Hill Missionary Baptist Church where she served as Sunday School teacher, Mother's Ministry member, devotional leader for the Mission Society and Vacation Bible School teacher. This spiritual steward for Christ lived a life of both passion and purpose. She was an advocate of education, a champion of civility and a true lover of the Lord. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my fellow colleagues to join me in celebrating the life and legacy of a true champion, Evangelist Della Mae King Sutton.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2042 would require the Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Department of State, to establish a program to issue APEC Business Travel Cards to eligible United States business leaders and government officials. Under this program, U.S. citizens actively engaged in APEC business would receive expedited screening in international travel within the 21 APEC member economies. H.R. 2042 requires DHS to integrate application procedures for and issuance of APEC Business Travel Cards with other appropriate DHS international trusted traveler programs such as Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI. I strongly support those three DHS trusted traveler programs, which facilitate international travel for pre-approved, low-risk passengers while allowing DHS to focus its resources on higher-risk and unknown passengers. H.R. 2042 is supported by the Obama Administration, and I also support the bill. However, I am dismayed that with just 19 days left in the First Session of the 112th Congress, H.R. 2042 is the first Committee on Homeland Security bill to reach the House floor. I would note that the last time the Committee brought legislation to the House floor was when I was still Chairman--at the end of December 2010. With respect to H.R. 2042, let the record reflect that the path to the floor involved bypassing Committee consideration. I did not object to this approach, given that the APEC conference is slated to commence in Hawaii next month. The Democratic Members of the Committee are committed to ensuring that the full breadth and depth of homeland security issues facing our Nation are addressed. To date, eighty homeland security bills have been introduced and referred to the Committee. The subject matter of these bills range from border security to aviation security to counterterrorism to preparedness and response. Unfortunately, only a handful of homeland security bills have actually been considered in Committee and only one has been reported to the House. That bill is now pending before another Committee. The failure of the Committee on Homeland Security to advance meaningful homeland security legislation that speaks to the oversight finding of the Committee in the 112th Congress is inexcusable. Though I recognize that the hour is late on the congressional calendar, I sincerely hope that consideration of H.R 2042 today signals the commencement of a more active legislative period for the Committee. Nevertheless, I urge the House to support H.R. 2042 today.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Louis E. James, President and Chief Executive Officer of Solutions for Energy Efficient Logistics (SEEL), recipient of the 2011 Andromeda Star of Energy Efficiency Award. Louis James has done Mississippi and his Alma Mater, Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Mississippi, proud. SEEL, a Detroit-based minority owned enterprise was recognized by the Washington, DC-based organization, Alliance to Save Energy, for advancing energy efficiency. SEEL was selected for the award based upon its unprecedented commitment to provide energy-efficiency services to residents in the city of Detroit, its surrounding communities and throughout the state of Michigan. Specifically, SEEL is responsible for transitioning Detroit jobs from ``blue'' collar to ``green'' collar and successfully implementing energy efficiency programs for DTE Energy Neighborhood Energy Savings Outreach (NESO) program. As the facilitator of these programs, SEEL has increased efficiency at more than 25,000 properties and helped to boost neighborhood morale in its service areas and customer satisfaction for its client, DTE Energy. More significant is that Louis James created job opportunities in his area--hiring more than 75 new employees to implement the programs for which SEEL received the award. Again, I ask that my colleagues congratulate Mr. Louis E. James and SEEL for receiving the prestigious ``Star of Energy of Efficiency Awards'' and for its outstanding achievements in energy efficiency and savings.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. William Astor Kirk, Sr., educator, social activist and author. Dr. William Astor Kirk, Sr., was the eldest of six children born to Alex and Exella Kirk in Harleton, Texas. He briefly attended Wiley College in Marshall, Texas before enrolling in Howard University in Washington, DC where he received both a bachelor's and master's degree, respectively. Dr. Kirk led a life devoted to family, faith and intellectual pursuits and fought to bring about social justice and equality for African Americans in public facilities and accommodations in educational institutions. Dr. Kirk and his wife of more than sixty years, Vivian Tramble married in 1946 and had two children. The Kirk's core values centered on faith and family and intellectual curiosity and social responsibility--beliefs Dr. Kirk graciously shared with family and friends. Upon completing his Master's degree in Government from Howard University in 1974, Dr. Kirk and wife Vivian relocated to Austin, Texas where he assumed the position of professor of Government and Economics at Huston-Tillotson College. Dr. Kirk, active in Austin civic life was an organizer in the local chapter of the NAACP and arranged peaceful protests that led to desegregation of the Austin Public Library and many other public facilities. Dr. Kirk's work against discrimination also focused on the University of Texas where he applied and was admitted to a PhD Program. Dr. Kirk's refusal to study in segregated classes prompted a lawsuit by the Austin chapter of the NAACP. Subsequently, Kirk began his studies at the University after a United States Supreme Court ruling of Sweatt