Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 15 seconds before yielding to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Barrett).

I want to say, this is an important debate, but only in Washington when we spend nearly $2 million more for veterans do people call it a ``cut.'' And when my colleagues talk about tax cuts, 5 percent of the American people pay 50 percent of the taxes, and 50 percent of the American people pay 96.3 percent of the taxes.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Barrett).

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 15 seconds to say we cut taxes to generate economic activity. In this budget, we are looking to have no tax increase for the next 5 years.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart).

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 15 seconds. I would say to my colleague who was speaking that he had me until he started to remind me of all the new spending that the gentleman advocated in the farm bill. The two most tragic things that happened, in my judgment, is we broke the budget with the farm bill, and then we saw the steel quotas.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 5\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hensarling).

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1 minute.

I would like to read a quote of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm). He said, ``I promise on this floor and again tonight, I will to the best of my ability and knowledge not vote for one penny more spending than President Bush asked us to spend, period. But let us stop blaming spending unless my colleagues are willing to control spending, and that means all spending. We cannot just pick out that which we like because in the economy it is all spending.''

My only point to my colleague is, he is against deficits but he finds ways to spend more on the farm bill. And I understand it; he is sensitive to the farmer.

I just want to make the point that I understand where my colleague is coming from. We all have programs we like, but when we had the farm bill, which we are not opening up, I had a problem as an easterner because I knew it was breaking the budget. But it was a program he liked and he had passion for it, and I understand it. That is the problem with this place. We all have the programs we like.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 5\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Ferguson).

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 10 seconds just to point out to the gentleman, we are not cutting veterans, we are increasing it nearly $2 billion. Only in Washington when you spend $2 billion more do people still keep calling it a ``cut.''

Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. Speaker, the recent horrific terrorist attacks on commuter trains in Madrid, Spain tragically underscored the vulnerability of railroad and mass transit systems to terrorist attacks. It is time we identify these vulnerabilities and make the necessary changes to improve our safety.

Congressman Ruppersberger and I have introduced the Anti-Terrorism Mass Transportation and Railroad Carrier Act of 2004, which is the companion legislation to a bill introduced by Senator Sessions in the Senate. This bill takes tangible steps to protect the millions of Americans who use our transit systems and increase punishment if a terrorist is able to conduct an attack.

Under current law, an attack on a train is treated differently than an attack on any other mass transit system. We believe clear federal jurisdiction is needed to send the message to would-be terrorists: they will face the full force of law. Under our bill, perpetrators would face up to 20 years in prison if an attack causes material damage to a railroad or mass transit system, and the death penalty if the attack results in any deaths.

Our bill would also broaden the definition of ``domestic and international terrorism'' to provide law enforcement with tools to combat and prevent attacks on mass transportation and railroads. Specifically, our bill would make it easier for law enforcement officials to detect and disrupt terrorist plots against mass transit systems in the planning phases by allowing the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications if sufficient evidence existed.

Mr. Speaker, we need to deal with the terrorist threat in a forceful, decisive manner. While much remains to be done to improve railroad security in our country, this bill takes an important first step.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 557.

A year ago this week a remarkably successful military campaign began against Saddam Hussein's brutal dictatorship. As we honor the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who waged this battle and the Iraqi people who strive to establish a free and open society, we reflect on the tremendous sacrifice they have made and on the hard work that remains to be done.

We knew ridding the world of Saddam Hussein and introducing democracy to Iraq was not going to be easy. During four trips to Iraq since April, I have seen the strength and courage of our forces as they worked alongside Iraqis rebuilding schools by day, and risking their lives patrolling those same streets by night.

At the 1-year anniversary of military action, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the men and women of our military who continue to sacrifice in Iraq. We also honor the Iraqi people who, by signing an interim constitution, have taken a bold step in the pursuit of freedom.

Mr. Speaker, in passing the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) back in 1995, Congress affirmed a very important principle: if a law is right for the private sector and the rest of the federal government, it is right for Congress.

In passing CAA, we brought ourselves under 11 labor and employment laws from which we had previously been exempt, but it has become clear our work is not complete.

Today, we introduced the Congressional Accountability Enhancement Act to try to further curtail the double standard that exists between Congress and the private sector by bringing Congress under even more of the laws it has passed for the rest of the country.

Specifically, the CAA omitted Title II of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits racial discrimination in places of public accommodation--like Member's offices or the Capitol building--to Congress. Additionally, CAA did not include whistleblower protections or require that the disabled have equal access to all electronic information, like Members' websites and committee hearing broadcasts.

