Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, on this day it is my esteemed honor to enter into the Record a heartfelt tribute to a great artist, musician and a Chicagoan for most of his life, the late Junious Norfleet. America may not know Junious Norfleet's name but they surely know his music. Junious, also known as ``Bud,'' was the youngest brother of the famed Norfleet Brothers whose artistry--a skillful mix of R&B, jazz and gospel--grew in popularity in the 1950s. Junious provided the jazzy, sultry but powerful voice of a tenor whose tone, skillful delivery and showmanship propelled him to the lead of this pioneering musical group. Junious' life on Earth ended on March 25, 2008, following complications from a stroke. He leaves behind his wife, Janet Norfleet, Chicago's first female postmaster, and thousands

of adoring family members, friends and fans, like me, throughout our Nation.

As a fan and admirer of Junious Norfleet, when I think of his life as an African American in these United States, I think that, in many ways, it mirrors the challenges, growth and triumphs of our nation. Junious was born in the town of Marion, Alabama on March 20, 1926 to the union of Jake and Indiana Norfleet. He was the youngest of 15 children, a ``PK,'' or preacher's kid, who grew up in a loving, but disciplined home in the segregated South. Junious came of age enjoying his childhood. He learned the value of hard work while living in a large, rural environment where he was responsible for the care and upkeep of his own portion of land. There, his parents grew sweet potatoes, cotton and other produce and he recounted many days of happiness from enjoying something as simple and refreshing as watermelon on a hot summer day. He did share with his friends, though, that no children of his would ever have to perform such rigorous, manual labor. And he, indeed, delivered on that promise for his family.

With a father as a minister and the youngest of 15 children (ten boys and five girls), the church was always a big part of Junious' life. He grew up singing with his older brothers on the family farm in Marion, Alabama. They would perform at any time, anywhere, so long as people were around to listen. Junious was handsome and charismatic, the perfect lead for any music group. He possessed a booming voice that made others stop and take notice. As word of the Norfleet Brothers' talent began to spread, they gained their first taste of commercial success by hosting a 15-minute radio program which broadcast every Saturday afternoon from Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It was in Tuscaloosa where The Norfleet Brothers recorded their first record.

As their singing abilities began to be recognized, in 1948, after some of his older brothers completed tours of duty in WWII, The Norfleet Brothers began to travel. They sang in churches and town halls in Tennessee, Cincinnati, Ohio and Chicago while driving across the country in their cherished, fiery red Chevy. Junious along with his brothers, Peter Young, Arthur and Joseph, his nephew, Wilson, cousin Nathaniel and their friend, George, made quite a name for themselves while building an adoring fan base. Their notoriety had a bit of a downside as, after performing in Chicago, they found that their red Chevy had been stolen. But their loss was Chicago's gain as they decided to make Chicago their home.

Never afraid of hard work, Junious and his brothers worked a variety of jobs while continuing to sing. A patriotic American, like his brothers before him, Junious served, stateside, in the Army from 1953 to 1956. During this time he continued to balance love of country, love of family and a passionate desire to build a career in music and entertainment. Like other talented African American artists at that time, Junious and his brothers had to struggle with unscrupulous record labels and managers during an era when Jim Crow segregation remained the law of the land. Still, the Norfleet Brothers continued their rise to prominence in the 1950s with a traditional, four-part harmony gospel sound that was backed with guitar. The group maintained this structure even as gospel moved toward heavier instrumentation and more of a ``shout out'' style of singing, according to author Bob Marovich who is writing a history of gospel in Chicago. Songs on which Junious was featured as lead tenor included ``Through it All'' and ``What a Friend We Have in Jesus.'' According to his wife, ``Wade in the Water'' was his favorite. During this time the group cut an album, ``Shadrach,'' and were widely known for the song ``None but the Righteous.''