v. Painter, which ended segregation of the University's school was applied to its graduate program as well. In 1958, W. Astor Kirk, Sr. became the first African American to earn and receive a Doctorate in Political Science from the University of Texas. Dr. Kirk was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science in London, England. Professionally, in addition to his teaching post at Huston-Tillotson, Dr. Kirk was adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Maryland and had teaching assignments at Rutgers University, Boston University School of Theology and Howard University. Dr. Kirk also had a distinguished career as a federal government executive and management consultant. In 1968, Dr. Kirk was personally recruited by President Lyndon B. Johnson for the post of Deputy Regional Director (Southwest Region) of the United States Office of Economic Opportunity. He continued his government service under the Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan administrations. Following his retirement from the federal civil service, Dr. Kirk founded and was CEO of Organization Management Services Corporation, an organizational development firm. Prior to his passing, Dr. Kirk initiated an anti-discrimination mass petition in an effort with the Church to end, in his words, ``the mandatory negative differential treatment of gays, lesbians and bisexuals United Methodists.'' Dr. Kirk's lifetime of contributions to education, racial and gender equality and broad civil rights issues inspires all, as he was not afraid to tackle the biggest, most looming issues of his day. Again, I ask that my colleagues please join me in saluting the life and legacy of educator, humanitarian and social activist, Dr. William Astor Kirk, Sr.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of educator and community leader, William Sanders. Mr. Sanders was born March 27, 1928, in Monticello, Mississippi. Upon graduation from McCullough High School in Lawrence County, Mr. Sanders continued his education at Alcorn College, where he played basketball. While attending Alcorn, Mr. Sanders was called to fulfill his military duties and later completed his degree in Agriculture Research. Mr. Sanders served in the Army in the 31st Artillery Brigade and was stationed in Alaska during his tour. Additionally, he was assigned to the Special Services. He was honorably discharged from the Army at the rank of Sergeant. Mr. Sanders's first professional job was as an educator in the Jefferson County School District, where he also served as principal, assistant principal and football and basketball coach. He would go on to teach in the Hattiesburg and Brookhaven School District, and concluded his career in education with the Hinds County School District. Mr. Sanders worked towards a master's degree during the summers in Boston and Indiana Universities. Mr. Sanders was the Chief Financial Officer for the first Head Start Program in the state of Mississippi, the Child Development Group of Mississippi (CDGM). Mr. Sanders did not limit his education to the classroom; he remained active in his community, socially and politically, as well as entrepreneurially. Upon leaving CDGM, Mr. Sanders successfully, owned and operated the Delta Drive Texaco service station in Jackson, Mississippi, where his greatest satisfaction was employing others in his community. He was an industry pioneer and received several awards in recognition of his shrewd business sense. Mr. Sanders married Emma Dunbar Sanders and had six children. He and his family were actively involved in the Civil Rights movement and made enormous sacrifices in an effort to amplify the voice of oppressed blacks in the segregated south. His actions helped shape future civil rights policy in the segregated south and advance the rights and freedoms of African Americans. Mr. Sanders, a loyal Democrat, was actively involved in local, state and national politics. He attended the Democratic National Conventions in New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and most recently the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver where Senator Barack Obama received the Democratic Party's nomination. He took great pride in the election of the first African American president and viewed this as a logical result of the Civil Rights Movement. Again, I ask that my colleagues please join me in saluting the life and legacy of educator, community leader and businessman Mr. William Sanders.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of a trailblazer and humanitarian, Reverend Ben Elton Cox, Sr. Reverend Cox's life mission was to fight for the equal rights of blacks in southern states where Jim Crow laws and intimidation tactics hindered and denied blacks the right to beaches, hotels, schools, restaurants, and jobs that whites enjoyed. Though confronted with hatred, violence and blatant racial discrimination, Reverend Cox's courageous acts and unyielding belief in equality for all people subsequently effected change across this country. Reverend Cox was a fervent community activist and devoted NAACP member. He was not only a leader of the Freedom Rides in Little Rock, but was one of the original 13 Riders on the first Congress of Racial Equality Freedom Ride in 1961. His role during the movement helped amplify the voice of oppressed blacks in the south and shape future civil rights policy in the United States that would advance the rights and freedoms of African Americans. Family, friends, and freedom riders described Reverend Cox as one of the young Americans who repeatedly exhibited courage and bravery in the cause of Civil Rights. Ben Cox and 12 others faced violent opposition and discord from Klansmen and angry mobs during the Freedom Rides traveling throughout the south. In his own words, Reverend Cox said he'd been in 37 states for civil rights and in jail 17 times and that his life had been threatened 87 times in writing. Sacrificing their safety and endangering the lives of their families--harassed, jailed and brutally beaten by their detractors, Reverend Cox and the Freedom Riders were on the ``front line'' of a civil war and remained steadfast in the fight against racism, discrimination and inequality in the segregated south and around the country. Ben Cox embodied courage and was a champion of the struggle for human rights. Again, I ask that my colleagues please join me in saluting the life and legacy of Civil Rights leader and Freedom Rider Rev. Benjamin ``Elton'' Cox, Sr.