In addition to extending these important protections, the Congressional Accountability Enhancement Act would ensure Legislative Branch employees are protected from discrimination or termination for serving jury duty, declaring bankruptcy or having their wages garnished for debt--protections inadvertently excluded from CAA.

We don't tolerate those kinds of discrimination in the private sector, and we certainly should not make excuses for them here in Congress. We have a responsibility as the Nation's lawmakers not only to lead by example, but also to share the burden we ask others to bear.

The bottom line is, Congress should not be above the law. Our bill will help ensure we live by the laws we've passed.

Mr. Chairman, I believe people competing for a job should be judged on the strength of their candidacy, not on their gender, the color of their skin, their sexual orientation, or their religious beliefs.

Supporting this amendment was not an easy decision for me. I have grappled with this issue for years because the Civil Rights Act includes an exemption for religious organizations, but I have come to believe that, where Federal dollars are involved, Congress should not condone discrimination on any grounds, even on religious grounds.

With the help of tax dollars, faith-based organizations are able to provide a wide range of social services to their communities, but allowing them to discriminate against those who wish to be of service, simply on the basis of their religion, casts a shadow on the wonderful work these groups are doing.

I understand some faith-based organizations would prefer to have ideologically consistent staffs, but I believe a person willing to take a job with a religious group and commit to advancing the mission of that group can do so whether or not they believe personally in the institution's message. And I believe any candidate who can excel in the workplace, will be able to do so regardless of his or her religious convictions.

The bottom line is, holding one set of religious beliefs does not preclude someone from effectively providing services and even advocating another set of ideas. For that reason, being Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, or Hindu should not hinder a person's ability to perform the functions of a job they are intellectually qualified and willing to do.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 84) recognizing the 93d birthday of Ronald Reagan.

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

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

House Joint Resolution 84, introduced by the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons), recognizes the 93rd birthday of President Ronald Reagan.

Mr. Speaker, our Nation's 40th President, Ronald Wilson Reagan, turns 93 years of age this Friday, February 6. He will become the first former President to reach the age of 93. While longevity is one aspect of President Reagan's life, he deserves our praise and recognition for so many more momentous accomplishments. This resolution aims to honor the man who led America during the prosperous 1980s, and I am pleased that this House has taken the time to consider it today. During his presidency, President Reagan revived the American spirit and helped all Americans become less reliant on government. From gracefully bouncing back from a would-be assassin's attack, to helping a grief-stricken Nation cope with the Challenger tragedy, and from leading the U.S. to a decisive victory in the war on communism, to creating 20 million new jobs, President Reagan's legacy in the White House is one of the most legendary in American history.

Mr. Speaker, we have several Members here today who may want to speak on behalf of President Reagan but I want to briefly offer one perspective of President Reagan's record. Everyone knows that one of President Reagan's top domestic objectives during his presidency was returning much of Americans' hard-earned dollars by reducing income tax rates. But what many do not realize was that these tax cuts did not occur at the expense of vital government social priorities during the 1980s. The percentage of the gross national product spent on social welfare programs steadily rose during the 1960s and 1970s to 11.5 percent in 1980, the final year of President Jimmy Carter's administration. But over the next 8 years while President Reagan resided in the White House, Federal social spending remained between 10.9 and 12 percent. So I think we can safely say that President Reagan truly was, to borrow a phrase from our current President, a compassionate conservative. During the week of his 93rd birthday, I think it is important that we remember this reality.

President Reagan reinforced this point during his first inaugural address on January 20, 1981, when he said, ``It is not my intention to do away with government. It is rather to make it work, work with us, not over us; stand by our side, not ride on our back. Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it.'' I think all Members can agree with these sentiments, and I also believe that President Reagan accomplished these worthy goals during his two terms in the White House.

I thank the gentleman from Nevada for introducing this measure that allows this Chamber to recall President Reagan's extraordinary contributions to the United States of America. We wish President Reagan a very happy 93rd birthday and, to his family, our love and prayers.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons), and thank him for introducing this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Lewis).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline).

Mr. Speaker, I want to again thank the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) for introducing this resolution.

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 resolution (H. Res. 274) honoring John Stockton for an outstanding career, congratulating him on his retirement,

and thanking him for his contributions to basketball, to the State of Utah, and to the Nation.

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. 274.

