Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 392) congratulating the Detroit Shock for winning the 2003 Women's National Basketball Association championship.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 392, the resolution under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 392 congratulates the Detroit Shock for winning the 2003 Women's National Basketball Association championship; and first of all, I would like to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) for introducing this resolution, and I also want to thank all of my fellow colleagues from the Michigan delegation who have joined me in cosponsoring H. Res. 392.

Mr. Speaker, on September 16, 2003, the Detroit Shock defeated the 2- time defending champion Los Angeles Sparks to win their first WNBA championship. The Shock team is comprised of a wonderful group of women who continue the strong tradition of professional basketball in Michigan. In fact, the Shock are coached by one of the leaders of the 2-time NBA champion Detroit Pistons, the ultimate bad boy, the baddest of the bad boys, Bill Laimbeer.

Under the leadership of Coach Bill Laimbeer and of his staff of Laurie Byrd, Pamela McGee, and Korie Hlede, the Detroit Shocks made an unbelievable turnaround during the 2003 season to become champions. The team won 25 games last summer, after winning only nine games the year previously.

In an era where some athletes are embroiled in steroid scandals, salary contract negotiations, and legal battles, the women of the Detroit Shocks, and I think the entire WNBA serve as a valuable role model to millions of young girls. I applaud every member of the Shock roster for their dedication and for their hard work, and I thank them for their commitment to our community. Even though they are champions on the court, each member of the team is a champion in her own right off the court as well.

Mr. Speaker, the Detroit Shocks have made the metropolitan Detroit area and the great State of Michigan proud. In fact, 22,076 fans attended the final game of the season, which was a new attendance record for the WNBA. Three of their players, Cheryl Ford, Swin Cash, and Deanna Nolan were named to the all-WNBA second team; and Ruth Riley 2003 WNBA finals MVP. But unlike many professional teams in sports today, there are no individuals on this team. They are simply the Detroit Shocks, and they are champions.

Mr. Speaker, I support House Resolution 392.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 475) congratulating the San Jose Earthquakes for winning the 2003 Major League Soccer Cup.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 475.

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

Mr. Speaker, last November, in the championship match of the 2003 Major League Soccer season, the San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Chicago Fire 4 to 2. The win clinched the Earthquakes' second MLS title in three seasons. House Resolution 475 deservedly congratulates the San Jose Earthquakes for winning the Major League Soccer Cup. With this championship, San Jose became only the second team in MLS history to win two Cups.

Mr. Speaker, throughout the long soccer season, the steady leadership of Coach Frank Yallop guided the Earthquakes to 14 wins. And after winning the MLS Western Conference crown during the regular season, the Earthquakes rallied from behind in both the Conference Semifinals and the Conference Championship matches to reach the Championship. In the final match, the Earthquakes outlasted the Chicago Fire in the highest scoring MLS Cup final ever, winning 4 to 2.

Mr. Speaker, Coach Yallop earned his second MLS Cup with the victory, and he became the second coach in league history to lead two championship teams. Also noteworthy, the Earthquakes' star forward Landon Donovan became the first player to score two goals in an MLS Cup final match. He earned the MLS Cup's Most Valuable Player award for his performance.

Mr. Speaker, the 2003 season was certainly one to remember for the San Jose Earthquakes' players, for their coaches, for their support staff, and

their fans. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda) for working to congratulate the champs of Major League Soccer, the San Jose Earthquakes, and I strongly support House Resolution 475.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 287) recognizing and honoring the life of the late Raul Julia, his dedication to ending world hunger, and his great contributions to the Latino community and the performing arts.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Con. Res. 287, the concurrent resolution under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Government Reform, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 287 that recognizes and honors the life of Raul Julia.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution celebrates the contributions of one of the most dynamic actors of our time. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in March of 1940, Raul Julia began his incredible theatrical career at a very young age. He moved to New York City in 1964 to pursue his livelihood on a grander stage, and he quickly landed parts in a number of Spanish-language productions.

