To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 135 East Olive Avenue in Burbank, California, as the "Bob Hope Post Office Building".

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on October 22, 2003, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing on ``Counterterror Initiatives in the Terror Finance Program.''

Mr. President: I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on Wednesday, October 22, 2003, at 9:30 am on the Federal Involvement in the Regulation of the Insurance Industry.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 at 2:30 p.m. to hold a hearing Anti-Semitism In Europe.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 at 10:30 a.m. to hold a business meeting to consider pending Committed business.

Agenda

Legislation

1. S. 129, Federal Workforce Flexibility Act of 2003.

2. S. 1741, National Women's History Museum Act of 2003.

3. S. 1267, District of Columbia Budget Autonomy Act of

2003.

4. S. 1522, GAO Human Capital Reform Act of 2003.

5. S. 1561, a bill to preserve existing judgeships on the

Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

6. S. 1567, Department of Homeland Security Financial

Accountability Act.

7. S. 1612, Homeland Security Technology Improvement Act of

2003.

8. S. 1683, Federal Law Enforcement Pay and Benefits Parity

Act of 2003.

9. H.R. 1416, Homeland Security Technical Corrections Act

of 2003.

10. H.R. 3159, Government Network Security Act of 2003.

post office naming bills

1. S. 1405, a bill to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 514 17th Street in Moline,

Illinois, as the ``David Bybee Post Office Building.''

2. S. 1415, a bill to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 141 Weston Street in

Hartford, Connecticut, as the ``Barbara B. Kennelly Post

Office Building.''

3. S. 1590, a bill to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 315 Empire Boulevard in

Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, as the ``James E. Davis

Post Office Building.''

4. S. 1659, a bill to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 57 Old Tappan Road in

Tappan, New York, as the ``John G. Dow Post Office

Building.''

5. S. 1671, a bill to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 10701 Abercorn Street in

Savannah, Georgia, as the ``J.C. Lewis, Jr., Post Office

Building.''

6. S. 1692, a bill to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 38 Spring Street in Nashua,

New Hampshire, as the ``Hugh Gregg Post Office Building.''

7. S. 1718, a bill to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 3710 West 73rd Terrace in

Prairie Village, Kansas, as the ``Senator James B. Pearson

Post Office Building.''

8. S. 1746, a bill to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 339 Hicksville Road in

Bethpage, New York, as the ``Brian C. Hickey Post Office

Building.''

9. H.R. 1610, to redesignate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 120 East Ritchie Avenue in

Marceline, Missouri, as the ``Walt Disney Office Building.''

10. H.R. 1882, to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 440 South Orange Blossom

Trail, in Orlando, Florida, as the ``Arthur `Pappy' Kennedy

Post Office Building.''

11. H.R. 1883, to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 1601-1 Main Street in

Jacksonville, Florida, as the ``Eddie Mae Steward Post Office

Building.''

12. H.R. 2075, to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 1905 West Blue Heron

Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Florida, as the ``Judge Edward

Rodgers Post Office Building.''

13. H.R. 2254, to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 1101 Colorado Street in

Boulder City, Nevada, as the ``Bruce Woodbury Post Office

Building.''

14. H.R. 2309, to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 2300 Redondo Avenue in

Signal Hill, California, as the ``J. Stephen Horn Post Office

Building.''

15. H.R. 2328, to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 2001 East Willard Street in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the ``Robert A. Borski Post

Office Building.''

16. H.R. 2396, to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 1210 Highland Avenue in

Duarte, California, as the ``Francisco A. Martinez Flores

Post Office Building.''

17. H.R. 2452, to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 339 Hicksville Road in

Bethpage, New York, as the ``Brian C. Hickey Post Office

Building.''

18. H.R. 2533, to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 10701 Abercorn Street in

Savannah, Georgia, as the ``J.C. Lewis, Jr., Post Office

Building.''

