Joe Wilson

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 51, offered by the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Dan Lipinski. This resolution increases the awareness of Catholic education while honoring the contributions of America's Catholic schools. They are dedicated to not only educating their students academically, but to developing their moral, intellectual, physical and social values. January 28 through February 3, 2007, is Catholic Schools Week, an annual tradition in its 33rd year and jointly sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The purpose of this resolution and Catholic Schools Week is to celebrate the vital role Catholic elementary and secondary schools play in providing a values-added education with high standards of quality and excellence to millions of children in America. As President George W. Bush has noted, Catholic educators share the basic conviction that every child can learn, which is the grounding principle behind the No Child Left Behind Act. Catholic schools have also played a vital role in the gulf coast's path to recovery after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. They worked as quickly as possible to reenroll their students, while also opening their doors to thousands of public school students displaced by the storm. Catholic schools continue to demonstrate their faith in every student and commitment to excellence with overwhelming results. According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic schools have a greater than 99 percent graduation rate, and about 97 percent of Catholic high school graduates go on to postsecondary training at 4- year colleges, community colleges, or technical schools. I know firsthand of the significance of Catholic schools in that my new daughter-in-law, Jennifer Miskewicz Wilson of Fairfield, New Jersey, was influenced by a Catholic education. I appreciate the great work being done by Catholic schools, their administrators and teachers, as well as their parents and volunteers. Catholic schools carry out their servant mission by building the academic achievement, character and values of their students. I commend my colleague from Illinois for introducing this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support it. I would like to congratulate and thank Mrs. Davis and Mr. Lipinski for their leadership on the past two resolutions. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, last week, I introduced a bill that will make permanent the $10,000 adoption tax credit which is set to expire in 2010. As the father of an adopted son, as a former attorney handling adoptions, and as a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I know firsthand the challenges and rewards adoption brings. The adoption process can be mentally and procedurally exhausting. Families should not be overwhelmed with financial burdens as well. We should offer incentives, not penalties, to those making this commitment. I am proud to sponsor this bill and pleased that 46 of our colleagues, including Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, have joined me as co-sponsors. This legislation is necessary to promote adoption and foster the creation of happy homes. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 29, which celebrates mentors who are positively impacting the lives of young people and highlights the need for additional mentors to make themselves available to America's youth. I applaud Representative Susan Davis' continued efforts to draw attention and support to this very important issue, and I appreciate her dedicated leadership in this area. Mentors give their time and energy to improve the lives of American young people who increasingly spend less time with concerned adult role models. According to the National Mentoring Institute, young people with mentors are roughly half as likely as those without mentors to begin using illegal drugs, 27 percent less likely to begin using alcohol, and 50 percent less prone to absenteeism from school. The positive effects of mentoring also include the improvement of academic achievement, a reduction in violent behavior, and a higher self-esteem. In December 2006, President Bush proclaimed January 2007 as National Mentoring Month, giving public recognition to mentors who serve as role models and provide quality involvement and interaction in the lives of America's youth. As the President said, ``Through friendship and encouragement, mentors can help prepare young Americans for a hopeful future.'' By honoring mentors and mentoring programs, we recognize the importance of mentoring programs implemented in our local schools and communities. We also draw attention to the components of a quality program, including appropriate screening of potential mentors and careful matching of youth with adults who have a genuine interest in providing guidance and being exemplary role models. Mentoring programs are varied and unique. They can be school-based or faith-based, and they may be established through community organizations or corporate initiatives. I encourage people across the country to take the time to discover what mentoring programs exist in their communities and see what they can do to help. Many volunteers are needed to meet the growing demand for mentors. Again, I am pleased to recognize the important work of mentors and the quality mentoring programs, and I urge Members to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, there are no further speakers.