To redesignate the Ellis Island Library on the third floor of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, located on Ellis Island in New York Harbor, as the "Bob Hope Memorial Library".

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands for yielding time to me, and I thank the gentlewoman from Colorado as well and I want to thank the Speaker for the opportunity to talk about H.R. 323, which is what was mentioned before, a bill which will name the third-floor library at Ellis Island in New York Harbor as the Bob Hope Memorial Library.

I would also like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly) for his assistance and support of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, most Americans remember Bob Hope for his work in the entertainment business, as a comedian, actor, dancer, singer, as well as his work with American troops abroad; but what few know or remember about Bob Hope is that he was an immigrant from England.

The gentlewoman mentioned he came to the United States when he was only

4 years old, and certainly he is referred to as America's most famous immigrant whose life epitomizes the American Dream.

I would like to also take this opportunity to vent my frustration a little bit with the National Park Service and its handling of this legislation.

We need to pass this bill. I read in Congressional Quarterly that the National Park Service does not support the bill on the grounds that Bob Hope's journey through Ellis Island and his life's accomplishments may not be enough to warrant renaming the island's library in his honor.

I want to say that they presented that same sort of testimony before the committee; and the committee had the good sense, in a bipartisan fashion, to reject that kind of thinking, because this is something that is very deserving for Bob Hope because, after all, it is Bob Hope. Everyone knows Bob Hope and everyone knows what he stood for. Bob Hope embodies the American Dream, and the Ellis Island Restoration Commission even called naming the library a fitting tribute.

After a long period of restoration, Ellis Island was turned into a museum in 1990 for people to come and remember the 16 million immigrants who passed through Ellis Island from 1892 to 1954 to pursue the American Dream.

When I talk about Ellis Island and the immigrants who came through Ellis Island, it is very personal because all four of my grandparents came through Ellis Island, and so many Americans had family coming through Ellis Island. It is estimated that some 40 percent of the current United States population has roots in Ellis Island. So this is a very fitting thing that we do today in memory of Bob Hope.

Like many of the other 16 million immigrants who passed through Ellis Island, Bob Hope arrived in America with little. Bob Hope described himself upon arrival as ``a 4-year-old boy in knickers who had no idea of the opportunities that lay ahead.'' He went on to become a household name in the United States and around the world as well.

After arriving in the United States, the Hope family moved to Ohio, and he later started his career in radio. He moved on to appear in numerous movies and Broadway plays. He is perhaps best known, however, for his unwavering commitment to entertaining our Nation's military overseas. Who can ever forget all the various Bob Hope shows at Christmas and Thanksgiving and all throughout the year entertaining our troops in harm's way?

For nearly six decades, often during holidays, from World War II all the way through the Persian Gulf War, Bob Hope traveled the globe, bringing a little bit of America to U.S. troops during times of war and peace. Troops abroad even called him ``G.I. Bob,'' and in 1997 Congress even named him as an honorary veteran for all the work he did with veterans serving overseas.

Bob Hope has been honored in many ways for his work. In fact, the family tells us he has been honored with over 1,500 awards. Some notable awards include several Academy Awards, obviously; a Congressional Gold Medal in 1962; an Emmy; and a Golden Globe.

Despite all the awards Bob Hope received, he had a special place in his heart for Ellis Island, and in 1990 when the Ellis Island Restoration Commission suggested naming the third floor library of the museum in his honor, he stated that it would be ``one of the single most important highpoints in my career.''

Sadly, Bob Hope passed away in 2003 at the age of 100 and did not see this project finished. So the Bob Hope Memorial Library will serve as a daily reminder to Ellis Island's visitors of Bob Hope's great contributions to the American people, American culture, and the American dream.

Mr. Speaker, I have a letter from Bob Hope expressing his support of the museum as well as a letter from the Ellis Island Restoration Commission expressing their support for this project which I will include for the Record.

In conclusion, I want to just say I know that everyone supports this and I trust this will pass unanimously because, after all, this is Bob Hope.

May 3, 1991.

Mr. Philip Lax, President,

Mr. Norman Liss, Chairman of Development,

Ellis Island Restoration Commission,

New York, NY 10005.

Dear Phil and Norman: As you well know, I am very honored

to be part of the Family Heritage Center at Ellis Island.

However, with my trip to Saudi Arabia at Christmas, two

television specials and a hectic schedule, I have not been

able to fully express my enthusiasm for the project.

Enthusiasm, by the way, which is greater than ever.

Is it possible that I can meet with you and Ann Belkov of

Ellis Island along with Alan Prigge and his associate

Friedman to discuss details of the campaign and/or a news

conference?

I'll be in New York from June 12-16 and hope we can all

meet during that period at my Garden City Hotel suite to go

over the important details. Or, would you like to set a press

conference date hosted by Secretary Lujan?

Once again, the Ellis Island recognition is very special to

me and my family and I really appreciate this great honor.

Warm regards,

Bob Hope.

Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that the following bills are added to the agenda for the Subcommittee on National Parks hearing for Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at 4 p.m. in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC:

S. 2475, a bill to establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino Community, to develop a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of the American Latino Community in Washington, DC, and for other purposes; S. 2645, a bill to establish the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, and for other purposes; S. 2822 and H.R. 5057, bills to authorize the Marion Park Project and Committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion; S. 3805, a bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of including in the National Park System certain sites in Monroe County, Michigan, relating to the Battles of the River Raisin during the War of 1812; and H.R. 323, a bill to redesignate the Ellis Island Library on the third floor of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, located on Ellis Island in New York Harbor, as the ``Bob Hope Memorial Library''.

Because of the limited time available for the hearings, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony

for the hearing record should send two copies of their testimony to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, SD-364 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510-6150.

For further information, please contact Tom Lillie at (202) 224-5161, David Szymanski at (202) 224-6293, or Sara Zecher 202-224-8276.

committee on energy and natural resources

Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that an oversight hearing has been scheduled before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

The hearing will be held on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Building.

The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on the December 2005 report from the President's Task Force on Puerto Rico's status.

Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send two copies of their testimony to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150.

For further information, please contact Josh Johnson at (202) 224- 5861 or Steve Waskiewicz at (202) 228-6195.

subcommittee on national parks

Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

The hearing will take place on Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 10 a.m. in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Officer Building in Washington,

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 323) to redesignate the Ellis Island Library on the third floor of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, located on Ellis Island in New York Harbor, as the ``Bob Hope Memorial Library''.

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

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

H.R. 323, introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), designates the library on the third floor of the Ellis Island museum as the Bob Hope Memorial Library.

Bob Hope arrived as an immigrant to Ellis Island in 1908 at the age of 4. Later, he became one of the country's greatest entertainers and was sometimes referred to as ``America's most famous immigrant.''

H.R. 323 simply renames the library on the third floor of the immigration station museum. The Hope family is supportive of the effort to redesignate the library.

I urge adoption of the bill.

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

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, the majority has already explained pretty much the purpose of H.R. 323, which was introduced by our colleague from New York (Mr. Engel).

Bob Hope and his family immigrated to the United States in 1908, and like millions of other immigrants entered the United States through Ellis Island. As all of us know and many of us have had the opportunity to enjoy, Bob Hope went on to have an illustrious career as a comedic entertainer and is remembered by many for his work over nearly six decades traveling the globe to entertain American servicemen and - women.

Mr. Speaker, we wholeheartedly support H.R. 323 as a means to honor the contributions of a great entertainer and great American and urge the adoption of the legislation by the House today.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to our colleague from New York (Mr. Engel), the sponsor of the bill.

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