Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Michael Nonnan Haynes. Mr. Haynes, a Brooklyn native, earned his Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Northwestern University. He later began a career at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, becoming the first African-American Senior Director of Clearing House Operations there.

Mr. Haynes, in 1990, shifted his career focus from supporting people's financial pursuits to supporting people coping with the emergent HIV/AIDS pandemic. One of Mr. Haynes' proudest moments as Director of African American Services for Stop AIDS Chicago was when he provided HIV/AIDS prevention education for a Youth Summit at Operation

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Ebone E. McIntosh. In 2004, Ms. McIntosh was appointed Vice President of Administration at the Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn. She was administratively responsible for the Departments of Ambulatory Care, Community Relations, and the hospital's Private Practice initiative. During her first two years, Ms. McIntosh worked tirelessly to improve the community's perception of Interfaith Medical Center by working with Community Board members, clergy, and primary care physicians in the immediate catchment. The hospital expanded its community outreach efforts through its participation in community health fairs, treatment adherence initiatives, and patient education. The hospital also became actively involved in HIV/AIDS programs, Adult and Pediatric Sickle Cell grants, and Breast Cancer awareness through the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Killough Trust.

Ms. McIntosh, in early 2007, assumed more operational responsibilities at the hospital, taking on hospital support services including Security, Food and Nutrition, Patient Relations, and Construction Management. Within months, a new hospitality-driven model of guest relations was in place, including daily newspaper delivery, the provision of amenities kits, and personal choice dining; accommodations many of the patients at IMC had never experienced. Given the medically underserved population and the reliance on the Emergency Department for the primary care needs of the hospital's core population, Ms. McIntosh soon assumed control of the Department of Emergency Services. Under her leadership, the EMS turn around time, patient satisfaction, and overall patient flow significantly improved.

Ms. McIntosh, prior to joining Interfaith, was the Senior Administrator for the Departments of Neurology, OB/GYN, and Pediatrics at the Columbia University Harlem Hospital Center. She was active in the application and approval process for their designated stroke center, was the Grants Coordinator for the Institutional Review Board, and has served briefly as the Residency Coordinator in Diagnostic Radiology.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Ms. Ebone E. McIntosh for her extraordinary accomplishments in improving health care at the Interfaith Medical Center and across New York City.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Ms. Ebone E. McIntosh.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Mr. Anderson Hyland. Mr. Hyland is a Certified Public Accountant with a great deal of diverse knowledge and experience to draw upon. He holds a BA in Business Administration and Accounting from Baruch College, City University of New York.

Mr. Hyland was born in St. Michael, Barbados and attended Coleridge & Parry. This provided him with an excellent forum to develop some of his diverse interests such as soccer, cricket, traveling, and business. Upon graduating, he continued his studies at the O'level Institute where he received two A' levels (Law and Accounting) and later worked for the Barbados Internal Revenue Department as a Tax Officer.

Mr. Hyland has extensive experience in British and American tax preparation services. This can be seen by the service he provides to numerous clients in the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut region. He was formerly the Staff Accountant at Brookdale Hospital, Brooklyn, New York and a Tax Preparer at H & R Block and now works as the accountant for Local 420 District Council 37 in Lower Manhattan.

Mr. Hyland feels very privileged to be on the Board of Trustees for Glenwood Gardens Condos and is able to serve the community. He is also a member of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), the International Foundation of Employee Benefits, and the Baruch College Alumni Association.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Anderson Hyland for his extraordinary contributions to New York City's academic, labor, and community institutions.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Anderson Hyland.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Bishop Eugene J. Blount. Bishop Blount has, from an early age, always placed a devotion to community betterment and a passion for Christ and his church at the forefront of every endeavor he has undertaken.

Bishop Eugene J. Blount, in 1990, joined the Elim International Fellowship, where he introduced a renewed enthusiasm for the scriptures and an appreciation for the supernatural, serving in the prophetic ministry as one of the ``King's Seers'' and as Chief of Staff in the full time ministry under the leadership of Archbishop Wilbert S. McKinley, where he molded and implemented the mission of the church.

