Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a great educator who passed away just a few days ago. This man was a tremendous leader. He was the principal of Boys and Girls High School in the borough of Brooklyn, a gentleman by the name of Frank Mickens.

Frank Mickens really, really provided the leadership that we need so desperately today, and he did it with grace. He would insist that his students wore neckties. Of course, the board of education and people were very concerned about that fact, and they said he was not following the rules and regulations of the board of education.

But Frank's argument was, if a youngster had on a shirt and a tie, his behavior would be different, and he would be more eager to learn. Of course, Frank proved to everybody that what he was saying was right. He proved to everybody that this made sense. He also said, if a youngster were in a suit and a tie, that he would not be too interested in gangs and in gang life, because gangs would wear colors and all of that. If a youngster did not have a tie, Frank Mickens provided a tie. He had a closet with shirts and ties and with all of that in it to make certain that youngsters who came to school did not have to worry about whether they had ties or not, because he would provide ties for them.

It was so interesting because, when he took over the Boys and Girls High School, it was viewed as one of the worst schools in the City of New York. I remember on many occasions how parents would come to me and would say, Help me to make certain that my child does not have to attend Boys and Girls High School. I remember one family in particular. The mother came to me, trying to make certain that her daughter did not attend the high school. Then just a few years later, after Frank Mickens turned the school around, of course everybody wanted their children to go to Boys and Girls. Then there were no seats available.

She said to me, If you really are strong and if you're my Congressman, then I want you to be able to get my son into Boys and Girls High School. Here was the same lady who did not want her older child to go to Boys and Girls. Now she was fighting to get her son into Boys and Girls.

That points out the kind of leadership that Frank provided. He did not always go by the guidelines and by the rules and regulations of the education board, but the point was that they could not say that he was not effective.

He was also effective as a coach. He coached at Boys and Girls High School. As the coach of Boys and Girls High School, he won the city championship, and that was a very exciting time for a school that had not done that in many, many years.

He was a natural educator. He had the ability to pull teachers together and to get them to work extra hours and to do all kinds of things to make certain that the youngsters were able to learn. He had the youngsters from that school going to some of the best colleges and universities in the Nation. This was a school that people had basically written off, but now they were going to all of the top schools because these teachers were working very closely with Frank to make certain that Boys and Girls High School was one of the top schools in the City of New York.

We're going to miss Frank because he was considered the person who motivated everybody, who got things done, who was able to get scholarships for his young students, and he was respected in the neighborhood. People would just come to him, looking for leadership, looking for advice and all of that.

He is going to be missed because Frank truly made a difference, and I would say that I am just so happy that I had an opportunity to know him and to work with him and to live during his lifetime.

Frank, we will miss you, but I'll tell you that your work is something that will live on and on and on. You were truly a leader. You provided educational leadership in a way that will never, never, never be forgotten.

So let me say to your family that I know that they will miss Frank dearly as well, but here again, I think we can be proud of the fact that the legacy that Frank leaves and the life that he lived are things that we should never, never forget. So I would say to all of the people, not only in Brooklyn but throughout this Nation, that we should commit ourselves to try to be the kind of educational leaders that Frank Mickens was.

Mr. Chair, I rise to note my concerns about the Grayson amendment to H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. As Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform with jurisdiction over procurement issues, I share Mr. Grayson's desire to ensure that our procurement process uses taxpayer dollars most efficiently and obtains the lowest possible prices. However, I am concerned that the Grayson amendment could conflict with the Administration's acquisition reform policies, would remove the ability of acquisition professionals to determine the ``Best Value'' for the taxpayers' dollars, and would significantly overburden the heads of agencies.

President Obama made it clear in his Memorandum of March 4, 2009, Government Contracting, Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, that acquisition professionals should be entrusted to determine the ``best value'' for taxpayer dollars in each procurement: ``The Federal Government has an overriding obligation to American taxpayers. It should perform its functions efficiently and effectively while ensuring that its actions result in the best value for the taxpayers.'' The Administration has made it clear that acquisition professionals ``must have the flexibility to tailor contracts to carry out their missions and achieve the policy goals of the Government.'' The Grayson amendment would unnecessarily restrict ``Best Value'' analysis.

