May 26, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E987 the classroom, and that doesn’t mean home- Five friends have joined the McGahee’s on of Hurricane Katrina when it impacted the Gulf work. A successful teacher will place a this voyage, which will include a stop at ‘‘Old Coast on August 29, 2005. thought in the minds of their students and Ebbitt Grill,’’ a legendary restaurant in the As the first evacuees began to enter the after a while the student will be able to pull heart of Washington, D.C. This restaurant has city, utilizing whatever means they could ac- something great out of that thought. Ms. Woolf served nearly every major American politician cess and utilizing what limited resources they achieves this greatness with her students. Her throughout its 150-year history. could carry, Mr. Bermes read the reports and involvement in the school is proof of how Nelson and Borden McGahee are wonderful newscasts and was not only early to under- much she cares about the quality of education people who have shared a wonderful mar- stand the plight these individuals faced, but the Edgewood High School students receive. riage. Their love for each other is inspirational, was quick to turn a compassionate concern She is a great leader in her field and deserves and surely their next 30 years will be as pas- into action. acknowledgement of her achievements. sionate as the first. This Southwest Georgia With the assistance of his wife, Frances, Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join with me today couple has chosen a distinctively American and other friends and associates from East in thanking Ms. Amy Woolf for providing her way to celebrate their anniversary and we Fort Worth, Mr. Bermes quickly organized a students, and the future of our Nation with the wish them nothing but happiness as they pro- community effort to coordinate volunteers, best possible gift she can, education. ceed full-steam ahead into their future. space and donations to provide for the deep f needs of the visitors arriving in the city in a f steady stream from the Gulf Coast. IN HONOR OF NELSON AND BOR- THE SIXTH DISTRICT’S AMERICAN By working through area churches and his DEN McGAHEE—30 YEARS OF IDOL network in the East Fort Worth Business As- MARRIAGE AND SERVICE sociation, Mr. Bermes addressed the imme- diate need for food, clothing and housing for HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR. HON. HOWARD COBLE the evacuees. OF NORTH CAROLINA OF GEORGIA His efforts secured access to several unoc- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cupied individual apartments in the Woodhaven community. Regular communica- Thursday, May 25, 2006 Thursday, May 25, 2006 tion through email, the Greater Meadowbrook Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, in the biggest News and fliers distributed through the com- today to honor a couple from my district, Mr. electoral debate since the Bush-Gore presi- munity assisted in providing toiletries, paper, and Mrs. Nelson McGahee of Columbus, dential election in Florida in 2000, people are canned goods, clothing and kitchen neces- Georgia, who on May 15th of this year cele- still talking about the selection of this year’s sities to allow the evacuees to reestablish brated their 30th wedding anniversary. American Idol from the television program with daily lives after arriving, frequently, with only Nelson served his country in the United the same name. With no disrespect intended the clothes on their backs. States Army before beginning a career as a toward this year’s winner, Taylor Hicks, most Mr. Bermes quickly recognized that beyond civil servant at Fort Benning in Columbus. He people think this year’s American Idol should this need the evacuees would quickly need has continued to serve his community as an have been Chris Daughtry of McLeansville, employment and other long-term solutions to active member of the Columbus Jaycees and NC. enable them to regain their self-sufficiency. the Columbus Airport Authority. I will admit, Mr. Speaker, that I am ex- Continued efforts on his part and with volun- His wife, Borden Black McGahee, has made tremely biased in this debate because Chris teers established a Jobs Resource Center in her career in broadcast journalism. She grew Daughtry is a resident of the Sixth District of one of the apartment units, equipped with up as a self-professed ‘‘Army brat,’’ and be- North Carolina. And it would have been the internet access for email and online searches. came an avid music lover at the tender age of second time that a town in the Sixth District Additionally, they were able to provide resume 3 years old while attending the opera with her produced the winning Idol, since previous win- creation assistance, counseling for interview mother, a season ticket holder. This love of ner, Fantasia, hailed from High Point, NC. skills and a jobs posting effort to match local music brought her to the radio, where she be- That being said, most online polls, fan blogs, employers with a new and anxious labor pool. came the news director of an Alabama radio numerous web sites, and general talk about Practical creativity allowed Mr. Bermes and station—a unique position at the time for a town all hailed Chris Daughtry as the next his volunteer assistance to press through the woman in Alabama. Upon moving to Colum- American Idol. systemic challenges and surprises, including bus, she soon moved to television, where she Most people know that my musical tastes warehousing and distributing a truckload of served as the news director for all three of the run more towards traditional bluegrass music, donated mattresses and the thousands of affiliate news stations in the city. She left jour- so I am not a good judge of what is hot in the other donations where they could be utilized nalism to work in public relations for the rock and pop music scenes. But I do know by those in need. Muscogee County School District and cur- politics, and from everything I could learn, By