To designate the United States courthouse located at 501 I Street in Sacramento, California, as the "Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse".

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 787, a bill to designate the new United States courthouse located at 501 I Street in Sacramento, California in honor of our friend, my dear and treasured friend and colleague, Congressman Bob Matsui.

Congressman Matsui's death this past January deprived this House of one of its most astute, most admired statesman. The headline in the ``Sacramento Bee'' newspaper said it well: ``A Good and Decent Man.'' A lifelong Californian, Bob Matsui served the people of California's 5th District with dedication, commitment and compassion.

I was able to witness Bob Matsui's commitment to his constituents first hand when he and I worked together to address flood control issues for his beloved Sacramento area.

No other major metropolitan area faces as severe a flood risk as Sacramento. Congressman Matsui believed, as do I, that the capital city of the world's fifth largest economy deserved to know that it would not face severe threats from flooding.

Following the high flows of 1986, when the levees almost failed, Congressman Matsui worked tirelessly to improve flood protection.

He examined every option. He worked to forge agreement to complete a dam at Auburn, California. It was to be a multipurpose dam, then a dry dam, and then ultimately, no dam, but assurance of adequate water supply for up-country users represented by Congressman John Doolittle. Because of Bob Matsui's persistence, original thinking, flexibility and collegiality, we were able to develop a comprehensive proposal that strengthens levees, makes use of the existing Folsom Dam, and preserves the beautiful American River Canyon.

As this project comes to completion over the next few years, every Spring, when the snows melt and rains come, and the State Capitol in Sacramento stays dry, the people of California and the Nation will owe a debt of gratitude to Bob Matsui for his persistence and wisdom on behalf of flood control.

Flood control is just one example of Bob Matsui's dedication and effectiveness. There are countless other examples.

In his first congressional race in 1978, Congressman Matsui campaigned as an underdog who vowed to bring new statesmanship to public office. His campaign was enriched by literally hundreds of volunteers that helped him achieve victory. Bob Matsui did not disappoint his constituents. He brought not only statesmanship, but also dedication, competence, innovation, and integrity to public service.

Elected to 14 consecutive terms in the House, Bob Matsui rose through the ranks to be a member of the Leadership team. Under his quiet demeanor lay a man of keen intellect who was a trusted friend and a formidable competitor.

As a senior member of the Committee on Ways and Means, Congressman Matsui was substantially involved with all the complex policy issues placed before the Committee including international trade, health care, welfare reform, and tax issues.

Congressman Matsui helped create the Research and Development Tax Credit in 1981 to fuel innovation in the American economy. In 1986, he spearheaded efforts that resulted in extensive reform of the tax code. His work on the Earned Income Tax Credit helped extend the tax credit for working poor families.

Most recently, Congressman Matsui was preparing to lead the discussions regarding the future of social security and his desire to preserve social security for future generations. Bob Matsui truly understood the varied complexities of the social security program, and he was determined that any reform of social security would provide for its long-term solvency without compromising its fundamental purposes.

Bob Matsui was intellectually curious and honest. He was fair minded and even handed. His legacy is one of compassion, commitment to do the right thing, hard work, and wisdom.

Congressman Matsui is ably succeeded by his wife Doris Matsui. She has already done an admirable job of representing the people of California's 5th District and I am confident that she will continue to do so.

It is most fitting and proper that the career of this truly outstanding member be honored with the designation of the new courthouse in his hometown of Sacramento, California as the ``Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse.'' I urge the bill's passage.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 787, a bill to name the courthouse in Sacramento in honor of our former colleague, Robert T. Matsui. This bill has broad bipartisan support from both his California colleagues and all of us who had the distinct privilege of serving with him.

Congressman Matsui's legislative interests and accomplishments are legendary here in the House. Health care, welfare reform, tax issues, the environment, immigrant issues, and of course Social Security are just a few of the issues that Bob made his own.

Bob was only 6 months old when, just months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he and his family were interned at Tule Lake camp in California. His childhood experience in the internment camp shaped his future actions on behalf of those fighting for fairness. Bob understood the injustice of the internment and sympathized with other loyal Americans who suffered at the hands of the government in which they never lost faith.

He embraced his heritage and channeled his energy into making positive changes for all Americans. From the time he worked as a member of the Sacramento City Council to serving as the vice mayor of Sacramento and finally as a U.S. Representative starting in 1978, Bob Matsui served as a constant reminder of what integrity and dedication can accomplish in public office.

Bob Matsui should ultimately be remembered for his civility, his dignity and his service to others. He was a selfless role model whose footprint will forever be imprinted on our Nation's history.

