C. Young

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, for the second straight year, the men and women of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 1477 of St. Petersburg, Florida, led the Nation in food collection as part of the national ``Stamp Out Hunger'' food drive. Their chapter alone collected a local record of 1,718,218 pounds of food that has been distributed to Pinellas County food banks. St. Petersburg Branch 1477, combined with two other local branches: Clearwater Branch 2008 and Tampa Branch 599, collected in the Tampa Bay area 4,289,416 pounds, more food than in any other geographic area in the Nation. In fact, these three chapters accounted for three of the top five branch totals nationally. Having spent Memorial Day with many members of Branch 1477, I know of the great pride they have in serving their community. They acknowledge that the ``Stamp Out Hunger'' food drive was an outstanding partnership between the National Association of Letter Carriers, the United States Postal Services, the American Postal Workers Union, the National Rural Letter Carrier's Association, and local businesses including Valpak, a major sponsor in my area. Most importantly though, the level of success of this annual drive is due to the compassion and support of the residents of our local communities who place bag after bag of food out at their mail box on this one day of the year to help their neighbors in need. Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking the National Association of Letter Carriers for taking the initiative to sponsor the ``Stamp Out Hunger'' program for these past 16 years and in congratulating the letter carriers of Branch 1477 who serve from Dunedin through Largo, Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg and south to Punta Gorda, Florida, for once again topping the Nation in the collection of food. This program is in the finest American tradition of neighbor helping neighbor.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Retired Army MAJ Caesar J. Citivella, of St. Petersburg, Florida, for receiving the Bull Simons Award for a lifetime of Special Operations Forces achievements. The Bull Simons Award is given to those who have made significant contributions and demonstrated steadfast support for Special Operations Forces. Recipients must hold the highest ethical standards and embody the spirit, values, and skills of a special operations warrior. Major Citivella has demonstrated all of these. Starting in the Army, Major Citivella joined the Office of Strategic Services in 1943, where he parachuted behind enemy lines in France and Italy, earning him a Bronze Star as well as U.S. and foreign unit awards. Next, Major Citivella served with the 82nd Airborne Division and was one of the first pioneers selected for the Special Forces Department at the Psychological Warfare Center and School, where he wrote doctrine, tactics, techniques, procedure, lesson plans, and taught the first Special Forces classes. He then joined the 77th Special Forces Group, before transferring to the 10th Special Forces Group, where he helped run escape and evasion, and unconventional warfare exercises in Bad Tolz, Germany. In 1961 and '62 Major Citivella trained and organized irregular indigenous forces in South Vietnam. He retired from military service at Ft. Bragg on the 31st of August, 1964, joining the Central Intelligence Agency the next day. Major Citivella completed two tours of duty in Vietnam with the CIA and received accolades for the valuable intelligence he provided on enemy intentions. In 1976 Major Citivella became the CIA liaison officer to the Pentagon for Special Operations. He provided key support for Operation Eagle Claw, America's military response to the Iran hostage crisis. Major Citivella retired from the CIA on August 31, 1983, and was awarded the CIA's Intelligence Medal of Merit. Major Citivella continues to be involved in the Special Operations community as an active member of the OSS Society and the Special Forces Association. Madam Speaker, Major Citivella represents the best our Nation has to offer. He continues to serve our Nation in and out of uniform to protect our freedom and liberty as he has for the past 65 years. Please join me in saying thank you to him for his actions and his lifetime of services.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, with the delivery of the first two HH-60 Blackhawk helicopters this past Saturday to F Company, 1st Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport in Florida, the U.S. Army Reserve is preparing to resume its life-saving air evacuation mission. Lieutenant General Jack C. Stultz, the Chief of the Army Reserve, and I joined in ceremonies to accept the delivery of the first of the 12 helicopters that will be assigned to this unit, which officially stands up its operations this September. The Army Reserve stopped flying air evacuation missions in 1993, but General Stultz, realizing the tremendous demand for these operations throughout the world, made it a priority to reestablish this capability. Given the advancements of armored vehicles, body armor, and medical care administered in the field, we are able to save the lives of servicemembers who in prior conflicts would have died. With the state- of-the-art helicopters like those we received Saturday, we are saving lives and getting those injured men and women to field hospitals quicker than ever so they can receive the care they need and they so richly deserve. The HH-60 air ambulance helicopters are emergency rooms in the air. They are equipped with the finest possible medical systems to provide critical care for up to six patients. These systems include an electronic patient litter system, on-board oxygen generation system, medical suction system, patient monitors and high intensity night vision goggle compatible lighting. The aircraft are also equipped with the most advanced avionics and special mission systems to assist the crew in locating and rescuing injured personnel on the battlefield. These include forward looking