Thanksgiving, when they held the Cajun rently does freelance writing for the Columbus Chris Daughtry appeared to be the fan favor- Thanksgiving Party for all of the evacuees, Mr. Ledger-Enquirer and also for Columbus and ite. While I will not call for Congress to inves- Bermes had mobilized resources and individ- the Valley Magazine. tigate this Idol election process, those of us uals to provide for over 50 families and 140 in- Throughout their three decades together, who reside in the Sixth District of North Caro- dividuals. In doing so he touched engendered the McGahee’s have enjoyed Nelson’s pas- lina will always be convinced that our guy real- a sense of community among the newest resi- sion for all things railroad. Nelson’s great- ly won—sort of like fans of Al Gore in 2000. dents of East Fort Worth and showed the grandfather was a railroad employee, which Oh well, we are proud to say that we are warmth and compassion of North Texas. sparked in Nelson a lifelong interest in trains. the home of the real American Idol, Chris I am honored to represent Mr. Bermes and Their Columbus home is filled with railroad Daughtry of McLeansville, NC. the family and friends who know him and his compassion that made such a difference in memorabilia from a variety of historic rail lines. f In tribute to this shared interest, the couple providing hope, dignity and encouragement in has chosen to spend their 30th anniversary on IN RECOGNITION OF NORMAN the aftermath of such a tragedy on a scale our a train ride in a car filled with history. They se- BERMES’ OUTSTANDING SERVICE country has never before experienced. cured a ride from Jacksonville, Florida to TO THE EVACUEES OF HURRI- f CANE KATRINA Washington, D.C. aboard a 1930 Pullman car IN APPRECIATION OF MS. KERRIE pulled by Amtrak. In addition to its age, this BAUER car has had its share of famous passengers. HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS Former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. OF TEXAS Bush, and Bill Clinton have all taken trips in HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF MARYLAND this car. Past presidential candidates, Sen- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ators JOHN KERRY and John Edwards, and Thursday, May 25, 2006 singer Aretha Franklin, have also traveled on Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Thursday, May 25, 2006 this car. Because of its illustrious passengers, recognition of Norman Bermes and his wife Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise the car has been fitted with Secret Service-ap- Frances. Mr. Bermes immediately mobilized before you today in appreciation of a fine edu- proved armor plating and bullet-proof win- private resources in East Fort Worth to re- cator from Joppatowne High School. Mathe- dows, which lie hidden behind the tastefully spond to the desperate needs of the evacuees matics Department Chair, Kerrie Bauer is wor- restored antique features. who arrived in the city, escaping the ravages thy of great recognition. She is an inspiration

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The canceled aid in- later earned her Master’s degree from out the benefit of an impact statement could cludes: $45 million in direct aid to the PA; McDaniel College and has since been certified undercut the careful measures we took to pre- $130 million in infrastructure projects; $20 mil- as a cognitive tutor for the countywide algebra serve and protect the industrial base. lion in private enterprise development and re- curriculum. The Department of Defense comptroller has vitalization, financial markets reform, trade She is able to take a complex subject like directed the Air Force to ‘‘aggressively reduce programs and information technology sector mathematics and break it down into pieces so contractor support.’’ This is a very dangerous support; $17 million in electoral, political party, students have a better understanding of for- path. Contractors have formed the core of our local government and legislative support pro- mulas. She encourages students through a rebuilt space capability after we literally grams; $13 million in civil society develop- positive learning environment. Ms. Bauer intro- dropped billions of dollars of research and ment; $10 million in rule of law and judicial duces students to creativity in the classroom; hardware into the ocean in the 1990s. programs; $7 million in technical assistance students learn the Quadratic formula to the While active duty members often are forced and vocational training; $4 million in commu- tune of ‘‘Pop Goes the Weasel,’’ and practice to rotate out of the command due to the nity policing, among others. Similarly, the EU math problems through group activities. pressing needs of the service, the contractor Commission announced that it had halted pay- Ms. Bauer has made it a point to actively community has provided much of the intellec- ments to the Hamas government, freezing all participate in school activities. She is a co-ad- tual capacity, stability, and continuity to keep direct aid to the PA and payment of public em- visor to the National Honor Society; a member our programs on track. ployees’ salaries with EU funds through the of the school Improvement Team; the Mariner Today, the Space and Missiles Command, World Bank, but not humanitarian aid through Varsity Softball Coach; a member of the located in El Segundo, California, in my Con- international and nongovernmental organiza- school Advisory Committee; and she volun- gressional district, has a record of which ev- tions. In the mean time, the Israeli government teers at various athletic events. In addition to eryone is proud—45 successful launches, in- has cut off all ties with nearly all branches of these contributions, she also organized a stu- cluding 12 Evolved Expendable Launch Vehi- the PA government, including its security. dents vs. faculty basketball game to raise cles. We dare not put that record in jeopardy Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has