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (``FAR'') defines ``Best Value'' as ``the expected outcome of an acquisition that, in the Government's estimation, provides the greatest overall benefit in response to the requirement.'' Instead of pre-determining the most important factors for consideration in an acquisition, our current system places that judgment in the hands of the acquisition professionals. These professionals tailor the evaluation factors for each individual acquisition to the particular needs of that acquisition. This process results in the ``Best Value'' for each taxpayer dollar. The FAR requires that price must always be considered in every source selection. But importantly, its importance must be considered in comparison to other criteria, including past performance, compliance with solicitation requirements, technical excellence, management capability, personnel qualifications, and prior experience. Additionally, all the factors and significant subfactors that will affect contract award and their relative importance must be stated clearly in the solicitation.

I believe that the goal of Mr. Grayson's amendment is to prevent situations where price receives minimal consideration in the acquisition process. I share this concern, and the Committee has received information that price has been routinely ignored as a major evaluation factor. Reforms are needed to ensure that price is treated as a critical criterion that is not given short shrift in the best value analysis.

However, the Grayson amendment would set a rigid numerical formula for consideration of price, which may not be appropriate in all circumstances. By requiring price to be ``at least equal to all other factors combined,'' this amendment would return our procurement process to the lowest price technically acceptable or sealed bid methods of the past, which failed to achieve the maximum yield for each tax dollar spent. Furthermore, this amendment would require the head of every agency who finds other factors more important than price (such as time of delivery, etc.) to issue a waiver. This process would be an overwhelming and unnecessary distraction for agency heads.

Mr. Chair, my concern about this amendment is about getting the best value for each tax dollar spent. I would like to continue to work together with Mr. Grayson to address his very legitimate concerns about the importance of price as an evaluation factor in the procurement process. However for the reasons discussed above, I cannot support this amendment in its present form.

Madam Speaker, I would like to talk about the financial emergency facing the postal service. We must act now to correct this problem.

The postal service lost nearly $2 billion in the second quarter and expects to lose more than $6.5 billion in 2009, despite cutting billions in costs. It faces an unprecedented decline in mail volume due to the recession and the diversion of mail to electronic communication.

Uniquely, the postal service is required to pay over $5 billion annually into the Retiree Health Benefits Trust Fund, which is overfunded compared to similar companies. An inflexible law requires the postal service to shell out billions of dollars to prefund retiree benefits, regardless of economic or financial conditions.

The postal service expects a cash shortfall of $1.5 billion at the end of the fiscal year and might not be able to meet its financial obligations. This situation is a threat to postal employees and customers. We must act now to address the financial emergency at the postal service and continue to work on its long-term challenges as well.

I thank the gentleman from Missouri for yielding.

Madam Speaker, as Chair of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I rise in support of H.R. 2990. I am pleased the legislation we are considering today will assist the men and women of our Armed Forces by permitting disabled military retirees to receive both their disability compensation and their retired pay concurrently.

Let me pause and thank Chairman Skelton for working closely with the Oversight Committee on title II of this legislation. Title II makes several positive changes to the retirement system for Federal employees. These changes will enhance the system's efficiency and effectiveness as a recruiting and management tool when we need to be attracting the best and the brightest to the Federal workforce.

Most of title II's provisions were included in H.R. 1804, a bill I sponsored that passed the House by a unanimous voice vote on April 1. After passing the House, the retirement provisions were added to the landmark tobacco legislation that President Obama signed into law this week. Unfortunately, they were removed for procedural reasons in the Senate version of the tobacco bill that President Obama signed.

I am delighted we have the opportunity to consider these measures again today. Title II includes provisions to eliminate inconsistency in the way part-time service, breaks in service, and unused sick leave are considered in calculating retirement benefits. These provisions will help employees and managers plan for a wave of upcoming retirements and encourage highly talented individuals to return to government service.

I thank the staff of both committees. I thank Chairman Skelton for his support. And I urge all of my colleagues to vote for this very important legislation. And I hope that the other side stops calling for adjournments because this bill is very, very important and we need to move it forward.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Bill Banks, a person that really made a difference in the lives of so many.

Bill Banks passed 4 days ago, and, of course, he's going to be really, really missed. So at this time I would like to say to his wife and to his daughter and to all of those family members that, in spite of the fact that we've lost Bill, we can think in terms of the contribution that he has made and all the lives that he's touched.