Bob Matsui was intelligent and principled. As a skilled, respected politician and willing to reach across the aisle, his voice elevated any debate. His leadership style and his character served as a model for all of us.

It is certainly fitting that the House honor his exceptional life, his public service with this very appropriate courthouse designation. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson) for bringing up this measure in such an expeditious manner.

Again, I strongly support H.R. 778 and urge my colleagues to join me in support of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for his kind words.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), my friend and colleague and the author.

(Mr. THOMPSON of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Stark), the dean of the delegation.

(Mr. STARK asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), my friend.

(Mr. RANGEL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin).

(Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui), the wife of Bob Matsui.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the leadership for this opportunity to honor Bob Matsui, who sought to make this country a more perfect place, and urge passage of the bill.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding me time.

I just wanted to come and pay tribute to this legislation and speak in favor of this tribute to Bob Matsui, and it is very fitting legislation to designate this courthouse.

I wanted to speak personally as a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, as a younger member of the Committee on Ways and Means, who had the opportunity to serve with Bob Matsui for 4 years. I have not served with Bob for the decades that many have in the past, but the Bob Matsui that I got to know in the Committee on Ways and Means was a very special man and person.

Bob Matsui was intellectually on the top of his game and was one of the best intellectual debaters and sparring partners we had, especially when it came to the issue of Social Security.

My favorite kind of people in the world and in this body are those who are passionate about their beliefs, whether or not we agree on those beliefs, and Bob Matsui had a great lesson for those of us younger Members and it was that you can be as strong and tough in debate when the microphone's on, but when it is turned off, you can be good human beings to one another.

Bob Matsui was a very kind gentleman. I was half his age, about the age of his kids, and I always just felt that he gave me sort of a mentoring-ship kind of relationship and role. Because every time I had a conversation with Bob Matsui, he had this nice glint in his eye, and he was always a person offering a kind word of advice or a kind word of friendship. That is something that I do not think we have enough of in this institution. It is something that I thought was a great lesson on how to conduct yourself among your colleagues, especially across the aisle.

So I am really sad to see Bob leave us here, but I think this is an extremely fitting tribute. I wish that more of us conducted ourselves in the way that he did, and I just want to lend my word of support to this fine legislation for just an outstanding and fine man who taught us a lot on how we can be civil with one another.

Mr. Speaker, we are here today to honor a colleague who honorably served in the House for 26 years, our good friend, the late Robert T. Matsui.

This bill to rename the U.S. courthouse in Sacramento after Bob is a small tribute to our friend who always rose above petty, partisan politics to do what was good and what was right for his district and for our country.

Bob provided more than a voice for those who could not speak for themselves. He provided monumental victories and results, not by being the loudest but by always being the smartest and the most informed person in any debate.

Bob's legacy of legislative victories directly improved the lives of millions of Americans spanning several generations. His victories included protection for single mothers with infants, stronger civil rights laws and protection of our Nation's most vulnerable seniors.

He also played a key role in crafting fiscal policy for the past 26 years, and before his very untimely death he was leading the effort to protect Social Security benefits for America's seniors.

Bob left an indelible mark on national policy, but he never forgot the needs of his district. His district and the greater Sacramento region were always his number one priority.

Today, we will vote to rename the U.S. courthouse in Sacramento after Bob Matsui. This courthouse is a symbol of Bob's commitment to his district. Here in Congress, he was able to secure $142 million that was used and needed to build that courthouse.

The courthouse not only created 1,200 new jobs in the Sacramento area, but it was the anchor for redevelopment and revitalization of downtown Sacramento, California.

It is more than fitting that we name this important building in honor of a very important figure in our history and our friend, Bob Matsui. I urge everyone to cast a vote for this bill.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 787) to designate the United States courthouse located at 501 I Street in Sacramento, California, as the ``Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse''.

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

Madam Speaker, H.R. 787 introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), honors the late Bob Matsui, a distinguished and well- liked Member of this body.

A well-respected attorney and former city councilman, Bob Matsui served in this body for 26 years before his passing away on New Year's Day of this year.

Since his passing, much has been said about our late colleague by Members that knew him better than I, many of whom are here today. So I will leave it to them to speak of his many and varied talents and abilities.

This naming is a fitting tribute to an exceptionally fine person, a dedicated public servant, and a respected colleague.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson).

Mr. Speaker, we have no speakers at this time, and I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady).

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

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

Mr. Speaker, it was an honor for me to manage this bill and to serve with Bob Matsui. I know my father and my entire family's thoughts and prayers go out to the Matsui family. As I said, he is a respected colleague, a fine gentleman, and this is a very fitting tribute. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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