Raul Julia made his Broadway debut 4 years later in 1968 in a show called The Cuban Thing. He capitalized on his Broadway success to acquire a role as Rafael, the Fix-It Man on Sesame Street in 1971, but it was later that year when Julia earned his breakthrough part. He played Proteus in his first Shakespeare drama, two Gentlemen of Verona, for which he earned his first of four Tony Award nominations. Ultimately, Julia became a feature film star as well, starring most prominently in Kiss of the Spider Woman in 1985 and The Addams Family movies in the early 1990s.

Mr. Speaker, while we may best know Raul Julia for his elegance and success as an actor, this resolution appropriately emphasizes Raul Julia's remarkable humanitarian legacy. Julia worked closely with the Hunger Project, which is a nonprofit aid organization, to create the Raul Julia Ending Hunger Fund. Julia worked hard with very little fanfare to recruit individual and business sponsors to contribute to the fund for the purpose of providing food to the hungry worldwide. He was a diligent spokesman for both the Hunger Project, as well as the Raul Julia Ending Hunger Fund, and his efforts are worthy of commendation by this House.

In 1994, Raul Julia's noteworthy life was cut tragically short when he suddenly suffered a severe stroke and died shortly afterwards at the age of 54. However, I am very pleased that the House is remembering Raul Julia's legacy by considering this legislation today, and I urge all Members to support its adoption.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Illinois for his work to recognize Raul Julia.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Having no other speakers at this time, I simply urge all Members to support the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 287, and I thank the gentleman from Illinois for introducing it.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3690) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2 West Main Street in Batavia, New York, as the ``Barber Conable Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 3690, the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3690 that designates the post office in Batavia, New York, as the Barber Conable Post Office Building. All members of the New York State delegation have cosponsored this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, Barber B. Conable, Junior, was a wonderfully respected member of this body who served 10 terms from 1965 until 1985. His distinguished professional career included stints as president of the World Bank, as a Congressman, a New York State senator, an attorney, U.S. Marine Corps reservist, as well as a World War II veteran.

Barber Conable sadly passed away last November at the age of 81. This legislation will rename the post office in Batavia, New York, after him, in a town that he represented both in Congress and as a State senator as well for so many years.

Mr. Speaker, Barber Conable was perhaps best known for serving one 5- year term as president of the World Bank from July of 1986 until July of 1991. His commitment to fighting poverty all over the world made him a compassionate conservative who was well ahead of his time. Upon his passing, current World Bank president James Wolfensohn said that Barber Conable ``was a remarkable leader whose concern for the poor and passion to help improve their lives marked his tenure at the Bank.''

In the Congress, Barber Conable toiled away for many years as a minority member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, ultimately rising to the post of ranking member. For nearly a decade, he was the House Republican Party standard-bearer on taxes, trade and Social Security.

Because he served in the minority, he often tried to use his wit to grab the attention of Members and others. The Congressman once mused, What is power? All it is is influence, and as long as people listen when I talk, I have got influence.

Unquestionably, people did listen when Congressman Conable talked. A Cornell law school-educated lawyer, he was a persuasive, confident speaker who often spoke completely off the cuff when debating intricate tax policy in the committee. Overall, political columnist George Will matter-of-factly stated, There has never been a better Congressman.

On behalf of the author of this legislation, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Reynolds), I want to extend the sincere sympathy of all Members of this House to the family of Barber Conable, especially to his wife Charlotte and his four children, Anne, Emily, Sam and Jane. I want to assure them that Barber Conable will never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for his work on H.R. 3690.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Reynolds), my distinguished colleague and the sponsor of H.R. 3690.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to simply urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 3690.

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

Mr. Speaker, tonight President Bush will offer his optimistic vision for our great Nation.

President Bush has been a remarkably strong leader in trying times. He inherited an economy headed into recession and took very bold action. He cut taxes for every American and softened the blow of tough economic times. He extended prescription drug benefits and coverage to our Nation's seniors who depend on Medicare. He was faced with unprecedented terrorist attacks that threatened our freedom. He did not sit back. He did not appease, as some have advocated. Instead, he took the fight to the terrorists, and America now has the initiative in the war on terror.

The President's policies are getting America back to work. His policies will further grow our economy and create jobs. His policies will expand educational opportunities for our children. His policies will work to ensure that quality health care is available to every American.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud of our great President and look forward to hearing his positive views for our Nation this evening.

