Designating the room numbered H-236 in the House of Representatives wing of the Capitol as the "Richard K. Armey Room".

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Texas for yielding me time.

Madam Speaker, this is a great pleasure for me. This is my resolution, and I cannot think of a prouder resolution and a more meaningful one to me to bring forward than this resolution here today.

A person's work here in Congress speaks much louder than rooms that are named after them or statues that may collect dust in the hallways. It is right and fitting and appropriate that we name this room after Dick Armey, but I can tell you that the Dick Armey I know cares very little about what room is named after him. He cares much more about the legacy he has left for his children and grandchildren and this great country we call America.

Some would say that the beauty of our democracy is that when somebody leaves the United States Congress they are quickly forgotten. In some respects that is sad, because we have some great Members who come through our body on both sides of the aisle, Members who go on to bigger and better things, some might say in the United States Senate or the other body as we refer to it, maybe down in the administration, maybe they go home and raise their family, open a business, teach school, whatever it might be. But the beauty of our system and our democracy really does lie in the fact that it is we the people, and that while one great Member passes, a new great Member can hopefully fill those shoes as we move forward.

Dick Armey speaks often about something very simple that I happen to believe is very profound. ``Freedom works'' is a slogan that he has coined, to some extent. It is a long way of saying we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

It took a long sentence to get that out back in 1776, but today we can say it very simply as freedom works; freedom works in America, freedom works in our economy, freedom works in our workplace. Freedom may even work in Iraq. Freedom works in a lot of places, in a lot of places that we call America, and Dick Armey has helped bring freedom to our country.

It is an unusual procedure to bring a resolution to the floor to name anything in the United States Capitol. We do so only under very unusual circumstances. If you walk through the halls, you will find many great leaders with their name on the door. I believe it is appropriate that we take a pause today and name a room. But the name that I think that Dick Armey would find most appropriate on any room in this Capitol would be freedom.

The nice thing about this is that while I introduced this resolution, I did so with the full support of the Speaker of the House. I talked to him first, because you do not name rooms in the Capitol without talking to the Speaker. I also know I have the support of my entire conference. But what is even more enjoyable is to know we have the support of both sides of the aisle. Democrats who may have disagreed with Dick Armey during his term had an enormous amount of respect for him, even though there was disagreement oftentimes, and that is true, I think, for many leaders that Republicans look to on the Democratic side as well.

This is a bipartisan resolution. Former leader Armey is here in the Chamber today. I just want to say to my friend that this is as meaningful a public gesture as we can make, and we mean it with as much heartfelt wishes for you and your wife Susan, and the recognition that what you have done here has not been forgotten. Even though freedom works, our country continues, our democracy will flourish, and the Congress will continue to hopefully do good things that you will find enjoyable to watch from your new chair and your new seat.

Thank you very much for your service. We look forward to the opportunity when we can unveil this room some time in the near future.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 19) designating the room numbered H-236 in the House of Representatives wing of the Capitol as the ``Richard K. Armey Room''.

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

Madam Speaker, House Resolution 19 designates room 236 in the House wing of the United States Capitol as the Richard K. Armey Room. Former Majority Leader Dick Armey represented the 26th Congressional District of Texas for 18 years, and his dedication to the 26th district and to the State of Texas had no bounds. He represented the constituents with honesty, integrity, and was passionate about his fiscally conservative principles. I now represent this same district and will follow in the same spirit. The people of this district, the State of Texas, and our great Nation are better off as a result of Dr. Armey's leadership in Congress.

Former Majority Leader Armey was the first of his family to attend college. He rose from humble beginnings in rural North Dakota to the pinnacle of American government. His was not a path of privilege but of hard work, dedication and strong beliefs. He earned a bachelor's degree from Jamestown College, a master's degree from the University of North Dakota, and a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma.

In 1984, Dr. Armey was elected to his first of nine terms in this body. He quickly made a name for himself as someone dedicated to sound public policies based on conservative principles. During his time in the House, he was instrumental in passage of public housing reform, closing of obsolete and unnecessary military bases, and farm legislation reform, each of which saved the American people money and allowed the Federal Government to better serve the communities impacted.

Dick Armey was also a steadfast conservative who advocated fundamental tax reform and brought the implementation of the flat tax to the national stage. These achievements and ideas all came as all of Dick Armey's accomplishments came, through hard work, persistence and dedication.

In 1992, Representative Armey was elected to the position of conference chairman of the House Republicans, the top policy position within the Republican Conference. In 1994, when Republicans won a majority of seats in this House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years, Representative Armey was elected to serve as majority leader, a position he held for 8 years, one of the longest terms of any majority leader in the history of this body.

In addition to his leadership roles, Majority Leader Armey also served as cochairman of the Joint Economic Committee and as chairman of the Select Committee on Homeland Security, which was responsible for writing the legislation creating the Department of Homeland Security.

The naming of Room 236 as the Richard K. Armey Room is a fitting tribute to a dedicated public servant. I support the legislation and encourage all of my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nussle).

Madam Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.

Madam Speaker, the gentleman from Iowa is quite correct that it is hard to leave a legacy. The majority leader himself pointed out how service in this body does take a fair amount from one's family and one's time with one's family. I am aware of the fact that the retiring majority leader is expecting two grandchildren next month, and what a wonderful legacy it will be for those children when they visit the Capitol in years to come, to visit Room 236, the Richard K. Armey Room.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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

Madam Speaker, H. Res. 19 would designate Room 236 in the House of Representatives as the Richard K. Armey Room. H-236 is located in the Capitol and currently serves as a meeting room.

Mr. Armey retired at the end of the 107th Congress after serving 18 years in the House. He was born in Cando, North Dakota, in 1940. After graduating from the local high school, he attended Jamestown College in Jamestown, North Dakota. He received his Master's Degree from the University of North Dakota and his Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma.

Mr. Armey taught for many years, holding positions at the University of Montana, West Texas State University, Austin College and North Texas State University. While at North Texas State, he was the Chairman of the Economics Department for 6 years.

In 1992, Congressman Armey became the chairman of the House Republican Conference, and in 1994 he became the majority leader.

Designating this room in the Capitol is an appropriate recognition of Congressman Armey's civic contributions and his dedicated public service.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I stayed in St. Louis to attend my pastor's visitation on March 11th and was absent for recorded votes.

Had I been present for those votes, I would have voted as follows on the following bills under suspension of the rules: H.R. 441--``yes''; H. Con. Res. 77--``yes''; H. Res. 19--``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, on March 11, 2003, I was unable to vote on H.R. 441 (rollcall vote 50), H. Con. Res. 77 (rollcall 51), and H. Res. 19 (rollcall vote 52). Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on all three measures.