Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Saint Vincent de Paul School in Peoria, Illinois on being named a 2010 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.

Saint Vincent de Paul joined only 50 other private schools throughout the nation in receiving this recognition. The school was nominated by the Council for American Private Education, also known as CAPE. By being recognized with the award, Saint Vincent de Paul has demonstrated its successes in ensuring students achieve exceptionally high national test scores.

I applaud the concerted effort it took to elevate the school's test scores to such an extraordinary level. As I honor this school I must remind this body that while this award is presented to Saint Vincent de Paul School, the award really reflects the combined efforts of all those involved with the school. As former Peoria School Board President, I know that every successful school has the trinity of skilled educators, committed students and involved parents as a base.

Also, on a personal note, I always find it impressive to see a school allow for students' academic and personal development. As such, I must applaud the school's commitment to the mission to ``generate outstanding academic achievement and expect students to be confident leaders with a strong positive and moral impact on the community.'' I'm certain that Saint Vincent de Paul will not only continue to flourish as an institution for years to come, but that its young students will eventually become active leaders in Peoria, Illinois and throughout these United States.

Again, congratulations Saint Vincent de Paul School.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Verna Moore, a true inspiration from my hometown of Peoria, Illinois. Verna will be turning one hundred years old on October 16, 2010 and plans to celebrate her birthday by spending time with her family. Throughout her life, Verna has inspired others with her positive attitude, warm personality, love of music, and active lifestyle.

Verna was born on October 16, 1910 to John and Elizabeth Troker, owners of a coal mine in Peoria. She was the youngest of eight children and was always very close with her sisters, brothers, and cousins. Verna has been a resident of Peoria, Illinois her entire life. From a young age, Verna was always filled with love and possessed a giving soul. Under her father's influence, she was raised Catholic and it was from a nun in their church that she first learned to play the piano. She began lessons at a young age and immediately loved the instrument.

Verna graduated the eighth grade from Lucy E. Tyng Middle School and began working in a warehouse. Her life changed when she first met her husband, Carthy Moore, near a pond at Glen Oak Park. They were immediately drawn to each other and married in 1936. Their marriage was built on love and stability, lasting nearly forty years until her husband passed away in 1974. The couple built their house from the ground up and Verna has lived in that same home ever since. Carthy made a living as a foreman at the Keystone Steel and Wire Factory in Martinsville, Illinois. Verna supported Carthy as a homemaker and mother. Her first and only child, William Moore, was born January 16, 1941. William fondly remembers his mother's wonderful baking and cooking, and the great care she always gave to him when he was sick as a child.

As she grew older, Verna took interest in a Mennonite church down the road from her Peoria home. She soon began attending the church and later played piano during the services. She continued to play hymns for the church services up until just a few years ago. To this day she continues to stay active. Today she not only is a mother, but a grandmother, a great grandmother, and a great-great grandmother. Her love has affected the entire community. Through her vibrant spirit she continues to inspire others, especially at the age of 100 years old.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I wish to whole-heartedly congratulate Verna Moore on reaching the immense milestone of 100 years of age. I hope that every American can learn the important lesson of staying healthy and fit in both mind and body while maintaining a loving heart such as Verna's.

I thank my good friend, Dr. Foxx, for the time here today.

Madam Speaker, at the President's first news conference after his first official Cabinet meeting, he addressed the Nation, and he said that he was asking his agency heads to come together and collectively come up with $100 million in savings that they could bring forward for this next budget year to eliminate over last year's spending. His quote was, ``We've got to earn their trust.'' The President said, ``They've got to feel confident that their dollars are being spent wisely.'' I couldn't agree with the President any more.

So that is really what today is about. We bring forward House Resolution 5679, which is really quite simple. It says we don't need to tell the American people with propaganda signs that we're spending their tax dollars wisely. More specifically, we don't need to put up road signs all over the country when we're doing paving projects at the tune of hundreds, sometimes thousands. We've found signs that cost over $10,000 apiece simply to say this is your tax dollars at work.