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

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 274 honors John Stockton for a truly outstanding career and congratulates him on his retirement.

This body generally spends very little time honoring basketball players, but today we honor a player who truly deserves extra commemoration.

When he retired last summer from the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz, John Stockton finished his career as the league's all time leader in both assists and steals. Astonishingly, he totaled 15,806 assists and 3,265 steals during his Hall of Fame-caliber career. He was a 10-time NBA All Star and a member of the first and second ``Dream Teams,'' the gold medal-winning 1992 and 1996 U.S. Olympic men's basketball teams.

Stockton played 19 years for the Utah Jazz, which is also an all-time NBA record for most years played for one franchise. Even more remarkable than his longevity and loyalty, he helped lead the Jazz into the playoffs following every one of his 19 NBA seasons.

Along with his record of most overall assists, 15,806, Stockton holds the record for most assists in a season, 1,164, and the highest assist average in a season, 14.5 per game. He is second all-time to Magic Johnson in assists per game during a career with 10.5. He once distributed 28 assists in one game. In a 48-minute ball game, that is nearly unthinkable. In comparison, the current NBA leader in assists averages under 10 per game.

As I mentioned, Stockton is also the NBA's all-time leader in steals with 3,265. He recorded over 700 more steals during his NBA tenure than the second place player had, a gentleman by the name of Michael Jordan.

Mr. Speaker, I urge this House to congratulate one of the NBA's most outstanding players ever, John Stockton, on the occasion of his retirement from the NBA, and I thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson) for his work to honor John Stockton.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble). I do not know why a gentleman from North Carolina wants to speak on this issue, so I am going to be waiting to hear his every word.

Mr. Speaker, I do know. I was touched by the gentleman's comments. But I feel that the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), who yielded back time, may want to be yielded some time to talk about that no-call and explain what the heck happened, so I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) to explain how the Bulls won that game.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for explaining why that call was never made.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, so I yield back the balance of my time and ask for a positive vote on this very important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3724) to amend section 220 of the National Housing Act to make a technical correction to restore allowable increases in the maximum mortgage limits for FHA-insured mortgages for multifamily housing projects to cover increased costs of installing a solar energy system or residential energy conservation measures.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation, and to insert extraneous material thereon.

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

I would like to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Oxley), the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Ney), and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), the ranking members, for agreeing to bring our bill to the floor so expeditiously. I

also would like to thank my friend the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) and my friend, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons) for joining me in introducing this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, during the 107th Congress, we passed the FHA Downpayment Simplification Act, which streamlined the downpayment process and increased the base mortgage amount limits for FHA-insured loans. By increasing access to these loans, Congress helped make the dream of owning a home a reality for many first-time homebuyers.

In passing this legislation, however, we made a seemingly inadvertent change to the law regarding what kind of residential projects qualify for increased loan payments. We restricted the projects that are eligible for increased loan limits to those which contain less than five units and take steps to improve energy efficiency.

Before the FHA Downpayment Simplification Act, this provision read that increased loan limits could be granted to projects that contained less than 5 units or are taking steps to improve energy efficiency. The net effect is large projects that want to employ energy-efficient measures are not eliminated from receiving FHA mortgage insurance.

The need for additional high-quality, affordable housing cannot be overstated. Our bill will correct the mistake and restore FHA mortgage insurance for large residential projects that are also energy efficient.

This is win-win legislation that will help stimulate construction of more responsibly built, affordable housing units, create jobs, and encourage investment, and it obviously is also environmentally responsible.

Again, I would like to thank my colleagues for bringing this bill to the floor so quickly, and I encourage its swift passage.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I would again like to thank the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney). We have worked on a number of issues together and it is always done very professionally. I am always proud to be by her side on legislation, and this is one example. I again thank our leadership on both sides of the aisle. I urge passage of this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Mutual Funds Integrity and Fee Transparency Act.

Mutual funds are based on trust. Every day, America's workers hand over their hard-earned money and trust mutual fund companies to invest their savings for them.

That trust has been severely damaged in recent months, and I can only hope this harm is not irreparable because mutual funds have played an important role in democratizing our stock markets.

This isn't Enron. It isn't WorldCom. But it's just as bad because there are 95 million mutual fund investors in America and they're being harmed. Mutual funds are one of the best ways for workers to plan for their retirements. It allows them to diversity their investments and access the capital markets without having to become experts in individual stocks. It allows them to build wealth in a way that was once reserved for the Rockefellers and Kennedys.