infrared (FLIR) systems and an external rescue hoist to quickly raise and lower patients and rescue personnel. In addition, the new HH-60s have additional payload and range to allow them to carry more patients and fly longer distances without refueling. The men and women who fly these missions as pilots, flight engineers, and medics are the best our Nation has to offer. We owe them the finest equipment to perform their mission safely and securely, but the machinery and technology means nothing if we did not have the people willing to fly into harm's way to save a fellow American. The MEDEVAC crews are defenseless in flying their machines. They have no defensive systems on board and they often fly unaccompanied and must land under hostile fire to pick up their patients. As I said Saturday, it takes a special person to perform this mission and to perform it so well. They fly with the same spirit as one of the legendary MEDEVAC pilots, Major Charles ``Combat'' Kelly, who died while flying a mission in Vietnam in 1964. He coined what is now the motto for all MEDEVAC crews: ``No compromise. No rationalization. No hesitation. Fly the mission. Now!'' Madam Speaker, let us take time today to honor the MEDEVAC crews that have brought home so many of our heroes to their families and friends. It is my distinct honor to have the privilege to represent the newly formed F Company in Pinellas County, Florida, and I look forward to being with the unit when it officially stands up later this year.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, it is with much pride that I rise today to congratulate the Dunedin High .School Baseball team for winning the Florida State Class 5A Championship. The Falcons of Dunedin, who I have the privilege to represent, won the championship in an extra innings showdown against the South Fork Bulldogs. The Falcons won the championship in a ten inning marathon, the longest Florida State baseball championship game since 1997. The defense and pitching were excellent, keeping the score tied at two runs apiece until Max Priest scored the winning run for Dunedin on a Max Kreuter single. It was only through a season of hard work--both on and off of the field--that the Falcons finished with a 26-6 record on their way to the school's first state baseball title in 44 years. It is a testament to the character of these young men, and they deserve to be congratulated. But let us not forget to send our congratulations to Coach Tom Hilbert who worked tirelessly as a coach and as a mentor to the team. I would also like to congratulate the parents of the players, as well as the teachers, administrators and the staff of Dunedin High School for doing a fantastic job of raising and encouraging these exceptional student-- athletes. Following my remarks, I will include for my colleagues the full story of Dunedin's Baseball Championship as reported by The St. Petersburg Times. Madam Speaker, in closing, please join me in congratulating the Dunedin High School Falcons for their outstanding achievement in winning the Florida State Baseball Championship. [From the St. Petersburg Times, May 15, 2008] Long Wait Is Over: Dunedin Wins Title Sarasota--It began the moment the ball disappeared into Cammeron Fisher's glove. Seconds later, a swarm of triumphant Dunedin players rushed toward the mound to celebrate a 3-2 victory and the school's first state baseball title in 44 years. ``This is something you dream about,'' Fisher said. ``To make the final out is unbelievable, especially going through so many ups and downs in a game like this.'' There already were lingering memories--of the heart- wrenching moments in the seventh inning, of the nail-biting rally in extra innings, of a game snatched from defeat--that the players swore they never doubted. The winning run scored in the top of the 10th inning when Max Kreuter singled in Max Priest against Stuart South Fork. The two played the longest championship game since 1997. ``It was a little nerve-racking, but we have so many bats in this lineup that we knew we had a chance,'' Kreuter said. But this game was won with defense and pitching. The Falcons had a two-run lead then watched it disappear when the Bulldogs scored a run each in the third and fifth innings to tie it. In the seventh, South Fork (27-6) had runners on first and third with no outs. The Falcons walked the next runner to load the bases. At that point, Dunedin was desperate to win--and keep its state title hopes from vanishing. ``We were on the edge of our seats at that point,'' Dunedin coach Tom Hilbert said. ``Our backs were against the wall. But we were able to maintain our composure.'' Slowly, the Falcons (26-6) found a way to wiggle out of the jam. Alex Norris, who came on in relief of Clay Kollenbaum, got the first and only batter he faced to ground out. Jake Rogers came in next and got the next two batters to strike out and fly out. ``It was just incredible to come out of that the way we did,'' Rogers said. ``I had so much adrenaline going.'' Beneath the noise, tension and pressure, Rogers emerged more as a survivor than a closer. With so much at stake, Rogers knew he couldn't afford to make mistakes. He escaped unharmed, throwing 3\1/3\ innings after pitching just three before Thursday's appearance. ``Jake was just phenomenal,'' Hilbert said. ``It was a real gutsy performance.'' It remained scoreless through the next three innings. Then the Falcons, after squandering so many chances, made something happen in the 10th. Priest led off the inning by drawing a walk, then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Mike Kumbat and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Priest scored on Kreuter's single. Rogers then finished things off. The moment Fisher caught the ball, Rogers sprung off the mound, shook his fist, twirled in a crazy leap and came down to earth knowing he would be able to sleep. ``I think all of us are going to pass out on the bus on the ride home,'' Rogers said. ``It was such a draining game, so full of emotions. ``But it was so worth it to win like this.''