I will say that I'm just so happy that I knew him, had an opportunity to work with him, and to live during his lifetime. He was really a person that reached out to the people of Brooklyn. And, of course, a lot of people are where they are today politically because of his involvement. He was truly a great political strategist.

Bill, we will miss you, but your work is something that will live on and on and on.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Rev. Larry William Camp, the Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York.

Rev. Larry William Camp, born in Brooklyn, New York, was brought up by his mother to cherish the educational and spiritual opportunities of his childhood, reading library books with his mother and attending the Holy Trinity Baptist Church under the late Dr. Thomas S. Harden and later under the Mount Sinai Baptist Church under the late Dr. Lymon Lowe

Rev. Larry William Camp received the call to preach at the tender age of seventeen, began preaching in 1975, and gained valuable professional guidance under Dr. Curtis L. Whitney, who had succeeded Dr. Lowe.

Rev. Larry William Camp assumed the pastorship of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in 1989, ushering in an age of expansion and development at the church, helping to purchase a new church van, to renovate the sanctuary and bathrooms, and to establish many new ministries, always with the theme of ``Building Great Minds for a Greater Witness''.

Brooklyn owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Rev. Larry William Camp, a leader in denominational work on every level of government and an inspiration for many young pastors in the community.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Rev. Larry William Camp, a visionary leader and an inspiration to all of New York.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Rev. Larry William Camp.

Madam Speaker, as a member of Congress I am proud to participate in the celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month. It has been a long and slow road to the recognition of the contributions of Caribbean Americans since the establishment of the Caribbean American Heritage Awards in 1994. This declaration is well overdue since the establishment of the Caribbean American Heritage Awards 15 years ago and I am honored to be here to recognize the influential contributions of Caribbean Americans to American society. I would also like to commend my colleague Congresswoman Lee for her commitment to the recognition of the achievements of Caribbean Americans through her sponsorship and reintroduction of legislation to celebrate June as Caribbean American Heritage Month. Because of Congresswoman Lee's hard work President Bush issued a Proclamation on June 5, 2006 declaring June as Caribbean American Heritage Month. For over 100 years Caribbean Americans have enhanced American culture and diversity. Influential Caribbean Americans include Harry Belafonte, Shirley Chisholm, Sydney Poitier, Alexander Hamilton, and Malcolm X just to name a few. The influence and impact of Caribbean Americans extends far beyond this unexhausted list of notable Caribbean Americans. They have been leaders in public service, sports, entertainment, the arts, and many other fields. More importantly, Caribbean Americans are everyday men, women and children who aim to positively impact communities across America. Over five million Americans proudly share their Caribbean heritage. The Caribbean region remains an important regional partner due to its close proximity to the United States--evident in its collaborative work and strong economic, diplomatic, and strategic ties with the United States. During Caribbean American Heritage Month, we celebrate the contributions of Caribbean Americans to our country, and the common bonds and culture shared by the United States and Caribbean countries. America has thrived as a cultural melting pot, due in part to the spirit, morals, and skills of Caribbean Americans. I can not think of a better way to recognize and commemorate Caribbean Americans and the Caribbean region for their contributions to the United States than the celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month. I, along with my colleagues, am honored to be a part of this celebration. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

I would like to thank the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan) for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I believe that this is an amendment that tries to solve a problem but, instead, it creates a problem that does not exist but is written so broadly that it creates all kinds of other problems.

I understand that the gentleman from Georgia opposes the use of statistical sampling for the apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives. The Supreme Court has already ruled that this is not allowed, so you can forget about that. There is a Federal statute that already prohibits it, and the administration has repeatedly stated that it will not be used. Sampling will not be used to adjust the 2010 census.

So this amendment is not necessary. This is a blocking amendment. This is an in-the-way amendment. The problem is that this amendment is written so broadly that it would also prohibit commonly accepted techniques that the Census Bureau uses for quality control and other surveys.

Next year the Census Bureau will use sampling as a part of its coverage measurement program after the main count in order to estimate how well it counted the entire country. This amendment interferes with that. The Census Bureau uses sampling for other statistical work, including the American Community Survey. The American Community Survey provides Congress and the public with specific and valuable data about our Nation's population that State and local governments need in order to make the best

decisions they can make. It is an important tool for policy-making at the Federal level. We want to make sure that the Bureau can still provide this necessary information. Please do not tie their hands.