These investors are being defrauded by insiders who trade, in the short term, their own fund shares and trade even after the markets close. For each dollar gained through these illegal activities, every other investor in these funds loses, a result that goes against the very nature of mutual funds.

The Financial Services Committee acted quickly and reported out a good bill. The legislation before us today takes important steps in highlighting the growing cost of mutual fund fees and improving the accountability and integrity of mutual fund companies.

In an equally important step, the bill increase the requirement of independent board members from one-half to two-thirds and strengthens independence qualifications. I hope this provision leads to more independent directors who will be better able to protect investors' interest against those of directors whose interests are tied to the success of their funds' advisers.

I urge swift passage of this bill so that the Securities and Exchange Commission will have the tools it needs to right the mutual fund industry. In the meantime, I hope mutual fund companies heed this wake- up call and begin to rebuild the trust they have squandered.

Mr. Speaker, protecting our environment and promoting energy independence are two of the most important jobs I have as a Member of Congress. Unfortunately, the conference report before us today represents a real missed opportunity to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, promote energy efficiency and conservation, and improve our air, land and water quality.

For decades, our country has lacked a national energy policy. While I did not agree with the Administration's energy plan, I was grateful President Bush put forward a comprehensive proposal. The President's energy plan was superior to the severely flawed bill before us today.

We had a chance to devise a forward-looking energy policy that would have increased fuel efficiency, made polluters, including MTBE producers, pay for harming our environment, and advanced a renewable portfolio standard. Instead what we have is quite a bad bill.

Instead of creating a balanced energy policy that provides incentives to make renewable energy more affordable and widely available, we are making fiscally irresponsible and environmentally-reckless decisions for the benefit of a few profitable industries that don't need this kind of help from taxpayers.

I fail to understand why the major thrust of the bill's tax provisions involve further subsidizing the fossil fuel industry, rather than providing incentives for conservation and renewable sources of energy. These are enormously profitable industries operating in a time of record energy prices. Clearly, these profits demonstrate the market has already provided the fossil fuel industries with sufficient incentive to increase production.

I strongly oppose a provision in the bill that allows for the permanent activation of the Cross Sound Cable. In doing so, the bill subverts the regulatory process and ignores sound environmental policy regarding the depth at which the Cable should be buried.

In addition to its environmental shortsightedness, I also oppose provisions in this bill related to the transmission of electricity. For instance, the Energy Policy Act allows the Federal Electric Regulatory Commission [FERC] to preempt state siting authority when it is determined that a high-voltage power line is of ``national significance.'' The fact is FERC arbitrarily gets to make that determination.

I look forward to the day when we will have an opportunity to vote for a fiscally-prudent, environmentally-responsible national energy policy. Today is not that day.

Mr. Speaker, on November 4, 2003, I was in Connecticut participating in our local elections and, therefore, missed two recorded votes.

I take my voting responsibility very seriously and would like the Congressional Record to reflect that, had I been present, I would have voted yes on recorded vote 602 and yes on recorded vote 603.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 425) recognizing and honoring the firefighters and other public servants who responded to the October 2003, historically devastating, outbreak of wildfires in Southern California.

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. 425.

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

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 425 recognizes and honors the deserving firefighters in southern California for their response to the devastating wildfires there which have affected so many lives. The raging fires have scorched hundreds of thousands of acres and burned thousands of homes in one of the worst disasters in California history. Regrettably, 22 people have lost their lives due to the fires.

Mr. Speaker, the devastation of the blazes has been overshadowed by the vigilance and bravery of the men and women who have fought the fires nonstop over the last 2 weeks. These firefighters have endured extreme heat and dangerous smoke in saving countless lives and properties. Their incredible work will help all California citizens go back to their everyday lives once the fires are fully extinguished, and, indeed, the fires may be nearing the end. Due to the firefighters' efforts, many believe that the blazes are becoming contained and the worst is over. People are already returning home, children are going back to school and interrupted utility service is resuming.

These facts are a testament to the determination of the Southern California firefighters for their unyielding efforts. The firefighters have indeed earned the thanks of a grateful House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, the President joined many of our colleagues yesterday during a visit to the ravaged area. I think the President thoughtfully summed up the situation in California during his tour when he observed, ``I see human tragedy and heartache. I see the loss of a lot of material possessions. However, I see a strong spirit which exists here. I see people who are resolved to rebuild their lives. Amidst their tears they do see hope. And that is a great tribute to the people in this part of California.''

