July 25, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5205 

protecting your home. You are hunting 

people. 

Let’s be clear, this is not about restricting anyone’s Second Amendment 

rights. The Supreme Court has ruled 

and made clear the right of Americans 

to own guns. But while reaffirming the 

Second Amendment, the Court was 

careful to note that the amendment is 

not limitless. Justice Scalia explained 

in Columbia v. Heller that ‘‘like most 

rights, the Second Amendment is not 

unlimited. It is not a right to keep and 

carry any weapon whatsoever in any 

manner whatsoever and for whatever 

purpose.’’ 

Can we stop every shooting? No. But 

can we reduce their frequency and 

deadliness? Absolutely. Can we do it 

while still respecting the Second 

Amendment? Of this I am certain. But 

the first step toward keeping dangerous guns out of the hands of dangerous people is to begin the conversation. Let’s break the silence, stop the 

violence, and start that conversation. 

f 

UNIVERSITY RESEARCH 

REGULATORY BURDENS 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

Chair recognizes the gentleman from 

Alabama (Mr. BROOKS) for 5 minutes. 

Mr. BROOKS. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and 

Science Education, I have seen Federal 

overregulation stifle research universities. 

Earlier this year, the National Research Council of the National Academies released its report entitled, ‘‘Research Universities and the Future of 

America: Ten Breakthrough Actions 

Vital to Our Nation’s Prosperity and 

Security.’’ This report examined Federal regulatory burdens on America’s 

research universities. 

On June 27, the Research and Science 

Education Subcommittee held a hearing on that report and whether regulatory red tape stifles scientific research. I asked our witnesses how we 

can enhance university scientific research capabilities. Their responses are 

instructive: 

Mr. Chad Holliday, chairman of the 

National Academies Committee on Research Universities testified: 

Federal policymakers and regulators 

should review the costs and benefits of Federal regulations, eliminating those that are 

redundant and ineffective, inappropriately 

applied to the higher education sector, or 

impose costs that outweigh the benefits to 

society. 

Dr. John Mason, Auburn University 

associate provost and vice president of 

research, testified: 

A comprehensive review of policies and 

regulations is perhaps the most important in 

this report. Streamlining the process, relieving unnecessary and costly administrative 

burdens, and coordinating research priorities 

among disparate Federal agencies will invigorate research universities exponentially. 

Dr. Jeffrey Seemann, Texas A&M 

University chief research officer and 

vice president for research, testified: 

Federal agencies and Federal regulators 

must reduce and/or eliminate unnecessary, 

overly burdensome, and/or redundant regulatory and reporting obligations for universities and their faculty in order to maximize 

investments more directly into research priorities and allow faculty time to be optimally utilized. 

Dr. Leslie Tolbert, University of Arizona senior vice president for research, 

testified: 

The growing burden of compliance with the 

increasing numbers and complexity of Federal regulations consumes increasing 

amounts of time and money, leaving less for 

more direct support for research. 

b 1020 

Finally, Dr. James Siedow, vice provost for research at my alma mater, 

Duke University, testified that research universities have been subjected 

to a: 

Growing number of research-related compliance regulations that have flowed down 

from Federal agencies over the past 10 to 15 

years. In that regard, the research-related 

and quality assurance costs to Duke between 

2000 and 2010 rose over 300 percent. This perceived piling on of new reporting requirements has led to negative responses on the 

part of faculty, who see more and more of 

their time being committed not to actually 

carrying out the funded research but to a 

myriad of mundane administrative duties. 

The extreme to which some of these regulations have gone of late seems well beyond 

that needed to accomplish the original regulatory ends. 

Consistent with their views, the National Academies recommended: 

Reduce or eliminate regulations that increase administrative costs, impede research 

productivity, and deflect creative energy 

without substantially improving the research environment. 

I asked our witnesses to identify specific regulations to amend or repeal. 

They are preparing their lists. I look 

forward to receipt of their recommendations and working to repeal 

counterproductive red tape that does 

more harm than good. 

According to the National Academies, if we successfully cut wasteful 

regulations, we: 

can reduce administrative costs, enhance 

productivity, and increase the agility of research institutions. Minimizing administrative and compliance costs will also provide a 

cost benefit to the Federal Government and 

to university administrators, faculty, and 

students by freeing up resources and time to 

support education and research effort directly. With greater resources and freedom, 

universities will be better positioned to respond to the needs of their constituents in 

an increasingly competitive environment. 

Mr. Speaker, America’s research universities are essential to America’s scientific innovation. If we clear the red 

tape from their path and free them up, 

they will produce the fundamental research that fosters American 

exceptionalism and, equally important, 

results in economic growth and jobs. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO REVEREND JAMES 

LIGHTFOOT 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 

Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE) for 5 minutes. 

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. 