First of all, I would suggest to you that it's an insult to the intelligence of my taxpayers to suggest that they drive by a public works project and think that anyone other than they, as taxpayers, are paying for it. Second, I

would suggest to you that this is a dangerous precedent. Think if every unit of government, from your school board, your township officials, your State government, your Federal Government put a label on everything that they were using to spend your tax dollars on. The unnecessary bureaucratic expense, the unnecessary overhead that it creates.

We have found in 1 year since the stimulus bill was passed that we have spent over $20 million just on signs. The Illinois Department of Transportation, in my home State, has spent over $650,000 on signs. The State of Ohio reports they've spent over $1 million just on signs--not creating jobs, not the infrastructure that was promised, not to lower unemployment, but rather a bunch of sheet metal along the road.

This is not only the financially smart thing to do. I would argue it's the environmentally right thing to do. And then my friends on the other side of the aisle stand up and suggest, well, gee, you know, Aaron, it's only $20 million. The estimates, if we don't stop doing this, are that by the time the stimulus program has run its course, we will spend $192 million on these signs. Now, I don't know about you, but whether you supported the stimulus program or you voted against the stimulus program, I hope we can come together and say, You know what? At the end of the day, this $192 million, this $20 million that's already been spent, would better be spent on road projects, on filling potholes, on fixing bridges, on something that we can show for that we're going to ask the next generation of Americans to pay for. And that's all we're doing. We're saying, from this day forward, you can't spend money on signs. Put it into the infrastructure.

It is my honor to welcome to the Chamber Pastor Henderson, who just gave us the opening prayer. Pastor Henderson contacted me when he was planning his family's trip to Washington, D.C. It had been a dream of his to be able to give the opening prayer, and I was pleased to be able to recommend him to the Speaker to have that privilege.

In addition to his pastoral duties at his home church, the First Baptist Church in Lincoln, Illinois, he is also a pastor for Memorial Medical Center, located in Springfield, Illinois. In addition to that, he's a public servant in his own right, being elected to his second term now for the West Lincoln-Broadwell School Board. He's in a whole host of organizations, constantly giving back to not only his family but his community, being a member of the Lincoln Area Musical Society orchestra and an officer of the Cub Scouts organization in his community.

He is joined here today with his wife and children, who are seated in the gallery: His wife, Melissa; his daughter, Burgundy; and his son, Joshua. We thank you and welcome you to the United States Capitol. We wish you and your family a good time as you learn more about our American history. Thank you for offering the prayer this morning.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Bernard ``Bernie'' Behrends, an exceptional philanthropist with a passion for education. He will be celebrating his 89th birthday on July 27, 2010. His passion and dedication for providing charity to others is inspiring and commendable. Bernie's mother was widowed and raised Bernie and his sister Anna with the help of their grandfather. At an early age, they were inspired by a philosophy of charity. They were taught to help others whenever possible and to view their successes as opportunities to help others in the future. These values were the foundation on which Bernie started his volunteer and charity work and why he continues to do so to this day.

Bernie was born in Lincoln, Illinois on July 27, 1921. He completed his primary and secondary education in Lincoln, through the Lincoln public school system. In 1946, after three years of service during World War II, Bernie was honorably discharged from the United States Navy.

Bernie attended Lincoln College from 1946 to 1948 and Bradley University from 1948 to 1950, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in general engineering from Bradley University. After completing his post-secondary education with assistance from the GI Bill of Rights, Bernie began his successful career working as a civil engineer with the Illinois Department of Transportation. After thirty two years of service, he retired in 1982.

Throughout the years, Bernie Behrends has been an invaluable asset to our community in central Illinois by volunteering countless hours of his time and expertise. Between 1958 and 1963, Bernie served as Vice President of Immanuel Lutheran Church, and during the Vietnam War, he was a member of the Logan County Selective Service Board. Through this position, he was assigned to the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees from 1967 to 1973. This experience was followed by membership on the Logan County Election Board for eight years. Eventually in 1992, Bernie was elected to the coveted Board of Trustees at Lincoln College, a position he has now held for eighteen years.

