Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission Act of 2005

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

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Government Reform Committee, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 4586, the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission Act.

This bill, which was introduced by Representative Michael Castle of Delaware on December 16, 2005, and was unanimously reported by the Government Reform Committee on March 30, 2006, extends the authorization of the Commission until fiscal year 2009.

Mr. Speaker, in 2002 Congress created the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission, a panel of 15 outstanding Americans chosen to study and recommend programs to celebrate Franklin's 300th birthday and to mint a commemorative coin of Ben Franklin. Extending the Commission past 2007 to 2009 will allow the funds from the sale of the recently issued Ben Franklin commemorative coins to truly benefit the many Commission programs planned and underway to honor Ben Franklin.

The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, which was founded in 2000 by a consortium of five Philadelphia cultural institutions, is currently presenting an international traveling exhibition entitled ``Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World.'' This exhibit has been organized to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Franklin's birth and will travel around the United States and France. The exhibit premiered in Philadelphia last year and just recently stopped in St. Louis, Missouri, and from there it would go on to Houston, Texas; Denver; Atlanta; London; and Paris.

Benjamin Franklin was this Nation's greatest citizen perhaps, diplomat, statesman. He was a scientist, a philanthropist, humanitarian, inventor, and humorist.

As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, I can remember when I was a child and found things to read that reading about Benjamin Franklin was really just simply one of the great joys of growing up, and I never will forget one thing that he said. I mean, he had all of these ideas about virtue, and he said on temperance, ``Eat not to dullness, drink not to elevation.'' And I was asking a young fellow the other day what that meant, and he said that Franklin was saying don't eat until you get too filled and don't drink until you get too high. So, obviously, there are a lot of people in our country and our society who could remember that.

But I am indeed pleased that we are recognizing the amazing achievements of Benjamin Franklin by celebrating his 300th birthday and presenting an international traveling exhibition.

I firmly support H.R. 4586 and urge its passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4586) to extend the authorization of the Benjamin Franklin Tercen- tenary Commission, 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 the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, Benjamin Franklin stands out in American history as a Founding Father of this country and a true Renaissance man.

Since childhood, we have all enjoyed the wonderful stories of his remarkable life as statesman, scientist, inventor, and diplomat. We have now been afforded the opportunity of bringing the

life and times of Benjamin Franklin to cities across the United States and overseas through the work of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission. This Commission was established by Congress in 2002 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's birth in 2006.

The Commission hosts exhibits in a number of communities around the United States as well as in France, where Franklin served as the American Minister to Paris. These exhibitions represent a rare opportunity for the public to view the largest collection of Franklin artifacts through displays of his household furnishings, original works of art, manuscripts, and documents. In addition, through interactive multimedia exhibits and an Internet Web site, viewers are able to immerse themselves into the Franklin experience. The Franklin celebrations, organized under the Commission's guidance, offer the public an opportunity to become more familiar with Benjamin Franklin by getting a glimpse into the inspiring life of this American treasure.

Because of the expanded nature of its program, it is requested that the life of this Commission be extended so that they can continue their valuable work.

I urge all Members to come together and recognize the life and continuing legacy of Benjamin Franklin by supporting H.R. 4586.

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 4586, and I yield back the balance of my time.