To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 69 Montgomery Street in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the "Frank J. Guarini Post Office Building".

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on September 26, 2007, at 9:30 a.m., in order to conduct a hearing entitled on ``The Role and Impact of Credit Rating Agencies on the Subprime Credit Markets.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to hold a hearing during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 26, 2007, at 10 a.m. in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on S.1543, a bill to establish a national geothermal initiative to encourage increased production of energy from geothermal resources by creating a program of geothermal research, development, demonstration and commercial application to support the achievement of a national geothermal energy goal.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. in room 406 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in order to conduct a hearing entitled, ``An Examination of the Impacts of Global Warming on the Chesapeake Bay.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 26, 2007, at 10 a.m., in room SD-215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to hear testimony on the ``Offshore Tax Issues: Reinsurance and Hedge Funds''.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, September 26, 2007, at 10 a.m. for a business meeting to consider pending committee business.

Agenda

Nomination

The Honorable Julie L. Myers to be Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Postal Naming Bills

H.R. 2654, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 202 South Dumont Avenue in Woonsocket, South Dakota, as the ``Eleanor McGovern Post Office Building;''

H.R. 2467, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 69 Montgomery Street in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the ``Frank J. Guarini Post Office Building;''

H.R. 2587, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 555 South 3rd Street Lobby in Memphis, Tennessee, as the ``Kenneth T. Whalum, Sr. Post Office Building;''

H.R. 2778, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3 Quaker Ridge Road in New Rochelle, New York, as the ``Robert Merrill Postal Station;''

H.R. 2825, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 326 South Main Street in Princeton, Illinois, as the ``Owen Lovejoy Princeton Post Office Building;''

H.R. 3052, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 954 Wheeling Avenue in Cambridge, Ohio, as the ``John Herschel Glenn Jr. Post Office Building;''

H.R. 3106/S. 2023, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 805 Main Street in Ferdinand, Indiana, as the ``Staff Sergeant David L. Nord Post Office;''

H.R. 2765, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 44 North Main Street in Hughesville, Pennsylvania, as the ``Master Sergeant Sean Michael Thomas Post Office.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet in order to conduct an Executive Nomination hearing on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 2:30 p.m. in the Dirksen Senate Office Building room 226.

Witness list:

Michael J. Sullivan to be Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Rules and Administration be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 26, 2007, at 10 a.m. to conduct an executive business meeting to consider on the Nomination of Robert C. Tapella of Virginia, to be Public Printer, Government Printing Office; and the nominations of Steven T. Walther of Nevada, David M. Mason of Virginia, Robert D. Lenhard of Maryland, and Hans von Spakovsky of Georgia to be members of the Federal Election Commission.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate in order to conduct a hearing entitled ``Improving Internet Access to Help Small Business Compete in a Global Economy,'' on Wednesday, September 26, 2007, beginning at 10 a.m., in room 428A of the Russell Senate Office Building.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with Representative Jones and my other colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, in calling for a comprehensive revaluation of our strategies in Iraq. I consider the situation in Iraq to be one of Congress' highest priorities and there is an urgent need to establish a comprehensive and realistic exit strategy. We need to offer hope to the families anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones and the men and women who risk their lives everyday.

Next month will be the 40th anniversary of one of the largest protests against the Vietnam War. Over a hundred thousand people marched on Washington that day, and it worries me that the current Administration seems to have learned little from history. A similar discontent can be seen on the streets of America today, as more and more polls demonstrate dwindling public support for this war.

I have always maintained the stance that an adequate case for war was never made and that military intervention should only have been used if all other routes failed. From the beginning, I offered an alternative resolution to war. Although we can never know what the outcome of alternatives may have been, we have the chance now to change strategy and make decisive steps to developing a lasting solution.

Mr. Speaker, an increase in troop numbers is not the answer. This war, commenced in haste and founded on deception, will never provide the solutions Iraq needs to establish a strong and lasting democracy. We can't secure victory through a war of attrition, and neither can we protect our sons and daughters who stand in harm's way in a war that was never necessary.

It is true that we cannot abandon the Iraqi people. But more productive ways to help them can be found. In the current international climate, we cannot engage in meaningful dialogue on the Iraqi situation while the occupation continues. I believe we must allow the U.N. to play a greater role in the reconstruction of Iraq, advancing human rights and justice within the framework of international law. In my work in this great body, I consistently seek to protect the United States and its people above all else. However, currently there is no absolute proof of an imminent threat. In fact our vulnerability to international terrorism only rises every day our troops stay in Iraq.