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment. I have been on the Committee on Homeland Security since its inception. We have gone through hearing after hearing looking at this issue of collective bargaining for TSA employees. I might add that the rationale for offering this amendment has been completely refuted by every hearing we have ever had in the committee. I am convinced that our men and women who work for TSA do a good job. However, the documentation is clear, they need additional training; they need a number of other items that collective bargaining can get them. For instance, they have a different personnel system than other fellow employees. They have a different salary schedule than other employees. All those things lead to reduced morale for the employee. More importantly, we have collective bargaining rights for Customs and Border Protection employees, the Federal Protective Service, and nowhere have we ever found where our good men and women in uniform cannot perform admirably in any situation. The record is clear: where our union employees are federalized, they do a good job. So this notion that somehow collective bargaining is incorrect or improper should not go unopposed. Apart from that, this is a heightened awareness situation. The men and women at TSA deserve the right to collective bargaining. For the record, Mr. Chairman, let me say that they are halfway there. They are 40,000 employees. They have already had an election; three unions sought representation. We are now down to the runoff for two. Let the men and women do their job. Collective bargaining is not a bad thing for our men and women at TSA. Lastly, let me say that Administrator Pistole has it right. His record with the FBI is impeccable. He looked at the situation, made a decision that had been kicked around for too many years at the Department. Let's give the men and women at TSA the right to choose a collective bargaining unit if they so choose to decide on a collective bargaining unit.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. The second most offensive aspect of this bill is the shenanigans surrounding the funding of disaster emergencies. Lastly, ending Medicare in this rule makes absolutely no sense. For these reasons, I oppose H.R. 2017 and ask my colleagues to join me in voting against the rule and the underlying bill.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule for H.R. 2017, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2012. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. As Americans began to process the carnage inflicted by Osama bin Laden on our soil, then-President Bush challenged us as a nation to ``confront every threat from any source that could bring sudden terror and suffering to America.'' For nearly 10 years, we've done just that. We've made major investments in intelligence, border security, transportation security, and emergency preparedness. H.R. 2017 suddenly veers away from these incremental efforts and, as a result, sets our Nation on a dangerously wrong path. To cut homeland security preparedness grants by $2.1 billion at a time when DHS is calling for a period of heightened alert because of our successful action against bin Laden is deplorable and reckless. How we can continue these efforts with an appropriation bill that funds DHS at 7 percent below what President Obama tells us that DHS needs is beyond me. The probability of a terrorist attack on a major domestic transit system has not subsided, nor has Mother Nature relented and softened the barrage of punishing blows to our communities, including much of my own congressional district. This bill sacrifices the security of our communities just to save a penny here and a penny there. Our first responders must not be treated as pawns to the political ideology of the day. It is the decimation of the first responder grant programs, at the hands of the Republican leadership, that, by far, is the most offensive aspect of this bill.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Riders and their incredibly courageous acts of resistance during the summer of 1961, when civil rights leaders launched the Freedom Rides to challenge the Jim Crow laws that upheld the segregated interstate bus systems. Indeed, I am privileged to serve with two of my esteemed colleagues, Representative John Lewis and Representative Bob Filner, Freedom Riders who blazed the trail in order that I might have the distinct honor to serve as the highest-ranking African American elected official in the state of Mississippi--an opportunity that would not have been possible without the personal sacrifices of the Freedom Riders in their quest for racial justice in this country. The Freedom Rides, an organized effort initiated by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), was a significant moment during the Civil Rights Movement, as young students were greeted with violent racial discrimination as they traveled from Washington, DC throughout the Jim Crow South to test the Supreme Court's ruling in Boynton v. Virginia (1960), which declared segregation in interstate bus and rail stations unconstitutional. Freedom Riders faced violent opposition and garnered broad media attention, which eventually forced Federal intervention from the Kennedy administration. The first Freedom Ride took place on May 4, 1961 when seven blacks and six whites left Washington, D.C., on two public buses bound for the Deep South. The Freedom Riders made it through Virginia and North Carolina without incident, but as they made it to Rock Hill, South Carolina, the Freedom Riders encountered violence and faced more resistance as they traveled further into the ``Deep South.'' The ride continued to Anniston, Alabama, where on May 14th they were met by a violent mob of over 100 people. Before their arrival, Anniston local authorities had given permission to the Ku Klux Klan to strike against the Freedom Riders without fear of arrest. CORE leaders decided that letting violence end the trip would send the wrong signal to the country. On May 17, 1961, SNCC and the Nashville Student Movement rode from Nashville to Birmingham to resume the Freedom Rides. On May 29th, the Kennedy administration announced that it had directed the Interstate Commerce Commission to ban segregation in all facilities under its jurisdiction, but the rides continued as students from all over the country purchased bus tickets to the South and crowded into Mississippi jails. The Freedom Rides inspired sit-ins in public facilities and businesses across the South. Today, collectively, we must be ``Change Agents'' and continue to pursue the struggle for human, civil, and equal rights which are the legacy and spirit of the Freedom Riders and all of the brave men and women who made personal sacrifices during the Civil Rights Movement for justice and equality for all mankind.