Joe Wilson: “I rise today to commend the Burris family of Beaufort, South Carolina, upon receiving the 2003 South Carolina…”

“I rise today to commend the Burris family of Beaufort, South Carolina, upon receiving the 2003 South Carolina Environmental Awareness Award for their Cypress Bay Plantation, one of the best tree farms in America. The entire family, which includes Dr. ``Skeet'' Burris, his wife Gail, and their sons Hank, Andy, Ben, Tony and Charlie, have themselves worked the 1,600-acre tree farm in Hampton County since 1986. They have won many awards including the South Carolina Tree Farm of the Year in 1995, National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year award in 2000, and Private Conservationist of the Year in 2001. Today, the beautiful lands of Cypress Bay Plantation contain well over 200,000 trees teeming with wildlife, and are used to educate local children on the environment. I ask all my colleagues to join me in commending the Burris family for their commitment to environmental excellence. In conclusion, may God bless our troops; and we will never forget September 11.”