Through his position on the Board of Trustees, he has worked to provide financial assistance to high school students seeking to attend

college but do not have the means to do so. In 1998, with the help of his sister Anna, Bernie established the Anna and Bernard Behrends Endowed Scholarship Fund. This scholarship has provided more than forty students with the opportunity to go to college since its creation. He has also been a pioneer for education through the founding of Logan County Voiture 985 of the Forty and Eight Nurses in Training Scholarship, which has helped over 150 students pursue careers in nursing through financial assistance.

All of these accomplishments are examples of Bernie's fervor for service and leadership to the Peoria community. Not surprisingly, Bernie is also a lifetime member of many recognizable organizations such as the American Legion, Forty and Eight, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Veterans, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 91, Lincoln Masonic Lodge, Springfield Consistory, Ansar Shrine, Logan County Shrine, and the Legion of Honor.

As of today, there are no signs of Bernie curbing his service to Peoria. He continues to dedicate his time and energy to educational service by working with his sister to provide the necessary resources to the people of our community.

In summary, Madam Speaker, Bernie Behrends is an exceptional example of service and leadership in our community. His charity and commitment to serving those less fortunate than himself has been a hallmark of his life dedicated to being a man for others. Because educational opportunities are the foundation for future success, I believe Bernie's incredible charity to the people of central Illinois is something to be cherished and celebrated. I wish Mr. Behrends a very Happy 89th Birthday, and congratulate him on his continued legacy as a community leader.

Madam Speaker, I was recently contacted by over 50 U.S. Business leaders who all support an appropriate Foreign Affairs budget which will help the U.S. stay competitive globally and ultimately produce more jobs domestically. I am pleased to see that the business community has joined a number of non-profits who have come out in support of providing assistance abroad to help us reach our goals at home. Please see their letter below:

Business Leaders Letter to Congress

June 8, 2010.

Dear Member of Congress: We are writing to urge your

support for the International Affairs Budget and its

important investments that help spur U.S. economic growth.

The importance of the International Affairs Budget's

development and diplomacy programs to U.S. national security

and our moral leadership is well recognized. However, the

vital role these programs play in creating American jobs and

trade is not fully appreciated.

Now more than ever, America's economy is linked with global

trade and economic growth. Over the past 40 years, trade has

tripled as a share of our national economy. Today, 1 out of 5

American jobs are tied to international trade. America's

fastest growing markets--representing roughly half of U.S.

exports--are developing countries. Export promotion programs

funded by the International Affairs Budget are essential to

expanding U.S. trade in these emerging markets and are

indispensable to reaching President Obama's goal of doubling

exports within five years.

U.S. businesses and entrepreneurs benefit significantly

from programs in the International Affairs Budget that

provide technical assistance, identify business

opportunities, and build stronger legal and economic policy

regimes that help developing countries become more reliable

trading partners. The International Affairs Budget is

critical to promoting U.S. exports, protecting intellectual

property rights, and advocating for American businesses

abroad.

The International Affairs Budget is a fundamental tool for

advancing U.S. economic and strategic interests around the

world. That is why we urge you to support the President's FY

2011 request for the International Affairs Budget.

Representing less than 1.5% of the total federal budget, it

is a smart economic investment in a stronger and more

prosperous future for American workers and businesses.

Sincerely,

Aerospace Industries Association (AIA); Amway

Corporation; Amgen; ARD; Biotechnology Industry

Organization; Boeing; Business Council for

International Understanding; Business Roundtable;

Campbell Soup Company; Cargill; Caterpillar; Chevron;

Cisco Systems; Inc.; Citigroup; Coalition for

Employment through Exports; Computer and Communications

Industry Association; Corporate Council on Africa;

Creative Associates International; DAI; DHL; DuPont;

Eli Lilly and Company; FMC Corporation; General

Electric Corporation; GlaxoSmithKline; Google; John

Deere; Johnson & Johnson; Kraft Foods; Land O'Lakes;

Lockheed Martin Corporation; Mars; Microsoft; Motorola;

National Foreign Trade Council; National Retail

Federation; Northrop Grumman Corporation; Pioneer Hi-

Bred International; Pfizer; Procter & Gamble; PhRMA;

Raytheon; RTI; Seaboard Corporation; Thales USA; Inc.;

United Technologies Corporation; UPS; U.S. Chamber of

Commerce; U.S.-Russia Business Council; Wal-Mart;

Xerox.

Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chairman, I rise to offer this amendment to the America COMPETES Act, which ensures the innovative and intellectual prowess and technical minds of the currently unemployed are taken into account during the formation of the underlying regional innovation clusters.

While I have some reservations about the current overly broad language in this section of H.R. 5116, I nonetheless believe it is important to provide these regional innovation clusters with the best partnerships available. That is why I'm offering this amendment to instruct the Secretary of Commerce to give priority to those innovative clusters that work with local Workforce Investment Area, or commonly referred to WIA boards.

The WIA boards serve the unemployed by providing them with specific resources that help them improve their abilities and skills to get hired. Local WIA boards are typically known for hosting career fairs, providing continuing education assistance, and working on resume and job improvement strategies. WIA boards offer One-Stop Career Service Centers and take the time to get to know the unemployed citizens in their neighborhood. WIA boards are often on the front lines of providing assistance to unemployed workers. They are in the best position to know the demographics of those who have been let go from jobs and understand the skills that these displaced workers have.

In addition to helping individuals, WIA boards also work with employers to help them fill the jobs they have vacant.

In my hometown of Peoria, Illinois, the WIA board provided 19,094 individuals with career services last year, a 44 percent increase over the previous year. The WIA board has recently implemented a program called JobFit, which is a Web-based job matching and assessment tool that places individuals with companies that best suit their personality and skills. It is this type of matching service that will be vital to regional innovation clusters.

My amendment uses a similar concept by encouraging regional innovation clusters to partner with their local WIA board. WIA boards have been unsung heroes during these tough economic times, and I believe encouraging partnerships between the WIA boards and regional clusters will allow access to a well-trained workforce, which will have a positive impact on regional economic growth, and provide the expertise to bring many of these new manufacturing innovation and technology improvements into the marketplace.

If the purpose of the regional innovation clusters is to spur technological innovation, then the Workforce Investment Area boards will be able to provide employees whose skills those innovations require. The technology that will come to the marketplace will need a skilled workforce to utilize this technology. As such, local WIA can help to match the new technology with skilled employees who are looking for work.

At a time when the national unemployment rate is 9.9 percent, this commonsense amendment will utilize the skills of unemployed workers in order to keep America globally competitive. I urge adoption of this amendment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the extension of the Short Line Railroad tax credits that have recently expired. Because this credit has not been extended for 2010, the Illinois & Midland and Tazewell & Peoria Railroads in my district have not been able to perform much-needed maintenance to their infrastructure. These companies depend on the extension of this credit to keep their track laborers working and to continue to invest in their track which is necessary to serve local businesses in my district. Companies like Caterpillar, Exelon, Midwest Generation, Reed Minerals, Aventine Renewable Energy, and many others may lose their connection to the national freight rail network.

The problems facing these companies in my district are not unique to the rail industry. The uncertainty of all of these expiring credits leave businesses in a state of flux, unwilling to make the necessary investments and long-term planning to expand their businesses and put people back to work. Over 250 Members of this body have already signed legislation which extends this credit. I urge the Speaker to call this bill and to pass the Short Line Railroad tax credit today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 10th anniversary of the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District, also known as Citylink.

The Greater Peoria Mass Transit District was first formed on May 4, 1970 to provide public transportation to the Village of Peoria Heights, West Peoria Township and the City of Peoria.

In its first year of operation over 667,000 passengers rode the Citylink system. Since that time the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District has expanded its area of operations to include East Peoria, Pekin and Bartonville. With this expanded area of service the transit district was able to provide over 3,000,000 bus rides to passengers this past year.