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I oppose H.R. 5 as it is written and support the alternative proposal by Ranking Member Buck McKeon. As the father of three college graduates and a college freshman, I am all too familiar with the financial burden higher education poses to families and students. That is why I am proud of Republican efforts to expand college access and increase affordability. During the past decade, House Republicans under the leadership of John Boehner and Buck McKeon tripled overall Federal aid to a record $90 billion, helping millions of Americans achieve their dream of a college education. In addition, Republicans increased new aid for Pell students more than $4 billion over 5 years, establishing the first ever grant program for high achieving Pell students in their first and second years of college. The program also provides grant aid to low income, high achieving students pursuing degrees in math, science, and critical foreign languages in their third and fourth years. As lawmakers, our number one concern with regard to higher education should be to ensure that college is affordable for any student. Unfortunately, as H.R. 5 is currently written, it pits the Federal Family Education Loan Program, FFEL, against the Direct Loan program, DLP, and by doing so creates an imbalance in the student loan industry that is so lopsided only the largest FFELP lenders will survive. While the Democrat bill was well-intentioned, its focus on interest rate reduction does not expand college access for new students which the McKeon alternative does. That is why I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of it, because it truly expands college access for young Americans. I encourage Congress to help foster an environment that will build a student loan marketplace and not play politics with college educations.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman, Mr. McKeon, for his leadership and expanding opportunities for students to attend college. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5. As the father of three college graduates and a college freshman, I am all too familiar with the financial burden higher education poses to families and students. That is why I am proud of the Republican efforts to expand college access and increase affordability. During the past decade, House Republicans under the leadership of John Boehner and Buck McKeon tripled overall Federal aid to a record $90 billion, helping millions of Americans achieve their dream of a college education. In addition, Republicans increased new aid for Pell students more than $4 billion over 5 years, establishing the first ever grant program for high achieving Pell students in their first and second years of college. The program also provides grant aid to low income, high achieving students pursuing degrees in math, science, and critical foreign languages in their third and fourth years. While the Democrat bill was well-intentioned, its focus on interest rate reduction does nothing to expand college access for new students. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the McKeon alternative, which will truly expand college access for young Americans.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, on Saturday, January 7, South Carolina's adjutant general, Stan Spears, hosted the departure ceremony for the 218th Enhanced Separate Infantry Brigade. The event was attended by 10,000 appreciative family members and supporters. The 218th Brigade is commanded by Brigadier General Robert Livingston. General Livingston and his wife Barbara's daughters, Rachel, Rebecca and Roxanne, led the national anthem at the ceremony. The brigade consists of 1,800 soldiers and will be in Afghanistan for approximately 1 year. Its primary mission will be to train Afghan national army and national police. This is the largest single deployment of South Carolina Army National Guard since World War II. As a grateful 25-year veteran of the 218th and father of four sons in the military, I have the deepest respect and admiration for the men and women who put their lives at risk to protect American families. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families. Our office is available at all times for servicemembers and families toll free at 1- 888-381-1442. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, yesterday afternoon as I was reading The Examiner, a Washington daily, I came across an editorial that summed up my view of our current conflict in Iraq and the overall global war on terrorism. I applaud The Examiner's editorial staff for declaring what is largely an unpopular view among the mainstream media. The editorial follows. [Jan. 11, 2007] Do We Defeat the Terrorists in Iraq Now or Fight Them Here Tomorrow? Washington.--President Bush could not have been more frank or honest with the American people than he was last night. That said, the central issue remains today what it has been since the first plane crashed into the WorId Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001: Are we as a nation willing to do whatever is required to win the war on terrorism? Iraq is today the central front in that war, and the president is doing all within his power to defeat the terrorists there now so that we don't have to fight them here in the future. The president believes the war in Iraq can be won by increasing American troop strength for a period as the Iraqis themselves assume greater responsibilities for securing their country and by increasing U.S. economic aid to rebuild infrastructure and provide jobs. Calling this troop movement a ``surge'' was unfortunate because it conveyed the idea of something that isn't going to happen--putting more U.S. soldiers on the ground than we have had heretofore. In fact, as The Examiner's Bill Sammon reported yesterday, even with the ``surge'' announced last night, we will still be a few thousand short of the high water mark of 160,000 U.S. troops a year ago. More important than the raw numbers is how those troops are deployed. The president acknowledged last night that mistakes were made in the days leading up to the U.S. action in Iraq and the first phases of building the post-Saddam Hussein Iraq. Working with increased Iraqi military and police forces, our strengthened forces will now be able to rectify the biggest of those mistakes: failing to eradicate the insurgents completely and not disarming private militias like that of Moqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army. Special