The assistance provided in this emergency appropriations bill will be critical in helping my fellow North Carolinians return to at least a semblance of the lives they led before last September's devastating floods.

Had I been present I would have, albeit reluctantly, voted in favor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to reauthorize and to make further improvements to the Impact Aid Program.

I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on No. 425 and ``no'' on No. 426.

Had I been there I would have voted "no" on rollcall No. 301; "aye" on rollcall No. 302; "no" on rollcall No. 303; "aye" on rollcall No. 304.

Had I been present I would have voted "no" on rollcall Nos. 306 and 307.

Had I been there I would have voted "aye" on rollcall Nos. 308, 309, 310, and 311.

I rise today to recognize a unique event in the Second Congressional District of North Carolina, the Spivey's Corner Hollerin' Contest.

Education holds the key to our nation's future.

One of the most important responsibilities we have as a society is to provide quality education for all of our children.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Alamance County, North Carolina for its upcoming 150th Anniversary.

As has been well documented, our pork producers have been devastated by record-low prices for their products over the past year.

Pork producers need better and more up-to-date information on prices to ensure that they are being treated fairly.

Somebody is getting rich at the expense of our farmers.

Too many small farmers and their families in North Carolina depend on swine production for their livelihood for us not to take action now.

I urge the Senate to move quickly to pass this important legislation.

This investigation is a small but important step in the right direction and I urge the House to adopt this important bill today.