Mr. Speaker, we commend the firefighters in California for their invaluable lifesaving work. The thoughts of the Members of this House are with the resilient citizens of California during this extraordinarily trying time.

I urge adoption of the resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her introduction of this legislation, and I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons).

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa).

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

Mr. Speaker, how much time remains?

Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis).

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3379) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3210 East 10th Street in Bloomington, Indiana, as the ``Francis X. McCloskey 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, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 3379 designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3210 East 10th Street, Bloomington, Indiana, as the Francis X. McCloskey Post Office Building. Congressman Frank McCloskey, a six- term Representative from Indiana, sadly passed away at age 64 on Sunday, November 2, 2003.

Mr. Speaker, I want to join with the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hill) in offering the deepest sympathies to the family of Frank McCloskey and to say to the Chair and to the other Members of this House, Frank was an extraordinarily caring individual, tremendously hardworking, a gentle man and a very effective Member of Congress. Mr. Speaker, he was a devoted Member of this body, with whom many of us served, and we are all saddened to hear the news that he had passed away on Sunday and are grateful for the opportunity to remember him here today.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 3379.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence).

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

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

I join with the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) in thanking the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hill) for introducing this resolution and thanking our colleagues for coming to the floor of the House and reminding us of what Mr. McCloskey has done, just some of what he has done, and to again urge passage of this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, protecting our environment is one of the most important jobs I have as a Congressman. Unfortunately, the conference report before us today weakens several significant land and water protections.

Language in this conference report will roll back our moratorium on offshore drilling by allowing new oil and gas drilling in Bristol Bay. It will reduce judicial review on Tongass timber sales by placing a 30- day statute of limitations on challenging those sales in court. It will remove language included in the House bill that would have reduced the scope of an environmentally-destructive rights-of-way rule published by the Department of the Interior in January.

In addition, the conference report waives National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review for expiring grazing permits, which will further discourage agencies from complying with environmental laws and could lead to continued degradation of sensitive public lands.

Finally, H.R. 2691 reduces funding for valuable Land and Water Conservation Fund acquisition programs by $142 million.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation. Congress can and must do a better job protecting our environment. We simply will not have a world to live in if we continue our neglectful ways.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1591) to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 48 South Broadway, Nyack, New York, as the ``Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, Peter Paige 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, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, S. 1591 introduced by Senator Charles Schumer of New York, designates this postal service facility in Nyack, New York as the ``Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, Peter Paige Post Office Building.'' The three namesakes of this post office designation were tragically killed during a malicious robbery of a Brinks Corporation armored vehicle on October 20, 1981, 22 years ago today. This bill has already passed the other body, and I am pleased the House is taking it up today.

On that dreadful October day in 1981, a gang attacked a Brinks armored car in broad daylight outside a shopping mall in the New York City suburb of Nyack. The two guards, Peter Paige and Joseph Trombino, were both shot, and Paige died from his wounds. The ruthless gang also shot and killed Nyack police officers Edward O'Grady and Waverly Brown, who courageously responded to the robbery.

Mr. Speaker, this senseless, wicked crime ended the lives of these three men who were each carrying out their daily duties 22 years ago today. With the enactment of S. 1591, this post office in Nyack will forever carry the names of these three slain heroes.

Peter Paige dutifully served the Brinks Corporation for 25 years as a security guard prior to the 1981 robbery. He was a gentle, yet diligent man, who was known by his colleagues, friends, and family for his selflessness.

Waverly Brown was a caring and disciplined Nyack police officer who earned a reputation as a no-nonsense law enforcer. In addition, Officer Brown was known for his aptitude in the kitchen, as he regularly prepared meals for his fellow officers at his station.

Edward O'Grady also served with the police force in the Village of Nyack. Prior to his police service, Mr. O'Grady was a Marine who served two tours, two tours, in Vietnam. He also selflessly worked with the Volunteer Fire Department in his hometown of Nyack.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the Senator from New York for helping us all to remember the wonderful lives as well as the sacrifices of Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, and Peter Paige. I also congratulate the Senator for having S. 1591 considered by the House, and I want to recognize the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) for introducing an identical piece of legislation, H.R. 3167, in this body. He, certainly, also should be commended for his work to commemorate the lives of these three men.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge all Members to support the passage of S. 1591.

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

Mr. Speaker, thanking Members for their cooperation, I yield back the balance of my time.