attention is to be devoted to Baghdad and Anbar province, with Iraqi army units in the lead. There will be more U.S. casualties in coming months. But the only way to affirm the sacrifice of American blood and material resources in Iraq is persevering and winning. Iraq is not Vietnam unless congressional Democrats heed extremists like Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-MA, and withdraw funding for the American war effort in Iraq as they did in 1974, which led directly to the fall of Saigon in 1975. The killing fields followed throughout Southeast Asia as the victors took revenge upon those who looked to America for protection and freedom. The killing fields will come again if America fails now because Iraq will dissolve into chaos and then a jihadist totalitarianism. Many Rubicons are being crossed on Iraq. There will be no crossing back if we heed the ignoble call to retreat.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, former Secretary of Commerce Calvin William Verity Jr., 89, of Beaufort, South Carolina, died Wednesday, January 3, 2007, at the Beaufort Memorial Hospital. He was born January 26, 1917, in Middletown, Ohio, the son of Calvin William Verity, Sr. and Elizabeth (O'Brien) Verity. Secretary Verity was a graduate of the Phillips Exeter Academy and Yale University. He served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1942- 1946. Mr. Verity worked for Armco Steel from 1946 until his retirement in 1982 as CEO and Chairman of the Board. He was named Secretary of Commerce by President Ronald Reagan in 1987 and served two years in that position. During the 1970s and 80s he served as Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and as Chairman of the U.S.-Soviet Trade and Economic Council. He was also the Chairman of the Presidents Task force on Private Sector Initiatives under President Reagan. Secretary Verity is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Peggy ``Happy'' Verity Power and J.P. Power of Edwards, Colorado; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jonathan George Verity and Victoria Verity of Beaufort, South Carolina, and William Wymond Verity and Paula Verity of Beaufort, South Carolina; seven grandchildren, William Verity Power (Kate), Jonathan Warfield Power (Jody), Jonathan Edward Verity, Victoria Heye Verity Nellen (Bill), Elizabeth Wymond Verity, George Murray Verity, and Hannah Bakewell Verity; four great grandchildren, James Matthew Power, John Gray Power, Thomas George Power, and Brooks Verity Power; and two sisters, Betsy Verity Blakey of Columbus, Ohio and Jean Verity Woodhull of Dayton, Ohio. On January 5, Sandra Walsh of the Beaufort Gazette penned the below tribute to Mr. Verity: Former Secretary of Commerce Dies in Beaufort Serving as President Ronald Reagan's Secretary of Commerce, Calvin William Verity Jr., shared the stage with political giants. But in Beaufort, where Verity shared his Spanish Point home with his beloved wife, he is remembered by friends as a `giant of a man.' Verity died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, in Beaufort Memorial Hospital. He was 89. Verity, who suffered from asthma, had been hospitalized for four days and died from complications of pneumonia, his oldest son John Verity said Thursday. ``I think the key to his success over the years was his ability to work with people,'' John Verity said. ``His leadership was based on building consensus and creating an environment where people would work together.'' Verity was sworn in as President Ronald Reagan's Secretary of Commerce Oct. 19, 1987, after secretary Malcolm Baldrige was killed in a rodeo accident. He served until the end of Reagan's term in January 1989. As U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Verity established the Malcolm Baldrige Award, which ``in the 1990s helped businesses improve the quality of their work,'' John Verity said. He then retired and moved to Beaufort's Spanish Point neighborhood in the early '90s with his wife, Peggy, who died in 1999. ``He was a giant of a man,'' Verity's next door neighbor and friend of 21 years, Guy McSweeney, said Thursday. ``He was one of the most remarkable men I have ever known; everyone that knew him loved him.'' Between 1970 and the 1980s, Verity served as chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and as chairman of the U.S.- Soviet Trade and Economic Council. Reagan also appointed him as the chairman of the President's Task Force on Private Sector Initiatives. Verity worked for Armco Steel from 1946 until he retired in 1982 as chairman of the board of the company now known as AK Steel Corp. He is the grandson of George M. Verity, who founded the firm. Verity was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946. McSweeney said Verity maintained a lifelong interest in the Navy. About 10 years ago, McSweeney said he and Verity rode aboard what was originally a Soviet training ship, the Druzhba, from the Bahamas to Maryland alongside 200 U.S. Navy and Russian cadets. ``He was always coming up with something fun to do,'' McSweeney said. ``From duck hunting or riding on a jet to California, he was always into something.'' Neighbor Polly Swenson recalled a time when former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor visited Verity at his Spanish Point home and caught a speckled bass from his dock. Swenson said even in his later years, when Verity used a motorized scooter, he would sit on a bluff behind his home nearly every day and look out to the water. ``He would always say, `Isn't this the most beautiful place on Earth?' Swenson said. ``Beaufort was very much a part of him.'' Verity and his wife played active roles in Beaufort's community and were responsible for raising money for several organizations, including a Verity scholarship fund through the Technical College of the Lowcountry and an education fund for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry. ``He just loved people,'' longtime friend Helen Harvey said. ``He loved to