To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 462 Washington Street in Woburn, Massachusetts, as the "Officer John Maguire Post Office Building".

Mr. President, the intent of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, NICS, Improvement Act of 2007 is to increase compliance with existing law in order to prevent guns from getting into the hands of those with mental health concerns who might cause harm to others.

Unfortunately, the initial draft of this legislation would have expanded the existing classes of people forbidden by statute from possessing or purchasing a weapon to include people who simply had trouble managing their finances or other personal affairs. This expansion of existing law would have legitimized overly broad regulations that included people who have never been found to be a danger to themselves or to others.

This is problematic because these overly broad regulations have allowed for the criminalization of veterans who needed help managing the benefits they received for serving our country. These veterans lost their constitutional right to bear arms without committing a crime, without going before a court of law, and without being found to be a possible danger to themselves or anyone else. Furthermore, they lost their rights without their knowledge, and without a way to restore them.

For this reason I did not consent to H.R. 2640 until these concerns were adequately addressed.

Nobody wants firearms in the hands of individuals who are a danger to themselves or to others, but this desire for safety must be adequately balanced with a respect for our Constitution and the right to bear arms. While I favor keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and those who are a danger to themselves or to others, I was concerned that this bill would unnecessarily and unfairly hurt our veterans and other law-abiding Americans.

The initial version of this bill codified overly broad regulations for what it means to be ``adjudicated as a mental defective'' to include individuals who are in no danger to themselves or to others, but cannot manage their own finances or other personal affairs. These regulations were determined independent of congressional intent and are overly inclusive.

As a result of this definition, Americans who have never committed a crime and are of no danger to themselves or to others have been unfairly included in NICS. Once added to this list, it has been nearly impossible for an individual to remove their name from this list, meaning they are prohibited from owning a firearm for the rest of their life.

Among those unfairly added are up to 140,000 veterans who receive benefits for their service to our country, because they cannot manage their own affairs. This bill would have made this overly inclusive definition law.

Fortunately, Senator Schumer and I were able to work together to erase all mention of this definition in the bill. The term ``adjudicated as a mental defective'' is not defined in law. By not codifying these overly inclusive regulations, Congress and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Enforcement have a another chance to develop regulations for what ``adjudicated as a mental defective'' means to more accurately protect the second amendment rights of law- abiding citizens.

Additionally, we made several other changes to improve this bill. The bill now ensures: Veterans are notified when they are added to this list to ensure they do not knowingly violate Federal law and also lets them know when they enter into a determination process that could lead to them being added to this list; those who believe they have been unfairly added to NICS have their applications for removal from this list processed; those who previously were adjudicated as a mental defective but no longer pose a threat to society are cleared from this list; a State program exists that allows those wrongfully included on this list to appeal their inclusion; and that compensation is available for those who prove they were wrongfully included on NICS in court.

These changes strike a much healthier balance between ensuring the second amendment rights of our veterans and other law-abiding citizens and removing guns from those who are a threat to our society.

It is also important for Americans to realize that this bill, if enacted earlier, would not have prevented the tragic Virginia Tech shootings. This bill does not change Federal law regarding who should be added to NICS. States still have to decide to what extent they will report those adjudicated as a mental defective to the national list.

Under existing law, the Virginia Tech gunman already was considered a mentally dangerous person and should not have been allowed to purchase a weapon. At the time of the shootings, he was prohibited from purchasing any guns because two different judges found him to be a danger to himself or others. Additionally, the gunman should have been barred from buying a gun because he had been involuntarily committed for mental treatment.

He should have been reported to NICS because of a law passed last decade that required States to report people like him to the Federal system so that they would be prohibited from purchasing weapons. Unfortunately, because of a communications breakdown among Virginia authorities, this did not occur.

Since the Virginia Tech tragedy, several States have begun submitting these records to NICS and added hundreds of thousands of persons to the database without any additional Federal law being passed. According to the Washington Post, nearly 220,000 names have been added to this FBI list of people prohibited from buying guns because of mental health problems--a more than double increase in only 7 months.

While the intent of this legislation is good, Congress owes it to all Americans to pass legislation that is necessary and does not have unintended

consequences that compromise the rights of law abiding citizens.

I am thankful for the opportunity for my concerns to be addressed and believe this bill is much improved.

I thank the gentleman very much for yielding. I thank the gentleman from Texas as well. This is a very important bill.

I rise today in support of H.R. 2640, which I introduced in the House of Representatives, and Senate 1412, introduced by Senator Kerry and Senator Brown, and that is to name the Woburn Post Office in honor of Officer John--his friends called him ``Jack''--Maguire.

At 9 p.m. on December 26, 2010, during the height of a blizzard, two men invaded a Kohl's department store on Washington Street in Woburn, Massachusetts, to rob the jewelry counter as the employees prepared to close. As one robber entered the store, the second stood lookout on the outside, while a third man waited in a nearby getaway vehicle.

The robber in the department store was a career criminal with a long and violent record. He took a large amount of jewelry and fled outside the store into the driving snow. Eyewitnesses and store employees dialed 911. Officer Maguire arrived in the parking lot moments after the robbery. He saw an officer chasing a gunman on foot and drove his cruiser to a location to prevent the escape of the gunmen into a residential neighborhood in Woburn. Officer Maguire jumped out of his cruiser on Washington Street, and the

gunman opened fire on him. Shots were exchanged, and the gunman was killed. Unfortunately, Officer Maguire was shot four times in the torso and was transported to a local trauma center, where it was announced, unfortunately, that he had passed away.