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Clearwater firefighter Pat Conrey, who I am proud to represent, for the remarkable tribute he has paid to a fellow firefighter who fell in the line of duty. In his effort to raise money for the family of Oscar Armstrong III, a Cincinnati firefighter who died fighting a fire in March 2003, leaving behind a pregnant fiancee and two young children, Mr. Conrey did an extraordinary thing. He donned 45 pounds of firefighting gear and ran the entire 26.2 miles of the Flying Pig Marathon held in Cincinnati last May 4th. Pat's caring and compassion for others were on full display that day. After stopping along the route to pay respect to the Armstrong family, Pat and a fellow firefighter resumed running and soon came upon another runner who collapsed on the pavement from an apparent heart attack. Pat and his partner in the race, Joe Arnold, performed emergency CPR on the fallen runner until an ambulance could arrive. Madam Speaker, I am proud to say that Pat once again resumed running and completed the marathon in 5 hours and 26 minutes. During that time, he demonstrated to the people of Cincinnati the compassion, courage and heroism that our Nation's firefighters exhibit every day in our communities. Following my remarks, I will include for my colleagues the full story of Pat Conrey's run as reported by Terry Tomalin in The St. Petersburg Times. In closing, please join me in saying thank you to Pat for his moving tribute to a fallen firefighter and for his inspiring story of selfless service to the people of Clearwater, Florida. [From the St. Petersburg Times, May 29, 2008] Firefighter Gears Up To Honor the Fallen (By Terry Tomalin) Clearwater firefighter Pat Conrey started out wanting to honor a fallen comrade. By the time it was over, his quest encompassed 26.2 miles, flying pigs, and ultimately, life and death. Conrey had heard the story of Cincinnati firefighter Oscar Armstrong III, who died battling a blaze in March 2003, leaving behind a pregnant fiancee and two children. He decided to run Cincinnati's Flying Pig Marathon on May 4 in full firefighting gear to raise money for Armstrong's family. ``Firefighters have this special bond,'' Conrey said. ``When one of us dies, we all feel it.'' Conrey, who has completed 10 marathons, ran the Times Turkey Trot in Clearwater in 45 pounds of gear last year to raise money for families of fallen firefighters. ``When you run in firefighter equipment, you get people's attention,'' he said. But running in full gear isn't that glamorous. ``It was hot--real hot,'' Conrey said. ``You have to drink a lot of water.'' The 40-year-old Conrey, Clearwater's firefighter of the year in 2007, trained for months, logging several 13-mile runs in his bunker coat, bunker pants, air pack and helmet. ``That is pretty out there,'' said local running coach Joe Burgasser. ``You don't want to carry any extra weight. I would not recommend that for any sane person.'' Conrey, who earlier this year finished a 50-mile run through Withlacoochee State Forest in 10 hours and 23 minutes, is used to people thinking he's crazy. ``I love it,'' he said. A month before the marathon, Conrey learned two other Cincinnati-area firefighters also had died in the line of duty. ``That made me want to make sure that I finished even more,'' Conrey said. ``I would run for all of them.'' Word spread through the Cincinnati firefighting community that a crazy man from Clearwater was running for the families of the fallen. ``It really touched everyone,'' said Joe Arnold, a Cincinnati firefighter who ran part of the race, minus the gear, with Conrey. ``To think this guy would come all this way and run a marathon in his turnout gear for people he had never met . . . that is what it is all about.'' About eight miles into the marathon, Conrey and a dozen other firefighters stopped at a fire station to pay their respects to Armstrong's family. ``We didn't know they would be there,'' Conrey said. ``There were lots of hugs, some tears. It was very emotional.'' The unexpected stop put the firefighters behind schedule. While they were talking, a man named Bobby Edwards, a 10-year Flying Pig veteran, ran by. Once they resumed running, the firefighters hadn't gotten a mile down the road when they came across Edwards collapsed on the pavement, a victim of an apparent heart attack. ``When I got there I said, `It is time to go to work boys,'' Conrey said. Arnold performed chest compressions on the 55-year-old runner as the rest of the group assisted. ``If we hadn't stopped to talk, we would have been in front of him,'' Arnold said. ``It is little things like that make being a firefighter so special.'' Conrey, who despite the gear and stops covered the course in 5 hours, 26 minutes, said he is still amazed at the difference a few minutes can make. ``When you do what we do for a living, you realize how precious time really is,'' he said. ``I am glad I was there to help make a difference.''

