A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Commerce Drive in Tyrone, Georgia, as the "First Lieutenant Robert Wilson Collins Post Office Building".

Madam Speaker, I missed the following votes from Friday, December 17 through Wednesday, December 22, 2010. I would have voted ``yes'' on the following votes:

Friday:

H.J. Res. 105--Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2011 (Representative Obey--Appropriations) (Voice vote)

1. H. Res. 1377--Honoring the accomplishments of Norman Yoshio Mineta (Representative Honda--House Administration)

2. Senate Amendment to H.R. 1107--To enact certain laws relating to public contracts as title 41, United States Code, ``Public Contracts'' (Representative Conyers--Judiciary)

3. Senate Amendment to H.R. 628--To establish a pilot program in certain United States district courts to encourage enhancement of expertise in patent cases among district judges (Representative Issa-- Judiciary)

4. H. Res. 1733--Recognizing Mark Twain as one of America's most famous literary icons on the 175th anniversary of his birth and the 100th anniversary of his death (Representative Snyder--Oversight and Government Reform)

5. H. Res. 1621--Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the historic founding of Catholic Charities USA (Representative Holt--Oversight and Government Reform)

6. H. Res. 1767--Commending the Wisconsin Badger football team for an outstanding season and 2011 Rose Bowl bid (Representative Baldwin-- Education and Labor)

7. H. Con. Res. 335--Honoring the exceptional achievements of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and recognizing the monumental contributions he has made to United States national security, humanitarian causes, and peaceful resolutions of international conflict (Representative Lowey--Foreign Affairs)

8. S. 3874--Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act (Senator Boxer-- Energy and Commerce)

9. H.R. 6533--To implement the recommendations of the Federal Communications Commission report to the Congress regarding low-power FM service (Representative Doyle--Energy and Commerce)

10. H.R. 6523--Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (Representative Skelton--Armed Services)

11. H.R. 2142--Government Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Performance Improvement Act of 2009 (Representative Cuellar--Oversight and Government Reform)

12. H.R. 5510--Aiding Those Facing Foreclosure Act of 2010 (Representative Kaptur--Financial Services)

Tuesday:

Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5116--America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (Representative Gordon--Science and Technology)(228-130)

Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2142--Government Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Performance Improvement Act (Representative Cuellar--Oversight and Government Reform) (216-139)

Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2751--FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (Representatives Waxman/Dingell--Energy and Commerce) (215-144)

Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3082--Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2011 (Representative Obey-- Appropriations) (193-165)

1. S. 3592--A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Commerce Drive in Tyrone, Georgia, as the ``First Lieutenant Robert Wilson Collins Post Office Building'' (Senator Chambliss--Oversight and Government Reform)

2. Senate Amendment to H.R. 81--Shark Conservation Act (Representative Bordallo--Natural Resources)

3. Senate Amendment to H.R. 5809--Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2010 (Representative Inslee--Energy and Commerce)

4. H.R. 6540--To require the Secretary of Defense, in awarding a contract for the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft Program, to consider any unfair competitive advantage that an offeror may possess (Representative Inslee--Armed Services)

5. H.R. 6547--To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require criminal background checks for school employees (Representative George Miller--Education and Labor)

6. S. 118--Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act (Senator Kohl--Financial Services)

7. S. 1481--Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act (Senator Menendez--Financial Services)

8. S. 3243--Anti-Border Corruption Act of 2010 (Senator Pryor/ Representative Shuler--Homeland Security)

9. S. 2925--Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2010 (Senator Wyden--Judiciary)

10. Senate Amendment to H.R. 4748--Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy Act of 2010 (Representative Owens--Judiciary)

11. Senate Amendment to H.R. 1746--Pre-Disaster Mitigation Act of 2009 (Representative Oberstar--Transportation and Infrastructure)

Wednesday:

Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 847--James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (Representative Maloney--Energy and Commerce)(206-60)

Bills Adopted By Unanimous Consent (13):

1. Senate Amendment to H.R. 6523--Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (Representative Skelton--Armed Services)

2. S. 3481--Amending the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify Federal responsibility for stormwater pollution (Senator Cardin--Transportation and Infrastructure)

3. House Amendment to S. 372--Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (Senator Akaka--Oversight and Government Reform)