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1363, the ``Department of Defense and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011,'' a damaging deflection, even as negotiations are ongoing to prevent a government shutdown. H.R. 1363 would reduce funding for the Department of Homeland Security operations by $1.4 billion. The cuts are far from surgical in nature and diminish the Department's flexibility to respond and recover from known and unknown threats. Specifically, H.R. 1363 undermines homeland security as follows: The bill cuts FEMA first responder grants by 20%. This draconian cut will force cash-strapped State, local and tribal governments to roll back critical preparedness activities and is a slap in the face to the men and women who serve and protect. It cuts funding for next generation border security technology by 28%. This will surely set back efforts at achieving operational control of the Southwest border. It cuts $57 million in funding for Transportation Security Administration's terrorist watchlist activities. This cut will force TSA to scramble to find the money to undertake this critical screening activity. It cuts the Science and Technology Directorate operations by $173 million. This cut will most certainly result in significant delays in the development of new and promising homeland security technologies. Rather than slashing the DHS budget to grand-stand or score political points, we should be dedicating new resources to: Bolster border security by retaining CBP officers, providing technologies and equipment to front-line officials, and upgrading deteriorating infrastructure at ports of entry; Expand maritime security by the furthering of the Coast Guard's recapitalization initiative to replace its aging fleet; Enhance cybersecurity by investing and deploying cyber systems to protect critical cyber infrastructure from all cyber threats. Strengthen aviation security by making enhancements in the vetting of foreign travelers air-bound for our country, a known threat since well before the Christmas Day plot of 2009. Playing fast and loose with homeland security is not the way to put our Nation's fiscal house in order. The Republican draconian approach to budgeting will add insult to injury to the Department of Homeland Security that has already struggled for six months without its budget. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting against this damaging deflection of a bill.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of a true champion and humanitarian, Dr. Mark Colomb. Dr. Colomb's life mission addressed the health needs and concerns of blacks within the State of Mississippi and other southern communities. A community activist, public health educator and public policy advocate, Colomb founded My Brother's Keeper, MBK, a national organization dedicated to reducing health disparities in African American communities. A principal architect of the Minority AIDS Initiative and founding member of the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Dr. Colomb is credited with garnering more $9 million dollars, the largest of 12 five year national grants awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2000, to train African American community- based organizations throughout the U.S. and its territories on HIV/AIDS prevention and education. He played a central role in shaping both state and national HIV/AIDS policy legislation with particular focus on African American men and women. His academic appointments included assistant professor of sociology, adjunct professor and statistical laboratory coordinator at Jackson State University and instructor at Tougaloo College. Dr. Colomb was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Madison, MS.; a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; and numerous social, professional and academic honor organizations, including, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society and Professional Association in Education. Again, I ask that my colleagues please join me in saluting the life and legacy of Dr. Mark Colomb.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Coach Davey Whitney, National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Famer and the second winningest coach in HBCU College Basketball. Davey Whitney was born in Midway, Kentucky in 1930. While in high school, he excelled in basketball, but pursued his first love-- baseball--and hoped to play professionally. Whitney graduated from Kentucky State University earning more letters than any other athlete at the university. Coach Whitney, affectionately known as the ``Wiz,'' began his sports career as a shortstop with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Baseball League from 1952 to 1954 replacing Ernie Banks, who went on to play for the Chicago Cubs. Whitney played on the 1954 All Star Team and with Satchel Paige. Subsequently, he was not offered a contract with the Chicago Cubs and shifted his focus to coaching basketball. Though he never wanted to be a coach or teach, Whitney stated, ``I guess I carried the same kind of determination in baseball over to coaching.'' Whitney coached high school basketball in Kentucky during the 1960s and was named ``Coach of the Year'' in 1961, the same year his team won the National High School Tournament Championship. His team went on to capture three Kentucky State Tournament Championships. Coach Whitney's first collegiate job was