State Admission Day Recognition Act of 2009

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 2(a)(1) of rule IX, I hereby notify the House of my intention to offer a resolution as a question of the privileges of the House.

The form of my resolution is as follows:

Whereas at least three members of the House Democratic

Leadership have endorsed a procedural tactic for the sole

purpose of avoiding an up-or-down vote, by the yeas and nays,

on the Senate-passed health care bill;

Whereas on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 Representative James

Clyburn, the House Majority Whip, stated, ``We will deem

passed the Senate bill. . .'';

Whereas on Tuesday, March 16, The Washington Post reported,

``After laying the groundwork for a decisive vote this week

on the Senate's health-care bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

suggested Monday that she might attempt to pass the measure

without having members vote on it. Instead, Pelosi (D-Calif.)

would rely on a procedural sleight of hand. . .'';

Whereas in the same Washington Post article, the Speaker

declared, ``. . . I like it because people don't have to vote

on the Senate bill.'';

Whereas on Tuesday, March 16, McClatchy Newspapers reported

Representative John Larson, chairman of the House Democratic

Caucus, stated, ``Many of our members would prefer not to

have voted for the Senate bill.'';

Whereas on Tuesday, March 9, U.S. News and World Report

reported, ``Pelosi gaffed, telling the local elected

officials assembled `that Congress [has] to pass the bill so

you can find out what's in it, away from the fog of

controversy.' '';

Whereas on Tuesday, March 16, The Washington Post

editorialized, ``. . . what is intended as a final sprint

threatens to turn

into something unseemly and, more important, contrary to

Democrats' promises of transparency and time for

deliberation. . . . [I]t strikes us as a dodgy way to reform

the health-care system. Democrats who vote for the package

will be tagged with supporting the Senate bill in any

event.''

Announcement By the Speaker Pro Tempore

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The form of the remainder of the resolution is as follows:

Whereas on Tuesday, March 16, the Cincinnati Enquirer

editorialized, ``This disgusting process, which Democrats

brazenly wish to bring to conclusion this week, is being done

with little regard for the opinions of a clear majority of

Americans who, while they may believe health care reform is

necessary, think this particular approach will take our

nation down the wrong economic path.'';

Whereas bipartisan members of the House and Senate have

expressed their opposition to using the Slaughter Solution;

Whereas on Wednesday, March 10, Representative Joe Donnelly

released the following statement, ``The process over the past

few months has been frustrating, including the cutting of

unacceptable special deals to assure a few senators'

votes.'';

Whereas Representative Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania has

characterized the exploitation of the Slaughter Solution by

Democratic Leadership as ``wrong'' and unpopular among his

constituents;

Whereas on Friday, March 12, POLITICO reported on a memo

sent from Representative Chris Van Hollen, chairman of the

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, to freshman and

sophomore House Democrats that stated, ``At this point, we

have to just rip the band-aid off. . . Things like

reconciliation and what the rules committee does is INSIDE

Mr. Speaker, I seek to offer the resolution.

Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed the following recorded votes on the House floor the week of Monday, March 15, 2010.

For Monday, March 15, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 112 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1145), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 113 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1170), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 114 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1163), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 115 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 267).

For Tuesday, March 16, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 116 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 4628), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 117 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 311), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 118 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 605), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 119 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1128).

For Wednesday, March 17, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 120 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1089), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 121 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1167), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 122 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1184), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 123 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1141), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 124 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to S. 1147), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 125 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3954), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 126 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 946), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 127 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 4825).

For Thursday, March 18, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 131 (on motion to refer H. Res. 1193, raising a question of the privileges of the House), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 132 (on motion to table H. Res. 1193, raising a question of the privileges of the House), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 133 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3542), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 134 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3509), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 135 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1173).

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3542) to direct the Architect of the Capitol to fly the flag of a State over the Capitol each year on the anniversary of the date of the State's admission to the Union, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that

all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks in the Record on H.R. 3542.

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

This bill, introduced by my colleague and ranking member Mr. Lungren of California, would commemorate each State's admission to the Union. The bill directs the Architect of the Capitol to fly each State's flag annually on the anniversary date of the State's admission to the Union over the Capitol, beginning with the first State admitted, the State of Delaware.

During markup, the committee by voice vote adopted a perfecting amendment that I offered so that the committee may issue a regulation to provide recognition of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands by flying the flag of each of these jurisdictions over the Capitol annually on the appropriate date. This amended bill passed through committee by unanimous vote voice and was reported favorably.

I urge its passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman from Mississippi. I thank him for his participation on the committee, and I thank the ranking member, Mr. Lungren, for his participation in the committee on this bill. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

Today I rise in support of this bill, commemorating each of the unique States in our Union. This bill directs the Architect of the Capitol to fly the flag of a State over the Capitol each year on the anniversary of that State's admission into the Union. Madam Speaker, the United States of America truly lives up to the motto found on our Great Seal, ``e pluribus unum''--out of many, one.

We are a people of many backgrounds, of many ethnicities, and of many characteristics. We are spread out over 50 unique, diverse, and special entities we call States. States allow us to organize ourselves and also give us identities that relate to our geographic and cultural tendencies. Communal bonds are formed over time through just such means. We now have 50 States in this wonderful Union. The first, Delaware, was admitted as a State on December 7, 1787. The last, Hawaii, was admitted August 21, 1959. There were 16 States admitted in the 18th century, 29 States in the 19th century, and five were admitted in the 20th century.

Each flag tells a unique story of its State's history, culture, and inhabitants, which is why my colleague, Representative Lungren, the author of this legislation who was unfortunately unable to be here this afternoon, thought we should honor our States in this special way, enumerated in this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move that the resolution be referred to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

Mr. Speaker, this is a matter that properly belongs before the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

I yield back the balance of my time and move the previous question.