Bishop Eugene J. Blount, an outstanding and well-respected member of the Brooklyn clergy, will undoubtedly prove to be a tremendous asset to the Bedford-Stuyvesant community as he is consecrated as a Bishop of the Elim International Fellowship.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Bishop Eugene J. Blount for his extraordinary accomplishments and to congratulate him on his consecration at the Elim International Fellowship.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Bishop Eugene J. Blount.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Mr. Anish Berry. Mr. Berry is the President of the Diagnostic Imaging Group, which operates 38 diagnostic imaging centers, 23 of which are in New York and 6 in New Jersey under the name Doshi Diagnostic Imaging Services, as well as 16 centers in Florida under the name Signet Diagnostic Imaging Services.

Mr. Berry helped to engineer the aggressive growth of the Diagnostic Imaging Group by leveraging hardware-and-software prowess with the talents of a diverse medical, technical, and administrative staff to deliver high-caliber customer service to patients and over 40,000 referring physicians. This excellent team of medical professionals is paired with state of the art equipment in each facility where the full range of imaging services are offered, including MRI/MRA, CT, Ultrasound, X-ray, Mammography, PET/CT, Nuclear Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology, DEXA, Echocardiolgraphy and Vascular Duplex.

Mr. Berry takes the same aggressive approach to his charitable works. He is the co-founder of the Doshi Difference Program at the John Bowne High School in Flushing, NY. This unique, selective program affords its students an outstanding introduction in research techniques as well as valuable learning experiences including scientific competitions, mentoring, field trips, and speakers. Mr. Berry was also responsible for the recent construction of a brand new science lab at John Bowne High School to further assist the students in their quest for educational excellence.

Mr. Berry is also a staunch supporter of law enforcement, serving as the Director of the New York Law Enforcement Foundation, the Medical Director of Amtrack Police, the Director of the Suffolk County Police Reserves, and as a member of the Nassau County Police Reserves.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Anish Berry for his extraordinary accomplishments in diagnostic imaging, science education, and community service.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Mr. Anish Berry.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Mr. Ken Burns, one of the most celebrated documentary producers of our day. His films have captured the American experience and have forever elevated and enriched our understanding of American history.

Ken Burns, born in Brooklyn, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1975, and went on to become one of the co-founders of Florentine Films. His first Academy Award-winning documentary was Brooklyn Bridge, in 1981. Since then, he has produced nineteen more documentaries, two earning Academy Award nominations and seven winning Emmy Awards.

Ken Burns was the director, producer, co-writer, chief cinematographer, music director and executive producer of the landmark television series The Civil War, considered by many to be his magnum opus. This film was the highest rated series in the history of American Public Television and attracted an audience of 40 million during its premiere in September 1990. The series has been honored with more than forty major film and television awards, including two Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards, the Producer of the Year Award from the Producer's Guild, the People's Choice Award, the Peabody Award, the DuPont- Columbia Award, the D.W. Griffiths Award, and the $50,000 Lincoln Prize, among dozens of others.

Ken Burns most recent documentary, The War, tells the story of the Second World War from the personal perspectives of men and women from Waterbury, CT, Mobile, AL, Sacramento, CA, and Luverne, MN. Airing in the fall of 2007, it was the most watched series in the last ten years on PBS. One hundred and seventeen PBS stations across the nation participated in some form of community outreach and nearly 30,000 educator guides went to every high school in the country. As was hoped, ``The War'' started a massive national dialog about this most cataclysmic event in the history of the United States.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Ken Burns for igniting a passion for American history in millions of Americans throughout his prodigious filmmaking career.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Mr. Ken Burns.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Dr. Ovidio Joseph Falcone. Dr. Falcone, born in Salerno, Italy and raised in Yonkers, New York, displayed a passion for science, math, and sports from an early age, attending Manhattan College and obtaining his BS degree in Biology.

Dr. Falcone began his medical career in 1982, when he entered the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, obtaining his D.P.M. and beginning his residency at the Interfaith Medical Center in 1986, serving as its Chief Resident from 1987 to 1988 and later as its On-Site Director.