Mr. Speaker, I am dedicated to providing funding to protect our troops, but I refuse to support the failed foreign policies of the Bush administration, nor any legislation that will lead to more unnecessary deaths. The greatest thing we can do for our brave men and women in the Armed Forces is to take them out of harm's way by developing a clear, decisive exit strategy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2467, which would designate the Post Office facility located at 69 Montgomery Street in Jersey City, NJ, as the ``Frank J. Guarini Post Office Building.''

Former Congressman Frank J. Guarini represented the 14th Congressional District of New Jersey for 14 years, from 1979 to 1993. He did so in an exemplary fashion, serving his constituents, and all Americans, in a way in which we should strive to attain.

Because of his intellect and work ethic he became a rising star early in his career. He was the first Representative to be appointed to the Ways and Means Committee during his first term in Congress in over 200 years.

While on this vital committee, Mr. Guarini worked to modernize our trade and tariff laws with heads of state to assure that other countries open their markets to the United States.

In recognition of this work, he received the award ``for outstanding contributions to the administration of justice in International Trade Law'' from the U.S. Court of International Trade.

He also served with Chairman Charles Rangel and Ben Gilman on the Select Committee on Narcotic Abuse, developing expertise on drug issues and bringing about vital legislation and strategies to fight the war against drugs both here and abroad.

In addition, Mr. Guarini was a senior member of the Budget Committee, where he chaired the Task Force on Urgent Fiscal Issues. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Guarini was an outspoken advocate for fiscal responsibility and fought to provide education and job opportunities for our Nation's young while also reducing wasteful government spending.

Since his retirement from Government service, Congressman Guarini has proudly served as the National Italian-American Foundation's chairman emeritus.

As co-chair of the Italian-American Congressional Delegation, Frank and I often work together to promote Italian-American culture and traditions in the United States Congress. Just like his congressional career, he does an extraordinary job on this front.

I am proud to be the first New Jersey Member of Congress to serve on the Ways and Means Committee since Mr. Guarini's retirement in 1993.

Mr. Guarini was a great Member of this body and I am honored to call him my friend.

I would like to thank my New Jersey colleague Albio Sires for introducing this resolution and honoring Mr. Guarini, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2467, which will designate the U.S. Postal Service building at 69 Montgomery Street in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the ``Frank J. Guarini Post Office Building.''

Frank Guarini was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, and has served his State and country in a variety of positions. Early in his career, he was commissioned as a Naval officer at Columbia University and went on to serve in the United States Navy aboard the USS Mount McKinley, receiving the Naval Commendation Medal and three battle stars during World War II.

In 1965, he was elected to the New Jersey State Senate where he served for the next 7 years. On January 3, 1979, he was elected to represent New Jersey's 14th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, completing seven terms before retiring in 1993.

As a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Frank Guarini was a true champion for education, serving as the chief sponsor of legislation that encouraged employers to provide educational assistance to its employees tax free.

Even after his retirement, Frank Guarini's commitment to education and public service has not wavered. In 1994, he established the Guarini Center for Government Affairs at St. Peter's College in Jersey City, New Jersey, which strives to provide a forum for nonpartisan discussion of public policy issues and encourages today's students to take up careers in public service.

A central part of the Guarini Center's mission is to promote critical thinking and debate among the next generation of leaders at its Annual High School Oratorical Contest. The event is open to all high school students in New Jersey and throughout the tri-State area and attracts more than 100 students from 75 schools to compete each year.

I have known Frank Guarini for many years, and I can personally attest to the commitment and passion that he has for the State of New Jersey and this country.

I can think of no better way to honor the public service of this former New Jersey Congressman than to designate a U.S. postal office in his name.

I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2467) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 69 Montgomery Street in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the ``Frank J. Guarini Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the author of this legislation, the former speaker of the house assembly in New Jersey and a distinguished Member of this body, Representative Albio Sires.

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

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 2467, which names a postal facility in Jersey City, New Jersey, after Frank Guarini.

H.R. 2467, which was introduced by Representative Albio Sires on May 23, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on July 19, 2007, by voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire New Jersey congressional delegation.

Mr. Frank Guarini was born on August 20, 1924, in Jersey City, New Jersey. Former Congressman Guarini served his State and country in a variety of positions. Early in his career, he was commissioned as a naval officer at Columbia University and went on to serve in the United States Navy aboard the USS Mount McKinley.

In 1965, he was elected to the New Jersey State Senate where he served for the next 7 years. On January 3, 1979, he was elected to represent New Jersey's 14th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, completing seven terms before retiring in 1993.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Albio Sires, for introducing this legislation and urge swift passage.

Mr. Speaker, I don't have any additional speakers, but I am going to reserve for the gentleman from Idaho, and then I will close.

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