Officer Maguire paid the ultimate price protecting the citizens of Woburn. We are incredibly grateful for his selfless acts that day, which capped 34 years of outstanding dedication to the safety of the people of Woburn.

On June 26, 1977, Officer Maguire began his career by being sworn in by his father, Police Chief Thomas Maguire, a longtime friend of mine, and he was so proud to follow in his father's footsteps. On December 26, 2010, he died wearing badge 23, which had been his own father's badge number. Just days before his death, he had celebrated his 60th birthday and given notice of his intention to retire in October of 2011.

A devoted husband and caring father, Officer Maguire is survived by his wife, Desiree, and children Bryan, Tara, and Sean. Officer Maguire died protecting the residents of Woburn from an armed gunman. He was the first officer killed in the line of duty from the Woburn Police Department since its inception in 1847. It was a tragedy for his family, for the Woburn Police Department, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to have lost such an honorable father, a courageous cop, and a hometown hero.

That is why, at the request of Mayor Scott Galvin of Woburn, Police Chief Richard Kelly, and former Police Chief Phillip Mahoney of the Woburn Police Department, I introduced H.R. 2640 to rename the Woburn Post Office in the memory of Officer John ``Jack'' Maguire. Renaming the post office located at 462 Washington Street--just a few hundred yards across the street from where Officer Maguire was shot and killed--in his honor is the least that we can do to pay tribute to this brave, dedicated first responder. We honor his service and sacrifice. We honor his life and his legacy. And we honor police officers everywhere who go to work every day to protect the safety and security of all citizens.

Today, we are considering an identical bill that was introduced by my colleagues Senator Kerry and Senator Brown. I urge adoption of this bill, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 462 Washington Street, Woburn, Massachusetts, as the ``Officer John Maguire Post Office'' to honor the legacy of a true hometown hero.

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

I urge the body to pass this legislation.

I rise in strong support of S. 1412, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 462 Washington Street in Woburn, Massachusetts as the ``Officer John Maguire Post Office.''

The measure before us was introduced on July 25, 2011 by Senator John Kerry.

Our distinguished colleague, Congressman Edward Markey of Massachusetts, also introduced a companion version of the underlying bill on July 25, 2011.

Both S. 1412 and H.R. 2640 have met the requirements for consideration established by the Oversight Committee and enjoy the support of all members of the Massachusetts delegation.

S. 1412 was reported out of Committee by voice vote on November 3, 2011.

John ``Jack'' Maguire was born on December 23, 1950 in the city of Woburn, Massachusetts.

He became a police officer for the Woburn Police Department in June 1977 and was sworn in by his own father, then-Police Chief Thomas Maguire. Throughout his career, he wore Badge Number 23--the same badge his father had worn.

Officer Maguire has been called a `life-long student.'

He graduated from Austin Prep High School in 1969 and from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell in 1973.

In 1998, more than 20 years later, he earned a master's degree in business administration from Franklin Pierce College.

He went on to earn a second master's in science and criminal justice administration from Western New England College in 1999.

That same year, he earned a doctorate in philosophy from the American College of Metaphysical Theology.

Following the celebration of his 60th birthday late last year, Officer Maguire gave notice of his intention to retire in the fall of 2011.

On December 26, 2010, however, Officer Maguire found himself on duty in the middle of a New England blizzard.

Armed robbers threatened the employees of the Kohl's department store in Woburn and then fled the store with money and jewelry.

Responding to a fellow officer's call for assistance in a foot chase, Officer Maguire rushed to the scene and blocked an escape path with his cruiser.

He then got out of his vehicle to confront an assailant. The two exchanged gunfire, which killed the gunman and left Officer Maguire mortally wounded.

John Maguire was the first officer killed in the line of duty in Woburn, Massachusetts since the department was established in 1847.

I know the City of Woburn, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the family of Officer Maguire are grateful for his service and sacrifice. We are truly indebted to men and women like him, who risk their lives to protect our communities on a daily basis.

Madam Speaker, I ask that we recognize Officer Maguire's devotion to his profession, his community, and our country's safety by passing S. 1412.

I yield 5 minutes to the sponsor of the companion bill, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey).

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1412) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 462 Washington Street, Woburn, Massachusetts, as the ``Officer John Maguire Post Office''.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

S. 1412, introduced by Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 462 Washington Street, Woburn, Massachusetts, as the ``Officer John Maguire Post Office.'' The bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent on October 20 and was reported favorably by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on November 3.

Madam Speaker, John Maguire was born and raised in Woburn, Massachusetts, growing up in a home where his father was chief of police in Woburn for 15 years. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Officer Maguire was sworn in as a Woburn police officer by his own father in June of 1977. Wearing badge No. 23, which had been his father's badge number, Officer Maguire worked for over three decades as a tireless public servant, protecting the people of Woburn.

On December 26 of last year, three armed men went into a department store in Woburn and proceeded to steal money and jewelry. Arriving on the scene to back up his fellow officers, Officer Maguire used his cruiser to block the gunmen who were fleeing on foot from the store. Exiting his vehicle, Officer Maguire and one of the suspects exchanged gunfire. Officer Maguire was able to kill the suspect; but, tragically, he was mortally wounded himself. Officer Maguire had celebrated his 60th birthday just 3 days prior to his death and was less than a year away from retirement.

Madam Speaker, it is altogether fitting and proper that we name this post office in Woburn for Officer John Maguire. And to Officer Maguire and all those who wear a badge and courageously protect and serve our towns, cities, and counties each and every day, we are eternally grateful for all that you do and all that you sacrifice. I urge all Members to join me in strong support of this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of Senate 1412, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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