During its 40 years of service to the Greater Peoria area, innovation has been key to the success of the transit district. Citylink was the first transit system in the country to take advantage of local commodities by implementing ethanol-fueled buses into its fleet. A relationship with the Peoria Historical Society was also established in order to bring trolley-buses into the district's fleet. These trolleys were obtained in order to provide for historical tours of the area with the guide of local Peoria Historical Society Members.

Catering to the needs of its passengers has been another key to the success of the transit district. Citylink has extended early morning and late night routes in order to help those passengers with work shifts starting early or ending late in the night. Along with these hours of extended service, special fares were established to help seniors, students and passengers who may be physically or mentally challenged. In fact, over 118,000 trips were given to paratransit riders during this past year alone.

I wish to congratulate and thank the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District and all the staff members who have provided stellar service to the entire Peoria area over the past 40 years. It is my honor this day to congratulate them, 40 years after their inception.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this flawed health bill.

Madam Speaker, this bill really is not about health insurance reform. If you watched the President's televised health care forum, you heard them say it time and time again: this is about entitlement expansion. And that is really where the real debate comes down this center line. Both sides agree that there needs to be heath care reform. Republicans have put forward a thoughtful bill since last April promoting reform, competition across State lines, covering people with preexisting conditions, on and on and on.

But how can my friends on the other side of the aisle endorse this bill when the Congressional Budget Office, the nonpartisan determiner of how much these bills cost us, has not come out with their cost estimate for this bill? I know from my home State of Illinois, our Governor is talking about a 50 percent tax increase to pay for $9 billion in unpaid Medicaid bills. This bill we do know will cost my State of Illinois $1.89 billion over 5 years just for their match. I don't know how anyone from my State can support this bill.

I thank my good friend from California for the time.

What a novel idea. The United States House of Representatives would debate the power of a good idea.

You know, in my short 1 year in this body, it's amazed me how many amendments have come before this body at a straight up-or-down party vote. Republicans vote one way and Democrats vote another.

We live within the confines of majority rule. It's something that our voters and taxpayers live with. It's something that we in this body live with. But I think there's something that almost everyone that I represent in my district abhors, and that is the notion that the power of a good idea is not allowed the form of debate in this body and is not allowed a straight up-or-down vote for each Member to cast his or her vote based on the best interests of their districts. And for that reason, Mr. Speaker, I offered three what I thought were thoughtful amendments specifically dealing with the proposal to move the much- talked-about Guantanamo Bay detention facility to my State in Illinois.

I might add, Mr. Speaker, that this wasn't just an idea that I had, but rather, I was joined by every single member of the Illinois delegation on my side of the aisle. They felt this was important enough to allow both sides to be able to debate this issue, both sides, each individual Member, a straight up-or-down vote.

Now, what is it that we wanted each Member to be able to vote on? Well, ladies and gentlemen, there's been much talk about moving all of these prisoners, close to 100 of them, from Gitmo to the center part of our country, in the Midwest, in Illinois, and the idea that somehow that will make us safer as a Nation by moving those terrorists to our country. Yet one of the questions that continually is asked of me, as well as my colleagues who represent the State of Illinois, is who are these people? What are their names? Why are they being held? What acts of terror have they attempted or committed against our country?

So our amendment was very simple. It said this: The American people ought to know what we know. If the American people are supposed to weigh in to their elected representatives to say, yes, we think it's a great idea for Guantanamo Bay to come to Illinois, don't you think they should have the information to make an educated decision? After all, I sat in this front row a year ago and listened to the Speaker of this House talk about how I was going to be a part of the most transparent and open government in United States history. Imagine being a part of the most transparent and open government in United States history. And yet today, ladies and gentlemen, taxpayers, voters, not just in the State of Illinois where these terrorists are supposed to be coming, but every American----

Thank you. I'll wrap up.