Speaker, it saddens me today to rise to 

pay tribute to the late James Lightfoot, pastor of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, 

Texas, who lost his life just a few days 

ago. 

I am delighted I had the opportunity 

to visit Pastor Lightfoot and his 

church on their 44th anniversary. It 

was an exciting time, and he looked 

forward to the celebrating of the 44th 

year of his pastoral leadership of that 

church, as he started in 1968. I am 

gratified to salute this distinguished 

gentleman and distinguished American. He used faith in a way of service 

not only to his parishioners and to 

those whom he lead as a shepherd, but 

to those outside those bricks and mortar. 

He concentrated on philosophy and 

ministry. That was his concentration 

at Southwestern Seminary. He completed a master’s in education at Texas 

Southern University. He holds a Master of Divinity from Houston Graduate 

School of Theology, and a Doctorate of 

Ministries from the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. At 

Houston Graduate and Austin Presbyterian the emphasis was on the philosophical implications of ministry as it 

affected the culture of today. He has 

done advanced training at Texas 

Southern University and Houston 

Graduate School of Theology in counseling. He did an internship at Bellaire 

Columbia General in their Rapha Unit. 

He served as a lecturer in church administration in the Central Baptist 

Convention and teaches pastoral ministry. He was a conferee to the Transitional Church—Church Conference/ 

Southern Baptist Convention. And as 

well, he was honored to serve as third 

vice president to the Independent General District Sunday School and BTU. 

He was a gentleman that uses faith 

to be of service. He deals with the philosophical implications of peace and 

justice, issues for today’s church. How 

important that is when so many people 

are hurting. In the backdrop of the 

tragedy of Aurora, it is imperative that 

our faith leaders are engaged in our 

community and pray for their deliverance. 

I am delighted to say that he also 

worked with young people. He was a 

kind spirit. He was a charitable spirit. 

He was a professor at LeTourneau University—that’s how much he cared for 

young people—where he taught Bible 

and Family. He was likewise an adjunct professor. He served on the mayor’s affirmative action committee. He 

served as the chairperson of a Black 

Ministries Committee of the Union 

Baptist Association. As well, he has 

served in many civic and community 

affairs. As I indicated, he always had a 

summer program for young people who 

needed a place to come. He always had 

a smile on his face. He was always joyful. And, of course, he was a wonderful 

husband to his wonderful and devoted 

wife. 


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H5206 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 25, 2012 

He had the privilege of speaking to 

over 20,000 persons in January of 1992, 

where he spoke to the Baptist General 

Convention of Texas—Evangelism Division, to an attendance of over 20,000 

persons. And in January of 1992, he was 

guest preacher for the Mississippi Baptist State Evangelism Conference and 

delivered the Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Day sermon at the Austin Presbyterian 

Seminary, his alma mater. 

What I would like to say most of all 

is that, beyond the accolades that he 

got on the outside, he was an outstanding human being, an outstanding 

minister, an outstanding civic leader, 

someone who continued to serve his 

community even during his time of illness. You never noted a lack of cheerfulness in Reverend Lightfoot. And in 

the early stages of his illness, I had the 

opportunity to visit him at home. And 

again, what a cheerful, believing person who loved America and served 

America in his capacity, and that was 

as a faith leader who believed in all 

persons, reached beyond his doors, 

helped build a beautiful new sanctuary 

on that same street, Homestead, did 

not move, continued to serve the community, and was known as a light to 

all. 

My sympathies to Velma Mitchell 

Lightfoot, his wife, and his beautiful 

children and his eight grandchildren, 

and being a great-grandfather as well. 

The diversity of his training has led 

him to be that light, that servant, that 

special person. I believe it is appropriate to pay tribute to James Lightfoot who remains, even in death, a 

light to us all because of the great history and the great legacy he has left. 

May God bless him, God bless his 

service, and I know that he would want 

me to say that God bless his most wonderful and most great Nation, the 

United States of America. 

Pastor Lightfoot, may you rest in 

peace. 

f 

HONORING PAUL RODGERS 

PIERCE, JR. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

Chair recognizes the gentleman from 

Georgia (Mr. WESTMORELAND) for 5 

minutes. 

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, 

I have come to the floor today to honor 

Mr. Paul Rodgers Pierce, Jr., for his 25 

years of service to the State Theatre of 

Georgia and the Springer Opera House. 

Paul was born on January 19, 1953, in 

Anniston, Alabama, to Mr. and Mrs. 

Paul R. Pierce. He attended East Rome 

High School and graduated from the 

University of Georgia in 1977. After 

graduation, he developed his passion 

for theater through working as an 

actor, director, designer, and booking 

manager on a number of national touring productions, such as the American 

Repertory Theater, Flat Rock Playhouse, and Circuit 21 Playhouse. Following his time on tour, he accepted 

the position of associate artistic director at the American Repertory Theater 

under the guidance of Mr. Drexel Riley, 

who was not only his mentor, but his 

friend. 