help people; he did so much for so many people through his connections.'' St. Helena Island resident and freelance editor Cheryl Lopanik helped Verity organize information for his biography, ``59 Years with the Right Woman,'' a recollection of Verity's life with a focus on his wife, self-published in 2003. ``He was devastated in losing her, but he wanted to put this book together because he knew it would have made her happy,'' Lopanik said. ``He had wonderful stories and memories that were very exact . . . He had a very good perspective on his life.'' Verity was born Jan. 26, 1917, in Middletown, Ohio, a son of Elizabeth O'Brien and Calvin William Verity Sr. He was a graduate of the Phillips Exeter Academy and Yale University. Verity was a member of the boards of directors of Mead Corp., Chase Manhattan Bank, Eli Lilly, Taft Broadcasting, the First National Bank in Middletown and The Chairman of the Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Survivors include a daughter, Peggy ``Happy'' Verity Power of Edwards, Colo.; two sons, Jonathan George Verity and William Wymond Verity of Beaufort; two sisters, Betsy Verity Blakey of Columbus, Ohio, and Jean Verity Woodhull of Dayton, Ohio; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at The First Presbyterian Church, Beaufort. The family will receive friends after services at 120 Spanish Point Drive, Beaufort. Burial will be at the Woodside Cemetery in Middletown. Memorials may be made to the Bill and Peggy Verity Career Education Fund for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry, 17B Marshellen Drive, Beaufort, SC 29902.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, when a government program is not working, we have an obligation to fix it. This is not the case, however, with the Medicare prescription part D. In fact, part D is working well. Just yesterday, the Medicare Prescription Education Network released a study showing that 80 percent of seniors enrolled in Medicare part D are satisfied with their coverage, and an 80 percent satisfaction rate is unprecedented for such an important and positive program. I am particularly pleased that a Blue Cross/Blue Shield call center assisting recipients with part D enrollment has been operating in the district I represent. Moreover, government involvement would likely limit access to medications and restrict the development of new treatments. As USA Today recently editorialized: ``The public would be best served if the new Congress conducts an in-depth oversight to gather facts, rather than rushing through legislation within 100 hours to fix something that isn't necessarily broken.'' I urge my colleagues to protect part D and vote against H.R. 4.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2 and in favor of the alternative. Circumventing market forces to mandate an arbitrary Federal minimum wage increase is bad economic policy. If it is done, however, we must offer protection for America's small businesses. Refusing to do so will ultimately hurt the very workers it intends to help. We all want employees to make more than the minimum wage; and, through tax cuts, 7.3 million jobs have been created in the past 40 months by workers keeping their own money. When the minimum wage is increased, unfunded mandated costs on small businesses increase. As a result, business owners must be forced to cut jobs or reduce entry level workers to avoid incurring additional expenses. Republicans are seeking to provide relief for these businesses by offering alternative health care plans and tax incentives. Unfortunately, House Democratic leadership has shunned the proposal supported by Senate majority leader Harry Reid, President Bush and House Republicans. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the Republican alternative, which will ensure businesses receive the protections they need and our economy continues to thrive. In conclusion, God bless our troops. We will never forget September 11.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, this has been a joyous new year for the people of Bulgaria. On January 1, Bulgaria and Romania were admitted into the European Union. In less than 16 years Bulgaria has successfully transitioned from a Communist totalitarian regime into a free market democracy. Three years ago, I was honored to be at the White House with former Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg Gotha as Bulgaria was admitted into NATO. Bulgaria has proven to be a true ally in the global war on terrorism and there are currently plans for three U.S. bases to be located within Bulgaria. Bulgaria has one of the fastest-growing European economies, and membership in the EU will accelerate its pace. Congratulations to President Georgi Parvanov, Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev, Ambassador to Washington Elena Poptodorova, and my longtime friend and former ambassador to Athens, Stefan Stoyanov. I am grateful to serve with Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher as co-chair of the Bulgaria Caucus. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, last month, the dean of South Carolina political reporters, Lee Bandy, announced his retirement from The State newspaper. Bandy joined The State in 1966, serving as Washington correspondent and bureau chief before relocating to Columbia. I well remember him giving me a tour of Congressional offices when I was a Senate intern in 1967. I have known and worked with Lee extensively during my years in South Carolina politics. While his departure marks the end of an era, I know Lee will continue to exert tremendous influence on the South Carolina political scene. At a recent meeting of Midlands First Tuesday Club, I presented Lee a Certificate of Achievement on behalf of Congress. On December 14, 2006, The State's Aaron Gould Sheinin penned the following article marking Bandy's retirement: After 40 Years and 3,000 Columns, The State's Lee Bandy is Retiring Hailed as a legend by colleagues and a mover and shaker by