Supporting the United States Paralympics, honoring the Paralympic athletes, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1479) supporting the United States Paralympics, honoring the Paralympic athletes, and for other purposes.

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

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of House Resolution 1479, a bill supporting the United States Paralympics. A division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, the United States Paralympics organizes elite athletes with physical disabilities to compete internationally in the summer and winter Paralympic Games.

House Resolution 1479 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey, Representative Leonard Lance, on June 25, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on July 28, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of over 50 cosponsors. I would like to thank the gentleman from New Jersey for introducing this measure, and I would also like to enter into the Record an exchange of letters between our committee, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, which expresses Chairman Berman's and the Foreign Affairs Committee's support of House Resolution 1479 and waives their jurisdictional interest in this bill.

Mr. Speaker, the Olympic Games promote ideals of fair sportsmanship, fair play, physical fitness, and peace through sport. The Paralympics ensures that athletes with physical disabilities can take part in these games, representing our Nation on the world stage.

There are over 21 million Americans with a physical disability, including thousands of men and women who sustained serious injuries while serving in the military. I am glad that they have the opportunity to represent our country by taking part in these games. Let us now honor these athletes and recognize their achievements through the passage of House Resolution 1479, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Foreign Affairs,

Washington, DC, September 21, 2010.

Hon. Edolphus Towns,

Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,

Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Towns: I am writing to you concerning H. Res.

1479, a resolution ``Supporting the United States

Paralympics, honoring the Paralympic athletes, and for other

purposes,'' introduced by Congressman Leonard Lance on July

28, 2010.

As you know, this measure was referred to the Committee on

Oversight and Government Reform and, in addition, to the

Committee on Foreign Affairs for a period to be subsequently

determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of

such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the

committee concerned.

This bill contains provisions within the rule X

jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. In the

interest of permitting your Committee to proceed

expeditiously to floor consideration of this important bill,

I am willing to waive this Committee's right to mark up this

bill. I do so with the understanding that by waiving

consideration of the bill, the Committee on Foreign Affairs

does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the

subject matters contained in the bill which fall within its

rule X jurisdiction.

Please include a copy of this letter and your response in

the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure

on the House floor.

Sincerely,

Howard L. Berman,

Chairman.

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

I thank the gentleman from California and the gentlewoman from California.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to offer this resolution today to honor all of the athletes of the 2010 U.S. Paralympic Team, including my constituent Josh Pauls, the youngest member of Team USA. Josh Pauls of Watchung, New Jersey, is a remarkable young man, a real American hero, and I am proud to recognize him before the United States Congress and the American people.

During the Paralympic Games and every day of the year, Paralympic athletes like Josh demonstrate great American spirit, courage, and achievement. I am proud we are able to work in a bipartisan fashion to bring this important measure to the House floor for final consideration, and I am proud of athletes like Josh Pauls.

Josh was 10 years old when his father first took him to a sled hockey game at the Bridgewater, New Jersey, arena. Soon after, Josh began playing locally and showed so much talent that his team manager recommended that he try out for the national team. He took that advice and successfully made the team. Now Josh is on the ice 11 months out of the year, both locally and traveling as far as the U.S. Olympic Center in Colorado Springs to train with his national team teammates. This is a sacrifice made not only by Josh but by his loving and supportive parents, Debbie and Tony Pauls. Josh and his teammates brought home one of four gold medals won by Team USA in the 2010 games and one of 13 overall medals won by this inspiring team.

I urge all of my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution, honoring not only Josh but all of the members of Team USA, the United States Paralympics, and the athletes, families, schools, and communities that support these athletes year-round and not just during the Olympic Games.

These athletes are the very best at what they do and should serve as an inspiration for all Americans for the dedication and tenacity they show in representing the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, at this time it's my privilege to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Lance).

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the majority for allowing the Congressman to bring his item onto the floor for a vote. It is a tough thing to do sometimes, especially from the minority, and I appreciate the fact that the majority was willing to allow him to do that.

I ask for an affirmative vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.