E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 110 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES—Thursday, December 6, 2007

The House met at 10 a.m. and was Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- a Class 4A Louisiana State champion- called to order by the Speaker pro tem- nal stands approved. ship. He would go on to star on the pore (Mr. OBEY). f Jaguars basket- f ball team, setting NCAA Division I DESIGNATION OF THE SPEAKER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE records for both season and career PRO TEMPORE The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the averages in assists that still stand The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. JEF- today. fore the House the following commu- FERSON) come forward and lead the In 1988, Avery Johnson began his ca- nication from the Speaker: House in the Pledge of Allegiance. reer in the NBA, where he would spend 16 seasons. Once again he found success WASHINGTON, DC, Mr. JEFFERSON led the Pledge of December 6, 2007. Allegiance as follows: with the by taking I hereby appoint the Honorable DAVID R. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the them to their first NBA title in 1999 OBEY to act as Speaker pro tempore on this United States of America, and to the Repub- over the . day. lic for which it stands, one nation under God, Presently, Avery Johnson serves as NANCY PELOSI, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the of the Dallas Mav- Speaker of the House of Representatives. f ericks, where his star has only contin- f ued to shine brighter. Now in his third MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE full season as coach, he has led the PRAYER A message from the Senate by Ms. Mavericks to their first Western Con- The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Curtis, one of its clerks, announced ference title, been named 2006 NBA Coughlin, offered the following prayer: that the Senate has agreed to a concur- Coach of the Year, and won 150 games Lord our God, down through the ages rent resolution of the following title in faster than any other coach in NBA stories have grown in the retelling and which the concurrence of the House is history. legends have been handed down with requested: Through his high achievement in little or no foundation in truth. S. Con. Res. 58. Concurrent resolution wel- sports and service to the community, Many trace the icon status of Father coming First Minister Dr. Ian Paisley and Avery Johnson continues to leave a Christmas coming from the Dutch Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of mark on the world, of which we are all Protestants in New Amsterdam in the Northern Ireland to the United States. very proud. American colonies as the story trav- f f eled back to England. All we truly know about St. Nicholas was his gen- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER FUNDING OUR VETERANS erosity and kindness toward children PRO TEMPORE (Mrs. DRAKE asked and was given as a fourth century bishop in Myra, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The permission to address the House for 1 now a part of Turkey. By the ninth Chair will recognize up to five 1-minute minute and to revise and extend her re- century his fame and devotion had speeches on each side. marks.) spread throughout Europe. He remains f Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, this is a patron saint in Greece and Russia to day 67. That’s 67 days since the start of this day. RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISH- the new fiscal year and our veterans On this feast of St. Nicholas, we ask MENTS OF NBA COACH AVERY still do not have access to the in- Your blessing upon all children. May JOHNSON creased funding provided in a bill that their stories be treasured, their hopes (Mr. JEFFERSON asked and was passed the House and Senate months and dreams preserved, and their inno- given permission to address the House ago and the President is waiting to cence protected from all violence, pov- for 1 minute.) sign. erty, and exploitation. Mr. JEFFERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise The House-passed bill includes in- May this joyous season help all of us today to congratulate one of Louisi- creased funding to improve access to remember before all else, we are first ana’s favorite sons, NBA coach Avery medical services for all veterans, new Your children, Father of us all, now Johnson, on the occasion of his receiv- initiatives for mental health and and forever. ing an honorary doctorate degree from PTSD, increased funds for improved Amen. his alma mater, Southern University, medical facilities and increased fund- f at its upcoming fall commencement. ing to homeless veterans, to THE JOURNAL Born in , Avery Johnson name a few. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The has known success at every level of If the Democrats are acting in good Chair has examined the Journal of the . In 1983 he led the St. Au- faith and in the best interest of our Na- last day’s proceedings and announces gustine High School Purple Knights to tion’s veterans, why continue to delay to the House his approval thereof. an undefeated season culminating with this crucial funding?

b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

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