19. H.R. 2746, to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 141 Weston Street in

Hartford, Connecticut, as the ``Barbara B. Kennelly Post

Office Building.''

20. H.R. 3011, to designate the facility of the United

States Postal Service, located at 135 East Olive Avenue in

Burbank, California, as the ``Bob Hope Post Office

Building.''

Nominations

1. Jerry S. Byrd to be an Associate Judge of the Superior

Court of the District of Columbia (Family Court).

2. Joseph Michael Ryan to be an Associate Judge of the

Superior Court of the District of Columbia (Family Court).

3. Dale Cabaniss to be Chairman, Federal Labor Relations

Authority.

4. Brian F. Holeman to be an Associate Judge of the

Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

5. Craig S. Iscoe to be an Associate Judge of the Superior

Court of the District of Columbia.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a hearing on Wednesday, October 22, 2003, at 10 a.m., on ``Judicial Nominations,'' in the Hart Senate Office Building room 216.

Witness List:

Panel I: Senators.

Panel II: Janice R. Brown to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 at 2:30 p.m. to hold a closed hearing.

Mr. President: I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries, and Coast Guard be authorized to meet on Wednesday, October 22, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., on Fisheries Oversight to be held in SR-428A.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3011) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 135 East Olive Avenue in Burbank, California, as the ``Bob Hope Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, this House justifiably honors numerous Americans each Congress, many of whom we know well and others who are less famous; but we may never pay tribute to anyone who selflessly devoted more time and energy toward promoting the general welfare in this country than the incomparable Bob Hope.

This legislation, H.R. 3011, introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff), designates the postal facility in Burbank, California, as the Bob Hope Post Office Building, and all 53 members of the California State delegation have signed on as cosponsors of this legislation.

Bob Hope lived a wonderful life that spanned one full century. Towards the end of his life he was perhaps the biggest giant in the American entertainment industry; and whether it was vaudeville or Broadway, TV, movies or radio, America grew up with Bob Hope during the 20th century, and we laughed all the way.

The legendary star of radio, television and film was born in Eltham, England, on May 29, 1903. The Hope family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, when Bob was 4, and he became a United States citizen in 1920. With his passing on July 27, 2003, the country that he loved and gave so much to mourned.

This Nation can never repay Bob Hope or his family for his commitment or his love of country. But with the passage of H.R. 3011, this House can speak for the citizens of this land in saying, ``You were a great American, Bob Hope. Thank you.''

The son of a stonecutter and an aspiring singer and entertainer, Bob Hope exemplifies the American Dream. To supplement his income when he began working in his teenage years, Bob began to follow in his mother's footsteps by doing some singing in nearby restaurants. Finally, he learned the art of vaudeville, and by 1928 he had adopted his stage name Bob Hope.

Bob eventually secured a variety show on NBC radio that lasted 18 years. By 1940, it was the most widely listened-to show in America. In 1950, he signed an exclusive TV deal which spawned a partnership that lasted more than 40 years and produced hundreds of programs and specials. On the big screen, he costarred with Hollywood legends like Bing Crosby, Shirley Ross, Paulette Goddard, and Dorothy Lamour during his movie career that lasted from the late 1930s through the Forties and Fifties. Before it was all over, he had starred in 75 motion pictures, nearly 500 television shows, and literally thousands of radio programs.

However, most Americans remember Bob best for his performances for the U.S. troops through the United Service Organization. During the early years of World War II, in 1941, he visited troops stationed in California to tape his radio show. After doing both radio and television shows over nearly five decades for U.S. troops located all over the globe, Bob Hope performed in front of troops for the last time in 1990 for servicemen and women readying to fight in the Persian Gulf War. Over the years, he traveled to bring a little bit of home to American soldiers abroad in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

The gift that Bob Hope gave to the soldiers defending our freedom is priceless. In a time of great danger, the soldiers were entertained and were able to escape the trying times of their lives just for a moment. Mr. Speaker, Bob Hope expressed the love of a Nation for the men and women risking their lives for all of us back at home. He touched the lives of these brave men and women because he knew that they were fighting for us, for our freedoms.

