To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8200 South Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles, California, as the Sergeant First Class John Marshall Post Office Building.

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

Mr. Speaker, as one who began much of what I would call my public career working in community health centers, I worked at the Martin Luther King Community Health Center, and I worked at the Miles Square Community Health Center, I was around during the days when we decided to organize a National Association of Community Health Centers and ultimately had the pleasure of serving as its president.

And so, Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the proud sponsor of this resolution to establish a national community health center week.

I would like to thank the cochairs of the Community Health Care Center Caucus, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bonilla), and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Capuano), for their constant voice to better community health centers.

I would also like to thank the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bradley) for joining the cochairs of the caucus as a main sponsor of this legislation.

As we continue to discuss health care, and as we continue hopefully to move towards enactment of a national health plan that covers everyone without regard to their ability to pay, we can take greet pride in some of our accomplishments in health care. One of the most important and effective accomplishments since the enactment of Medicare and Medicaid has been the development of community health centers.

The community health center network is available throughout the Nation to help those in need, such as those who get displaced by job status or other economic conditions. Community health centers have become the safety net within the health care delivery system, serving more than 15 million people in over 3,600 communities.

They care for one out of every seven uninsured individuals, one out of every nine Medicaid beneficiaries, one out of every seven people of color, and one out of every nine rural Americans. In addition they reach out to over 621,000 homeless persons and more than 709,000 migrant and seasonal farm workers.

Community health centers are established in almost every corner of our Nation, representing every aspect of any congressional district, whether it is assisting the working poor in the inner city, or in the rural farmland, migrant workers or even those who have insurance but do not have access to any other health facilities.

One of the most amazing and important aspects of community health centers is the involvement of the community. Each center tailors its services to best meet the needs and priorities of the communities in which they reside. Citizens in these communities become active participants in their communities' health care decision-making.

Health centers even provide approximately 100,000 jobs to the residents in communities of these areas. These health centers provide high-quality, cost-effective health care as they continue to meet escalating health needs and assist in reducing health disparities.

With the weakened economy and soaring number of uninsured Americans, our Nation's health centers will continue to feel the brunt of increasing numbers of patients.

By establishing a week to raise awareness of community health centers, we will also be highlighting each year the great accomplishments these nonprofit community-owned and -operated health centers offer to many communities throughout the Nation.

With recent numbers indicating that the Nation's uninsured population is even higher than once thought, possibly as high as 60 million, if our Nation will not realize the need for universal health care, we need at least to realize the importance of funding our community health centers.

The United States spends nearly $100 billion per year to provide uninsured residents with health services, oftentimes for preventable diseases that physicians could treat more efficiently with early diagnosis.

Community health centers are one of the keys to such earlier diagnosis and crucial to lowering the overall cost of health care on the uninsured throughout the country.

Therefore, I am pleased with the significant increase in the fiscal year 2006 budget that our community health centers will receive so that they can continue to serve their patients and expand their services.

Mr. Speaker, community health centers are indeed the safety net which is committed to serving all individuals with the mission that everyone deserves quality health care services regardless of where they reside, whether or not they can pay, or whether or not they have insurance.

They are vital to ensuring that even the poor and disadvantaged in this country have the greatest opportunity to be healthy. These centers are indeed a hallmark of our Nation's health care delivery system.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that I can stand and be a part of promoting the awareness or their existence and the accomplishments which they have achieved.

I urge my colleagues to stand beside me in supporting this resolution, and I want to thank especially the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Davis) the ranking member; the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman); and the Speaker, the gentleman from

Illinois (Mr. Hastert), for helping to make sure that this resolution got to the floor before August, because that is the time that we celebrate the initiation and institution of these centers throughout the country.

I also want to commend Tom Van Coverden, who is the president, and Mr. Hawkins, two individuals that I worked with when I used to work in the community health centers. They have both stayed all of that time. Tom is now the president and Dan Hawkins is the vice president. And I commend them for their longevity and great service.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry be authorized to conduct a hearing during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at 10 a.m. in SR-328A, Russell Senate Office Building. The purpose of this hearing will be to consider the nomination of Dr. Richard A. Raymond to be Under Secretary for food safety at the United States Department of Agriculture.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry be authorized to conduct a hearing during the session of the Senate at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2005, in SR-328A, Russell Senate Office Building. The purpose of this hearing will be to review the Livestock Manadatory Reporting Act 1999.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorize to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. to hold a business meeting.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, June 22, 2005, at 10 a.m. to hold a business meeting to consider pending committee business.