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Congressman C.W. Bill Young. Bill Number: H.R. 5658. Account: Military Construction, Army National Guard. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Florida Army National Guard. Address of Requesting Entity: 400 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399. Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $20,907,000 for construction of Phase IV of the Regional Training Institute (RTI), Project Number 120191, located at Camp Blanding, Starke, Florida 32091. It is my understanding that the Florida Army National Guard (FLARNG) and Army National Guard readiness will be affected if the school cannot adequately accomplish its mission to educate and train soldiers. This final phase will finish construction of the remaining 65,000 square feet of billeting, all remaining infrastructure, supporting facilities, and all necessary work not completed in the prior phases to support and house students attending the courses at the training institute.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, It was my distinct privilege this morning to participate in ceremonies here at the Capitol to honor Army MSG Sergeant Brian L. Cremeans with the Soldier's Medal for heroism. During a 2003 tour of duty in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Master Sergeant Cremeans, an explosive ordnance disposal technician, was conducting a controlled demolition of 4,000 pounds of high explosives that were captured from the Taliban when he alertly realized that a fire ignited in the demolition pit. Given the amount of explosives, he realized that there was no time to evacuate the area. Master Sergeant Cremeans, without forethought for his own safety, jumped into the demolition pit and quickly began covering the fire with dirt, extinguishing it before the entire cache of weapons exploded. He then located the fire's propellant, scooped it into a canister and continued to fight more small flash fires until they were all extinguished. His actions saved the lives of 15 Afghans and 4 American soldiers who would have been killed had he not taken those extraordinary actions. Madam Speaker, Master Sergeant Cremeans's heroic actions were brought to my attention by my constituent Army MAJ Zachary Norsworthy of St. Petersburg, Florida, who was with the unit at the time of this incident. Having personally witnessed Master Sergeant Cremeans' quick thinking and actions, Major Norsworthy nominated him for the Soldier's Award, one of the Army's highest noncombat honors for valor. Unfortunately, the award package was lost by the Army and when time had passed with no action, Major Norsworthy resubmitted the application but was told that the two-year period for submitting an award nomination had passed and it was too late to resubmit. Major Norsworthy promptly contacted me and I contacted the Secretary of the Army who reviewed the case and quickly saw that Master Sergeant Cremeans was deserving of this honor and ordered the awarding of the medal. This morning in my office, SMA Kenneth Preston officiated as we presented Master Sergeant Cremeans with this long-overdue recognition. Following my remarks, I will submit for the benefit of my colleagues the Army citation and Major Norsworthy's narrative outlining the brave actions of Master Sergeant Cremeans. Madam Speaker, Master Sergeant Cremeans represents the best our Nation has to offer. He volunteered to serve our Nation in uniform and to protect our freedom and liberty. He is now retired after 22 years of service to the United States and to the Army. Please join me in saying thank you to him for his actions and his lifetime of service. Citation To all who shall see these presents, greeting: this is to certify that the President of the United States of America, authorized by act of Congress, July 2, 1926, has awarded the Soldier's Medal to (Then) Sergeant First Class Brian L. Cremeans, United States Army, for heroism on 6 May 2003 in Meynemah, Afghanistan. Given under my hand in the City of Washington on this 30th day of October 2007. Reuben D. Jones, the Adjutant General. Pete Geren, Secretary of the Army.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding the time to me, and I am here to comment on the defense part of the package, the request by the administration, the issue of procedure. Chairman Murtha was very outgoing and worked together with the minority and me, as the ranking member, in drafting this bill. We have always done that. When I was chairman, we did that. When he was chairman, we did that. The defense part of this bill is a good package. That's amendment No. 1. As a matter of fact, we actually followed the process, and we went to the subcommittee, and the subcommittee members had a full discussion of the defense part of this bill, and the subcommittee members on both size of the aisle agreed that we had produced a pretty good bill, and it met most of what the administration had asked for. Then we reported it on to the full committee. That's where the process broke down. The process up to that point, while it was at the subcommittee level, the process worked fine, regular order, just like it was supposed to. But then all of a sudden the process did break down. I don't know to what extent any other Members might have been involved, but this Member, as the ranking member on the subcommittee, was not involved. There were subsequent meetings, despite the fact it hadn't gone to the full committee, it hadn't gone to the floor of the House so that the Members could express their interest, either by amendment or by debate. There was a meeting between the leadership in the House and the Senate on the defense package where it was actually conferenced, a conference agreement was reached. There was no conference, but a conference agreement was reached, and that is my understanding of what is in this bill today. As Mr. Lewis has said, we just got the actual language of what is in this package last night. So it does take a little time to read all of these bills and to understand. But I think the defense part of it, there may have been an additional change after that preconference conference, or whatever it was, I don't know that. That might have happened. But I support amendment No. 1, and I believe that we have done a good job in providing for our troops. The largest portions of amendment No. 1 will deal with pay, military personnel costs, what it takes to maintain the lives of our members of the military and their families. The other very large part of this package is operations and maintenance, something that