According to published reports, the cast of the group was fluid and they began touring in the late 1940s. Over time, The Norfleet Brothers were joined by other family members and an occasional outsider and, later, the sons of the original members also sang with the group. In 1957, they won the first place prize on the Morris B. Sikes Amateur Hour, a local television program. They appeared on several television programs and were hired to sing television commercials for a local auto dealer.

In 1963, The Norfleet Brothers became the host of the Emmy award- winning ``Jubilee Showcase,'' Chicago's longest running television program (1963-1984). The Norfleet Brothers performed as the headlining act for 21 years! The group continued to perform at various churches and events. They held their annual gospel concerts at Hartzell Memorial United Methodist Church during the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1988, The Norfleet Brothers celebrated their 50th Anniversary in the music business with a concert at Olivet Baptist Church in Chicago.

Junious is survived by his loving wife, Janet, and by several children, grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and a legion of fans, young and old, who will miss his charming smile and his wonderful voice. In addition to this reflection, Junious Norfleet's legacy will live on as, in recent years, his grand nephew, Ronald Norfleet, his grand niece, Toni Reed, took the time to gather oral history from Junious that preserves the rich musical and family legacy he leaves behind. Reed, a Chicago-based documentary film producer, is working on a documentary feature film about her uncle's remarkable life.

My prayers and best wishes are forever extended to this large and loving family. I wish Ms. Reed and her family all the best in sharing the artistry, courage and musical gifts of Junious ``Bud'' Norfleet with family, friends and fans throughout the world.

Madam Speaker, the Department of Justice tells us that, everyday, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. In light of the shocking turn of events in the last five days in Chicago, I can imagine a day in the near future when this number may rise.

Yesterday, just seven blocks from my office, in the heart of my own congressional district, this Southside community was left reeling because five people--five people--were found shot to death in one home! As I mentioned yesterday, 36 people were shot in Chicago over a 48-hour period of time last weekend.

That's 41 people shot or killed, in only five days, in one American city. Who will tell their stories? Who will care about them?

Americans of conscious must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will Americans say enough is enough, stop the killing!

Madam Speaker, every day, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. In Chicago, just this past weekend, some 37 people were shot--seven of them fatally. More than three dozen people were victims of incidents that included gang-related drive-bys, an attempted robbery and other flashes of violence.

During this weekend of violence, a 26-year-old was killed in his home, two teens on the same South Side street, and another man as he sat in the office of his plumbing business.

There must be a public outcry. We must do all we can to stop the senseless violence and death. We must all band together to stop the culture of violence and replace it with a culture of peace, respect and love.

Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will Americans say ``enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Madam Speaker, everyday, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. Sadly enough, one of the victims on March 29 was eighteen-year-old Chavez Clarke. This Chicago student was gunned down after Saturday classes at Simeon Career Academy, where Clarke was attending in hopes of graduating this summer.

One teenage gunman brought a gun to school because he knew security would be light, police said. Clarke's classmates were outraged. On April 1--instead of playing April Fool's Day pranks--three hundred anti-violence activists and Chicago Public Schools students joined local leaders in their fight for gun control.

If we, as adults, parents, and legislators don't hear the cries of our children, then, WE are the fools. Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will Americans say ``enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Madam Speaker, during the week of February 25-29, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from rollcall votes 69-87.

Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 69, H. Res. 978, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 70, H. Res. 930, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 71, H. Res. 944, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 74, H. Res. 974, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 75, H.R. 3521 the Sires of New Jersey Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 76, H.R. 3521 the Meek of Florida Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 81, H. Res. 1001, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 83, H.R. 5351 on Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 84, H.R. 5351, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 85, S. 2272, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 86, H.R. 4454, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 87, H.R. 4454.

Madam Speaker, during the week of March 3-7, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from rollcall votes 88-106.

Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 88, H.R. 1143, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 89, H.R. 1311, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 90, H.R. 816, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 91, H.R. 4191, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 92, H. Con. Res. 278, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 93, H. Res. 951, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 96, H. Res. 1014, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 97, H.R. 4774, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 98, H. Con. Res. 286, ``nay'' on rolicall vote 100, H.R. 1424 the Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 101, H.R. 1424, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 102, H.R. 5400, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 104, H. Res. 1015, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 105, H.R. 2857 the Flake of Arizona Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 106, H.R. 2857 the Inslee of Washington Amendment.

Madam Speaker, during the week of March 10-14, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from rollcall votes 108-145.

Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 108, H. Res. 537, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 109, H.R. 3196, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 110, H.R. 4166, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 115, H. Res. 924, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 116, Motion, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 117, H.R. 2082, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 118, H. Res. 948, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 119, H. Res. 493, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 122, H. Res. 1031, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 130, H. Res. 1036, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 131, H.R. 5563, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 132, H. Con. Res. 316, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 133, H. Res. 936, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 134, S. 2733, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 137, H. Con. Res. 312 Kilpatrick of Michigan Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 138, H. Con. Res. 312 Lee of California Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 140, H. Con. Res. 312 Ryan of Wisconsin Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 141, H. Con. Res. 312, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 142, H. Res. 991, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 143, H. Res. 1041 On Ordering the Previous Question, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 144, H. Res. 1041 On Agreeing to the Resolution, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 145, H.R. 3773.

Madam Speaker, during the week of March 31-April 4, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from rolicall votes 147-160.

Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 147, H.R. 3352, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 148, H.R. 2675, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 149, H. Con. Res. 302, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 150, H. Con. Res. 310, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 151, H. Res. 1005, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 152, H. Res. 1021, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 154, H. Res. 1065 On Ordering the Previous Question, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 155, H. Res. 1065 On Agreeing to the Resolution, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 156, H.R. 5501 Carson of Indiana Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 157, H.R. 5501 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 158, H.R. 5501 On Passage, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 159, H.R. 4847 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 160, H.R. 4847 On Passage.

Madam Speaker, during the week of April 7-11, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from rollcall votes 161-182.

Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 161, H.J. Res. 70, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 162, H.R. 2464, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 163, S. 793, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 164, H. Res. 1084 On Ordering the Previous Question, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 165, H. Res.

1084 On Agreeing to the Resolution, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 166, H. Res. 1077, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 167, H.R. 2016 the Grijalva of Arizona Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 168, H.R. 2016 the Bishop of Utah Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 169, H.R. 2016 the Bishop of Utah Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 170, H.R. 2016 the Bishop of Utah Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 171, H.R. 2016 the Altmire of Pennsylvania Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 172, H.R. 2016 the Pearce of New Mexico Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 173, H.R. 2016 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 174, H.R. 2016 On Passage, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 175, H.R. 2419, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 176, H.R. 5489, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 177, H.R. 5472, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 179, H. Res. 1083, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 180, H. Res. 1038, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 181, H. Res. 1092, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 182, H.R. 2537 the Flake of Arizona Amendment.

Madam Speaker, today, Americans across the country are engaging in a debate on whether or not they are bitter. Whether it's bitterness about guns or bitterness about the economy.

Madam Speaker, this debate is a diversion from the real issue of the plague of gun violence in our communities. I rise, today, to mourn the gun-related deaths of far too many young people who were students at Chicago's public schools. As of today, that number stands at 23-all but two of those deaths was due to gun violence.

That's 23 young people who, in the pursuit of what other families take for granted--getting an education--have to duck and cover just to learn how to read and write.

Shannon Brown, 17, is the latest student to die from a gunshot. Described by his younger brother, Keishawn, as a ``good big brother,'' Brown was a happy and responsible child who enjoyed school and hanging out with his friends. He became the victim of gun violence following a fist fight in his neighborhood.

Like a scene from a bad Hollywood movie, he stumbled toward his home, while bleeding profusely, and collapsed on the stairs. Last week, law enforcement captured his alleged assailant, the 26-year-old who Shannon had bested in the fist fight.

When will Americans say ``enough is enough? Stop the killings!