Ladies and gentlemen, it's real simple. In the most transparent and open government in United States history, shouldn't the American people know what we know?

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3250, designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1210 West Main Street in Riverhead, New York, as the ``Private First Class Garfield M. Langhorn Post Office Building.''

Garfield M. Langhorn's selfless and heroic actions, for which he received the Congressional Medal of Honor, serve as an inspiration to all Americans.

On January 15, 1969, U.S. Army Private First Class Garfield M. Langhorn of New York was serving as a radio operator in the Pleiku province of North Vietnam. His platoon's assignment was to rescue two helicopter pilots who had been shot down and were behind enemy lines. Langhorn coordinated with aircraft that were providing cover to his platoon during the rescue mission. While soldiers in the platoon were bringing the bodies of two helicopter pilots they were rescuing to an extraction site, well disguised North Vietnamese soldiers suddenly surrounded the platoon. Langhorn radioed the support aircraft for assistance and helped provide cover for the other soldiers in the platoon.

As night came, the fighting continued, but the air support could no longer accurately pinpoint the soldiers on the ground. The enemy soldiers continued to close in. An enemy soldier threw a hand grenade near Langhorn and wounded several of his colleagues and men. According to his Congressional Medal of Honor citation, ``choosing to protect these wounded, he unhesitatingly threw himself on the grenade, scooped it beneath his body and absorbed the blast. By sacrificing himself, he saved the lives of his comrades.''

Mr. Speaker, Garfield Langhorn was a true American hero. In his last dying words, he is reported to have said, ``You have to care.'' Private First Class Langhorn did care deeply about his fellow soldiers and he cared about his country. His story is an inspiration to all Americans.

I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 3250 to honor Private First Class Langhorn's sacrifice for years to come.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of

Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend my appreciation to my friend from Massachusetts. I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, we rise today to honor a great woman, a great leader, and, really, an icon in our country and around the world for what the power of one person, working with hundreds and thousands of others, but really one person's vision, tenacity, and hard work can mean for her fellow mankind on Earth.

We rise today to honor Nancy Goodman Brinker. She was born December 6, 1946, in Peoria, Illinois, and is most notably known for her work with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, the world's leading breast cancer grassroots organization, which has impacted millions of lives.

This organization was established in memory of her sister, Susie Komen, who passed away from cancer in 1980. Ms. Brinker since then has also founded the Susan G. Komen for the Cure's signature program, the Race for the Cure, the largest series of 5-K run and fitness walks in the world.

Since its origin in 1983 in Dallas, Texas, the Race for the Cure series has grown from one local race with 800 participants to a national series of 112 races that yielded just over 1.5 million participants last year.

Ms. Brinker's contributions to society extend beyond her work with the Susan G. Komen centers. Ms. Brinker has served in the government as Chair of the President's Cancer Panel in the early 1990s. She then went as the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary from 2001 to 2003, and then as the Chief of Protocol for the United States from 2007 to 2009.

Time magazine in 2008 named her as one of the 100 most influential people in the entire world. In July, 2009, President Obama named Nancy Goodman Brinker as a recipient of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Presidential Medal of Freedom, of course, is America's highest civilian honor that is awarded to individuals who make an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interest of the United States, world peace, cultural, or other significant public or private endeavors. She was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Wednesday, August 12, 2009. The inscription on her Presidential Medal of Freedom says this: Drawing strength from tragedy, Nancy Goodman Brinker has transformed the Nation's approach to breast cancer.

When her sister was diagnosed in 1977, most breast cancer victims knew relatively little about the disease and suffered from popular stigmas. Nancy Brinker promised to challenge these norms. She founded Susan G. Komen for the Cure in honor of her sister. Today, the organization supports research and community awareness programs across the United States and around the world. Nancy Goodman Brinker's unique passion and determination have been a blessing to all those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. In fact, it's these 1.5 million participants in the Race for the Cure and the thousands of people that this organization have touched that have led to the increased awareness of breast cancer. It's her work that has led to the infamous pastel pink being synonymous with breast cancer awareness and the work of the organization.