is essential to keep the military going. So I support this package, but I really am concerned about the process as well. I like the package, but there may be some Members on this side of the aisle or on that side of the aisle who would like to see some changes, who would like to have an opportunity to debate what is included in that package, who might want to offer an amendment that could be productive, that may be something we would all support. But we all know, because the opportunity to do that just isn't there. It is a little strange place. My friend--and I think everyone knows that Mr. Obey and I are friends, and that we have a strong respect for each other, and we have worked very well together in our respective positions--but he mentioned early on that we moved very quickly after September 11, 2001, after the attacks on the World Trade Center, and the airplane that flew into the Pentagon, and the airplane that flew into the ground in Pennsylvania in Mr. Murtha's district that very likely was directed at this United States Capitol, where the Defense Subcommittee was in session working on the Defense appropriations bill. But we didn't know what was happening there. We didn't know what was next. If you recall, all of the airplanes flying in and around the United States were grounded because we didn't know if additional airplanes had been hijacked, we just didn't know the extent of the attack that we were experiencing, the terrible, vicious terrorist attack against an innocent Nation. So we did move quickly, and we appropriated $3 billion----

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. I thank the gentleman. So we did move quickly, and on the third day after September 11, we produced a bill. Mr. Obey and I wrote that bill together, we consulted with each other, we had a couple of disagreements, we worked those out. We had some accountability in the bill. We then had a meeting with Senators, and on the third day we had worked together, Republicans and Democrats, to produce a bill that sailed through the House, sailed through the Senate, signed by the President. That's the way it was done. The process was not the regular order, but it was a process done in consultation with both parties and any Member that wanted to be included. While I do support amendment No. 1, I think the process is terrible, I think the process is inexcusable. I cannot support the process, but I think we have a good package on amendment No. 1, which is to pay for the national defense requirements in this supplemental.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, Air Force SMSgt Robert Fisher of St. Petersburg, Florida, achieved a milestone on March 29 when he surpassed his 10,000 flight hour. Sergeant Fisher is a flight engineer with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing's 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. He achieved this milestone while flying a KC-10 Extender mission. Madam Speaker, following my remarks I will include for my colleagues a story from The Pinellas News, one of Sergeant Fisher's hometown newspapers, about this great achievement and about his dedicated service to our Nation in uniform. Sergeant Fisher enlisted in the Air Force in 1981 and has been flying tanker aircraft since 1986. He has served in Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. LTC Tim White, the commanding officer of the 908th Squadron, paid Sergeant Fisher the highest compliment when he said, ``For Sergeant Fisher to eclipse 10,000 hours is a reflection of great dedication to the mission and the art of flying. Sergeant Fisher is one of the greatest assets in the KC-10 community, and his work ethic speaks for itself.'' Madam Speaker, please join me in commending Sergeant Fisher for this great flying achievement and in thanking him for his service to our Nation and to the cause of freedom throughout the world. [From the Pinellas News, Apr. 25, 2008] 10,000 Flight Hours (By Sr. Armn. Ross M. Tweten, American Forces Press Service) Southwest Asia.--A flight engineer with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing's 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron surpassed 10,000 flight hours during a KC-10 Extender mission on March 29. Senior Master Sgt. Robert Fisher, a St. Petersburg native home-stationed at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., ended his landmark flight with 10,003 flight hours. ``The most difficult part about achieving this milestone is just being around long enough to do it,'' he said with a chuckle. -``It feels excellent to be among such a rarified group of people.'' The 10,000-flight-hour community is small, and achieving this milestone is all about longevity, he said. Fisher has been flying the line since 1986. He has been in the air as a flight engineer on the C-141 Starlifter and the KC-10 Extender, and has served in operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. ``When I first came into the Air Force, there were a lot of 10,000-hour crew members around, and I thought, ``Wow, I'd like to do that,'' Fisher said. ``But as the years went by, I felt like I'd never get there because, well, our airplanes fly much faster. So I figured 5,000 would be nice. Then, after I reached that, I figured I could probably do about 7,500.'' Fisher continued to exceed his goals and reset them. ``So when I passed 8,500, it finally hit me that I was really close to my goal of 10,000, and that maybe I could do this, so here I am.'' Lt. Col. Tim White, who commands the 908th, said most flyers accumulate 3,000 to 5,000 hours in the span of a career. ``For Sgt. Fisher to eclipse 10,000 hours is a reflection of great dedication to the mission and the art of flying,'' he said. ``If one were to fly around the world for 10,000 hours, he or she would circle the planet over 300 times, or go back and forth to the moon nine times. Sgt. Fisher is one of the greatest assets in the KC-10 community, and his work ethic speaks for itself.'' Fisher has had a long bird's-eye view of much of the globe, and he gives most of that credit to the Air Force. ``I've been really lucky in my life, in that the Air Force has given me the opportunities to see a lot of really excellent places and travel the world,'' he said. ``When I enlisted in '81, the recruiter said, `Hey, join the Air Force, see the world,' and the Air Force has kept up its end of the bargain on that one.'' ``I'd like to say that I've given the Air Force all these wonderful things,'' he continued, ``but to be honest, the Air Force has given Bob Fisher way more than Bob Fisher has given the Air Force.''