sources, reporter has kept finger on pulse of S.C. politics Legendary political reporter and columnist Lee Bandy will retire at the end of the year after 40 years with The State newspaper. Bandy, 71, has been with the newspaper since 1966. He started as Washington correspondent, then served as Washington bureau chief. He moved to Columbia in January 1992. While Bandy will retire from day-to-day reporting, he will continue writing his weekly Sunday column at least through 2007. During a luncheon in his honor Wednesday at the newspaper, Bandy told his colleagues, ``I've met a lot of fascinating people, and I might add I've worked with some wonderful people. You've been a source of inspiration to me.'' As the top political reporter in South Carolina, Bandy often is sought out by politicians looking for a positive mention in his Sunday column. During Wednesday's lunch, in fact, potential 2008 presidential candidate John Edwards left a phone message for Bandy congratulating him on his coming retirement. During 40 years of writing his column, Bandy never missed a week. He said he estimates he's written 3,000 columns. Each column is about 800 words. That's more than 2 million words, ``and that's more than enough for anybody,'' Bandy said. David Broder, longtime political reporter for The Washington Post, said Bandy was a legend in the Senate Press Gallery in Washington. Broder still occasionally calls Bandy to get the pulse of South Carolina politics. ``He's enormously generous and helpful and tells you stories you would never hear from any other source,'' Broder said. Former S.C. Gov. David Beasley, a Republican, called Bandy his friend and said, ``No one has become president of the United States without crossing his path in 40 years, and no one has had an impact on South Carolina government that hasn't dealt with Lee Bandy.'' A native of Asheville, Bandy is a graduate of Bob Jones University. He is a member of the exclusive Gridiron Club of Washington journalists. He and his wife, Mary, have two sons, Ryan and Michael, a daughter, Alexa, and two grandchildren, Sophia and Nathaniel. They are members of First Presbyterian Church in Columbia and live in Forest Acres.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today in memory of Dr. George Meetze of Columbia, South Carolina. Dr. Meetze passed away on Thanksgiving Day after a brief illness. During his 97 years, Dr. Meetze touched numerous lives. I had the honor of working with him during the 17 years I served in South Carolina's State Senate. Dr. Meetze was elected chaplain of the South Carolina Senate in January 1950 and served until his death. His 57 years of service make him the longest-serving chaplain of a legislative body in the history of our Nation. Dr. Meetze spent his life in service to others, honorably working for his God, his community, and his country. He was a colonel and chief chaplain in the South Carolina State Guard, a past president of the South Carolina American Cancer Society, and a faithful member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Dr. Meetze was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, today I rise with mixed feelings. As the 109th Congress draws to a close, my longtime chief of staff, Eric Dell, will complete his tenure on Capitol Hill. Eric and I have worked together for the past 14 years. More than a trusted, competent staff member, Eric is a good friend. While I know he will go on to great things, his counsel and leadership in the office will be missed. I am happy about his new opportunities. Raised in Ridgeland, South Carolina, by his loving parents, Wayne and Ouida Dell, Eric has a distinguished career in South Carolina public service. He served as an intern to Senator Strom Thurmond and Governor Carroll Campbell. He managed the final campaign of my predecessor, the late Congressman Floyd Spence. He was the first-ever Republican chief of staff of the State Senate Transportation Committee. I appreciate Eric's success and his training of his successor, Dino Teppara, who has served capably as legislative director for the Second District. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great sadness in my heart. Sunday afternoon, Marine Corps Major Trane McCloud was killed in a helicopter accident in Iraq. He and three other marines gave their lives for others to survive. Major McCloud was a marine's marine. He epitomized the Marine motto, Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful. I was fortunate enough to know and work with Major McCloud during 2003 when he served as a Military Fellow in the Washington office of South Carolina's Second Congressional District. After completing his fellowship, Trane kept in touch with the staff and me, remaining a close friend of the office and the people of South Carolina. Major McCloud is survived by his loving wife, Maggie, his three beautiful children, Hayden, Grace and Meghan, and his parents, Ron McCloud and Roma Anderson. My thoughts and prayers are with them. I hope they will find comfort in knowing Trane truly believed in America and the United States Marine Corps. In conclusion, God bless our troops. We will never forget September 11. Semper Fi, Trane McCloud.