Mr. Speaker, if we needed any more proof of an improving economy following last week's outstanding economic growth figures, we just got it. The manufacturing sector of our economy, which is important to so many States, including my home State of Michigan, appears to be turning around with a vengeance.

October's indices showed manufacturing expanding more rapidly than at any time since January of 2000. The report also showed new orders for manufactured goods, the key to future growth, are at their highest levels since 1999. Overall construction spending has reached its highest level ever. Existing home sales are at record highs. And, of course, this morning we got the greatest news of all: unemployment fell in October and the economy created 126,000 new jobs.

Every American should be happy. The Bush tax cuts are working; the economy is on the rise. But what is the response to all this good news from my friends on the other side of the aisle? More pessimism. More gloom and doom. Mr. Speaker, I am beginning to wonder if they view good economic news as good news at all.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. I rise today to support H.R. 1829.

I think most Americans would be surprised, and I dare say appalled, to know that the Federal Government has been using their tax dollars to engage in business which literally takes jobs away from hardworking men and women, away from law-abiding citizens who obey the laws of our Nation, who pay their taxes, try to raise their families, and the Federal Government takes their jobs away to give those jobs to convicted felons. Yes, that is the brutal reality of this. The Federal Government taking away jobs from taxpayers and giving those jobs to prisoners who are housed and fed by those same taxpayers.

It sounds too ridiculous to be true, but believe it. Because some think we need to put prisoners' rights ahead of the rights of tax- paying American citizens, and they say that these poor prisoners are doing hard time and they need to be taught a skill. Let me say that hard time is a time that one is unemployed while they helplessly watch goods that they once proudly made now being made by prisoners who can produce the same product at a lower price because their overhead is being paid for by the Federal Government.

And some would say what is the harm? Why not keep prisoners busy? That is an important thing for us to do, who cares? Well, go to west Michigan and talk to the thousands of unemployed workers who have lost their jobs because their own government has conspired against them and ask them if they mind. A once vital industry in Michigan has been decimated, the furniture industry. Not because the workers did not have a high degree of productivity, not because the quality of their products was inferior, not because their company wanted to ship those jobs to China or to Mexico. It has been devastated because the Federal Government has totally forgotten what the purpose of government is and, in fact, has actually, in the very height of arrogance, declared an unfair trade war against its own citizens.

These companies are not even allowed to competitively compete for those contracts. Rather, they are given to criminals because of some misguided notion of rehabilitation.

I am not a corrections expert. I admit that. But I do know that I could think of plenty of other rehabilitation outlets rather than assisting felons from, one more time, taking advantage of law-abiding citizens.

I urge my colleagues to do the right thing, to do the decent thing, to change a law that is un-American, and vote for H.R. 1829.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is Halloween, which means tricks and treats for every American. Today, our economy received a treat of its own, thanks to President Bush's pro-jobs agenda and economic growth tax cuts. For instance, the economy grew at a staggering 7.2 percent in the third quarter, the fastest pace since 1984. In addition, consumer confidence is on the rise, thanks in large part to a more favorable job market and a belief that this trend will continue.

These are some pretty good treats for the American people and for our economy. But the Democratic candidates for President are offering some pretty frightening tricks. For example, every one of them wants to repeal some or all of the Bush tax cuts. That trick on our people will take the steam out of our robust recovery and kill new job growth.

To the American people I say, be very careful when you are examining who should lead our Nation, because the tricks being offered up are downright scary. Happy Halloween.

Mr. Speaker, today we are debating an issue that has tremendous consequences, certainly for America, for Iraq, for the entire world. After the absolutely horrific attacks on our Nation of the 9/11, I think the al Qaeda thought America would respond by perhaps shooting off a few cruise missiles and go right back to our couches watching the football games. They calculated that Americans would not have the political will to respond; that we would be afraid that if we did respond, that terrorists might ratchet up their attacks against us.

Well, they calculated wrong. They seriously underestimated the resolve of the American people, and they most certainly did not understand an American President who was not afraid, who was willing to take the fight to them. They never expected Afghanistan, and they certainly never expected Iraq.

