E950 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 1, 2012 As of today, June 1, 2012, Bob Howell offi- served our country with honor during World over 400 adults a year. Over 3,500 low-in- cially retires from WSFA TV 12 in Montgomery War II, and he worked tirelessly for the people come non-native Americans have gained where he anchored the evening news for more of Southwest Virginia for nearly 20 years in English-language literacy skills over the past than three decades. the United States House of Representatives. two decades. A native of Geneva, Alabama, Bob Howell Mr. Speaker, though Congressman Wam- It is my honor to enter into the CONGRES- first set foot on his lifelong career path in pler is in a better place now, he will surely be SIONAL RECORD the names of volunteers for broadcasting while still a high school student. missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the BEACON for Adult Literacy Program: After taking the mic at WGEA radio in his Wampler family and I know that my colleagues Brendan Baldwin, Sally Harrison, Richard hometown, he traveled east to Dothan, Ala- join me today as we remember our friend and Corbett, Carole O’ Sullivan, Martisa Brown, bama to deliver the news at WTVY TV 4 for honor his legacy to the Commonwealth of Vir- Corinne DeGrazia, Sasha Haleblian, Donna five years. In 1976, Bob moved to Alabama’s ginia and to our nation. McNeally, David Covin, Robert Lynch, Ed capital city to take the helm of the region’s f Walsh, Brian Bell, Erika Arellano, Gene largest television news operation, WSFA TV, Strausbaugh, Alex Kersis, Ruth Porter, Henry where he anchored the weekday 6 and 10 CONGRESSIONAL PORTUGUESE Hastings, James McPheeters, Star Muir, Ilana p.m. newscasts. CAUCUS MEMORIAL DAY STATE- Naylor, Erica Seymour, James Gillespie, Skip As WSFA’s press release announcing Bob’s MENT Brown, James Porter, David House, Joyce retirement aptly observed, ‘‘He has had the Rozier, James Sowers, Suzanne Morgan, Tina job of delivering the day’s news to thousands HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA Cox, Jane Arseneault, Satya Khadka, James of viewers with a calm, trusted, steady and OF CALIFORNIA Drummond Jr., Janet Radzimski, Jessica Higham, Jean Gentry, Pat Hodgdon, Jeanne caring approach through difficult, challenging IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and happy times.’’ Endrikat, Richard Flaherty, Anne Walsh, Jim Friday, June 1, 2012 Over the years, he has anchored more than Zech, Carmalla Coley, Yolanda Daniels, Joan 10,000 live newscasts in addition to serving as Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, with respect Appleton Costanza, Venkat Viswanathan, the Managing Editor of WSFA’s news depart- and admiration I, along with my colleagues Mr. Kelley Studholme, Armena Springs, Nancy ment. His three decade career at WSFA wit- COSTA, Ms. LOFGREN, Mr. McGOVERN, Mr. Schalk, Lianetta Ruettgers, William McGuire, nessed his live reporting of gubernatorial inau- KEATING, Ms. TSONGAS, Mr. HONDA, and Mr. Liz Alcauska, David McDermott, Bob Schlipp, gurations, most of the State’s historic events CICILLINE, gather today to both celebrate the LTC Peter Stenner, Sue Kang, Vivek of the last thirty years, as well as foreign as- freedoms we enjoy as Americans, and to Koppikar, Martha Walsh, Jayne Hazen, Me- signments covering stories in Britain, France, honor all the brave service men and women lissa MacIntyre, Nancy Nelson, Katherine Germany, and Kuwait. who have fallen defending those freedoms. DeSilva, Patrick McNeally, Caroline Zong, In addition to his anchoring role, Bob also To all the mothers, fathers, wives, hus- Jeanne Lynch, Rhonda Vanover, Clara Hipp, produced award-winning documentaries, bands, and extended family members of those Robert Brown, Karen Shankles, John Man- hosted WSFA’s ‘‘Newsmakers’’ program, ‘‘Ala- who have served, we offer our deepest grati- ning, Robert Mechler, Ruth Passarge, Joyce bama Illustrated,’’ ‘‘Inside Alabama’s Legisla- tude. The sacrifice of your loved ones is a Andrew, Robert Stinson, Jim Hipp, Roberta ture,’’ and co-hosted the Jerry Lewis MDA debt that can never be repaid. Knussmann, Justin Terry, Rosanne Schubring, Telethon and the Children’s Miracle Network As members and friends of the Congres- Fabiana Parker, Rosie Jones, Aaron Burdick, fundraisers. He also hosted the regular news sional Portuguese American Caucus, we Bob Sowers, Ruth Thomas, Doris Thomas, feature, ‘‘Exploring Alabama with Bob Howell.’’ would also like to pay special tribute to our Sheri McGlothlin, Lyn Hildebrandt, Leslie Despite his busy schedule covering and de- soldiers of Portuguese descent who have Stagg, Sonya Jacob, Martha Muirhead, Tiffany livering breaking news to thousands of South made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our Laseter, Walter Godlewski, William Cratty, and Alabama residents, including Clarke, Monroe country. Portuguese Americans have served Sister Theresa Anderson. and Escambia counties in my congressional with distinction in our military forces from the Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join district, Bob also returned his knowledge and revolutionary war to current conflicts in Iraq me in commending the volunteers of the BEA- expertise to college journalism students as an and Afghanistan, and I have no doubt they will CON for Adult Literacy Program and in thank- instructor at Troy University’s Hall School of continue to answer America’s call into our fu- ing them for their dedication to our community. Journalism for more than 20 years. ture. f As Bob officially begins his retirement from On this Memorial Day, Americans every- FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION WSFA and broadcasting, he has made it clear where join in honoring those we have lost. It REFORM ACT OF 2012 that he will not be giving up work. He is al- is a time to recognize the sacrifices made to ready busy making plans for his next career defend our country, and remember the free- SPEECH OF for which he promises he still has a lot to doms and liberties for which our service mem- bers fought for. HON. LAURA RICHARDSON offer. OF CALIFORNIA We honor you and all soldiers who have an- On behalf of the people of South Alabama, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and as someone who grew up watching Bob swered the call of duty and we send our pro- deliver the evening news, I thank Bob for his found appreciation to the families of our fallen Wednesday, May 30, 2012 dedication and professionalism and wish him heroes. As we reflect on the tragedy of those Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in and his wife and family all the best in their fu- we have lost, we should realize our great for- support of H.R. 5651, The Bipartisan Food ture endeavors. tune to live in a free country, and recognize and Drug Administration Act of 2012, which f the sacrifices required to defend it. modifies the Food and Drug Administration’s f (FDA) policies and procedures to enhance PAYING TRIBUTE TO Americans’ access to effective healthcare. CONGRESSMAN BILL WAMPLER RECOGNIZING THE BEACON FOR This bill improves the safety, development, ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM and distribution of medications and medical HON. ROBERT HURT VOLUNTEERS devices to patients and medical providers. OF VIRGINIA This bill reauthorizes the FDA’s user fee IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY program for prescription drugs and medical devices through fiscal year 2017. Further, it in- Friday, June 1, 2012 OF VIRGINIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES troduces a new user fee program for generic Mr. HURT. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay medications. These fees, collected from drug Friday, June 1, 2012 respects to Congressman Bill Wampler, former and medical device companies, will give the representative of Virginia’s ‘‘Fighting 9th Dis- Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I FDA the funding it requires to grant patients trict,’’ who will truly be missed. rise today to recognize the BEACON for Adult rapid access to the treatments they need. This Congressman Wampler served the people Literacy Program Volunteers. will improve the accessibility of vital medicines of Southwest Virginia for nearly two decades, BEACON for Adult Literacy is an award-win- to patients throughout the U.S. and with his passing, the Commonwealth has ning non-profit proudly serving the adult lit- Mr. Speaker, this bill permanently reauthor- lost a great leader and a great man. eracy needs of the Northern Virginia commu- izes two beneficial pediatric drug programs. Congressman Wampler took pride in work- nity for 20 years. In its first year BEACON The first, the Best Pharmaceuticals for Chil- ing in his family’s business in Bristol, he served 30 learners; today BEACON serves dren Act, enhances the safety and availability VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:50 Jun 02, 2012 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K01JN8.006 E01JNPT1 jbell on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS June 1, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E951 of prescription drugs for children. It does this idea of competing outside of team sports, was Makoge Family, McGeehan Family, McKinnon by providing mechanisms through which drug introduced to trainer Jason Crutchfield. Once Family, McPike Family, Melusen Family, companies can test their products for use in Mr. Crutchfield overcame his disbelief that a Menon Family, Mockenhaupt Family, Morris pediatrics, and offering a six month patent ex- girl was truly serious about taking up boxing, Family, Mory Family, Moser Family, Nielsen tension as an incentive to companies who do he provided the path for Claressa Shields’ his- Family, Nieves Family, Norman Family, so. toric journey. Just a few days ago, Claressa Ogawa Family, Phillippi Family, Protacio Fam- The second pediatric drug program that is learned she had earned her Olympic spot after ily, Reedy Family, Rodriguez Family, Rosario permanently reauthorized is the Pediatric Re- competing in the AIBA women’s world cham- Family, Saul Family, Seagle Family, Simmons search Equity Act.