at Texas Southern University from 1964 to 1969. The ``Wiz'' would go on to spend more than 25 years coaching the Alcorn State University Braves and be named the Southwest Athletic Championships, SWAC, Coach of the Year nine times. Whitney coached at Alcorn State University from 1969/ 1988 and again from 1996/ 2002, bringing the Brave squad back to prominence. During his coaching career, Whitney's overall record as head coach was 550 wins and 337 defeats; 495 of his career wins were as head coach of the Alcorn State Braves. Under the tutelage of Coach Whitney, the Braves were the first historically black institution to compete in the NCAA playoffs. The Braves dominated the SWAC with 12 SWAC regular season titles--a record four consecutive titles from 1978 to 1982; participated in 12 national postseason tournaments, won five NAIA District Titles and placed second and third in the national tournaments during the 1970s. In 2010, Legendary Coach Davey ``Wiz'' Whitney was among eight inducted into the 2010 National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Again, I ask that my colleagues join me in saluting the stellar coaching career of legendary Coach Davey ``Wiz'' Whitney.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Coach Lafayette Stribling, Championship Winning Basketball Coach and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Hall of Famer. Lafayette Stribling, a native of Carthage, Mississippi in Leake County graduated from Harmony High School in Carthage. He attended Mississippi Industrial College in Holly Springs, Mississippi where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree and later a Master of Science Degree from Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi. Coach Stribling has also studied at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Stribling coached high school boy's basketball for 26 years winning 741 games and 17 out of 19 Conference Championships. He was named Coach of the Year of the Choctaw Conference six consecutive years, and his team was Class BB State Champions in 1980. In addition to coaching boy's basketball, Stribling coached girl's basketball for four years. In the 1981 regular season, both the boys and girls teams were undefeated winning 67 consecutive games. He coached baseball for 15 years and won the 1971 State Championship. Subsequently, three players from that championship team went on to play baseball professionally. Throughout his 26 year high school sports career, Coach Stribling never had a losing season. Coach Stribling spent over 20 years as the coach of the Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) Delta Devils in Itta Bena, Mississippi. During Stribling's tenure, the Delta Devils captured four SWAC regular- season titles and earned three SWAC tournament titles which lead to three trips to the NCAA Tournament (1986, 1992, 1996). Stribling was the winningest coach in Mississippi Valley State University history, with a record of 315-307. Coach Stribling's accomplishments at Mississippi Valley included taking a squad that was down in the early 1980s and turning them into conference champions. In 1985, his Delta Devils team played on national television against the number one team in the nation, Duke University. The game, televised on ESPN, saw Mississippi Valley fight a tough contest against the Blue Devils. At halftime, the Delta Devils led by three. Early in the second half, they led by seven, only to see Duke rally for an 85-78 victory. Though, the Delta Devils did not take home the win, their performance very well may have earned them a different type of victory. At the time, Mississippi Valley State University was facing closure. After a strong performance from the Delta Devils, the national attention Stribling's squad received arguably may have breathed life back into Mississippi Valley State University, forcing state legislators to reconsider closing its doors. In 2005, Coach Stribling retired from Mississippi Valley State University as head coach of the Delta Devils. Soon, thereafter he came out of retirement and began coaching the Tougaloo College Bulldogs. In 2007, under the tutelage of Coach Stribling, the Bulldogs won their first conference championship in the school's history. That same year, Coach Stribling was named Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and the bulldogs went on to play in the National Tournament. At 76 years-old, Coach Stribling still believes his players should ``work hard and play even harder''--that is in the classroom and on the court. His firm concept of ``academics before athletics'' left the 54 year coaching veteran with only seven of his original thirteen players in the 2011 National Tournament when some of his players became academically ineligible. In essence, Coach Stribling says, ``You can look at it two ways. I always look at my glass as half full, not half empty. All seven of my guys know they are going to play every night. They are ready. I tell them we have seven players. That's two too many. You can't use but five at a time.'' To date, The Tougaloo Bulldogs have won three championships in just five seasons. Coach Lafayette Stribling has inspired his players to never give up on or off the court. He has survived prostate cancer and congestive heart failure and continues to enjoy every moment of the game. Again, I ask that my colleagues join me in saluting Coach Lafayette Stribling, a living legend and an inspiration to all Mississippians.