Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I wish to take a moment to recognize the 40th anniversary of the Special Olympics and, in particular, Chicago's role in the wonderful program. As some of you may know, the first Special Olympics were held in my congressional district, the 7th Congressional District in Illinois on Chicago's Soldier Field on July 20, 1968. The idea for this event originated in 1967 when Anne Burke, a recreation teacher from the Chicago Park District, proposed holding a citywide track meet for people with disabilities, modeled after the Olympics. She was encouraged to hand in the proposal to Eunice Kennedy Shriver at the Kennedy Foundation; she did. It was at Chicago's Soldier Field that Eunice Kennedy Shriver announced the formation of the Special Olympics. One thousand athletes attended the first games from 26 States and Canada. The inaugural ceremony started with the quote, ``Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.'' These words came from the lips of the gladiators in ancient Rome and were wisely chosen by Kennedy Shriver to represent the goal of the Special Olympics.

Before the Special Olympics were started Eunice Shriver had already tried once to organize a camp that would help disabled children. This organization which started out with 35 boys was called Camp Shriver. It is amazing that something that started out with only 35 children has developed into the Special Olympics which now holds programs in more than 180 countries with more than 2.5 million athletes and counting. The Special Olympics is a program that allows people from all over the world, or most of it, to interact with one another. It is astonishing what can be achieved when someone has an idea. One idea can inspire people to do great things.

Congratulations to Special Olympics with its 40th anniversary. You have proven that great ideas give great outcomes. Thank you for making a difference and continue to inspire everyone.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of the most caring, most willing to share, most sensitive and most delightful ladies that I have ever known. Sister Lula Walker was a rock in her family, in her church, in her community, in her city, and in her country. She was a deeply religious lady, highly motivated, willing to sacrifice, and fiercely determined. She did not know how to retreat, and she did not know how to take ``no'' for an answer.

Raised in a Christian home, she met and married her husband, Reverend Willie Walker, a Christian man who is an ordained elder in the Church of God in Christ Church. Together Sister Walker, her husband Reverend Willie and their children have built a legacy of living and giving which will rarely be surpassed.

With little money and no public support, Sister Lula organized a ministry of providing for battered women and children. She named it Tabitha House, after the disciple Tabitha in Hebrew, or Dorcas in Greek. Tabitha was known for her good works, especially for helping widows and the poor.

Through her good works at Tabitha and in other ways, Sister Lula became the Mother Teresa of our community. Her work became so famous and well-known that she was invited to come to Washington D.C. and testify before Congress on the plight of women and children who are homeless and in need of shelter.

Sister Walker had several bouts of serious illness, but like Tabitha, or Dorcas, she was able to rise up and continue with her work. Finally, on Saturday, July 19th, 2008, Sister Lula could not rise anymore and graciously passed out of this life into another.

So, Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to extend to Reverend Willie Walker and the Walker family, the Tabitha House family and the Church of God in Christ church family our heartfelt condolences and the great joy that I have experienced as a result of knowing and working with the Mother Teresa of our community, the neighborhood where I live, Sister Lula Walker.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 362.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast a vote on the following legislative measure on July 15, 2008. If I were present for the roll call vote, I would have voted ``yes'' on the following: Rollcall vote 491, July 15, 2008.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6576) to require the Archivist of the United States to promulgate regulations regarding the use of information control designations, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield to the chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Chairman Henry Waxman, for whatever time he might consume.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6576, the Reducing Information Control Designations Act, limits the Federal Government's use of information control designations.

Investigations by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform have found that Federal agencies have increasingly placed restrictions on unclassified information by using information control designations such as ``sensitive but unclassified.'' These designations are dangerous because they impede information-sharing with State and local governments and the public.

There is no statutory authority for agency use of information control designations. Thus, these designations are not used consistently and are often overused and confusing. In May, the White House issued a memorandum to address this issue. That memo did not go far enough. While it addressed the number of designations, it did not try to limit their use.

This bill further seeks to limit the use of these designations to improve information-sharing within the government and with the public.

I support this bill and urge my colleagues to do the same.

I would reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, to get us back to H.R. 6576, the Reducing Information Control Designations Act, I urge its passage.

I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6073) to provide that Federal employees receiving their pay by electronic funds transfer shall be given the option of receiving their pay stubs electronically.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

H.R. 6073 would require the Office of Personnel Management to allow Federal employees to receive electronic pay stubs. Most Federal employees receive their pay electronically, which is faster and less costly than using paper checks. This bill helps extend that cost savings to the rest of the payroll process.

More than a decade ago, Congress passed a law requiring that almost all Federal employees be paid by electronic funds transfer, commonly known as direct deposit. Electronic funds transfer is more secure and costs less than printing and distributing paper checks. Employees also have access to their funds sooner, because they do not have to deposit or cash their checks. However, many Federal agencies still print and distribute paper pay stubs for their employees, limiting the gains in efficiency from using electronic funds transfer.