de- funds for the Johns Hopkins Research Hos- by releasing one-third of our brain trust. clared that his government will avoid meetings pital for Kidney Research after sisters, and This desire for continuity is also reflected in with visiting representatives or diplomats from former Joppatowne students, Amanda and the Intelligence Committee’s report accom- PA. Abby Gilland, died within a year of each other panying the FY 2007 Authorization bill, which I am in support of certain financial sanctions from a rare kidney disease. passed the full House last month. In it, our on Hamas to ensure no U.S. government Her hard work and dedication have not Committee wrote: ‘‘Simply put, complex space funding goes directly to support terrorism ac- gone unnoticed, Ms. Bauer was named systems acquisition requires extraordinary tivities. On February 15, 2006, I voted in favor Teacher of the Month twice. She was nomi- specialized knowledge, skills, and dedicated of, and the House passed, S. Con. Res. 76, nated seven times to the list of ‘‘Who’s Who effort over time.’’ which expressed the sense of Congress that Among High School Students,’’ and she was For that very reason, Congress has a no United States assistance should be pro- voted as the school’s ‘‘Most Spirited Teacher’’ right—and a responsibility—to understand the vided directly to the PA if the majority party in for four years. impact of these cuts and be assured that our control of the PA parliament maintains a posi- Ms. Bauer sets high expectations, but at- capability will not be further eroded in the face tion calling for the destruction of Israel. I be- tainable goals for her students. She provides of pressing national security challenges. lieve it was a sensible resolution that called for them with academic and social guidance. She I urge my colleagues to support this impor- an end of U.S. financial support of Hamas is convinced all students can be successful in tant legislation. while allowing other forms of humanitarian aid life if only someone believes in them. This is f to flow through NGOs to the Palestinian peo- a woman with one goal in mind: to equip ple. PALESTINIAN ANTI-TERRORISM young people with the skills and knowledge The impact of cuts in aid is being felt by the ACT OF 2006 they require to be productive, successful PA. Omar Abdel-Razeq, Finance Minister of the PA, recently confirmed that the PA could members of society. SPEECH OF Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join with me in not pay March and April salaries to about thanking Ms. Kerrie Bauer for providing her HON. TAMMY BALDWIN 140,000 government workers. These salaries students with the support, confidence, courage OF WISCONSIN support about one-third of the Palestinian pop- and knowledge they need in today’s society. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ulation. These cuts in aid came on top of the fact that Gaza’s economy is in dire straights, f Monday, May 22, 2006 with average family income already below the INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, this week I U.N. poverty line. Economic conditions are made a very difficult decision in voting for H.R. also precipitously declining in the West Bank. HON. JANE HARMAN 4681, the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of Overall the PA shoulders a total debt of $1.3 OF CALIFORNIA 2006. I have been deeply moved by my con- billion, including $640 million to regional and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES stituents from both sides of the issue, includ- local banks and making it virtually impossible ing individuals with strong family ties to the for the PA to obtain new loans. Furthermore, Thursday, May 25, 2006 Middle East. I want to take this opportunity to Israel has decided to withhold $50 million a Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, last year, the share my thoughts behind voting in support of month in customs and tax receipts since Janu- Intelligence Community made painful deci- the legislation. ary, although it continues to pay Israeli com- sions about the architecture of our satellite In January 2006, Hamas, a designated ter- panies about $5.5 million a month from those programs. These were hard choices. We have rorist organization that does not recognize the receipts for the water and electricity used by worked carefully to mitigate the damage and state of Israel and calls for an Islamized Pal- the Palestinians. The Israeli government has retain the capability. The future depends on estinian state, won the legislative election to also recently announced that it will buy drugs assuring that our decisions are implemented lead the PA government. Since then, the and medial equipments needed by Palestinian well. That requires a talented and motivated United States and the European Union have hospitals in Gaza out of the withheld funds. workforce—both military and civilian. announced a series of measures designed to Yet, despite the dire needs of Palestinians, The legislation being introduced today re- further isolate and pressure the Hamas-led Hamas has chosen to ignore reality in favor of quires the Air Force to study the impact of Palestinian government until it recognizes its extremist commitment to terrorism. proposed personnel cuts on our space pro- Israel, renounces violence, and accepts pre- On April 17 of this year, a suicide bomber grams. viously signed Israeli-Palestinian peace agree- struck in a Tel Aviv restaurant, killing nine The bill’s sponsors believe that the cuts ments. Israelis and injured dozens. The suicide bomb- mandated by the Quadrennial Defense Review Specifically, Secretary of State Condoleezza ing was carried out by Islamic Jihad, an Ira- could have an enormous impact on the space Rice recently announced that the United nian-backed extremist group that refuses to community, particularly the intellectual talent States has begun to suspend over $400 mil- acknowledge the cease-fire followed by

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