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce legislation today with the following Democratic Members of the Committee on Homeland Security: Ms. Loretta Sanchez, Ms. Sheila Jackson Lee, Mr. Henry Cuellar, and Mr. Cedric Richmond. The SAFE Port Act of 2006 authorizes the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Program to be administered jointly by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Coast Guard within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The TWIC program is focused on protecting the Nation's maritime transportation facilities and vessels by requiring maritime workers and other workers who need unescorted access to secure port facilities to obtain a biometric identification card. After initial delays, all maritime workers were required to obtain biometric TWICs by April 2009. The initial cost to workers for these cards is $132.50 per credential, and in the event that a card is lost, stolen, or damaged, a replacement TWIC costs $60.00. To date, over 1.8 million longshoremen, truckers, merchant mariners, and rail and vessel crew members have undergone extensive homeland security and criminal background checks to obtain TWICs. However, the full promise of a biometric access security system has not been realized, as DHS has made little progress in deploying TWIC card readers to ports and vessels. TSA was two years late in starting a pilot program for the readers, even as workers raced to obtain TWICs to continue working in our Nation's ports. Finally, in April 2009, TSA commenced a limited pilot program to test the business processes, technology, and operational impacts necessary for full deployment of the TWIC readers. The law requires DHS to issue final regulations for the deployment of TWIC readers based on the results of these pilots by April 2011. TSA has said that it expects to complete the pilots by August 2011 and that Coast Guard would then issue final regulations in late 2012. Under current law, starting in October 2012, workers would be required to renew their TWICs, even though DHS has yet to issue regulations requiring TWIC readers. In the interest of security and in order not to place an undue burden on workers, I am introducing legislation to ensure that the full promise of the TWIC program is realized. The ``TWIC Program Act'' ensures that Transportation Worker Identification Credentials held by workers for unescorted access to port facilities are valid until the earlier of (1) the deadline for full implementation of a final rule by the Department of Homeland Security for readers to be installed as a security measure to verify the identity of TWIC card holders against the credential presented to gain access to our Nation's maritime ports; or (2) December 31, 2014. This legislation will help ensure that the full promise of the TWIC program is realized. I look forward to working with the Senate and the rest of our colleagues on a bipartisan, bicameral basis to see that this bill is enacted.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Laverne Sing, the State of Mississippi's first African-American female firefighter. Captain Sing not only broke down years of historical barriers, but also provided safety and security for the citizens of the City of Greenville, Mississippi, for many selfless years. Known as a Delta Pioneer, Captain Sing was born January 16, 1944, in Washington County, Mississippi, to a family of five sisters and four brothers. She worked numerous occupations leading up to her heroic role as a firefighter including telecommunications operator, medical service driver and dispatcher, and as Greenville's first female security officer for the Greenville Public School District. Captain Sing reported for duty in June 1979 to her community as the first African-American female firefighter in Greenville without allowing prejudice to get in her way. Her selfless acts in fire prevention and safety have resulted in the preservation of countless lives and incalculable amounts of property. Captain Sing's goals as a firefighter were to save lives, save property, and protect the environment. She met these objectives every day not only in the firehouse and on the scene but in her daily life. Her hard work and expert knowledge led to her rapid promotion from a recruit to Captain of the Greenville Firehouse. Putting herself in harm's way to save precious lives, Captain Sing courageously ran into burning buildings and structures when others were running out. Once inside a burning building, Captain Sing used the right hand search pattern technique and immediately began scouring for and removing trapped occupants by following closely along the room's walls and performing the search until everyone in the structure was safely out. Captain Sing has always displayed a commitment to excellence even in the face of unthinkable danger. Her acts of gallantry, perseverance and pride exemplify a character that has allowed her to grow and prosper. As Captain for the Greenville Fire Department, she was a leader in the firehouse and at times performed dispatch services for both the fire and police department. She volunteered her time as a public relations officer for the fire department where she presented programs in community schools, daycare centers and nursing homes that educated numerous persons both on escaping a fire and what actions to take when faced with safety hazards. In 1990 and 1991, Captain Sing served the community as a volunteer for the Salvation Army and the Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Burn Center. A decorated firefighter, Captain Sing has received many honors including the Department's Outstanding Performance Award and the Flame Award from the Greenville Chamber of Commerce. As a firefighter, Captain Sing worked through many grueling academic courses including her national certification in level Fire Fighter One, numerous safety programs and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, CPR, training through the American Red Cross. Captain Sing's exceptional performance of her duties and her barrier- breaking accomplishments has been recognized at events during Black History Month, by churches, associations and community groups. In 1992, upon the passing of the brother committed to her care for 18 years, Captain Sing, felt the call to be close to her family and resigned after over a decade of gallant service to the Greenville Fire Department. Captain Sing is a proud member of Serene Lodge 20th Century Temple Daughters of Elks and a faithful servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the Grace Outreach Church pastored by Rev. Ruben Lewis. She is the proud mother of three children, Remelda, Demetria and Lawrence Sing. Currently, she devotes her time to children in the Greenville Public School System. Captain Sing is recognized by the Black Women in Fire Service as the State of Mississippi's first African-American firefighter and as a leader of the African-American women firefighters in the United States of America. Mr. Speaker, please join me in saluting Captain Laverne Sing, the first female African-American Firefighter in the State of Mississippi for your dedicated service in fire safety and prevention.