Expressing support of the goals and ideals of National Carriage Driving Month.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House to join me in supporting House Resolution 1128, legislation that supports the goals and ideals of National Carriage Driving Month.

The origin of carriages can be traced to the Middle Ages when roads were extremely crude, and wooden carts offered an uncomfortable way to be transported. From the 16th century,

various types of vehicles were built with some rudimentary form of springs to create some comfort for passengers. The luxury of springs spurred the popularity and comfort of this mode of travel and mass production of carriages would begin in earnest.

As travel distances increased, the hooded carts were replaced with carriages with a roof and later with a closed cabin with doors and windows. Carriages were built for royalty, businessmen and merchants and commoners, often named after their function or shape.

When the technique of forging iron was developed in the 1800s, steel parts would replace leather springs. Industrially produced springs, axles and other metal parts improved the quality of the carriages leading into the 19th century, which was the golden age of the carriage.

The Industrial Revolution stimulated economic changes that added prosperity to the middle class, and they would ultimately become the driving force behind the purchase of carriages and the creation of carriage factories founded in cities throughout America and the rest of the world. Certainly, before the advent of the automobile, Americans enjoyed the horse-drawn carriage as a mode of transportation. Today, many people, including constituents of mine in east Tennessee, collect and restore the great vehicles as an avocation. Tens of thousands of Americans now enjoy this pursuit and millions more Americans enjoy their work in parades, shows and museums.

The month of May is often celebrated by the carriage community as carriage riding month, and this legislation supports the idea of a National Carriage Driving Month. These vehicles helped settle and build our Nation in its infancy, and this noncontroversial legislation celebrates the elegance and charm of a bygone era.

In closing, I am pleased that the House is considering this noncontroversial legislation celebrating a mode of transportation prior to the era of the automobile. I regret the House is not considering meaningful legislation to deal with our current energy crisis. With gas prices continuing to escalate, my friends in the carriage restoration and driving community may find themselves in demand once again.

I ask my colleagues to please support House Resolution 1128 and please support bringing meaningful energy legislation to the floor on which so many of my constituents of the First Congressional District of Tennessee are asking for action.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1128) expressing support of the goals and ideals of National Carriage Driving Month.

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

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

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I rise for the consideration of H. Res. 1128, which expresses the support for the goals and ideals of National Carriage Driving Month.

Our colleague, Congressman David Davis of Tennessee, introduced House Resolution 1128 on April 22 of this year. The resolution was considered by and reported from the Oversight Committee on July 16, 2008, by voice vote, and has the support and cosponsorship of 50 Members of Congress.

While over a century has passed since Henry Ford forever changed the face of transportation, tens of thousands of Americans still enjoy collecting, preserving, driving, and restoring horse-drawn vehicles. Aided by the efforts of organizations such as the Carriage Association of America, which has devoted great effort to preserving and recognizing the significant contributions of animal-drawn vehicles, carriages are enjoyed at hundreds of events nationwide each year.

I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for sponsoring the measure at hand. Passage of H. Res. 1128 will not only express our support for National Carriage Driving Month, but also encourage our fellow Americans and enthusiasts, historical organizations, and educational entities to observe and participate in events that protect, preserve and appreciate carriages as part of our Nation's history.

I urge the adoption of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve.

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