This bill will encourage agencies to handle their entire payroll process electronically. The Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget have no objections to this bill. It's a commonsense measure that will help make payroll faster and more efficient, and I want to commend and thank Representative Foxx for introducing it. I appreciate her work in helping us get this bill to the floor and all of her work on the committee.

I also want to thank Chairmen Waxman and Towns and Ranking Member Tom Davis for their support for the bill and urge its swift adoption.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6113) to amend title 44, United States Code, to require each agency to include a contact telephone number in its collection of information, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as she might consume to the author of this legislation, Representative Boyda.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6113, the Paperwork Assistance Act, is aimed at making it easier for people to fill out government paperwork. I commend Representative Boyda for her leadership in introducing this bill, and Representative Towns for his work on this bill during committee consideration.

The bill would require each agency to include contact information for the agency on its forms. Under this bill, a person filling out a government form would be able to go to the agency and get in touch with the person who is responsible for answering questions about the form.

Based on a suggestion by Representative Diane Watson, language was added to the bill during committee consideration to require the Office of Management and Budget to report to Congress on how well agencies are implementing this legislation. This is what one would have to call a good, commonsense piece of government work. It is a good government bill. I urge my colleagues to support it.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she might consume to the author of this legislation, Mrs. Boyda of Kansas.

Mr. Speaker, to get us back to H.R. 6113, to amend title 44, United States Code, to require each agency to include a contact telephone number in its collection of information in order to assist people with filling out government forms, I urge passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1143) supporting the goals and ideals of the Apple Crunch and the Nation's domestic apple industry.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to stand in support of H. Res. 1143, which recognizes and supports the goals and ideals of the Apple Crunch and the Nation's domestic apple industry.

H. Res. 1143 was introduced by our colleague Representative Todd Platts of Pennsylvania on April 23, 2008, and was considered by and reported from the Oversight Committee on July 16, 2008. The measure has the support of 52 Members of Congress and gives us a chance to recognize and celebrate the contributions of the apple and apple growers of our country and their impact to our economy. Whether it's ``as American as apple pie'' or the fact that ``an apple a day keeps the doctor away,'' one thing we do know is that the apple is core to the American way.

Therefore, I would urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Nation's apple industry and the annual Apple Crunch event by agreeing to H. Res. 1143.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H. Res. 1143, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6208) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1100 Town and Country Commons in Chesterfield, Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues, particularly the gentleman from Missouri, in the consideration of H.R. 6208, which names a postal facility in Chesterfield, Missouri, after a fallen hero, Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos.

Introduced on June 9, 2008, H.R. 6208 is sponsored by Congressman Todd W. Akin, representative of Missouri's Second Congressional District, and cosponsored by the entire Missouri congressional delegation and a total of nine Members of Congress. H.R. 6208 was reported from the Oversight Committee on July 17, 2008, by voice vote.

A native of Ballwin, Missouri, Corporal Pathenos lost his life while serving in Iraq. According to military records, Corporal Pathenos was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, from the 4th Marine Division out of Bridgeton, Missouri, 108th, when he was killed on February 14, 2007, while conducting combat operations in the Anbar province of Iraq. Described as a disciplined, dedicated, and patriotic gentleman, Corporal Pathenos served his country proudly.

In tribute to his sacrifice, Mr. Speaker, let us honor the life of Corporal Pathenos and pass H.R. 6208 and designate the post office building in Chesterfield, Missouri, after this fine American Marine.

I urge its passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6437) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 North Texas Avenue in Odessa, Texas, as the ``Corporal Alfred Mac Wilson Post Office''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 6437, which names the postal facility in Odessa, Texas, after a fallen hero, Corporal Alfred ``Mac'' Wilson.

Our colleague, Representative Mike Conaway of Texas's 11th Congressional District, introduced H.R. 6437 on July 8. The bill is cosponsored by the entire Texas congressional delegation. H.R. 6437 was reported from the Oversight Committee on July 16, 2008, by a voice vote.

Born in 1948 in Olney, Illinois, Alfred ``Mac'' Wilson moved to Odessa, Texas, with his family in 1950. After graduating from Odessa Senior High School in 1967, he enlisted with the United States Marine Corps Reserve. In 1968, Mr. Wilson joined the regular Marine Corps, where he went through recruit training and obtained the rank of Private First Class. After his training was completed, he was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam in July, 1968, and his assigned duty was a rifleman.

On March 3, 1969, while serving with M Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Private First Class Wilson heroically and unhesitatingly threw himself onto an enemy grenade, absorbing the full force of the explosion and saving his fellow marines. It was for this conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty that Alfred ``Mac'' Wilson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on April 20, 1970.

