Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dear friend, former Cook County Commissioner Rose Marie Love, and a member of many groups and organizations in the community where I live.

Rose passed away last week, but she was one of the founders of the National Association of Community Health Centers, founder of the National Consumer Health Organization, a member of many local groups and organizations, and the person most responsible, I think, for my being involved in public life, electoral politics.

I say thank you, Rose, and rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the Senate bill (S. 1099) to amend chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to make individuals employed by the Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission eligible to obtain Federal health insurance, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, S. 1099 is a bill that makes a U.S. citizen employed by the Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission eligible to obtain Federal health insurance.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the swift passage of this bill.

The Senate bill was ordered to be read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 143) honoring the 50th anniversary of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment to the preamble.

Mr. Speaker, National Historic Landmarks are significant places designated by the Secretary of the Interior because they possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating the heritage of the United States. The U.S. Congress recognizes that Stan Hywet Hall, located in Akron, Ohio as a National Historic Landmark since December 21, 1981. Stan Hywet Hall was built between 1912 and 1915 by Franklin ``F.A.'' Augustus Seiberling and his wife, Gertrude. This landmark is one of the finest examples of Tudor Revival architecture in the United States.

We are honoring Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens on its 50th anniversary and for its commitment to sharing its history, gardens, and art collections with the public.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Betty Sutton for seeking to honor the 50th anniversary of Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens and urge the swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 2765) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 44 North Main Street in Hughesville, Pennsylvania, as the ``Master Sergeant Sean Michael Thomas Post Office,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, Master Sergeant Sean Michael Thomas died on March 27, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq. He was serving with the Harrisburg-based 28th Division Support Command. Master Sergeant Thomas joined the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1998 after 6 years in the Army Reserve. He had planned to attend Officer Candidates School in October and wanted to be a teacher when he returned to civilian life. His unit's commander, Colonel Jesse Deets, called Master Sergeant Thomas a model officer and friend.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Christopher Carney for introducing this legislation and urge the swift passage of this bill.

The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 442) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Youth Sports Week should be established, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, over 42 million children participate in youth sports all across our country, and their activities contribute greatly to their positive development and enrich the quality of life for all. There are a number of benefits reaped by children's involvement in sports, such as better grades, excellent interpersonal skills and a healthier lifestyle. Also, given the increasing numbers of children battling obesity, this is an important time for youth to become active in sports.

H. Res. 442 is a bill that designates the fourth week in July as ``National Youth Sports Week.'' This legislation would raise awareness of the important physical and emotional benefits of participating in youth sports and the need to promote fun, sportsmanship, and character development.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Mike McIntyre for introducing this legislation and urge the swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 501) commending Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros for reaching 3,000 base hits as a Major League Baseball player and for his outstanding service to baseball and the Houston, Texas, region, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, on June 28, 2007, Mr. Craig Biggio is the 27th professional baseball player in major league history to make 3,000 base hits. He is the ninth to do so while playing all of his games with one team.

In 1988, Mr. Biggio began his distinguished career with the Houston Astros as a catcher. In 1992, hoping to extend his career, the team moved him to various positions, first to the outfield, then to second base, where he is currently playing. He is the only player to be named an All-star as both catcher and second baseman. After playing baseball for 20 years, he has announced his retirement at the end of this season.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Kevin Brady for introducing this legislation and urge the swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 2688) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 103 South Getty Street in Uvalde, Texas, as the ``Dolph S. Briscoe, Jr. Post Office Building,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Dolph Briscoe was born on April 23, 1923 in Uvalde, Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1942 and then served in the Army during World War II. After he returned from the war, he served in the Texas legislature from 1949 through 1957. He then left politics to manage his family's ranching and business interests.

In 1974, Mr. Briscoe was elected governor of Texas as a conservative, pro-business Democrat. He was one of the few governors to enact a balanced budget without raising or creating new taxes.

Currently, Mr. Briscoe continues to be active in the agricultural community as a rancher in Uvalde and serves his community as the Senior Chairman of the First State Bank of Uvalde.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Ciro Rodriguez for introducing this legislation and urge the swift passage of this bill.

The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the third time, and passed.

The title was amended so as to read: ``A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 103 South Getty Street in Uvalde, Texas, as the `Dolph Briscoe, Jr. Post Office Building'.''.

A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 551) acknowledging the progress made and yet to be made to rebuild the Gulf Coast region after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, Hurricane Katrina made a devastating impact on Florida and the Gulf Coast states in the last days of August 2005, followed within weeks by Hurricanes Rita and Wilma. These disasters will long be remembered for disrupting families, changing and ending lives, and forcing Americans to rethink about our preparedness and ability to respond effectively to disasters. Unfortunately, these hurricanes served as a catalyst for changes in federal policy and government management within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency management Agency (FEMA).