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant Mrs. Ellen Williams Ragland. Mrs. Ragland got her start in 1929. She grew up in a small rural community in Humphreys County, MS, where she witnessed the implementation of the civil rights movement and watched it unfold victoriously. Mrs. Ragland married Adam Ragland in 1947. They later moved to Silver City, MS, and had five children. They were black farmers and owners of Semicko's Record Shop. Mrs. Ragland was hired as a nurse assistant for the black schools in Humphreys County before integration. She picked-up the sick children from school and took them to the doctor in Belzoni, MS. She also worked for Friends of Children of Mississippi as a teacher assistant in 1968. After the schools were integrated, Mrs. Ragland was hired as a teacher assistant in Humphreys County Public School in 1970. She worked for Humphreys County School District until she retired in 1990. In 1991, Mrs. Ragland began working as an Entitlement Aid for National Caucus for Black Age. She was very passionate about her job and the people she served, where she often went beyond the call of duty to service their needs. Mrs. Ragland is well respected in the community. She has a pleasant personality that makes people feel comfortable going to her for help. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Ellen Williams Ragland for her dedication to serving others in need.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Willie Bunton, a very instrumental person in the Mayersville community. Mr. Bunton, Jr. was born on April 29, 1935 to Bertha and Willie Bunton, Sr. He was the son of a sharecropper who left school at the age of 15 to take care of his family because of the death of his father. Mr. Bunton worked tirelessly during the Civil Rights Era to register citizens to vote. He was also instrumental in integrating the schools in Rolling Fork and Mayersville. He met Louise Matthews, who later became his wife, and to this union were born 14 children. He and his wife owned and operated 14 & 1 Quick Stop for several years. Prior to opening his own business, Mr. Bunton worked with the Delta Opportunity Corporation where he was a job developer and recruiter fulfilling the capacity of job placement for the unemployed. Around this time, Mr. Bunton gained an interest in politics, and then ran for Supervisor-at-Large of District 3 in Issaquena County unsuccessfully. He then filed suit to bring the elections back to the district rather than at- large, and won. He then ran again in a special election in 1972 and won. Mr. Bunton was the 7th black supervisor elected in the state of Mississippi, Mr. Bunton served on the board for 12 years with WWISCAA, served on the board of MACE for 4 years, and was also a member of the Freedom Democratic Party, which was formed because black democrats were not accepted by the regular Democratic Party, which defeated the regular Democratic Party and was seated at the National Democratic Convention. Mr. Bunton also helped to get sufficient water and sewer for the Town of Mayersville, and also had involvement with the corporation of the town. Mr. Bunton was also seriously involved in the Issaquena County Backwater Project.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant Mr. Vonnie Ware. Mr. Ware owns and operates his own cook syrup farm and has raised cattle for the past twenty years. His parents W.H. and Lovie Dier-Ware had nine children. His father was a Blacksmith who owned his own land. His wife's father, Samuel Mallet, owned and operated his own farm in the Thomastown community where they could hear the bells ringing on the plantation two miles away. His father shoed horses for twenty-five cents (.25) a head. The children that lived on the plantation never went to school until it rained. He says, ``That's why I say we are just one step from the plantation, because I still meet the same men today who can't read or write.'' Out of all the injustice they endured, Vonnie's parents never taught them to hate anyone because of his skin color. His grandparents were Will and Lizer Griffin-Dier. He considered his grandfather his greatest hero and stayed with him when he was a small boy. Vonnie's grandfather was a Deacon in his church and owned and operated his own farm. He was also a syrup cooker. His grandfather wasn't allowed any kind of benefits because he owned his own land. Vonnie followed in his grandfather's footsteps. His Aunt Frances Dier taught school 40 years in Leake County. She walked for miles to school since she could not ride the bus because she was black. One day, the bus passed and splashed mud on her; she stepped in the ditch and prayed that one day her people would be able to ride the bus like the white people. Today, Vonnie Ware is a past TAC (Thomastown Attendance Center) Booster club President of four years. He was also a trustee at Leake Memorial Hospital for two years. He is an active member of the Leake County Voters League. Vonnie Ware speaks from his heart when he says: ``We are thankful for the old freedom fighters that humbled themselves and denied themselves of speaking like they were men or women. They knew what the blacks knew. It was difficult to see ``white only'' signs up everywhere you go. This hurts my soul to write anymore about it In order for a young man to succeed, he must do these three things: Believe in God, vote, and know how to spend his money. We have come a long way BUT we still have a long way to go. We must press on.''