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, upon learning of the tragic death of United States Marine Corps Major Trane McCloud, the following poem was penned by Albert Carey Caswell, United States Capitol Tour Guide. ``In the minutes of our lives, In these our short times, what of our true worth in the moments we're alive. . . In what we've all so done! ``For it's how we've so lived and died, All within these our short lives, are all of those magnificents who've so strived! As did you Trane, as for America's fine son we now so cry! ``For Trane, your splendid life. . . will always be one of great meaning and sacrifice! Yes, you America's True Son. . . of Liberty the one. . . shall so ever shine into that night! Yes, Trane you were such the one! ``For a Gallant Hero who goes off to war, Who so leaves their most precious loved ones behind, all for our freedom to ensure! Is but The Brightest of All Sons! ``Trane, To Make A Difference with it all. . . As You would not fail, as you would not fall. As what you so fought for, as what you saw! Until, your fine life was done! ``In life, we all must make choices! But it's only from the heart, so comes uncommon valor. . . from deep down these inner voices! To do what must be done! ``To Heaven now rise my son! You are but a Hero in our Lord's eyes. . . yes you are the one! For only those brave of heart, who so play their part. . . souls up to Heaven shall so run! ``In these the moments of our lives, Only in these, all of what we've so fought for. . . lived and died! Shall take us To Heaven's Sun! ``And when there comes a gentle rain, Trane's tears from up in Heaven shall wash down upon you to ease your pain. . . Until, up in Heaven you so meet again. . . once again!''

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in loving memory of Rev. Dr. George Elias Meetze. Dr. Meetze died Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2006, after a brief illness. He was born June 24, 1909, in Columbia South Carolina. He was the son of the late Narvie Elias and Fannie Belle Leitzsey Meetze. On June 30, 1936, he married Margaret Allen who predeceased him. Dr. Meetze was Columbia High School Valedictorian class of 1927. He was a graduate of the University of South Carolina, A.B., cum laude, 1930; the N.Y. Theological Seminary, N.Y., S.T.M., 1933; the Lutheran Southern Seminary, Columbia, 1934; and received his Honorary D.D. Degree conferred at Newberry College Centennial Convocation, Nov. 28, 1956. Dr. Meetze served as Pastor to St. Barnabas Lutheran Church, Charleston (was ordained there July 8, 1934), 1934-37 and Grace Lutheran Church, Prosperity, 1937-42; Retired Pastor Emeritus, Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, June 1942-1974. He was elected Chaplain of the S.C. Senate January 10, 1950, serving until his death. His 57 years of service established him as the longest serving Chaplain of a legislative body in the history of the world. Dr. Meetze's 97 years consisted of numerous activities, honors and services, included were serving on the boards of Social Missions Lutheran Synod of S.C., S.C. Synod Lutheran Church of America, Junior League Speech and Hearing, Salvation Army and S.C. Chapter of the American Cancer Society, where he was a past president. He enjoyed his memberships in Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, the Columbia Rotary Club, Heptagon Club, the Palmetto Forum, The Friday The Thirteenth Club, and the S.C. State Guard, where he was a Colonel and Chief Chaplain. He received the Service to Mankind Award by the Columbia Sertoma Clubs, the Paul Harris Fellow Rotary International award, the Order of the Palmetto, the Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award, and the 2000 U.S.C. Alumni Award. Dr. Meetze was the author of The Development of Dr. Martin Luther's Doctrine of the Lord's Supper. He was listed in Who's Who in the South & Southwest, S.C. Lives, Dictionary of Intl. Biography & Royal Blue Book. Surviving are his sons and daughters-in-law; George Allen and Suzanne Meetze of Marion and William Dagnall and Toby Meetze of Columbia; grandsons, Michael Allen Meetze and wife, Tracy, William Vickery Meetze, all of Marion, George Seabrook Meetze and wife, Alston, William Dagnall Meetze Jr. and wife, Sheri, all of Columbia. Also surviving are his beloved infant great-grandsons, Elias Shaw Meetze and twins, William Seabrook Meetze and Joseph Alston Meetze; and nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces. He was predeceased by sister, Thelma Meetze Frick. Dr. Meetze loved his God, his family, the South Carolina Senate, his state and his country. He enjoyed helping people and was always ready ``to send up a prayer'' as he said ``for those who needed one.'' He will be greatly missed by his thousands of friends.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, last Friday in Saluda, South Carolina, 400 elementary school students gathered at a football field while a military helicopter landed in the middle. Why such a big treat for such a small school, you may wonder? Hollywood Elementary teacher Anna Frye learned of the Flags For Soldiers Project, headed by Alpha Troop Commander Captain Jason D. Hennigan, and wanted to involve her students. The project is to raise money to purchase 500 American flags, one for each soldier serving in a Cavalry Squadron of the 82nd Airborne Division. During the past several weeks, these students donated their snack money and paid a fee to participate in dress-up days so they could contribute to this cause. Captain Hennigan's father, Daniel Hennigan, a retired Army officer, was so touched by the school's gesture that he arranged a special celebration on Veterans Day. As American solders continue to fight for our freedoms around the world, we can all learn a lesson from the students at Hollywood Elementary. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, former mayor of Charleston, J. Palmer Gaillard, Jr., died July 28, 2006, leaving a legacy of public service that will always be cherished. He served as mayor of South Carolina's most historic city from 1959 to 1975. He was married to the former Lucy Foster Gaillard of Charleston for 57 years, who preceded him in death on October 6, 2001. Surviving are three sons, J Palmer Gaillard III and his wife Henrietta Freedman Gaillard, W. Foster Gaillard and his wife Susan Street Gaillard, and Thomas H. Gaillard, all of Charleston, SC; 5 grandchildren, John P. Gaillard IV, M.D. and his wife Lori, Emmie Gaillard Hershey and her husband Clay, Mary Loize Gaillard, Susan Huguenin Gaillard and W. Foster Gaillard, Jr.; and 3 great grandchildren, Clay W. Hershey, Jr., Thomas Gaillard Hershey, and Alston M. Gaillard. The following op-ed was published in tribute in The Post and Courier, August 3, 2006. The author is prominent Charleston attorney and