Today, we have successfully removed the regimes of both the Taliban and of Saddam Hussein, and, as we continue to successfully prosecute the war on terror, as we liberate millions of people, as we continue to export freedom and democracy and liberty across the world, the burden is on us to recognize that we are at a pivotal moment in world history, that we face the task of either stabilizing and ensuring a free Iraq, a democratic Iraq, or not. We need to decide if this war was truly about liberation and not occupation, or let the enemies of freedom point to the United States and say, see, they never really meant it, that this really was about the oil after all, anyway.

Conflict with Saddam was never optional; it was only a matter of when. And if we would have waited, the cost would surely be higher, both in terms of dollars as well as in terms of human life.

Our mission in Iraq has been incredibly successful, and that success has translated in mitigation against future terrorist attacks whose cost cannot be calculated. Today, the entire world watches this vote, and the citizens of the world will be trying to decipher the message that we are sending.

I say the message that we should send is that America is there to help. America will not cut and run. America is serious about assisting them to build their own democracy.

The world is watching us now. We must not fail.

Pass the supplemental.

Mr. Speaker, last week we received very exciting and positive news that the Bush economic plan is working. Both business and individuals are seeing an upturn in the economy. In September, payrolls increased by 57,000 jobs, showing increased confidence on behalf of job providers. Personal income and personal spending were both up, indicating increased consumer confidence in the economy. Clearly, the tax cuts are working, and our economy is improving.

But we do have more work to do. We must pass a comprehensive energy policy to help fuel our economy. We must open more markets abroad to export our manufactured goods. We must rein in out-of-control litigation, which is a hidden tax on our economy. We must make health care more affordable for families and businesses. And, finally, we must make the Bush tax cuts permanent so that there is certainty for families and small businesses as the recovery moves forward.

We know what we have to do to further expand our economy. It is time to get the job done.

Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 408, to provide for the expansion of the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore, of course in my home State, the great State of Michigan. I also want to thank my colleagues, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Camp) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) for offering this legislation.

As an avid Great Lakes sailor, I have been privileged to enjoy the natural beauty of our shoreline of my home State from both the land as well as the water. I am committed to preserving and protecting our lakeshore so that others can come to see the breathtaking splendor that we know as Michigan.

No part of our lakeshore is more spectacular than the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. Congress established the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore in 1970 to preserve this national treasure along the shores of Lake Michigan for all time.

For generations, Michigan citizens and tourists from around the Nation and the world have come to the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes to enjoy the spectacular beauty of our shoreline and to enjoy the forest and the wildlife that this area does have to offer.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes were actually created by the retreat of the glaciers from the area, and they rise 400 feet above Lake Michigan. They offer an incredible view of this wonderful lake, and it is difficult, I think, to imagine a more beautiful view anywhere in the Nation.

In addition to the view offered atop the dunes, families can also explore beech and maple forests, beautiful meadows, wetlands lakes and streams. Wildlife is bountiful all over the park there. We have over 160 different species of birds nesting in the area, as well as red fox, coyotes, and our Michigan white-tailed deer.

The expansion of this park, I believe, is needed to preserve even more of the surrounding beach front for future generations to enjoy. Most people do not know that in Michigan, actually, we have 2,242 miles of shoreline and another 879 miles, if the islands are included as well. We actually have the longest shoreline, outside of Alaska. This actually equals the length of the Atlantic coast, if you think about it, from Maine to Florida. So the Great Lakes shoreline is an important part of our identity.

I just want to demonstrate how important the Sleeping Bear Dunes actually are to the State of Michigan. This is a children's book. At one time it was the best-selling children's book in the entire State of Michigan. It tells the old Indian legend of the Sleeping Bear Dunes, where the mother bear and her two cubs were swimming across Lake Michigan, and the mother bear made it to the Sleeping Bear Dunes area, and the two cubs did not. They became North and South Manitou. But this is a wonder, wonderful children's book. It is the kind of children's story that we talk to our children about in Michigan when we put them to sleep at night.

So, really, the Sleeping Bear Dunes is such a critical part of our identity in Michigan. I certainly urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, today marks another watershed moment in the liberation of the Iraqi people. Today, the children of Iraq return to school. Only this year, things will be much different. When they enter their schoolroom, for the first time in their lives, they will not have their oppressor staring at them from a picture on the wall. Nor will they be subject to torture and prison for not swearing allegiance to that oppressor. For the first time they will be free to learn. They will be focused on reading, writing and arithmetic, not on hate, incitement, and brutality forced on them by the former dictator.