Bob Hope passed away at 100 years of age, and we all greatly miss him. But he passed away serenely one evening. In fact, to quote his daughter, Linda, she said, ``I don't think you could have asked for a more peaceful, beautiful death. And I think all the good vibes my father put out during his lifetime came back to take him up.''

There is little that can be said that has not been said about what a wonderful person Bob was. He was given 54 honorary doctorates, the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, and was even knighted by his native Great Britain. But today, I am sincerely proud that we have a chance to say just a few more words about Bob and his legacy.

Every American owes Bob a little something for his contributions to the fabric of this Nation. It is certainly appropriate that this House give at least a little bit back to Bob Hope by naming after him this post office in Burbank, California, where the NBC Studios are located, a place we all know he spent much of his career.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to vote for the passage of H.R. 3011 that commemorates the matchless life of Bob Hope, and I congratulate the gentleman from California for his work on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to simply say that this is truly a worthwhile measure, and I want to again commend the gentleman from California for his work on it. I certainly urge all my colleagues to support the passage of this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of the most beloved and recognizable talents in the world. Bob Hope is regarded as a gifted entertainer, with an unmistakable ability to bring laughter and joy to persons of all ages; however, he was also an ambassador of hope to our men and women overseas.

It is with great honor that I stand before you today, and bring to the Floor, House Resolution 3011, a resolution cosponsored by all of my colleagues from California. This legislation will honor Bob Hope's many contributions to veterans, active duty troops, the field of entertainment and the greater Los Angeles community, by naming the Burbank, CA, Main Post Office for him.

Born in Eltham, England, on May 29, 1903, Bob Hope seemed to be destined to entertain. From impersonating Charlie Chaplin in front of the neighborhoods firehouse in Cleveland as a young boy, to celebrating an unprecedented 60 years with NBC in 1996, Hope's entertainment persona has been evident in every decade of the 20th century.

An avid golfer, Bob Hope had been quoted as saying, ``Golf is my profession. I tell jokes to pay my green fees.'' Most notably, he developed and hosted the Bob Hope/Chrysler Classic, a pro am tournament held annually in Palm Springs, CA. Over four decades later, the Classic draws the most famous pros and celebrity amateurs, and it has gone on to raise over $35 million for the Eisenhower Medical Center and 70 other various charities.

What separated Bob Hope from other beloved celebrities was his unwavering commitment to bringing smiles and hope to American servicemen and servicewomen overseas. For nearly six decades, during times of war and peace, Hope traveled to countless countries to entertain the troops. Affectionately referred to as ``G.I. Bob,'' Bob Hope became a fixture on the U.S.O. stage.

In May of 1941, Bob Hope performed for U.S. Troops at March Field, CA, beginning a legendary tradition of military performances. During World War II, he performed almost all of his weekly radio shows from American military bases around the U.S. and in the theaters of war. In his support of our troops, he traveled to England, Ireland, Africa, Sicily, and the South Pacific. After the war, he continued his commitment to freedom and humor with a Christmas show for troops supporting the Berlin airlift. During the 1970s, he brought joy to weary soldiers with Christmas shows at bases or veterans' hospitals throughout Vietnam. 1983 took him to Beirut, and in 1987 he traveled around the world to entertain troops in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.

His globetrotting commitment to entertainment is unsurpassed, in peacetime or in war. The Navy has honored him with a class of ships in his name. Not to be outdone, the Air Force named a C-17 The Spirit of Bob Hope. When I was in Iraq in August, I visited a commissary named after Bob Hope and saw first hand how much his visits to the troops meant to them. Our Nation's only honorary veteran, Bob Hope's legacy will be that of a wartime and peacetime soldier, always fighting to bring a smile and a piece of home to U.S. troops around the world.