As Chair of the committee that has oversight of this, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. This is an awful amendment. It does not do anything to help get to where we need to go.

Mr. Chair, I thank the chair, and I'd like to thank the gentleman/gentlelady for yielding.

The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has been conducting extensive oversight of the Cenusu Bureau and its preparations for the 2010 census. We have identified many things that are working, along with many areas that need remedial action. However, it is critical that if these problems are to be fixed in time for the start of the census less than one year away, the census needs sufficient funding.

This bill includes a cut of $206 million dollars to the Census Bureau at the worst possible time. I strongly oppose these cuts, and any amendments that would divert money from the census. The Census Bureau needs these funds in order to improve response rates in areas that have been undercounted for many years. To cut money now on preparation and outreach would do nothing but increase the costs to count nonrespondents next year.

And let me just say, I've heard a lot from my colleagues and my constituents on this issue. My district in Brooklyn and other urban areas in general have suffered from undercounts over the last few decades, and we do not want to see this happen again next year. The Bureau has promised to address the problems with undercounting in urban communities and other areas, but we cannot expect them to fix their problems in 2010 if we cut their funding here today.

This cut would be devastating to outreach and education efforts and very costly in the long run. The Bureau estimates that a one-percent decrease in the mail response rate will add between $80 and $90 million to the cost of the follow up operations.

I urge my colleagues to support full funding for the Census Bureau and oppose all amendments that would take funds from this effort to accurately count all Americans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dr. Edison O. Jackson, the President of Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York and a foremost leader in higher education who is now retiring after twenty years with the College.

Dr. Jackson was born in Heathsville, Virginia. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology, a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Howard University, a Master of Divinity degree from New York Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate in Education from Rutgers University with an emphasis on the philosophy, function, role, and administration of urban educational institutions.

After an impressive twenty years in higher education, Dr. Jackson was welcomed to Medgar Evers College as its 5th President. He quickly formulated and implemented a new vision for the College's future, spearheading the creation of the Freshman Year Program, increasing student retention, creating three new academic schools, and restoring the institution's senior college status in 1994.

To increase the enrollment and academic success of African American males, Dr. Jackson established the nationally recognized Male Development and Empowerment Center to groom and guide men through their higher education career and to prepare them for the workforce. Consequently, Medgar Evers has increased its enrollment of African American men by 13 percent.

Dr. Jackson has served and/or holds membership in a number of prominent civic, educational, and community organizations. He has also written on issues of concern to educators regarding minority students, including student retention and the role of spiritual leadership in higher education.

Dr. Jackson has been honored for his decades of service and achievements from scores of elected officials, educational institutions, and community organizations.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Dr. Edison O. Jackson, a visionary leader and an inspiration to all of New York.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Dr. Edison O. Jackson.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dr. Daniel C. Udoji, a self-employed medical provider in Brooklyn.

Dr. Udoji was born in Egbu-Owerri, Eastern Nigeria to Chief Benjamin and Mrs. Dorothy Udoji and lived there until 1954. Dr. Udoji left Nigeria for London in 1957 for further education at University College Ibadan and graduated with a M.B./B.S. in 1964.

During the Nigerian-Biafra Civil War, from 1967 to 1970, Dr. Udoji provided medical and surgical services to refugees and displaced persons. After his commendable medical assistance during the Nigerian- Biafra Civil War, Dr. Udoji proceeded to the United Kingdom for postgraduate Medical Studies at Postgraduate Medical School in Scotland and University Hospital of Wales in Wales. After completion of his studies, Dr. Udoji travelled to the United States to complete his residency at V.A. Hospital and Downstate Medical Center and at Long Island Jewish Medical Center & Queens Hospital.

Following his residency, Dr. Udoji worked as an internist at V.A. Medical Center in Brooklyn from 1978 to 1986. From 1988 to 1992, Dr. Udoji provided medical services to senior citizens at the Senior Citizen Center on Bergen Street in Brooklyn. Dr. Udoji has been providing medical services to the homeless population in Brooklyn since 1989 at the Salvation Army under the auspices of Catholic Charities. Dr. Udoji has over forty years of experience and continues to work in the Brooklyn area.