Operation Iraqi Freedom has brought freedom to the children of Iraq. They will now be free to learn, free to achieve, and free to help build a new society based on freedom, which is now a reality.

For all of those who question whether we have been successful in Iraq, I ask that they look at the faces of the Iraqi children who will be tasting freedom for the first time in their young lives and ask if they would be better off with Saddam staring at them from a wall.

Today is a day to celebrate the freedom of Iraqi children and the hope for a new generation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3011) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 135 East Olive Avenue in Burbank, California, as the ``Bob Hope Post Office Building''.

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

Mr. Speaker, this House justifiably honors numerous Americans each Congress, many of whom we know well and others who are less famous; but we may never pay tribute to anyone who selflessly devoted more time and energy toward promoting the general welfare in this country than the incomparable Bob Hope.

This legislation, H.R. 3011, introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff), designates the postal facility in Burbank, California, as the Bob Hope Post Office Building, and all 53 members of the California State delegation have signed on as cosponsors of this legislation.

Bob Hope lived a wonderful life that spanned one full century. Towards the end of his life he was perhaps the biggest giant in the American entertainment industry; and whether it was vaudeville or Broadway, TV, movies or radio, America grew up with Bob Hope during the 20th century, and we laughed all the way.

The legendary star of radio, television and film was born in Eltham, England, on May 29, 1903. The Hope family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, when Bob was 4, and he became a United States citizen in 1920. With his passing on July 27, 2003, the country that he loved and gave so much to mourned.

This Nation can never repay Bob Hope or his family for his commitment or his love of country. But with the passage of H.R. 3011, this House can speak for the citizens of this land in saying, ``You were a great American, Bob Hope. Thank you.''

The son of a stonecutter and an aspiring singer and entertainer, Bob Hope exemplifies the American Dream. To supplement his income when he began working in his teenage years, Bob began to follow in his mother's footsteps by doing some singing in nearby restaurants. Finally, he learned the art of vaudeville, and by 1928 he had adopted his stage name Bob Hope.

Bob eventually secured a variety show on NBC radio that lasted 18 years. By 1940, it was the most widely listened-to show in America. In 1950, he signed an exclusive TV deal which spawned a partnership that lasted more than 40 years and produced hundreds of programs and specials. On the big screen, he costarred with Hollywood legends like Bing Crosby, Shirley Ross, Paulette Goddard, and Dorothy Lamour during his movie career that lasted from the late 1930s through the Forties and Fifties. Before it was all over, he had starred in 75 motion pictures, nearly 500 television shows, and literally thousands of radio programs.

However, most Americans remember Bob best for his performances for the U.S. troops through the United Service Organization. During the early years of World War II, in 1941, he visited troops stationed in California to tape his radio show. After doing both radio and television shows over nearly five decades for U.S. troops located all over the globe, Bob Hope performed in front of troops for the last time in 1990 for servicemen and women readying to fight in the Persian Gulf War. Over the years, he traveled to bring a little bit of home to American soldiers abroad in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

The gift that Bob Hope gave to the soldiers defending our freedom is priceless. In a time of great danger, the soldiers were entertained and were able to escape the trying times of their lives just for a moment. Mr. Speaker, Bob Hope expressed the love of a Nation for the men and women risking their lives for all of us back at home. He touched the lives of these brave men and women because he knew that they were fighting for us, for our freedoms.

Bob Hope passed away at 100 years of age, and we all greatly miss him. But he passed away serenely one evening. In fact, to quote his daughter, Linda, she said, ``I don't think you could have asked for a more peaceful, beautiful death. And I think all the good vibes my father put out during his lifetime came back to take him up.''

There is little that can be said that has not been said about what a wonderful person Bob was. He was given 54 honorary doctorates, the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, and was even knighted by his native Great Britain. But today, I am sincerely proud that we have a chance to say just a few more words about Bob and his legacy.