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a great American, a colleague and most importantly, a friend. Julia Carson made a career of serving the public and was a tireless fighter for the working men and women of Indiana. Representative Carson worked her way up to become a prominent member of Congress and achieved extraordinary goals by overcoming a difficult childhood and beating the odds. Though I am unable to physically vote on this bill, I am honored and humbled to support the dedication of the ``Mapleton Annex Post Office,'' in Indianapolis, IN, to Representative Carson.

This lifelong public servant will be remembered for her rise from poverty, her fighting spirit, and her great accomplishments, including her political victories. Among these achievements, Carson led Congress to pass a measure awarding Rosa Parks the Congressional Gold Medal, and she also cosponsored with Senator Richard Lugar legislation to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks on child health insurance.

Carson was the first African American to represent the 7th District and the second African-American woman elected to Congress from Indiana, after the late representative Katie Hall. Congresswoman Carson's memory and legacy will live on through her grandson Andre Carson, now representing the 7th Congressional District of Indiana.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to have known Congresswoman Carson and this dedication to her is a tangible reminder to the Indiana community of her legacy and political success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to and honor the Reverend Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., who delivered his final sermon on Sunday, February 10, 2008, as the Senior Pastor of the Trinity United Church of Christ of Chicago, IL.

Dr. Wright was born on September 22, 1941, in Philadelphia, PA to the union of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Sr. and Dr. Mary Henderson Wright. His parents were his earliest influences, instilling in him the possibility of balancing the intellectual with the spiritual. Upon completion of his elementary and secondary education in Philadelphia, Dr. Wright matriculated at Virginia Union University. After 3\1/2\ years at Virginia Union, Dr. Wright left school and entered the U.S. Marine Corps. He transferred from the USMC into the U.S. Navy where he served as a cardiopulmonary technician.

After 6 years with distinction in the military, Dr. Wright transferred to Howard University where he completed his undergraduate studies and received his first master's degree. His second master's degree was from the University of Chicago Divinity School and he furthered his academic pursuits with a doctorate from the United Theological Seminary. In addition to Dr. Wright's four earned degrees, he has been the recipient of eight honorary doctorates. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including three presidential commendations.

An accomplished musician, theologian and author, Wright has written four books, numerous articles and countless sermons and was named one of Ebony's top 15 preachers. Dr. Wright has lectured at seminaries and universities across the United States and has represented Trinity and The United Church of Christ around the world.

Dr. Wright became Pastor of Trinity UCC on March 1, 1972. Under his leadership, the membership grew from 87 members to nearly 10,000 today with over 70 ministries offered to enhance the Christian journey. Dr. Wright shares his life and ministry with his wife, Rev. Ramah Reed Wright, and is the father of five children and grandfather of three.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize the life achievements of Reverend Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., Senior Pastor of the Trinity United Church of Christ and I want to encourage Dr. Wright to continue to be ``Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian''. I am truly honored to pay tribute to this outstanding Servant of God and I am privileged to enter these words into the Congressional Record of the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor to speak on what I call ``The Daily 45.''

The Department of Justice reports that on average, every day here in America, 45 people are shot and killed in a fit of revenge, robbery or troubled relationships. These are more than our soldiers who are killed in Iraq and Afghanistan each and every day.

Today I reflect on a story that has captured the hearts and the minds of Chicago area residents. On Saturday, February 2, the day began like any other day for six unsuspecting women. Five of these women, customers and workers at a Lane Bryant clothing store in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, were heartlessly murdered during an apparent midday botched robbery attempt by an assailant wielding a gun.

37-year-old Connie Woolfolk, 42-year-old Rhoda McFarland, 22-year-old Sarah Szafranski, 33-year-old Carrie Hudek Chiuso, and 34-year-old Jennifer Bishop should not be forgotten. Neither should we forget the sixth woman who was shot in the neck, but survived.

When will America say, ``Enough is enough''? Stop the killings.

Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor of the House today to address the issue of gun-related violence and deaths in America. Last Thursday, the first day I began this series of statements on the plague of gun violence that's sweeping our country, two more gun-related incidents captured the Nation's attention.

In Portsmouth, Ohio, an estranged husband shot and then stabbed his wife to death on the schoolhouse steps. She was a fifth grade teacher, and she died in front of her students.

The second incident that grabbed headlines that day occurred during a city council meeting in Kirkwood, Missouri. In that suburban town, the assailant took the lives of five innocent people. A sixth victim, Kirkwood Mayor Michael Swoboda, is still clinging to life. And so in a sign of respect for the victims, Kenneth Yost, police officers Tom Ballman and William Biggs, and council members Michael Lynch and Connie Carr of Kirkwood as well as teacher Christi Layne of Portsmouth, I enter these six names in the Record.

When will America join me in saying, Enough is enough? Stop the killings.

Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to speak about an issue that is very close to my heart personally as a father and American and as a Member of Congress. There is a plague across this Nation that has taken the lives of hundreds of thousands of American citizens, and it is disturbing and upsetting that there is no public outcry over the destruction that it leaves in its path. The plague is urban violence.

Mr. Speaker, over the Christmas break I was shocked by a piece of news that I saw on ``Nightline'' which detailed how medics who are sent to Iraq are honing their skills by working in urban hospitals attending to gunshot victims.

The documentary went on to say that over 75 African American and Latino males are killed in our inner cities on a daily basis. Over 75 Latinos and American males are killed on a daily basis in American streets, a number that dwarfs the number of fatalities, Iraqi and American, that are suffered in the war zone.

Mr. Speaker, we must break this silence and stop this violence. It is time to stop the killing, stop the violence.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to introduce a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld in recognition of their outstanding service to the Nation as co-founders and co-directors of the Innocence Project.

Madam Speaker, the Innocence Project is responsible for exonerating 210 innocent individuals who were on Death Row. In my home State of Illinois, through their work in the Innocence Project, Mr. Scheck and Mr. Neufeld have helped free 27 innocent individuals. Twenty-seven, Madam Speaker, twenty-seven individuals that if not for the work of these two men and their colleagues may be dead right now.

Dead for crimes they did not commit.

Madam Speaker, in addition to helping with wrongful convictions Mr. Scheck and Mr. Neufeld have worked to create clinics across the country that help prove the innocence of the wrongfully convicted. Furthermore, their work through the Innocence Project has been instrumental in encouraging States across the country to reform their death penalty systems. These reforms range from preservation of evidence, to providing access to DNA evidence for convicted individuals.

Madam Speaker, even today the inconsistencies and injustice of the death penalty system continues to come to light.

A recent study by the American Bar Association illustrates the very problems that the work of these two men hopes to counter. For example, the ABA study found that:

``States are not requiring that crime laboratories and medical examiner offices be accredited'';

States ``are failing to provide for the appointment of counsel in post-conviction proceedings'';

``Most states fail to require that the jury be instructed that it may impose a life sentence if a juror does not believe that the defendant should receive the death penalty'';

``Every state studied appears to have significant racial disparities in its capital system, particularly those associated with the race of the victim''; and

``States do not formally commute a death sentence upon a finding that the inmate is incompetent to proceed on factual matters requiring the inmate's input''.

As illustrated by this small sampling, these injustices are so grave, Madam Speaker, that the ABA--an organization normally silent in regards to the death penalty--has called for a nationwide moratorium.

Madam Speaker, in light of such regular occurrences of injustice in our system, it is important now more than ever to celebrate the work of individuals who are correcting the ills in our judicial system.

I encourage my colleagues to join me in bestowing upon Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld the Congressional Gold Medal. Their work to ensure that we, as a country, remain a nation devoted still to ``truth, justice, and the American way'' is admirable and must be recognized.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1216) to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to reduce the incidence of child injury and death occurring inside or outside of light motor vehicles, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I want to commend my colleague and my friend from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) for the bill on the floor today, H.R. 1216, the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007. As vice chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, her leadership on consumer protection issues is highly valued in this Congress.