4. H. Res. 1461--Supporting Olympic Day on June 23, 2010, and congratulating Team USA and World Fit participants (Representative Langevin--Oversight and Government Reform)

5. S. 4036--A bill to clarify the National Credit Union Administration authority to make stabilization fund expenditures without borrowing from the Treasury (Senator Dodd--Financial Services)

6. S. Con. Res. 67--A concurrent resolution celebrating 130 years of United States-Romanian diplomatic relations, congratulating the Romanian people on their achievements as a great nation, and reaffirming the deep bonds of trust and values between the United States and Romania, a trusted and most valued ally (Senator Voinovich-- Foreign Affairs)

7. Senate Amendment to H.R. 6560--Removal Clarification Act of 2010 (Representative Hank Johnson--Judiciary)

8. H. Res. 1779--Honoring the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Riders (Representative John Lewis (GA)--Judiciary)

9. Senate Amendment to H.R. 5901--Real Estate Jobs and Investment Act of 2010 (Representative Joe Crowley--Ways & Means)

10. H. Res. 1783--Technical Correction to H. Res. 1757 (Representative Brady (PA)--House Administration)

11. S. 4058--Helping Heroes Keep Their Homes Act of 2010 (Senator Kerry--Veterans' Affairs)

12. S. 3903--To authorize leases of up to 99 years for lands held in trust for Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo (Senator Udall--Natural Resources)

13. Senate Amendment to H.R. 6517--To extend trade adjustment assistance and certain trade preference programs, to amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to modify temporarily certain rates of duty, and for other purposes (Representative Levin-- Ways and Means)

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

I am very honored to join in with my colleague Congressman Cuellar in support of this legislation which was introduced by Senator Saxby Chambliss. I know that it has been championed by Congressman Lynn Westmoreland.

I particularly have an interest in recognizing Lieutenant Collins. I am very grateful, myself, to be the son of a Flying Tiger. I am very grateful to have served for 31 years in the Army Guard and Reserve. In fact, I was stationed many summers at Fort Stewart, Georgia, so I identify with the 3rd Infantry Division. I am particularly grateful that I have four sons currently serving in the military. Two of my sons have served in Iraq. And so I know the great efforts of our troops and the sacrifices of military families.

His obituary truly indicates an extraordinary young person:

``First Lieutenant Robert Wilson Collins of Tyrone, Georgia, was killed in action on April 7, 2010, in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. First Lieutenant Collins was born in 1985 in Red Bank, New Jersey, and graduated from Sandy Creek High School, class of 2004. After high school, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, class of 2008. First Lieutenant Collins was the first member of the United States Military Academy class of 2008 to die in combat. He was serving as a platoon leader in B Company, 1-64 Armor Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

``He is survived by his parents, Lieutenant Colonel Retired Burkitt Deacon Collins and Lieutenant Colonel Retired Sharon L.G. Collins of Tyrone, Georgia; paternal grandmother, Susan R. Collins of Laurel, Mississippi; aunts, Susan D. Groff of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Mary Margaret Anderson and her husband Robert Earl of Ellisville, Mississippi; and Susan G. Stringfellow of Purvis, Mississippi; childhood sweetheart and girlfriend of 8 years, Nicolle Williams of Tyrone, Georgia; best friend, Andrew Gardner of Miami, Florida; his band of brothers: First Lieutenant Andrew Collins, First Lieutenant Sean Flachs, First Lieutenant Tim Konze, First Lieutenant Dan McLeod, Greg Maduro, First Lieutenant Phil Raquepau, and First Lieutenant Clifford Walker; battle buddy, First Lieutenant John F. Parsons; and numerous friends, extended family members, and comrades in arms.''

Funeral services were held April 17 at New Hope Baptist Church at 10 o'clock, and it was conducted by Rev. Scott Pickering, Dr. Rick Long, and Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Mark Fairbrother officiating. Interment followed at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Newnan, Georgia. And in lieu of flowers, there was a request for donations to the First Lieutenant Robert Wilson Collins Patriot Spirit Scholarship, care of Bank of Georgia, 100 Westpark Drive, Peachtree City, Georgia 30269.