Agenda

legislation

S. 662, Postal Accountability Enhancement Act; S. 457, Purchase Card Waste Elimination Act; S. 611, Emergency Medical Services Support Act; S. 37, a bill to extend the special postage stamp for breast cancer research for two years.

post office naming bills

H.R. 1460, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 6200 Rolling Road in Springfield, VA, as the ``Captain Mark Stubenhofer Post Office Building''.

S. 590/H.R. 1236, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 750 4th Street in Sparks, NV, as the ``Mayor Tony Armstrong Memorial Post Office''.

S. 571, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 1915 Fulton Street in Brooklyn, NY, as the ``Congresswoman Shirley A. Chisholm Post Office Building''.

S. 892/H.R. 324, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 321 Montgomery Road in Altamonte Springs, FL, as the ``Arthur Stacey Mastrapa Post Office Building''.

S. 867/H.R. 289, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 8200 South Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles, CA, as the ``Sergeant First Class John Marshall Post Office Building''.

S. 1207/H.R. 120, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 20777 Rancho California Road in Temecula, CA, as the ``Dalip Singh Saund Post Office Building''.

S. 775, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 123 West 7th Street in Holdenville, OK, as the ``Boone Pickens Post Office''.

S. 1206/H.R. 504, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 4960 West Washington Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA, as the ``Ray Charles Post Office Building''.

H.R. 1001, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 301 South Heatherwilde Boulevard in Pflugerville, TX, as the ``Sergeant Byron W. Norwood Post Office Building.''

HR. 1072, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 151 West End Street in Goliad, TX, as the ``Judge Emilio Vargas Post Office Building.''

S. 904, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 1560 Union Valley Road in West Milford, NJ, as the ``Brian P. Parrello Post Office Building.''

HR. 1542, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 695 Pleasant Street in New Bedford, MA, as the ``Honorable Judge George N. Leighton Post Office Building.''

H.R. 1082, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 120 East Illinois Avenue in Vinita, OK, as the ``Francis C. Goodpaster Post Office Building.''

H.R. 1524, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service at 12433 Antioch Road in Overland Park, KS, as the ``Ed Eilert Post Office Building.''

H.R. 627, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 40 Putnam Avenue in Hamden, CT, as the ``Linda White-Epps Post Office.''

H.R. 2326, a bill to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 614 West Old County Road in Belhaven, NC, as the ``Floyd Lupton Post Office.''

Nominations

Linda M. Combs to be Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget.

Linda M. Springer to be Director, Office of Personnel Management.

Laura A. Cordero to be Associate Judge, Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

Noel Anketell Kramer to be Associate Judge, District of Columbia Court of Appeals.

Mr. President, I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Wednesday, June 22, 2005, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 216 of the Hart Senate Office Building to conduct an oversight hearing on the In Re Tribal Lobbying Matters, et al.

Those wishing additional information may contact the Indian Affairs Committee at 224-2251.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on June 22, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. to hold a closed briefing.

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues in the California delegation and the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) in particular, and all of my other colleagues for cosponsoring H.R. 289. I would also like to thank the House leadership for allowing H.R. 289 to come to the House floor today.

Mr. Speaker, I am indeed honored to offer this bill, which would rename a post office in California's 35th Congressional District after Sergeant John Marshall, who died at the age of 50 on April 8, 2003, during combat operations while fighting with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the United States Army's 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq. This legislation is just a small way to recognize and pay tribute to one of our fallen heroes.

Mr. Speaker, whatever our views are of our policy in Iraq, it is always important for all of us to honor and show our respect for those in our military who are serving us so bravely and with such distinction in Iraq and all around the world.

John Marshall spent much of his childhood in Los Angeles, graduating from George Washington High School. At the age of 18, Sergeant Marshall signed up for duty with the United States Army and served for nearly 30 years, taking a leave of absence only after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. He was a dedicated career member of our military, a shining example of all that is best about our country.

Sergeant Marshall died when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his vehicle as his combat team fought its way to Baghdad. The brigade was eventually the first U.S. military unit to enter the Iraqi capital and hold the city center. But reaching Baghdad came at a significant loss to the unit: eight soldiers, including Sergeant Marshall, died. At the time of his death, Sergeant Marshall was the oldest service member to die in the Iraq war.

Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Marshall was eligible for retirement in 2002, and many of his friends had urged him to do so. Yet, true to his character, Sergeant Marshall's sense of duty to his country and his loyalty to his soldiers caused him to continue his military service in Iraq. In explaining to his wife his decision to continue serving in Iraq, Sergeant Marshall said, and I quote, ``I trained these guys. I really need to be there.'' What a wonderful example of selflessness he established for all of us.

Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Marshall leaves behind a wife, Denise, six children, both of his parents, eight brothers and sisters, and many friends and neighbors whom he touched throughout his life. I had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Marshall at Sergeant Marshall's memorial service in Los Angeles; and while I know that nothing we can do here today can fill the hole that was created with Sergeant Marshall's passing or remove the pain of the loss that the Marshall family and friends have suffered, it is vital we honor his sacrifice and service.

Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Marshall fought bravely on behalf of our Nation, and the renaming of this post office is just a small gesture of thanks from a grateful Nation. The Sergeant John Marshall Post Office will be a source of great pride to the community and the residents of the 35th Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, our country will remain strong and free because our military is able to attract and retain the services of people of the quality and character of Sergeant Marshall. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Marshall family on the loss of this great and good man, and I would urge my colleagues to support this important bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 289) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8200 South Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles, California, as the ``Staff Sergeant First Class John Marshall Post Office Building,'' as amended.

Mr. 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 H.R. 289, the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, this legislation commemorates the life and distinguished military service of Sergeant First Class John W. Marshall of Los Angeles, California. Sergeant Marshall was killed in action in Iraq on April 8, 2003, at age 50. He is survived by his loving wife, Denise, and his six children.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to his participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sergeant Marshall served in Germany, Korea, and the first Persian Gulf War during his Army career. Sergeant Marshall was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

For the last few years, leading up to his death, Sergeant Marshall had been considering retiring from the Army he loved; but beyond taking a leave of absence for 4 years while he battled Hodgkin's lymphoma during the 1980s, Marshall faithfully served in the Army since he was 18.

Sergeant Marshall was buried at Arlington Cemetery on May 15, 2003, despite the fact that almost all of Sergeant Marshall's family lives on the other side of the country. Sergeant Marshall's wife and six children came to Arlington Cemetery for that burial of their father and beloved husband.

On the issue of where to be buried, Denise said the kids were told how their dad died, and they voted their dad was a hero.

Mr. Speaker, nothing in the world is truer than that. The House has not passed a more warranted piece of legislation in this Congress or for many Congresses. How appropriate it is to recognize Sergeant Marshall's bravery in the first week since the historic Iraqi election on Sunday. Without a doubt, heroes like John Marshall made the Iraqi election possible.

I know the scores of Iraqis who literally risked their lives to vote on Sunday are extremely grateful to Sergeant Marshall for giving his life for their freedom.

I thank my distinguished colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), for honoring Sergeant John Marshall through H.R. 289, and I personally think that there is absolutely no better way to name a post office than she has done here today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to also urge all of my colleagues to vote, because our vote, not our words, but our recognition of this unsung hero is what will bring others to understand his great contribution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 289 designating the week of August 7 as ``National Health Center Week''. Community Health Centers provide primary health services to low income, working poor, Medicaid and Medicare enrollees and uninsured individuals.

Community Health Care Centers provide a larger range of services including primary care, cancer screenings, pre-natal care and emergency medical services in medically underserved communities without regard to the patient's ability to pay for the services. This past year almost 35% of all Illinois health center patients were uninsured. Throughout the state of Illinois over 40 percent of those seeking services at community health centers are Medicaid eligible and health care centers are often the only medical support offered to homeless individuals.

The first district in Illinois, which I have the honor and privilege to represent, has ten facilities as part of a statewide network of 250 primary health care delivery sites that will serve 850,000 patients this year. My Illinois colleague, Representative Danny Davis, who introduced this resolution, credits the health centers for contributing to the health and well being of minority communities by keeping children healthy and providing preventive health care so that parents and adults can remain employed.

These centers have significantly increased the availability of preventive health care for minorities, migrant and homeless individuals and families. I am glad to join my colleague in support of this resolution to recognize the efforts of the community based organizations in providing these important services.