Authorizing printing of the brochures entitled "How Our Laws Are Made" and "Our American Government", the publication entitled "Our Flag", the document-sized, annotated version of the United States Constitution, and the pocket version of the United States Constitution.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 139) authorizing printing of the brochures entitled ``How Our Laws Are Made'' and ``Our American Government'', the publication entitled ``Our Flag'', the document- sized, annotated version of the United States Constitution, and the pocket version of the United States Constitution.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise here today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 139. Now, this is not a major piece of legislation that is going to have mind-boggling results for the Nation, but what it is is something very important that is in the purview of the Committee on House Administration, and that is legislation that authorizes the printing of the publication entitled ``How Our Laws Are Made'' and ``Our American Government'', also the publication entitled ``Our Flag'', the document-sized annotated version of the United States Constitution and the pocket version of the United States Constitution. I think that is an important responsibility of our committee.

It is the intention of the Committee on House Administration to make certain that these useful and important educational publications are made available to people. I want to say too that at every school group I try to personally deliver to each student, young American, some young, some older students, and many adults a copy of these treasured documents that contain the very foundation and basis for our government and for our freedoms. These publications are not only a resourceful means of information for Members' offices but also a great learning tool for constituents of all ages.

Making these publications available to constituents not only helps them better understand how our government operates, but it also illustrates what their rights are and their responsibilities are in this as citizens of this great country. Our Nation's parents, schools, and communities do a terrific job in teaching the rich history and structure of our government, and I hope these publications will provide additional tools and resources that can continue that tradition and I know that they will.

Each publication will have 550,000 copies printed, of which 430,000 copies shall be for the use of the House of Representatives, 100,000 copies shall be for the use of the other body, and 10,000 copies shall be for the use of the Joint Committee on Printing. Each Member and Senator shall receive 1,000 copies of these publications and they will be delivered to each Member of the House and the other body's offices. The cost of these publications will be incurred from the Congressional Printing and Binding Fund, and for additional copies, Members have the opportunity to purchase them from the Superintendent of Documents.

It is important that every student in a democracy be absolutely familiar with the very basic principles and values for which our country stands and on which it is based. These documents provide a very articulate description and really an enumeration of those principles and even illustrates how we debate and resolve differences of opinion and how this body, the people's body, operates this institution that has survived for some two centuries of democratic representative government.

So we hope to extend, again, the understanding to students of all ages, young people and adults. We hope to have a better understanding, again, of the basic foundations of the process of government, and these publications will help in that important responsibility.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

In conclusion, again, I am here to present House Concurrent Resolution 139, which authorizes the publication of some very important documents, including the Constitution of the United States, ``Our Flag'' and ``How Our Laws Are Made,'' tools that are important to constituents, to students, and a great

resource of this body, a somewhat mundane, but necessary, obligation of the Committee on House Administration.

I am sorry that the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney), the chairman of the Committee on House Administration on which I am privileged to serve, is not able to be with us; but I know he supports this publication and also this House concurrent resolution, and I am honored to have the opportunity to act in his stead, to move and recommend for passage by the House H. Con. Res. 139. I urge passage of this measure.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise to associate myself with the remarks of the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica).

I am delighted to cosponsor and support House Concurrent Resolution 139. This resolution, as the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica) ably explained, authorizes the printing of brochures entitled ``How Our Laws Are Made'', ``Our American Government'', and the publication entitled ``Our Flag'', the document-sized annotated version of the United States Constitution and the pocket version of the United States Constitution, both vitally important to so many of our constituents and used by so many of our colleagues here to impart information about our government and our Constitution to our citizens.

Madam Speaker, these documents are more than just handy reference materials. Collectively they explain how our federal system of government works, contain the essential documents on which the government is based, including the Declaration of Independence, and answer a wide range of questions frequently asked of our constitutional system.

They are, in a word, indispensable to every American and should be made widely available to every person who seeks answers about what it means to live in the United States. The resolution before us will do just that. I urge the House to support the concurrent resolution.

Madam Speaker, I would be remiss if during today's proceedings concerning the Joint Committee on Printing that I did not mention that one of the institution's finest employees, Mike Harrison, who is on the minority staff and is minority staff director for the Joint Committee on Printing, is not here today. Normally, Mike would be here right by my side.

He has helped me in the past shepherd through legislation. Unfortunately, Mike is home recovering from an ailment and cannot be here today. The good news is that he is doing quite well and convalescing at home. I spoke with both him and his wife, Lori; and I know so many from here send their best wishes for his speedy recovery. He is as witty as ever, and we look forward to his speedy return.

Madam Speaker, having no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 139, which is at the desk.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of H. Con. Res. 139, the legislation just passed.