But let us be clear. The work has done much more then just create awareness about breast cancer research. Nancy Goodman Brinker's work has saved lives. In fact, the work of the Susan G. Komen Centers has generated over its 27 years $1.5 billion in cancer research. As a result, we have discovered the first breast cancer susceptibility gene. The research dollars have led to the first use of magnetic resonance imaging scanners, or MRIs. They discovered the pathways that some cancer cells take in the body, leading to treatments to potentially stop the spread of cancers to other organs. And as a result of this continuous work, mortality from breast cancer is down. In the last decade, deaths from breast cancer fell by over 20 percent, and more than 2.5 million people in the United States are breast cancer survivors, the largest group of cancer survivors in America.

Now, as we read through the life and the work of Nancy Goodman Brinker, one might think this sounds like an obituary. But, my friends, rest assured Nancy Goodman Brinker's contributions to society are far from over. While many might retire, given this long resume of accomplishments, she continues to take on the mantle and

fight. Since her retirement from public service in our government, she has returned back as the CEO of the Susan G. Komen Centers and also was recently named the first ever World Health Organization's Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer Control.

Finally, I'd like to read a quote by our President, Barack Obama, when he issued the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Ms. Brinker. He said, One of the last things Susie Komen did before she passed away was ask her sister Nancy to make her a promise. Nancy promised her she would prevent other families battling breast cancer from hurting the way theirs had. What began with $200 and a list of friends has become a global race for the cure, a campaign that has eased the pain and saved the lives of millions around the world. In the months after her sister's death, Nancy lay awake at night thinking about the promise she had made and wondering whether one person could really make a difference. Nancy's life is the answer.

Mr. Speaker, that is the reason we rise today to honor Nancy Goodman Brinker for what she has done, for what she continues to do, and for the inspiration that she is to all Americans of what one person can do for their country and for the world.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield 2 minutes to my distinguished colleague and good friend, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).

I yield 2 minutes to my distinguished colleague and good friend, the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

Mr. Speaker, with that, I urge all Members to support the passage of House Resolution 708, honoring one of the finest Americans, Nancy Goodman Brinker.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4095, which would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service, located at 9727 Antioch Road in Overland Park, Kansas, as the Congresswoman Jan Meyers Post Office Building. Congresswoman Meyers dedicated her career to serving the people of Kansas.

After working on Larry Winn's successful campaign for a Kansas City- based House seat in 1966, Meyers began her own career in public service as a member of the Overland Park City Council from 1967 until 1972. In 1972, Meyers won a seat in the Kansas State Senate. She would serve in the State senate for 12 years, eventually becoming the Chair of the Public Health and Welfare Committee. In 1984, Congressman Larry Winn decided to retire. Meyers won the election for the district's open seat. She served her constituents for five terms, during which time she became the Chair of the Small Business Committee. She was the first woman in almost 20 years to chair a Permanent House committee.

Small businesses were very important to her throughout her career. She once commented, ``There may be more dramatic issues, but none that are more important . . . because the small business sector employs at least 50 percent, maybe a little more, of the individuals in this country. Virtually all of the entry-level employees are with small business.'' A quote that is relevant to today.

While some wanted to eliminate the Small Business Committee at the time, Congresswoman Meyers was committed to seeing the committee was active and served an important purpose. In 1995, Congresswoman Meyers decided that she would retire and not run for reelection in order to spend more time with her family. She considered bills that she introduced that lowered taxes and reduced regulation on small business owners as some of the greatest accomplishments in her career.

Throughout her five terms of service, Congresswoman Meyers believed that it was very important to ``listen to your conscience and your constituents, both. Most of the time, they'll agree.''

Mr. Speaker, to honor Congresswoman Meyers' career of service and the work that she did both for her constituents in Kansas and for small business owners throughout America, I encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to my distinguished colleague from the great State of Kansas (Mr. Moran).

Mr. Speaker, I urge support and passage of H.R. 4095, and I yield back the balance of my time.