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the long and distinguished life of Mrs. Flora Bush Stigler. Born June 28, 1935, in Carroll County, Mississippi she was the 9th of 10 children born to the late Charlie and Susie Bush. She attended-Ware school in Carroll County and Knox High School in Winona, MS. Upon completing her studies she received a music scholarship in choir from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi. While at Rust College, she majored in education, with a concentration in history. She also did further studies at Mississippi State University. She taught one year in Pelahatchie, MS and twenty-nine years at J. Z. George High School. She retired in 1986. While at J. Z. George, she taught 7th grade history and later taught 11 grade history. Of course, she was known for her no- nonsense atmosphere in the classroom. She carefully cultivated her students' natural abilities while demanding and commanding discipline. She ensured and assured each child that education is and would be the key to success. She retired from education after 30 years of service. As a member of Helm Chapel Church, she serves diligently as Director of Christian Education and Music Director for both the adult and the youth choir. She also served many years as director of Prater Day Care Center of Helm Chapel CME Church, the first day care center in our area. In April 2008, she received her Golden Degree from Rust College. She is politically active, serving as County Coordinator for Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, and treasurer of the Carroll County Voters' League. Currently at age 75, she is still working with people in the community by way of managing a state program known as ``Meals on Wheels'' for seven counties, (Attala, Carroll, Grenada, Holmes, Leflore, Montgomery and Yalobusha) through North Central Planning and Development District. She is the mother of three daughters, a grandmother of 6, a great grandmother of 7 and a person who never meets a stranger. Today, as in past years, she is known for her community service. She is an ``active'' and vocal member of the PTO at J. Z. George High School.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Willie Steen Battle. Ms. Battle, born April 17, 1945 to the late Thomas and Virginia Ellis in Flora, Mississippi graduated from East Flora High School in 1964 and furthered her education with an Associate Degree from Hinds Community College. She is an active member of Fearns Chapel Free Will Baptist Church where she serves on the Mother Board. She is President of Flora Community for Progress where she volunteers her time with organizing food drives to give baskets to the elderly and disabled during the holidays. She also assists with giving benefit programs to people in the community whose homes have been destroyed by fire. Willie Steen is the mother of three: Tony, Erik and Michael.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Merdis Anderson is a native of Amite County, Gloster, Mississippi, where she was reared by her maternal Grandmother, the late Mrs. Mary B. Spears. She is the devoted and caring wife of Mr. Samuel Charlie Anderson of Lexington, Mississippi, and the proud mother of 2 sons, Shawn Christopher Anderson and Kevin Keith Anderson. She is also the proud grandmother of 6 grandchildren. She is a member of Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church under the Pastorship of Reverend Walter Eskridge Jr., where she serves as Usher Board Leader. Upon graduating from Amite County Training School In Gloster, Mississippi, Mrs. Anderson attended Mississippi Valley State College, presently, Mississippi Valley State University, where she majored in Social Science with emphasis on Sociology. After graduating from Mississippi Valley State College in 1970, she worked in the public schools of Amite County for one semester and one summer, where she taught Social Studies and English. In August of 1971, she moved to Detroit, Michigan and worked as a secretary/typist for Ford Motor Company. Realizing that her calling was to teach, mold, and shape the minds of boys and girls to new heights in the field of education, Mrs. Anderson moved back to Mississippi in June of 1974, and was employed with the Holmes County School District as a full time teacher in September of 1975, at Mileston Elementary School. At Mileston Elementary School, she worked and served in numerous capacities for 15 years before being transferred to Lexington Elementary School, where she taught first grade, fourth grade, and in 1999, she became Lead Teacher where she dedicated her services until October of 2004 after which she left to work at the Holmes County Vocational-Technical Center. Mrs. Anderson is presently employed at the Holmes County Vocational Technical Center, where she works diligently with the Staff Development Activities, serves as the Student Incentive Chairperson, Character Education Chairperson, Monthly Bulletin Board Chairperson, Black History Month Activities Chairperson, and Public Relations Coordinator for the center. Realizing that she could do more to help the boys and girls in Holmes County reach new heights in education and become productive citizens in a global society, she was instrumental in being hired in 2009 by the aggressive, Mrs. Beulah Greer, Director of the Community Learning Center, and Mr. Leslie Greer, CEO of the center, as an English teacher, to work with students in the Summer Camp Program, where learning takes place on a daily basis. Mrs. Anderson sees the Summer Camp Program as a program where the teachers instill in students that, they are somebody, they have a sense of pride, and they can become critical and logical thinkers as they grow into adulthood, facing the challenges that await them in a world of uncertainty. She has worked as a volunteer with the center for almost 2 years. Mrs. Anderson has taught boys and girls for almost 38 years in the field of education, not for the money that the job brings, but because teaching has given her rewards that cannot be calculated on an adding machine, nor deposited in a bank, but it gives her tangible awards, such as the countenance on a child's face that has learned under her guidance, a pat on the shoulder, and the knowledge of knowing that those vibrant children are enjoying themselves and learning because of her efforts and carefully daily planning. Her philosophy of teaching is that it takes a special group of people with special skills and dedication to focus on the strengths of children and not their weaknesses. She is a firm believer that all children can learn regardless of their background, and socio-economic status, whether it be by visual, auditory, kinesthetic, tactile, or some other means. To her family, community and friends, she gives thanks for believing in her, understanding her, and encouraging her in her endeavors as an educator. ``To God be the glory for all that He has done.''