author, Robert N. Rosen. We share the same experience in that Mayor Gaillard's race was my first participation in politics at the behest of my mother, Wray G. Wilson, who had me deliver precinct voter call lists on election day for the mayor when I was 12 years old. ``We Need a Change'': J. Palmer Gaillard's Legacy for Charleston (By Robert Rosen) My earliest recollection of participating in politics is the Gaillard-Morrison race for mayor of Charleston. I was 12 years old. At the behest of my father, Morris D. Rosen, I handed out a piece of paper (it would be an exaggeration to call it ``campaign literature'') called a ``ticket'' with a big headline that read ``We Need a Change'' and a picture of the ballot led by the young, dynamic reform candidate, J. Palmer Gaillard, Jr. It was 1959. Gaillard campaigned, like all opponents of incumbents, for ``change.'' After his election, Gaillard, as mayor, was a blend of hard-headed, no-nonsense conservatism (he was a notorious penny-pincher when it came to the city budget) and flexible pragmatism. He realized in the early 1960s that the old peninsula city of Charleston which ended at Mount Pleasant Street and the edges of the Ashley and Cooper rivers could not remain economically viable, and he aggressively pursued annexation of the West Ashley district to the city. Mayor Gaillard made many other important contributions to the city of Charleston, but none compare to his leadership in the transition from an era of segregation and Jim Crow to integration and racial equality. When he became mayor, Charleston was a segregated city with all that implies--segregated restaurants, schools, buses and public restrooms. Gaillard's views on the issues were conventional. Segregation was then the Southern way of life. He reflected the opinions and beliefs of his friends, neighbors and supporters. But when the Civil Rights movement came to Charleston in the 1960s--the sit-down movement at King Street lunch counters, Civil Rights marches, demonstrations (peaceful and not so peaceful), and the Medical University Hospital strike--Palmer Gaillard guided the city through various crises over 15 years with a steady and fair hand. He believed, first and foremost, in the rule of law. He did not wink at violence or intimidation. When told that the federal courts would order the integration of city facilities--the first municipal facilities in South Carolina--the only question he asked his lawyers (among them, my father) was, ``What is the law?'' He immediately instructed his lawyers to obey the law, which meant acquiescence in integration, something the majority of white Charlestonians adamantly opposed. ``The Charleston hospital strike of 1969 made national headlines. Black hospital workers marched and agitated to protest racial discrimination and poor working conditions at the Medical University. Coretta Scott King, Andrew Young and Ralph Abernathy all came to Charleston. The National Guard was called out to maintain the peace. ``The strike of hospital workers in Charleston, S.C., has become the country's tensest civil rights struggle,'' The New York Times editorialized in the first of three editorials on the subject. Ralph Abernathy later wrote of his stay in the Charleston jails, ``I remembered the Birmingham jail and considered myself fortunate.'' Palmer Gaillard and his Police Chief John Conroy (dubbed ``Mr. Cool'' by the local press) kept the peace and allowed the protestors to protest, which was their right. The crisis passed. The strike was resolved. The peace was preserved. No one was killed. No Southern demagogues stood in doorways or made fools of themselves on national television like George Wallace in Alabama or Lester Maddox in Georgia. Gaillard was the quintessential Charleston conservative. But he was a leader. He appointed Richard E. Fields the first black judge in South Carolina since Reconstruction to the Charleston Municipal Court. On Palmer Gaillard's watch, segregation peacefully gave way to integration in the most Southern of cities, where both secession and the Civil War began. When Palmer Gaillard campaigned on the theme ``We Need a Change,'' he certainly did not mean a revolution in Southern racial mores, laws and customs. But those who correctly demanded change found in him the right man to preside over that historic change: an honest, forthright, law abiding, hard-headed Huguenot, and one of the great mayors of the city of Charleston.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, this past weekend we celebrated Veterans Day, and it is appropriate to acknowledge today that because of our veterans, freedom and democracy are more widely spread than ever before. Fifty million people have been liberated by our courageous troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Last week was the 17th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, confirming the success of President Ronald Reagan. From Estonia to Bulgaria, from Mongolia to Hungary, hundreds of millions of people have emerged from communism and are now free. Earlier this year I visited Liberia, which is still celebrating the election of the first female African leader. President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf was elected after the dictator Charles Taylor fled at the urging of President Bush. Today, America's veterans can be prouder than ever of their success as they are freeing oppressed people around the world. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the pro-Second Amendment community lost a true friend last month, with the passing of Herman Richard Daniel of Irmo, SC. ``Rick'' died due to complications from aortal heart issues. He was 45. He was the son of Evelyn Spires and the late Herman Daniel. Rick was a member of the New Heights Baptist Church. A longtime aide to South Carolina Comptroller General, Richard Eckstrom, Rick had a distinguished and passionate career in the service to causes in the defense of freedom. Rick served ten years as the President of Gun Owners of South Carolina and the NRA State Association. He was the only non-legislator in South Carolina to be named ``Defender of Freedom'' by the National Rifle Association and was also named the first ever NRA Member of the Year by ``America's First Freedom'' magazine. Rick was known for his powerful essays and articles on the subject of freedom and was recently awarded the Second Amendment Foundation's ``James Madison Award'' for excellence in writing. Rick was also a proud officer in the South Carolina State Guard. Rick is survived by his loving wife Esther and two daughters, Heather Rhea and Kara Nina; his brother Jim and wife Tonette with niece Jamie, and sister Linda and her husband Charley Butler. Rick was a patriot, loving father, devoted son, and dedicated servant of the Lord. His quick wit and personal charm will leave us all missing him.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, Woodrow Wilson Howard died October 10, 2006, at his home. He was 94 years old. He was born in Catawba County, North Carolina, to the late Cleveland Franklin and Antha Leona Sigmon Howard. Mr. Howard began his retail career in 1934 with Belk Department Store and, in 1938 with Belk as partner, he founded Howard's, located on Assembly Street in Columbia. He stayed with Belk for 64 years. He moved the Assembly Street store to Parkland Plaza in Cayce in 1977. Ultimately, the Howard's doubled in size and expanded to include Howard's Sports. Mr. Howard retired from Belk in 1998. Over the years he sold everything from basic work clothes to high fashion trends. He claimed he never took a coffee break. Mr. Howard was a vital member of the community. He had been a member of Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church for 66 years. He was a charter member and past president of Cayce-West Columbia Lions Club and was named the World Champion Broom Salesman by the national Lions Club in 1976. He served on the Advisory Board and was an original stockholder of Lexington State Bank (now BB&T), served on the Board of Directors of the West Columbia-Cayce Chamber of Commerce, was a member of the Central Midlands Regional Planning Council and its Committee of 100, served on the Board of Directors for the Lowman Home, was a lifetime member of Sinclair Lodge No. 154 and was named ``Citizen of the Year'' by the City of West Columbia in 1985. Mr. Howard was elected to West Columbia City Council in 1961 and served for 30 years. He acted as Mayor Pro Tem for 28 years. While campaigning, his slogan for re-election was ``If you don't know me ask your neighbor.'' He was honored with the Order of the Palmetto in 1998. Mr. Howard is survived by his wife of 68 years, Elizabeth G. ``Lib'' Howard; his son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Mary Howard of Lexington, his son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Gloria Howard, also of Lexington, and his daughter and son-in-law, Marianne and Larry Yoder of Newton, North Carolina. He is also survived by his grandchildren, GG Howard and Robert Culpepper of Atlanta, Georgia, Chip Howard of Lexington, Melissa and Jim Henshaw of Isle of Palms, Shannon and Bert Pooser of Columbia, Amy and Jason London of West Columbia, Michael Howard of Columbia, Nathan Yoder of Regensburg, Germany, Joshua Yoder of Hickory, North Carolina, and David and Krissy Yoder of Pinehurst, North Carolina; as well as his great-grandchildren: Cate Simmons, Jerod and Lucy Culpepper, Bane London, Sam Henshaw and Maddox Pooser. Mr. Howard was predeceased by his brothers, Harry, Ray, and Franklin Howard and his sister, Alice Howard Cooper. At the funeral services on October 13, 2006; a eulogy was lovingly delivered by his granddaughter GG Howard which highlighted his many achievements.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, services for Dr. Bob Kelley, 65, were held Wednesday, November 1, 2006, at Grace Baptist Church in West Columbia, South Carolina. Officiating were Rev. Milton Ker and Dr. Charles Walker. Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington handled the arrangements. Interment was Thursday, November, 2, 2006, at Lakewood Memory Gardens, East Chattanooga, Tennessee; Turner Funeral Home handled the arrangements in Tennessee. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15. Upon using every treasured moment that God had graciously granted him in laboring and pasturing for his Lord, loving and providing for his family, and living for and proclaiming his Savior, Dr. Robert Earl Kelley gained his entrance into heaven on Saturday, October 28, 2006. Born in Rossville, Georgia, he was the son of the late Clarence Day Kelley and Daisy Lou Hall. Known to most as ``Pastor Kelley'' he spent the last 43 years preaching and pasturing in West Virginia, Tennessee, and in West Columbia, South Carolina, where he recently retired as the pastor of Grace Baptist Church after 15 fruitful years of ministry. Pastor Kelley received many prestigious awards including The Order of the Palmetto, from Governor Mark Sanford, and The Order of Palmetto Patriot, from Lieutenant Governor Bauer and Senator Jake Knotts. Survived by his loving wife, April Allene Scott Kelly of West Columbia; daughters and sons-in-law, Rachel Star Kelley Bancroft and John Bancroft of West Columbia; Laura Dawn Kelley Phillips and Chris Phillips of Charleston; Sharon Daye Kelley Goforth and David Goforth of West Columbia; sisters, JoAnn Kelley Tillman and Betty Jewel Kelley Tate both of Ooltewah, Tennessee; brother, Kenneth ``Buzz'' Kelley of Hixon, Tennessee. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren, John Robert Bancroft, Nathaniel Scott Bancroft, Abby Kristine Phillips, April Lauren Phillips, Alyson Kate Phillips, Zachariah Thomas Phillips, Holly Daye Goforth, Kelley Daye Goforth, Bailey Daye Goforth, Chloe Daye Goforth, and Amy Daye Goforth. Dr. Kelley was predeceased by his brother, Clarence Day Kelley, Jr. We all look forward to the day our faith will become sight and we are united with Christ and reunited with Pastor Kelley.