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, With their voices of angels, the Little Hometown Soldiers of St. Petersburg, Florida bring the greatest of comfort and joy to the families of our men and women in uniform who have deployed around the world to protect our freedom. This unique group of children ranging in age from 3 to 16, was founded in 2003 by Elaine Hopkins to speak in a special way to the youngest family members of our deployed servicemembers. Through patriotic songs, dramatic plays, cards and letters, and personal appearances locally and nationally they provide immeasurable support to children and adults alike. They visit Veterans Hospitals and Nursing Centers and sing at the funerals of fallen servicemembers. Having been with them on a number of these occasions, I can tell you that their words and songs of hope and encouragement are most appreciated. The Little Hometown Soldiers have performed on national television, they have traveled to Washington to perform at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, and they sang for our returning troops as part of Operation Home Front at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. Madam Speaker, Elaine Hopkins has done a remarkable job with these children who are this generation's young patriots. Even at their early ages, they understand the shared sacrifice of our troops and their families and they understand the true cost of freedom having attended the funerals of many of our heroes. On Memorial Day weekend, they will perform a special concert entitled ``I Believe I Can Fly'' as a tribute to the children and families of our fallen servicemembers. The event at 3 pm on Sunday, May 25, 2008 at The Paladium Theatre in St. Petersburg, Florida is free and open to the public. Madam Speaker, I wish all my colleagues could be with me that day to hear the words of support and encouragement these children bring to families who have suffered the greatest of loses. The Little Hometown Soldiers are comprised of Camry Moody, Jermaine Lewis, Sherice Johnson, RoShaun Dudley, RaShard Dudley, Nehemiah Sonnylal, Johnathan Rosario, Isabelle Rosario, Tamaira Charlemagne, Griffin Ford, Sajon Ford, Nykko Ford, Phoenix Ford, Keanu Ford, Mariangela Vasquez, Jissel Vasquez, Marcos Vasquez, Amanda Puyot, Darquell Pierre, Andrea Young, Prentazia Crawford, Shandra Gordon, Erica McCallister, Destine Wilson, Sydney Peterman, Iyonna Holloway, Jamesia Holloway, and Gisselle Zayas. They are one of our area's and our Nation's greatest treasures and I would ask you to join me in saying thank you to them for sharing their gift of love and music.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, baseball is the great American pastime, but for twelve-year-old Zachary Patterson of St. Petersburg, baseball provided one of the greatest American lessons. He learned that with the confidence he gained on the ball field, he could overcome the greatest of obstacles including bullying by his classmates at school. Zachary, a seventh-grader at Admiral Farragut Academy, wrote an essay about his experiences for Briggs and Stratton's ``Diamonds in the Rough'' competition. The essay was to relate how baseball helped players find the power within to overcome great challenges on and off the baseball field. Zachary's essay earned him first place in the Tampa Bay region and $5,000, and a variety of lawn equipment to help the Azalea Little League, in which he has played for eight years. Following my remarks, I will include an article from The St. Petersburg Times about Zachary's experience and also a copy of his winning essay. Madam Speaker, last October, this House approved legislation with my support calling attention to the serious problem of bullying in our Nation's schools and commending schools for promoting greatest public awareness about bullying and bullying prevention activities. Zachary Patterson has taken his own initiative to call attention to this national problem by reflecting on the impact bullying has had on his life. Please join me in congratulating Zachary for being honored for his efforts and in thanking him for his willingness to tackle this problem head on at the age of twelve. [From the St. Petersburg Times, April 4, 2008] Baseball Changed His Life (By Michael Maharrey) St. Petersburg.--Laughter drifted across the dusty baseball diamond as Zachary Patterson tossed the ball back and forth with a coach. Joy lit up his face, even in the bright afternoon sun. Baseball has not only provided Zachary with fun times that will one day become fond childhood memories, but life lessons that make him wise beyond his 12 years. Now his wisdom has translated to much-needed financial help for the cash-strapped Azalea Little League. Zachary placed first in the Tampa Bay region in the Briggs and Stratton Diamonds in the Rough competition, winning $5,000 and lawn equipment for his league. The victory earned him the opportunity to compete against 19 other regional winners for another $5,000 prize and a trip for four to watch the Yankees play in their final season at Yankee Stadium. Online voting will determine the final winner. Baseball players ranging from 7 to 14 wrote essays explaining how baseball helped them find the ``power within'' to overcome challenges on or off the field. Entrants came from within 30 miles of 20 select cities, including Tampa. Zachary wrote about how kids at the military school he attends used to make fun of him, calling him a nerd and a dork. He said playing baseball gave him the confidence to deal with the taunting. ``Our coach, Joel, always says, `We have to have confidence in ourselves before we have confidence on the field.' Wow, was he right. After playing baseball for a few years I have come to realize that kids made fun of me because I wasn't confident in myself. I ignored what others said but continued to be respectful to them,'' he wrote. The seventh-grader at Admiral Farragut Academy said kids teased him because he's smart, but the confidence he gained on the baseball field taught him to be proud of all of his accomplishments, and that confidence changed his relationship with his classmates. ``Instead of people making fun of me, they are friends with me now. Everything has changed,'' he said. Natasha Patterson said she has seen the transformation in her son. ``Now he is willing to try things that he wanted to do but wouldn't because he was picked on,'' she said. ``He's really come out of his shell. Now he's proud of himself academically and strives to do better.'' Zachary gets to help decide how the league will use the $5,000 prize money. He said it needs a new tractor for field maintenance, clay to fill in holes in the diamonds, and chalk for lining the playing area. If he wins the grand prize, he wants the league to install a handicapped-accessible water fountain. ``That way not just regular players can get a drink, but Challenger