Paul’s adventures led him across the 

country when he accepted the position 

of managing director of Virginia’s 

Wayside Theater, and then as artistic 

director of the Harbor Playhouse in 

Corpus Christi, Texas. Thankfully, his 

travels led him back to Georgia, where 

he became the artistic director of the 

Springer Opera House in 1988. 

To say Paul was passionate about his 

job is an understatement. He expanded 

the artistic mission of the Springer 

Opera House and took its potential to 

new heights. Paul created the Spring 

Theatricals, a national touring company that reaches over 60 American 

cities annually. He hired Ron Anderson 

and created the Springer Theatre Academy that mentors and develops over 

16,000 children and families through the 

year-round character education program. With Paul’s additions, the audience of Springer has nearly tripled, and 

the bar for artistic excellence in the 

community has been held to a higher 

standard. 

b 1030 

Paul has not only improved the artistic standards in the community, but 

the physical appearance of the Springer Opera House as well. Paul oversaw 

the National Historic Landmark Theatre’s $12 million renovation in 1998 and 

has campaigned for over $11.5 million 

for the construction of the McClure 

Theatre for children’s programs and 

education. 

In his 25 years, Paul has helped put 

the Springer Opera House on the map. 

In 2008, the Georgia Council for the 

Arts declared it one of Georgia’s topranked art institutions. Paul has 

served on with State Theatre of Georgia as producing artistic director with 

distinction and dedication and continues to further his mission through 

the pursuit of selfless innovations to 

improve the quality of life for the citizens and community of Columbus, 

Georgia 

I’m proud to stand here today to 

honor and thank Mr. Paul Rodgers 

Pierce, Jr., for all he has done for the 

great State of Georgia, the city of Columbus, and all the children and families he has touched. Paul’s devotion 

and commitment to theater is an inspiration to us all, showing us that with 

passion and hard work you can make a 

difference and leave a legacy that will 

never be forgotten. Thanks, Paul. 

f 

START WINNING THE WAR ON 

MILITARY SUICIDE BY ENDING 

THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 

California (Ms. WOOLSEY) for 5 minutes. 

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, more 

than 2,000 U.S. troops have been killed 

in the line of duty in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, that dramatically understates the human cost of this war, a 

war that is now nearly 11 years old. 

A recent Time magazine cover story 

details the silent killer of our brave 

servicemembers—the tragically high 

suicide rate among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and other members of 

the service. The article describes how 

one Army helicopter pilot, who had 

flown 70 missions in Iraq over 9 

months—70 missions over 9 months— 

waited on the phone for 45 minutes to 

speak to the Pentagon crisis line when 

he was in severe distress. The last communication his wife received from him 

was a text in which he said, ‘‘Still on 

hold.’’ Several hours later, she found 

him in their bedroom with a fatal gunshot wound to the neck. 

A second victim, an Army doctor who 

wasn’t deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, 

wrote an email to his wife minutes before hanging himself. It read: 

Please always tell my children how much I 

love them, and most importantly, never, 

ever let them find out how I died. 

Mr. Speaker, we can no longer deny 

the devastating mental health impact 

of repeated deployments, of continued 

exposure to explosions, horror, carnage 

and destruction. Of course, in an institution like the U.S. military that values courage and toughness, there’s a 

reluctance to admit to depression and 

anxiety. 

Sometimes that manifests itself in 

the worst possible ways. For example, 

one Army major general wrote an 

angry diatribe on his blog about the 

selfishness of troops who killed themselves or were leaving others to ‘‘clean 

up their mess.’’ He admonished: 

Act like an adult, and deal with your reallife problems like the rest of us. 

It’s about time, Mr. Speaker, that we 

lost that attitude because we’re losing 

brave Americans at a terrifying clip. In 

fact, according to the Time article, 

more soldiers have taken their own 

lives than have died in Afghanistan. 

While veterans make up 10 percent of 

the adult population, they account for 

20 percent of the suicides. 

We are starting to see more awareness of this problem, thank Heavens. 

Secretary Panetta says the right 

things, but it’s time to back up rhetoric. It’s time to back it up with more 

resources because the fact is only 4 percent of the Pentagon’s medical budget 

is devoted to mental health, about the 

same amount that we spend on the Afghan war every day and a half. We 

spend $2 billion a year to treat servicemembers suffering from psychological 

trauma, but we spend $10 billion a 

month on the war that is the root of 

much of that trauma in the first place. 

Even if the Afghanistan war ended 

tomorrow, Mr. Speaker, so much damage is already done. We would still be 

left with a huge crisis that will require 

more resolve than we are seemingly 

prepared to muster. I would expect 

every Member who has enthusiastically 

supported this war to just as eagerly 

support what it takes to fight the suicide epidemic this war has caused. It’s 


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