Every American owes Bob a little something for his contributions to the fabric of this Nation. It is certainly appropriate that this House give at least a little bit back to Bob Hope by naming after him this post office in Burbank, California, where the NBC Studios are located, a place we all know he spent much of his career.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to vote for the passage of H.R. 3011 that commemorates the matchless life of Bob Hope, and I congratulate the gentleman from California for his work on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to simply say that this is truly a worthwhile measure, and I want to again commend the gentleman from California for his work on it. I certainly urge all my colleagues to support the passage of this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 357) honoring the life and legacy of Bob Hope.

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

Mr. Speaker, this resolution, of which I am a very proud cosponsor, honors the life and legacy of Bob Hope. He dedicated his life to the Nation he loved, and with House Resolution 357 we in Congress can honor his life.

Bob Hope not only entertained America, he contributed to the welfare of our society through his generosity. He donated more than $1 billion to hospitals and charities and civic organizations. He donated his time, and he risked his life for the benefit of his fellow citizens serving in the Armed Forces.

Throughout his life, he gave of himself to others. He represented the United States and its citizens selflessly. This Nation is blessed to have had the pleasure of knowing him. ``Bob, thanks for the memories.''

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller), the sponsor of this well-deserved resolution, and I commend him for his work on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 357.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support adoption of H. Res. 357. I congratulate the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) for shepherding this through the committee process, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support today of H.R. 13, the Museum and Library Services Act. I would like to thank my distinguished colleague and friend, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) for introducing this legislation. His leadership on education issues has been instrumental, quite frankly, in preparing our Nation's youth for their future and for ensuring a high quality of life in our communities.

As a cosponsor of H.R. 13, I urge my colleagues to pass this very important legislation. The Museum and Library Services Act does more than simply authorize funds. It improves the efficiency and delivery of the services that libraries and museums supply to facilitate access to important resources such as reference materials, classical literature and the Internet also.

In addition, this legislation coordinates services offered by libraries and museums so they can match these goals outlined in No Child Left Behind. By giving these great institutions the tools they need to maximize their impact on schools and communities, this House can confirm its commitment to ensure that, indeed, no child is left behind.

The effect of libraries and museums on education cannot be overlooked, but we must also examine the role these institutions play in improving the quality of life of the communities that they serve. Libraries and museums are cultural centers and meeting places for friends and for families. They are foundations of learning and of entertainment. We must support these institutions so that they can continue to support our community.

Mr. Speaker, I found it imperative that I speak today on H.R. 13. As my distinguished colleague had mentioned, as Michigan's former Secretary of State, actually part of my responsibilities for 7 years was serving as Official Historian of the great State of Michigan and the department I oversaw had jurisdiction, of course, over the Michigan Historical Center. This center is truly one of the greatest cultural assets in our State, and so I have firsthand knowledge of the great work of our State's libraries and of our museums, and with the passage of H.R. 13, these institutions will be able to continue their great work.

In October of this year, the Clinton-Macomb Public Library will be dedicating its new main library back in my home County of Macomb. This facility will be the largest library in Macomb County and actually will be the seventh largest library building in our great State of Michigan.

The services of this new state-of-the-art library, some that they will provide, are simply remarkable. Not only will it have the newest technology that is available, but the library will enact a 24-hour delivery system. This will actually be the first of its kind in the world. Additionally, its automated sorting will be only one of 10 in the United States.

The Clinton-Macomb Public Library will be more than a collection of books or microfilm, its children services have been designed to meet the literacy needs of our children with a strong focus on pre- schoolers. The new library will include learning centers for children and there will be computers with educational software designed to inspire learning in young children.

In addition, new technology will be available to all library users regardless of age. The construction of this library is truly a great thing. With the advent of the Internet many believed that libraries would be a thing of the past. The Clinton-Macomb Public Library is proof positive that this is not true. Instead, the demands for services provided by libraries has absolutely exploded. It has expanded. The libraries and museums are often on the cutting edge in utilization of technology as a tool for customer service.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation is good government. It supports the institutions that positively affect the lives of our citizens, and in a time when our children are exposed to so many things that are negative, libraries and museums offer services and resources that help our children grow and learn.

I was proud to cosponsor this bill. I was proud to vote in favor of this bill in March of this year, and I am certainly proud to speak in favor of the bill today.