John Steinbeck once said of Bob Hope, ``It is impossible to see how he can do so much, can cover so much ground, can work so hard and be so effective.''

Former Burbank mayor Michael Hastings said to Hope, ``He was as large in this community as he was in the world, and I think Burbank has been a great beneficiary.'' It seems only fitting that a city that served such an instrumental role in Bob Hope's life, return that honor by naming its historic post office after the entertainer.

Hope's ties to the city of Burbank, CA were numerous. In 1973, he was named the city's honorary mayor, and in 1989, the city renamed a portion of Catalina Street near NBC studios to Bob Hope Drive. In April of 1993, those studios were dedicated in honor of Hope's 90th birthday and his more than 50-year association with the network. Donating more than $1 million to the Providence St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation in Burbank, Hope also helped raise money to build a veteran's monument in the city, by performing at the Starlight Bowl in 1987.

By naming the Burbank, CA Main Post Office for Bob Hope, we will remember him for his talent and honor him for his extraordinary impact on the lives of our troops. With the release of his very first feature film, ``The Big Broadcast of 1938,'' ``Thanks for the Memory,'' became Hope's signature song. Earning an Academy Award, the song will forever remind us of the legendary Bob Hope. The classic Hope song ends with the words, ``Aw' fly glad I met you, cheerio, and toodle-oo and thank you so much.''

We thank you Mr. Bob Hope, for all the memories.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of naming a post office for Bob Hope near his hometown of Toluca Lake. This is a small tribute for a man who has given so much to our country.

Bob Hope was a man who knew no boundaries. He certainly did not heed geographic borders, performing for soldiers in all corners of the world. Starting in 1941, he headlined USO shows in the South Pacific, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, entertaining millions of soldiers and bringing laughter to the most desolate places on Earth.

Bob Hope did not recognize boundaries of time, charming audiences of civilians and soldiers for over sixty years. His first ``last Christmas tour'' was in 1972, yet into the 1990's he could be found performing for troops in Saudi Arabia during ``Operation Desert Storm.'' No other entertainer has given so much for so long.

Bob Hope's life also eclipsed the boundaries of entertainment. His career covered every field of entertainment, from vaudeville to Broadway, radio to television and film to stand-up. His signature song ``Thanks for the Memories'' won an Academy Award. Although he never won an Oscar himself, Bob Hope hosted the Oscars a record 18 times and was awarded two honorary Oscars.

On May 29, 2003, America mourned Bob Hope's death at the age of 100. Although he starred in more than fifty films, he may be most remembered for his role as an honorary veteran. This honor, the only one ever awarded, was bestowed on him for his commitment to our armed services. While America could never repay Bob Hope for his service to our country, H.R. 3011 will continue a fine tradition of honoring an exemplary citizen. I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise to support H.R. 3011, that will designate the facility of the United States Post Office located at 135 East Olive Avenue in Burbank, California, as the Bob Hope post office building.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 3011, legislation naming this post office after Bob Hope. The bill was sponsored by the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff) on September 4, 2003, and it has met the policy of the Committee on Government Reform and has been cosponsored by the entire California delegation.

Bob Hope was born Leslie Townes Hope in 1903 in Eltham, England. He emigrated to America 4 years later. For more than 60 years, Bob Hope traveled around the world entertaining and supporting our military personnel. From World War II, to the Korean War, to the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War Bob sang, danced, joked, comforted, and took picture after picture with our men and women who were fighting for our country. But Bob Hope did not just give of his time and his talent, he also gave from his heart and his pocket. Throughout his career he raised more than $1 billion for war relief and various other charities.

Sadly, Bob Hope, the friend of presidents and a living legend in radio, TV, film, and on Broadway died at his home on July 27, 2003. However sad it was, he met the century figure, 100 years.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleagues for seeking to honor the late Bob Hope in this manner; and, as a representative of Hollywood, we will all cherish his memory and his works and hope that we can give back to humankind what he did. I urge the swift adoption of this bill.

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