I also want to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. King) for his bipartisan cosponsorship.

Madam Speaker, Ms. Schakowsky will speak more fully on her bill, but briefly, H.R. 1216 sets mandatory safety standards for automobiles for nontraffic, noncrash-related accidents. Such accidents include children being backed over by a vehicle, strangled by power windows or inadvertently shifting a car into gear and rolling it into an accident. H.R. 1216 is a bipartisan bill that has been negotiated with consumer groups and the auto industry and is worthy of quick passage on the Suspension Calendar today.

Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote by Members of this body.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky), the author of the legislation and the Vice Chair of the subcommittee.

Madam Speaker, it's my pleasure to now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), the chairman of the full committee, my friend.

(Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, 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 (H.R. 4040) to establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for children's products and to reauthorize and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days 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.

Madam Speaker, today is indeed a grand day. Today is a day that we show the American people that this Congress, this House of Representatives, gets things done. Today the House will vote on sweeping bipartisan legislation that will protect our children from defective and dangerous toys and comprehensively reforms the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The bill before us today, H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act of 2007, was introduced by Chairman Dingell, Ranking Member Barton, Ranking Member Stearns, and myself. This historic bill authorizes desperately needed resources to the commission and dramatically rewrites the Consumer Product Safety Act as well as the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, both of which are administered by the CPSC. After decades of neglect, H.R. 4040 finally restores the CPSC to its rightful place of prominence and gives it the necessary tools to grapple with the global marketplace and protect America's consumers, particularly our children, from dangerous and defective products.

This bill represents 8 months of work, five hearings, a subcommittee markup, and a full committee markup in which the final vote was 51-0. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, I am extremely proud of our collective efforts during this entire process.

H.R. 4040 has two titles. Title I specifically addresses children's products by establishing the strictest lead standards in the world for children's products and requiring certification

and testing. Title II overhauls the CPSC itself, giving the beleaguered agency much-needed resources and strengthening its underlying organic statute. At both the subcommittee and full committee markups, the bill underwent significant changes: We strengthened the lead standard, raised the age requirement for mandatory testing to 12 years of age, required CPSC to appropriately tailor their corrective action plans to fit consumer needs, bestowed enforcement authority to State attorneys general, banned corporate-sponsored travel for CPSC employees, and preserved State common law rights of action.

All of these excellent changes were made at the behest of the members of the Energy and Commerce Committee who offered their valuable input on how to make this underlying bill even better.

Madam Speaker, I cannot emphasize enough the bipartisan nature of this bill. From the very beginning, we drafted this bill in consultation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, consumer groups, and industry. Madam Speaker, I want to sincerely thank the distinguished chairman of the full Committee on Energy and Commerce, my dear friend from Michigan, Mr. John Dingell, for his unparalleled leadership. This bill simply would not be possible without Chairman Dingell's guidance. Of course, I want to thank my friends, the distinguished ranking member of the committee, Mr. Barton; and the ranking member of the subcommittee, Mr. Stearns, for their incredible leadership and unwavering cooperation.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this historic bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlelady from Connecticut, the vice chairman of the Democratic Caucus, Ms. DeLauro.

I want to thank the gentleman.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from California (Ms. Harman).

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure now to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlelady from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Carney).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I yield myself 15 seconds.

Madam Speaker, I just want to take a moment to commend the work of the staffs on both sides of the aisle. We have a dedicated, hardworking staff that has done tremendous work over the weekends and into the wee hours of the morning. They have made it possible for this outstanding bill to come before this Congress for the American people. I want to commend them for their outstanding work.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano).

(Mr. SERRANO asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure and my privilege to yield such time as we have remaining to the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell).

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

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

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 1176, I was unable to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''