Corporal Wilson was extraordinarily dedicated to this Nation, earning numerous other accolades, including the

Purple Heart with a Gold Star, the Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon, and the Presidential Unit Citation. In honor of his noble sacrifice, Mr. Speaker, let us pay tribute to the life of Corporal Wilson and pass H.R. 6437, which designates the North Texas Avenue post office in Odessa, Texas, after this outstanding American soldier.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would continue to reserve.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation, and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1286) recognizing and celebrating the 20th anniversary of the National Black Arts Festival.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1286 into the Record.

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

I rise today in support of H. Res. 1286, which recognizes the contributions of African American artwork to the United States. African Americans use dance, music, visual arts, theater and variations of these art forms to express their cultural heritage and personal identity. The annual National Black Arts Festival based in Atlanta, Georgia, celebrates the artistic contributions of people of African descent to the rest of the world.

After a study in 1987 commissioned by the Fulton County Arts Council, the local agency unveiled a need to commemorate the artistic accomplishments of the African diaspora. In 1988, the first National Black Arts Festival took place in Atlanta, Georgia.

Today the festival lasts 10 days and includes major events like the Pan African Film Festival, which is the Nation's largest event dedicated to showing black films. It will also include a dance tribute to Judith Jamison, Oprah Winfrey's presentation of ``The Color Purple,'' creative conversations with Cornell West and Alice Walker and a jubilant musical evening with Gladys Knight. The festival is full of performances, speaker series, visual arts and a number of student and family programs.

NBAF has evolved into a year-round cultural institution dedicated to serving artists, audiences, teachers and students by providing opportunities for artistic and creative expression and sponsoring an educational and humanities program. Every year there is a summer institute, an African American history elementary quiz bowl, and a children's education village for the youth to learn about African American history.

Black artists have influenced history, education and culture, and African Americans continue to make instrumental contributions to all facets of art. Within their organization, NBAF organizes pieces of black art to educate and entertain fans of African American talent. NBAF helps educate the Nation about components of black culture by hosting such an extensive program in Atlanta. We therefore recognize the contribution of the organization as well as acknowledge the number of black artists affecting our Nation.

Once again I express my support for the National Black Arts Festival and urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.

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, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1355) expressing support for designation of Disability Pride Day and recognizing that all people, including those living with disabilities, have the right, responsibility, and ability to be active, contributing members of our society and fully engaged as citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1355 into the Record.

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

I rise today in support of H. Res. 1355, which designates July 26, 2008, as Disability Pride Day and recognizes that all people, including those living with disabilities, have the right, responsibility and ability to be active, contributing members of our society, and fully engaged as citizens.

Over 54 million Americans have one or more disabilities. That translates into approximately one in five Americans who have a disability. The number of individuals with disabilities continues to increase with advances in medicine and technology, as well as with our aging population.

People with disabilities represent the Nation's largest minority. There are many famous and influential Americans with disabilities. Our 32nd President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt; actors Tom Cruise and Michael J. Fox; scientist Albert Einstein; and disability rights activists such as Justin Dart and Chicago's own Marca Bristo, to name just a few. Disability Pride Day acknowledges the contributions of all Americans with disabilities.

To make this great nation's promise of equality and freedom a reality for people with disabilities, Congress has protected the civil rights of individuals with disabilities through landmark Federal legislation such as the Rehabilitation Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Eighteen years ago this week, on July 26, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, education, government services, public accommodations, telecommunications and transportation.

The ADA has fundamentally changed the landscape of this country, providing equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities and improving access to all aspects of life in our communities.

Despite these efforts, we still have a long way to go. According to a national survey in 2004, people with disabilities live in poverty at a rate three times the national average. Also, people with disabilities are twice as likely to struggle with inadequate transportation, and only 35 percent of working-age Americans with disabilities are employed full or part time.

In the face of these challenges, celebrating Disability Pride Day reminds us that disability is not an abnormal, flawed condition, but, rather, as stated in the Developmental Disabilities Act, that ``disability is a natural and normal part of the human experience.'' Human diversity should be embraced and encouraged, as it represents one of the core values of an empowered nation.

H. Res. 1355 promotes this belief in human diversity, acknowledging that all people, including those with disabilities, should be guaranteed the right to receive a quality education, to be productive members of our workforce, to raise families, to exert control and choice over their own lives, and to have equal opportunity to access and participate in all facets of life.

This resolution invites the Nation to join in celebrating the pride, the power and the potential of people with disabilities by celebrating Disability Pride Day, and it urges all public officials and the general public to honor Americans with disabilities by educating ourselves on ways to support and encourage understanding of persons with disabilities.

Finally, H. Res. 1355 commends the organizers of the City of Chicago's Fifth Annual Disability Pride Parade for their work on the disability pride activities planned for July 26, 2008, and their efforts to raise disability awareness.