Again, certainly the obituary, knowing that this was such an extraordinary young person, protecting our country by defeating the terrorists overseas, I am honored to join in urging support of the legislation.

[From the Times-Herald.com, April 15, 2010]

1LT Robert Wilson Collins

1LT Robert Wilson Collins of Tyrone, GA, was killed in

action on April 7, 2010, in Iraq in support of Operation

Iraqi Freedom. 1LT Collins was born in 1985 in Red Bank, NJ,

and graduated from Sandy Creek High School, Class of 2004.

After high school he graduated from The United States

Military Academy at West Point, NY, Class of 2008. 1LT

Collins was the first member of the USMA Class of 2008 to die

in combat. He was serving as a Platoon Leader in B Company,

1-64 Armor Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry

Division.

He is survived by his parents, LTC (RET) Burkitt (Deacon)

Collins and LTC (RET) Sharon L.G. Collins of Tyrone, GA;

paternal grandmother, Susan R. Collins of Laurel, MS; aunts,

Susan D. Groff of Lancaster, PA; Mary Margaret Anderson and

her husband Robert Earl of Ellisville, MS; and Susan G.

Stringfellow of Purvis, MS; childhood sweetheart and

girlfriend of 8 years, Nicolle Williams of Tyrone, GA; best

friend, Andrew Gardner of Miami, FL; his Band of Brothers:

1LT Andrew Collins, 1LT Sean Flachs, 1LT Tim Konze, 1LT Dan

McLeod, Greg Maduro, 1LT Phil Raquepau and 1LT Clifford

Walker; Battle Buddy, 1LT John F. Parsons; and numerous

friends, extended family members, and Comrades in Arms.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 17 at New

Hope Baptist Church (North Campus) at 10 o'clock with Rev.

Scott Pickering, Dr. Rick Long, and Chaplain LTC Mark E.

Fairbrother officiating. Interment to follow at Forest Lawn

Memorial Park in Newnan. In lieu of flowers those desiring

may make donations to the 1LT Robert Wilson Collins Patriot

Spirit Scholarship, c/o Bank of Georgia, l00 Westpark Drive,

Peachtree City, GA 30269. Those wishing can make an online

condolence at www.parrott

funeralhome.com.

The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5 until

8 p.m. at Parrott Funeral Home and Crematory in Fairburn, GA.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3592) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Commerce Drive in Tyrone, Georgia, as the ``First Lieutenant Robert Wilson Collins 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.

I now yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to present S. 3592, legislation that designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 100 Commerce Drive, Tyrone, Georgia, as the First Lieutenant Robert Wilson Collins Post Office Building.

Introduced by Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, S. 3592 passed the Senate unanimously yesterday, December 16, 2010.

Mr. Speaker, First Lieutenant Robert Wilson Collins was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, out of Fort Stewart, Georgia. A class of 2008 graduate of West Point, Lieutenant Collins deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the fall of 2009 and served as a platoon leader while his unit provided support during the national elections in Iraq.

Understanding the importance of maintaining the morale of the unit's soldiers and keeping them connected to family and friends at home, Lieutenant Collins maintained a Facebook page for the unit, allowing the unit to share photos and messages with loved ones.

Sadly, on April 7, 2010, Lieutenant Collins was killed when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device in Mosul, Iraq. He was 24 years of age.

Lieutenant Collins is survived by his parents, Retired Lieutenant Colonels Deacon and Sharon Collins, and Nicolle, his childhood sweetheart and girlfriend of 8 years.

Mr. Speaker, let us pay tribute to the life and service of First Lieutenant Robert Wilson Collins by designating this postal facility on Commerce Drive in Tyrone, Georgia, his home town.

I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting Senate bill 3592, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure, 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.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the following postal namings be discharged from the Homeland Security Committee en bloc: S. 3592, H.R. 4602, H.R. 5133, H.R. 5605, H.R. 5606, H.R. 5655, H.R. 5877, and H.R. 6400.

Further, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of these bills and the immediate consideration of H.R. 6392 which was received from the House and is at the desk en bloc.

I ask unanimous consent that the bills be read three times and passed en bloc; the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, with no intervening action or debate; and any statements relating to the bills be printed in the Record.