players, too,'' he said. Azalea is one of only two Little League organizations in Pinellas County to feature a Challenger division. More than 100 special-needs children participate in the program, and one of Azalea's fields consists of a special rubber surface that allows kids to play baseball from wheelchairs. Dana Hess, the league's treasurer, said the prize money couldn't have come at a better time. Azalea's fields were built in 1969, and all of the structures and fences are original. ``We really need the money. We maintain what we can as good as we can, but everything is so old,'' Hess said. But for those involved with the league, the excitement is not just about money. ``To have someone so young to write something from the heart really means a lot,'' Carol Vallee, a league volunteer and past president, said. ``This is a well-deserved honor for him.'' Zachary's mother said she hopes area residents will go online and vote for him, not only for his benefit but because of the good the prize money will do for the league. ``Voting for Zach not only helps children here and now; it will help children in the future,'' she said. Voting began March 26 and continues through April 20. Essay by Zachary Patterson I attend a small military school. Military school can be tough and the kids can be very mean. Confidence was my challenge in school. ``Dork'' and ``Nerd'' are words people used to call me everyday. I would get very angry and come home sad. I didn't have a lot of friends at school. I didn't understand why people made fun of me for doing well. I never joined a sports team at school. I never did anything to draw any more attention to myself. I felt if I did, they would make fun of me more. Luckily, I have played baseball for Azalea Little League for 8 years. None of the kids at baseball go to my school. I am never made fun of while I am there. Every year my teammates become my friends. We treat each other with respect and work together as a team. Our Coach Joel always says ``we have to have confidence in ourselves before we have confidence on the field''. Wow, was he right! After playing baseball for a few years I have come to realize that kids made fun of me because I wasn't confident in myself. I ignored what others said but continued to be respectful to them. I remembered what Coach always says and built up confidence to join football, soccer, basketball, track and cross country. This year I even joined our school's elite baseball team. I'm the starting pitcher. Throughout time, my confidence in myself has outweighed the teasing of others. They now respect me and don't make fun of me. The kids who made fun of me in the past, now ``high five'' me! If I win, I'd help repair our field we play on. It needs a lot of work!

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise in celebration of one of the most dynamic and inspirational pastors my community in Pinellas County has known. Reverend Charles William Martin retires Sunday after 37 years as Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks in Largo, Florida. This is my hometown church and Charlie has been my pastor, but more importantly he has been my friend. Charlie was born and raised in Arkansas and first felt the call to preach as a young man in 1960. He pursued this calling by completing work on his Bachelors of Arts in Religious Education at Trinity College in 1967 and his Doctor of Divinity at Trinity in 1986. He found his true calling in 1971 when he accepted the charge to serve as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks, where he and his wife Stephanie have invested their heart and soul ever since. This is an amazing church of 5,300 members and a full-time staff of 18 pastors and associate staff. Under Charlie's leadership, First Baptist spreads the word of God in all forms, from its stirring music, emphasis on the scriptures, and his from the heart sermons. They have a wide variety of ministries, in all parts of our State, our Nation, and the world. One of those ministries was the establishment of the Indian Rocks Christian School in 1984 with an enrollment of 42 students. Today more than 1,000 students attend the school which has earned a reputation of one of our county's best. Perhaps the greatest testimony to Charlie's service to his congregation is the pride his church members have in being a part of his church community. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't see someone back home, here in our Nation's Capital, or even around the world that comes up to me and says, ``I'm a member of Charlie's church.'' First Baptist will hold an honor and praise weekend this Friday through Sunday to celebrate the service of Pastor Martin and Stephanie. All of us who know Charlie are confident that this will not be the beginning of his retirement as he will always remain active in the church and his ministries. In fact, he and Stephanie are moving up to North Carolina where they are starting a church there. Madam Speaker, Pastor Charlie Martin is a friend to many and has shared God's word and God's grace with countless thousands of people throughout his life. He is a friend of Members of this House as he was our guest chaplain in April 1999. And he is a special friend of this Congressman and of my wife Beverly and our family. He has been there for us many, many times--in times of celebration and in times of grief. Please join me in saying thank you to Charlie and Stephanie and in offering our best wishes as they open a new chapter in their lives. It is my hope that God gives them many joyous years together with each other and with their five children and nine grandchildren. God bless you and keep you, Charlie Martin.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, For the first time ever, an American team has won the International Search and Rescue Competition in Toronto, Canada and I am proud to say that the four members of the team are from Pinellas County, Florida, which I have the privilege to represent. Representing the Coast Guard Atlantic Area, the Seventh Coast Guard District, Sector St. Petersburg, and Search and Rescue Station Sand Key, team captain Kevin McConn of Tarpon Springs, and Don Hoge, Jim Ryder, and Max Garrison all of Dunedin beat 11 other U.S. and Canadian teams, scoring an impressive 88 out of 104 possible points. They finished 35 points ahead of the second place team. Two volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotillas combined into one team that trained together for more than 5,000 hours during an 8-month period. To get to Toronto, they first had to win district and regional events. The international competition emphasizes events that are designed to test teams' abilities to plan, communicate, and carry out a maritime search and rescue mission. These are skills that all Coast Guard sailors and auxiliary members must know and be able to execute on a moment's notice to save a life or lives at sea. The team will be honored on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, during ceremonies at Coast Guard Search and Rescue Station Sand Key when they will officially receive the winning trophy for the 2007 International Search and Rescue competition. Rear Admiral David Kunkel, the commanding officer of Coast Guard District Seven, will preside at the ceremony. Coast Guard Search and Rescue Station Sand Key is one of four major Coast Guard installations I have the privilege to represent in the 10th Congressional District of Florida and this winning team is symbolic of all the men and women of the United States Coast Guard who serve to defend our coastline and protect lives every day of the year, regardless of the threat and the weather. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating these volunteers from Pinellas County that through hard work, dedication, professionalism, and spirited teamwork have brought great honor to our Nation and the United States Coast Guard and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Auxiliary Wins International Search and Rescue Competition A quartet of U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliarists from Pinellas County Fla., beat five other U.S. teams and six Canadian teams at the 2007 International Search and Rescue Competition in Toronto Harbor, Canada Sept. 28-29. For the first time in the eight year history of the competition, American lifesavers carried home the coveted trophy. To get to ISAR, teams of lifesavers must compete in preliminary regional events. Teams are judged in skill areas in the field of Maritime Search and Rescue. ISAR 2007 featured events that are designed to test the volunteers' ability to plan, communicate and prosecute a maritime search and rescue mission. A Person-In-the-Water Recovery Event evaluated each team's ability to safely approach and retrieve a person or other object in the water and rescue a person from a burning boat. Other events included: Search and Rescue Planning, Seamanship, Communications, Dewatering Line Toss and Marlinspike and two surprise events, one with the boat helmsman blindfolded and taking direction from a crewman and another where crews rowed out to retrieve and backboard a mannequin and bring this simulated victim to shore. The winning American team consisted of team captain Kevin McConn, 48, of Tarpon Springs, Don Hoge, 59, Jim Ryder, 69, and Max Garrison, 65, all of Dunedin, Fla. In events that included skills involving strength and speed, these veteran American mariners beat out teams that included much younger U.S. and Canadian competitors. Scoring an impressive 88 out of a possible 104 points, the Florida Auxiliarists bested the closest competitors, a Canadian team, by an impressive 35 points.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, twelve Pinellas County, Florida cities were honored by the Arbor Day Foundation this year for their commitment to improving the environment. This Tree City USA designation recognizes the commitment of towns and cities throughout our nation to preserving open lands and to beautify their streets and public lands through the planting of trees and other natural vegetation. Pinellas County, which I have the privilege to represent, has taken significant steps to maintain and enhance our state's natural beauty, even though it is Florida's most densely populated county. The U.S. Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry program provides key federal support for these efforts through state and local grants as well as with advice to local community leaders. Together, this federal, state and local initiative is making our communities better places to live. The 12 Pinellas County communities honored this year as Tree Cities USA are the Town of Belleair led by Mayor George Mariani; the City of Clearwater led by Mayor Frank Hibbard; the City of Dunedin led by Mayor Robert Hackworth; the City of Gulfport led by Mayor Michael Yakes; the City of Largo led by Mayor Patricia Gerard; the City of Oldsmar led by Mayor Jim Ronecker; the City of Safety Harbor led by Mayor Andy Steingold; the City of St. Petersburg led by Mayor Rick Baker; the City of Seminole led by Jimmy Johnson; the City of South Pasadena led by Mayor Dick Holmes; the City of St. Pete Beach led by Mayor Ward Friszolowski; and the City of Treasure Island led by Mayor Mary Maloof. Madam Speaker, in closing, I would ask my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating these 12 cities and the commitment of their residents to making them such special places to live, to work, and to play.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the amendment to provide funding for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. These funds should have been provided much earlier this year. They are vital if we are to ensure that our troops have the support they need until enactment of a full-year supplemental appropriations bill for the Global War on Terror. As I've said before, engaging in a debate on war policy is a legitimate and proper role for the Congress. However, we should never put ourselves in the position of threatening funding for our troops in the field. They deserve our full, unrestricted support. With passage of this amendment, both the Army and the Marine Corps will have the funds they need to continue war operations for the first half of fiscal year 2008. However, we need to move quickly next year to provide full funding for our soldiers and marines, and for all our men and women in uniform. Let's not hold them hostage to Congressional debates ever again. In conclusion, I strongly support this amendment and urge that it be adopted by the House. Then we can truly wish all our military a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, would you advise us as to the time available on each side?

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the very distinguished gentleman from New Jersey, the former vice chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 15 seconds just to point out, and I agree strongly with Mr. Murtha's statement about torture. I don't think Americans want to be known as a Nation that do torture. But we have put prohibitions on torture in our Defense appropriations bills almost from the beginning of the war, and so we have made it very clear that we are opposed to the use of torture. We just wish the other side would go by the same rules. I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California, the former chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Mr. Hunter.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry).

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey). (Mr. GINGREY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to reserve my time at this point.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence). (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)