Dr. Falcone later became the Director of the Podiatric Surgical Division in 1998, developing one of the strongest Podiatric Surgical Residency Programs in the country as well as a dedicated, vibrant Podiatric Surgical Service at IMC.

Dr. Falcone is a member of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and is a member of the Council on Podiatric Medical Education. In addition to these responsibilities at Interfaith Medical Center, Dr. Falcone has private practices in Queens and Brooklyn.

Dr. Falcone has a deep love for teaching the art of surgery, a strong commitment to family, and a passion for patient care. He is committed to serving the underprivileged and he believes that there is a sense of fulfillment in knowing you participated in helping those that are in need.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Dr. Ovidio Joseph Falcone for his extraordinary accomplishments at the Interfaith Medical Center.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Dr. Ovidio Joseph Falcone.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to rise today on behalf of Mount Calvary Baptist Church. This beacon of hope in Harlem has provided faith and fellowship for its congregation for 91 years.

The rich history of this Harlem religious institution began 1917. At the time Black laborers were actively recruited to leave the South to work in New York's factories. Mount Calvary Baptist Church, among other churches, served as a pillar of spiritual sustenance and support for this young Black community. Throughout Harlem's tough times including devastating riots, poverty, crime, and unemployment, the church has continued its invaluable work, inspiring new generations of Harlemites to improve their communities and to develop their spiritual potential.

Mount Calvary Baptist Church, in 1991, began a series of new community projects, starting with the Building Trade Training School Program and later the church's participation in the ``Angel Tree Prison Ministry'' in 1995.

Mount Calvary Baptist Church has since built on its years of community work to found a highly successful men's ministry, women's ministry, and prison ministry, as well as sponsoring health workshops for men, a youth basketball team, and a Youth Ministry in 2001.

Mount Calvary Baptist Church, under the adroit leadership of Reverend Dr. Adolph Roberts, Senior Pastor, can take pride in its many accomplishments in the community. Over the course of its 91-year history, the church has served as the spiritual home of thousands of men, women, boys, girls, and teenagers, inspiring them with a message of hope, deliverance, and prosperity.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and honor to the work and achievements of Archbishop Wilbert S. McKinley, founding patriarch of the Elim International Fellowship.

Archbishop McKinley established Elim International Fellowship on July 26, 1964 at 9 Chauncey Street in Brooklyn. He began with a bold new vision: to create a dynamic spiritual center in the heart of Brooklyn that generates

a pulsating excitement of the presence of God for people of diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

Archbishop McKinley over the past 44 years has guided Elim's extraordinary growth and development, moving the church from its Chauncey Street location first to 1810 Fulton Street, then to 515 Classon Avenue, and finally to its larger, magnificent home on 20 Madison Street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Archbishop McKinley has succeeded in creating a vibrant home for thousands of men, women, boys, girls, and teenagers seeking a sincere, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The church has launched many powerful ministries that bring the Bible to life and inspire each individual to develop his or her spiritual potential.

Archbishop McKinley is also an accomplished, celebrated preacher and a master teacher. His message of hope, deliverance, prosperity, and nationhood is broadcasted live to thousands of listeners worldwide every Sunday morning.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Archbishop Wilbert S. McKinley, Jr. for 50 years of outstanding service to our community as a member of the ministry.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Archbishop Wilbert S. McKinley.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 7216) to amend section 3328 of title 5, United States Code, relating to Selective Service registration, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 7217) to amend title 40, United States Code, to enhance authorities with regard to real property that has yet to be reported excess, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the measures just considered.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 928) to amend the Inspector General Act of 1978 to enhance the independence of the Inspectors General, to create a Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, and for other purposes.

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

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 928, the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008, focuses on the important role of the Inspectors General in providing independent oversight within Federal agencies. By investigating and reporting waste, fraud and abuse to both agency leaders and to the Congress, Inspectors General play a critical role in maintaining checks and balances in the Federal Government.

This bill strengthens and reforms the Inspector General system by providing greater independence and accountability for IG offices. H.R. 928 first passed this House last October with more than 400 votes. The other body passed a similar bill sponsored by Senator McCaskill earlier this year. We have worked with the Senate to resolve the differences between the two bills and produce the amended bill now under consideration. It passed the Senate by unanimous consent last night.