I once again express my support for H. Res. 1355, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlelady from North Carolina for her comments, and I appreciate her work with us on this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 655) honoring the life and accomplishments of Katherine Dunham, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 655, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of Katherine Dunham.

Born in Chicago in 1909, Katherine Dunham grew into a superbly talented dancer, choreographer, author and activist. She earned her bachelor's degree in social anthropology from the University of Chicago and went on to do extensive graduate field work in the Caribbean, eventually completing her master's degree in that discipline as well.

One of her most profound contributions was her work around the confluence of dance and anthropology. Miss Dunham believed that dance was an important vehicle for understanding another culture, and she is the author of many anthropological works and dance.

Through her visits to the Caribbean, she not only documented the African influence on the dances of the West Indies, but as an artist, she also began to develop a new type of African American dance based on rituals and other cultural events.

When Katherine returned from her travels and field work, she founded Les Ballet Negres, one of the first black ballet companies in the United States. Here she perfected the Dunham technique of dance, including new breathing and movement exercises. Some of Miss Dunham's methods are taught in dance schools today, and she was an influential figure for many years. Alvin Ailey, who we honored with a resolution last week, is one of a long list of contemporary choreographers that name Katherine Dunham as a role model.

For two decades, the Katherine Dunham Dance Company toured nearly 60 countries on six continents, performing from Broadway to the silver screen. Established in the 1940s, her company had to battle racial discrimination. The company refused to perform at segregated theaters, and Katherine used her status as a public figure to draw attention to inequity.

Her dedication did not stop there. In 1967, Miss Dunham moved to East St. Louis, Illinois and established the Performing Arts Training Center. In an attempt to counteract the poor and violent society many of the children of East St. Louis faced on a daily basis, Miss Dunham and her staff empowered their students by teaching them dance, woodcarving, photography, anthropology, and various foreign languages. Miss Dunham once described this outlet for self-expression and development by stating that ``everyone needs, if not a cultural hero, a culturally heroic society. There is nothing stronger in a man than the need to grow.''

In 2006, at the age of 96, Miss Katherine Dunham passed away, but her legacy lives on. Her countless awards pay tribute to her artistry and dedication to social justice.

And so, Mr. Speaker, once again, I honor Katherine Dunham and encourage my colleagues to pass this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, it's amazing how we are always learning. I had always thought that Katherine Dunham was born in East St. Louis and that that might have been the reason that she moved her school and troupe to East St. Louis, a city that was seriously hurting because of the diversion of business and trade opportunities that ultimately went around the town as opposed to through the town. And I'm amazed to know that, no, she didn't have that kind of history with East St. Louis, but because of her tremendous desire to be relevant and to be helpful to those who could perhaps benefit the most from her talent and dedication, she moved to East St. Louis. And I'm very proud that we have on the floor this resolution honoring her life and legacy. I would urge its passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1296) supporting the designation of a National Child Awareness Month to promote awareness of children's charities and youth-serving organizations across the United States and recognizing their efforts on behalf of children and youth as a positive investment for the future of our Nation, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1296 into the Record.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1296 which designates September as ``National Child Awareness Month.''

As the resolution points out, September marks the start of the new school year, which is a time when we should all focus our attention on the academic, social and economic well-being of our Nation's children.

The children's charities and youth-serving organizations in our communities are important partners in this effort. In many instances, these organizations provide basic access to health care, social services, and other critical needs. They serve as mentors, friends and coaches, and sometimes the volunteers for these organizations are the only family a child may have.

Organizations such as the YMCA, the YWCA, the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Children's Defense Fund, to name a few, have provided numerous volunteer hours and volunteers, educational assistance and after-school programming for children across the country, filling a critical gap in the afternoon hours when children are most at risk.

And so, not only do we want to promote awareness, but I want to thank all of these volunteers, all of these individuals who spend so much of their time, energy and effort working with children so that they provide to communities and families, as well as to the millions of other people who need the work that is done each and every day.

And so, Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for H. Res. 1296 and urge that my colleagues support this bill.

I would reserve the balance of my time

Mr. Speaker, I would continue to reserve.

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert) for his introduction of this very meaningful legislation.

I have no further speakers, and I would yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. And I want to commend my colleague, Representative Barbara Lee, for its introduction. I also want to commend the Caribbean community, not only in my city of Chicago, which has a large population--as a matter of fact, we just finished celebrating the Festival of the Arts, which is a large celebration recognized by many people throughout the Midwest as a place to be--but we've heard accolades extended to individuals who have been great states persons, individuals who have been businesspeople and academicians. Every kind of person that you can think of has some heritage from the Caribbean.

And I think that we don't have to look far when we think of our own colleagues that we interact with every day. And so I commend them for being a part of the American population, but of the African-Caribbean diaspora. And I commend again Representative Barbara Lee.