Dr. Udoji is married to Obiageli with whom he has five grown children and two grandchildren. His hobbies include gardening and photography.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. Daniel C. Udoji.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise in support of H.R. 1256 because of the public health benefits this legislation will provide to the country.

I am deeply troubled, however, that the legislation we are voting on today does not include many provisions of great importance to Federal employees. These provisions were adopted unanimously by this chamber and were included in the tobacco legislation that was sent to the Senate.

The Oversight and Government Reform Committee worked closely with the sponsors of H.R. 1256 in crafting this legislation. The bill modernizes the Federal Employee Thrift Savings Plan, and these changes to the TSP provide the revenue that covers the cost of new tobacco prevention programs. As a matter of simple fairness, a portion of this revenue generated by Federal employees was devoted to simple fixes to the Federal retirement system that will make it more fair and efficient for Federal employees and management.

The House-passed legislation included provisions to eliminate inconsistency in how part-time service, breaks in service, and unused sick leave are considered in calculating retirement benefits. These provisions would help encourage highly-talented individuals to return to government service at a time when we need to be attracting such individuals to prepare for a wave of upcoming retirements, and

would help that wave of retirements be more predictable and orderly.

Unfortunately, the Senate amendments to this bill left out these critical provisions. It is very disappointing, and unfair to Federal employees, that they are used to generate the revenue for these important changes, but that a portion of that revenue will not fund important reforms that will make the Federal personnel system more efficient. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that these inequities and inefficiencies in the Federal retirement system are addressed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Lauraine Ferris, an active community member with more than twenty years of experience in social services.

Lauraine Ferris, a graduate of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, is currently the Assistant Director of the Rose McCarthy Family Residence in the East New York section of Brooklyn. Ms. Ferris and her staff assist families with obtaining the necessary life skills to achieve and obtain independent living.

Lauraine Ferris also possesses a vibrant, creative spirit that thrives on the performing arts. Ms. Ferris is an accomplished actress, dancer, and model, winning several pageants. She shares her talents with the youth and seniors of her community, donating her time to teach African/modern dance.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Lauraine Ferris, someone whose ability to help her neighbors back on their feet through social services and through dance is an inspiration to all of New York.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Lauraine Ferris.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Officer Jose Enrique Vera, a trusted community partner in Brooklyn's safety.

Officer Vera, a native of La Ceiba, Honduras, migrate with his family to the United States in 1975 at the age of 12. He attended the August Martin High School in Queens, New York, graduated from Farmingdale State University with a major in Business Administration, and graduated from the Police Academy in 1991.

Officer Vera was the assigned to the 80th Precinct in the Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn. He later worked in Brooklyn South Borough and the 84th Precinct.

Officer Vera now works on the Community Affairs Bureau, where he has expanded his role in working with the community as a Brooklyn North Crime Prevention Liaison, educating the community on personal safety and identity theft.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Officer Jose Enrique Vera, an individual committed to bringing diverse communities together and an inspiration to all of New York.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Officer Jose Enrique Vera.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Marie J. Marjorie, a community leader dedicated to improving the health of Central Brooklyn's residents.

Marie J. Marjorie is an Administrative Director at Interfaith Medical Center where her responsibilities include Community Affairs, Media and Marketing, Internship and Volunteer Services, and management of the Gift Shop.

Marie J. Marjorie reaches out to the numerous community organizations, agencies, clergy, churches, schools, and other groups that are interested in working together with Interfaith to continue to improve the health of Central Brooklyn's residents. She has implemented many successful programs at the hospital including the ``Health Care Career Learning Center'' which gives high school students hands-on training in different departments.

A passionate health advocate, Marie J. Marjorie frequently lectures on health care disparities, patients' rights, and immigrant health issues. Her research ``Who are the children and how is their Health?'' was published in the book ``The Multicultural Cultural Challenge in Health Education'' by ETR & Associates.

In addition to her work at Interfaith, Marie J. Marjorie is a volunteer English tutor for a group of young recent immigrants and a parishioner of St. Boniface R.C. Church where she is the Sunday school instructor for the youth group.

Marie J. Marjorie earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Long Island University. She is an advisory board member of the Haitian Apostolate, the HHT Association Resource Group, and a member of Boston College for Corporate Citizenship, the American Public Health Association and the Public Relations Society of America.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Marie J. Marjorie, a visionary leader and an inspiration to all of New York.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Marie J. Marjorie.