H.R. 928 enhances the rank and pay of IGs within their agencies, and requires that Congress be promptly informed if an IG is transferred or removed from office. It provides a mechanism for IGs to report to Congress if their budgets are inadequate to perform their responsibilities and sets aside funding for training. And the bill establishes an Inspectors General Council, and sets procedures for investigating potential IG misconduct.

I would like to commend the sponsor of this bill, my good friend Mr. Cooper from the great State of Tennessee, for his work in crafting this legislation. He has worked on it for several years as part of his work on improving government accountability.

I also thank Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Davis as well as the subcommittee Ranking Member Bilbray for their work in moving this bill forward.

H.R. 928 will make sure that the IGs have the legal authority and tools necessary to continue their role as nonpartisan, professional, honest brokers on behalf of the people.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I would like to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee, who is a person who came to us early on with this idea which, I think, is an excellent one, so I am delighted to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cooper).

Madam Speaker, I really feel that this legislation is so timely, because when you talk to people, when we had hearings that Inspectors General would come in and talk about the fact that sometimes they would be in the middle of an investigation of some type and that the budget would be cut, or in some instances they were actually fired.

So I think this kind of brings about the independence that they need regardless in terms of the fact that if there is an investigation, if there's problems, it gives them the freedom to be able to move and get the things they need to get done.

I would like to commend all of my colleagues that have been involved in this issue. I would like to commend the staff for bringing us where we are today.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1046) to modify pay provisions relating to certain senior-level positions in the Federal Government, and for other purposes.

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

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

I rise in support of S. 1046, the Senior Professional Performance Act of 2008, introduced by Senator George Voinovich of Ohio.

This legislation passed the Senate with an amendment by unanimous consent on July 11, 2008, and was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

This legislation amends Federal pay provisions to raise the cap on base pay for certain senior-level scientific and professional government employees while eliminating locality-based comparability payments for the employees.

The legislation makes small changes in the procedures for new appointments of senior-level scientific and professional provisions classified above GS-15. The legislation also allows the director of the Office of Personnel Management to extend the certification of an agency's performance appraisal system, which is otherwise limited to 24 months under the bill, for up to 6 months.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that implementing this legislation would cost the Federal Government roughly $7 million between 2008 and 2012, which would be paid from discretionary appropriations. This legislation would not affect direct spending or revenues.

In 2003, Congress enacted legislation to reform the pay-for- performance management system for the Senior Executive Service. This legislation, as amended, authorizes agencies to develop and implement similar pay and performance management systems for senior level scientific and professional personnel in order to retain these talented and capable employees.

With the prediction on the high numbers of Federal workers eligible for retirement, it is important that the Federal Government have tools in place to recruit and retain a highly skilled workforce. S. 1046 provides agencies with the flexibility needed to meet future workforce needs of the Federal Government. We recognize that pay-for-performance systems are still under review. However, this bill serves as a first step to improving innovative Federal compensation systems.

Therefore, Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation by agreeing to pass S. 1046.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, does the gentleman from Connecticut have additional speakers?

Let me just say that to the critics, this might not be a total solution, but I say to you that it is a giant step in the right direction. I'm happy that my colleague from Connecticut, who also agrees with this, and others who have worked very hard to bring us to where we are today, I would like to salute our staff who worked very hard as well, and to say that, yes, it might not be a total solution, but it is a step in the right direction, a giant step, and that we should move as quickly as possible to make certain that this becomes law by passing it out of this House today.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Thank you very much, Chairman Pallone, and, of course, Congressman Terry and Chairman Dingell and Ranking Member Barton and Deal for their leadership on the Poison Control Center measure.

Congressman Lee Terry and I introduced H.R. 5669, the Poison Center Support Enhancement and Awareness Act

of 2008, which passed by greater than 300 votes on the House floor. The Senate modified the measure slightly, and we now must pass the Senate version and quickly get it to the President.

I again ask my colleagues to vote in support of S. 2932. This bill saves many lives. Especially children and seniors have been saved by the Poison Control Centers. Therefore, I encourage my colleagues to support this life-saving amendment.