Most of those changes were included in Title VI of the DHS appropriations legislation for FY2007. It established new leadership positions and requirements within FEMA. Additionally, it brought new missions into FEMA and enhanced the agency's authority by directing the FEMA Administrator to undertake a broad range of activities before and after disasters.

Although, Congress has responded to the devastation of the Gulf Coast region by providing billions of dollars in assistance, more resources are needed to expedite the economic recovery in this region.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative William Jefferson for introducing this legislation and urge the swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 490) honoring the 2007 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, on June 14, 2007, the San Antonio Spurs won the 2007 National Basketball Association (NBA) Championship with a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. This was the Spurs fourth NBA Championship in the last 9 years.

I join all my colleagues in congratulating the San Antonio Spurs and Coach Gregg Popovich for winning the 2007 National Basketball Association Championship.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 488) congratulating the Detroit Tigers for winning the 2006 American League Pennant and for bringing the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan their first trip to the World Series in 22 years, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, the Detroit Tigers has won 10 American League Baseball Pennants. In 2006, they made their first trip to the World Series in 22 years.

I join all my colleagues in congratulating the Detroit Tigers on winning the 2006 American League Pennant. Additionally, we commend the players, coaches, management, and fans for this great victory and accomplishment.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Mike Rogers for seeking to congratulate the Detroit Tigers for winning the 2006 American League Pennant and for bring the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan their first trip to the World Series in 22 years and urge the swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 2309) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3916 Milgen Road in Columbus, Georgia, as the ``Frank G. Lumpkin, Jr. Post Office Building,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, Frank Lumpkin, Jr. was born in Columbus on September 5, 1907. He was reared in Columbus, attended the 16th Street, now Woodall Elementary, School and Columbus High School, graduating from Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia, in 1925. He was the first college football player from the University of Georgia to turn professional by joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 1933.

Mr. Lumpkin was stationed at the Pentagon during World War II. He developed an ordinance distribution plan that the British government said, ``shortened the war by months.'' Mr. Lumpkin later served under General George Patton in Europe as a Lieutenant Colonel in the 709th Tank Battalion.

Mr. Lumpkin was President of Willcox-Lumpkin Company an insurance agency founded by his grandfather, D. F. Willcox, in 1848, where he built his family's business into an internationally known firm that traded to 18 countries.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Lynn Westmoreland for introducing this legislation and I urge the swift passage of this bill.

The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 471) congratulating the National Hockey League Champions, the Anaheim Ducks, on their victory in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, on June 6, 2007, in Anaheim, California, the Anaheim Ducks won the National Hockey League Stanley Cup. They won with a 6-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators in the decisive fifth game of the championship series. The Ottawa Senators were worthy opponents and should be congratulated for a hard-fought Stanley Cup series. The Ducks' win marked their first Stanley Cup title in franchise history and by a team from the State of California.

I join all my colleagues in congratulating the National Hockey League Champions, the Anaheim Ducks, on their victory in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Rep. Loretta Sanchez for seeking to congratulate the Anaheim Ducks as the National Hockey League Champions and urge the swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 3034) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 127 South Elm Street in Gardner, Kansas, as the ``Private First Class Shane R. Austin Post Office,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

PFC Shane R. Austin was killed on October 8, 2006, when a grenade struck his tank in Ramadi, Iraq, west of Baghdad. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division in Baumholder, Germany.

Private Austin's grandmother said, ``Although the emptiness and numbness is with the entire family, we hold the pride high that Shane was a hero before he left for the military, but now he is everybody's hero. Military was his dream; he intended to make it a career and that he accomplished . . . it was just a short career.''

Private Austin served his country with distinction and courage.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Dennis Moore for introducing this legislation and urge the swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 1384) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 118 Minner Street in Bakersfield, California, as the ``Buck Owens Post Office,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Buck Owens was among the most prolific country hit-makers of the past 40 years and enjoyed a string of chart-toppers, including ``Act Naturally'', ``Together Again'', and ``I've Got a Tiger by the Tail''. He was a major influence on successive generations of musicians.

He was born as Alvis Edgar Owens in Sherman, Texas on August 12, 1929. He died on March 25, 2006 in Bakersfield, California.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Kevin McCarthy for introducing this legislation and urge the swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the 13 Committee on Oversight and Government Reform bills previously considered.