Floor Statements

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

Madam Speaker, I rise to associate myself with the remarks of the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica).

I am delighted to cosponsor and support House Concurrent Resolution 139. This resolution, as the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica) ably explained, authorizes the printing of brochures entitled ``How Our Laws Are Made'', ``Our American Government'', and the publication entitled ``Our Flag'', the document-sized annotated version of the United States Constitution and the pocket version of the United States Constitution, both vitally important to so many of our constituents and used by so many of our colleagues here to impart information about our government and our Constitution to our citizens.

Madam Speaker, these documents are more than just handy reference materials. Collectively they explain how our federal system of government works, contain the essential documents on which the government is based, including the Declaration of Independence, and answer a wide range of questions frequently asked of our constitutional system.

They are, in a word, indispensable to every American and should be made widely available to every person who seeks answers about what it means to live in the United States. The resolution before us will do just that. I urge the House to support the concurrent resolution.

Madam Speaker, I would be remiss if during today's proceedings concerning the Joint Committee on Printing that I did not mention that one of the institution's finest employees, Mike Harrison, who is on the minority staff and is minority staff director for the Joint Committee on Printing, is not here today. Normally, Mike would be here right by my side.

He has helped me in the past shepherd through legislation. Unfortunately, Mike is home recovering from an ailment and cannot be here today. The good news is that he is doing quite well and convalescing at home. I spoke with both him and his wife, Lori; and I know so many from here send their best wishes for his speedy recovery. He is as witty as ever, and we look forward to his speedy return.

Madam Speaker, having no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume; and I, again, wish to associate myself with the remarks of the gentleman from Florida.

Madam Speaker, as the Chair and many of our colleagues know, I am an avid student of this great institution and its history and was proud to sponsor legislation, along with the Chair, that led to the writing of the history of the House by Professor Remini; and it should, therefore, be no surprise that I am an enthusiastic cosponsor of this resolution authorizing the printing of the ``Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774 to 2005.''

The volume, as the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica) pointed out, was last printed in 1989 for the bicentennial of the establishment of the United States Government under the Constitution and before that in 1971. The Joint Committee on Printing has supervised the biographical directory's printing since 1928.

In the 1989 edition, the ``Biographical Directory'' listed more than 11,000 men and women who have served in the Congress of the United States, as well as the Continental Congress. The new and revised directory will contain more than 12,000 entries, as well as provide updated information on Members who were included in the 1989 edition.

There is no question that the new directory, like the 1989 edition, will promote a richer understanding of the contributions that the men and women of Congress have made over the 200 years of national growth, challenge, and change.

Some, like Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, and Daniel Webster, were the heroes of their age. Others, like Jeannette Rankin, Margaret Chase Smith, and Shirley Chisolm, broke significant race and gender boundaries while rendering notable public service. Countless others have worked quietly behind the scenes, like the Chair, Madam Speaker, and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) seated to my right, and my esteemed colleague from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

The new edition of the ``Biographical Directory'' of the United States Congress will gather in one updated volume useful historical information for teachers, students, and others describing the careers of the men and women who have served in the United States Congress.

To be sure, much of the material in the biographical directory is available through the Clerk of the House Web site; but there is much that is not, such as listings of the congressional memberships by State and the multiple changes that occurred in each of those Congresses. There is much to be said to be able to leaf through a volume rich in historical detail and discover its secrets rather than simply researching specific items on the Web.

The ``Biographical Directory'' is an invaluable resource to students, teachers, historians, and all citizens who are interested in the history and the personalities of this great deliberative body. Anytime that we walk through these hallowed hallways or in Statuary Hall, where generations before President Lincoln sat, John Quincy Adams sat, it should give everyone in this body pause to celebrate the great institution that the House of Representatives is.

I urge my colleagues to support the concurrent resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers at this time, but I would like to note for the record that the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell) was a student of Professor Remini's in college; and we do not know what his grade point average was, but nonetheless we are proud to note that he was a student at that time.

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

Madam Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman very much for his gracious accolades, and I want my colleague to know that many Democrats, along with the gentleman's mother, pray continually for his conversion; but nonetheless, we are proud to note how well the gentleman has distinguished himself on the floor of the House, our great House and also as a person who has championed bipartisanship and the great role that he has also played along with his lovely wife in terms of making the annual bipartisan, biannual, bipartisan retreat such an enormous success because of his care for this great institution of ours.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am an original co-sponsor of H. Con. Res. 156, honoring the men and women of the U.S. Capitol Police as they celebrate the 175th anniversary of the police force.

Congress established the Capitol Police during the administration of John Quincy Adams. Ponder how different the world was then, when the U.S. Congress was a young and largely untested deliberative body located in a relatively isolated town that was as much wilderness as it was settled territory.

In the last 175 years, the world has changed immeasurably, and so has the work of the Capitol Police.

Today the U.S. Capitol--which is simultaneously a national shrine, tourist attraction, and working office building--imposes extraordinary security requirements.

For example, more than three million tourists visited the Capitol complex in 2000. At the same time, the Capitol hosted more than 1,200 American and foreign dignitaries and 1,000 special events, and was the site of nearly 500 scheduled demonstrations. In addition to lawmakers and their staffs, a sizable number of journalists, concerned citizens, lobbyists, and service personnel also work within the Capitol complex.

To address these security requirements while keeping Congress as open and accessible as the Framers of the Constitution intended, the mission of the Capitol Police has expanded to provide the Congressional community and visitors with the highest possible quality of a full range of police services. These services are provided through the use of a variety of specialty support units and a network of foot patrols, vehicular patrols, and fixed posts.

In modern times, the Capitol Police have also had to cope with emergencies, bombings and shootings, including the tragic 1998 murders of Officer J.J. Chestnut and Detective John Gibson, that remain so painfully fresh in our memories.

After that tragic event, Congress properly heightened Capitol security, adopting a posture that requires considerable additional manpower. Recent events in the Middle East and elsewhere have obviously underscored the need for more officers and greater security. Fortunately, additional resources have been provided.

Congress has appropriated money to fund all the additional officers the Capitol Police can hire and train. Supplemental funds have also been provided to address needs identified since September 11, 2001.

Today, the Capitol Police face evolving threats from those who, for whatever reason, wish our country and our democracy harm. What was unthinkable only 18 months ago, has been done. We must remain vigilant and prepared as we work to rid the world of the scourge of terrorism and preserve and expand the promise of peace and democracy.

We will continue to rely on the Capitol Police as the first line of defense for the People's House and all who work and visit here.

The men and women of the Capitol Police meet their challenges with courage and a level of professionalism not exceeded anywhere. Since the dastardly attacks of September 11, and again after the heightened security level of the past few months, Capitol Police officers, under the able leadership of Chief Terrance Gainer, have worked long hours under adverse conditions. These men and women clearly represent the best that America has to offer.

I want to express my personal thanks for a job well done and wish the United States Capitol Police a sincere and happy 175th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the H. Con. Res. 156.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 1298, the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003. While much of our focus over the past two years has been on the eradication of terrorist threats from radical fringe groups and evil dictators, we must not forget the threat posed by a non-human terrorist: HIV/AIDS. More than 42 million people in the world are living with HIV/AIDS. Nearly 30 million of those people live on the continent of Africa and that includes 3 million children under the age of fifteen. As many of us in Congress have worked hard over the years to strengthen HIV/AIDS programs, I was particularly pleased to hear the President acknowledge this threat during his State of the Union address in January. Today Congress has a chance to address this global pandemic.

Specifically, this bill would authorize $15 billion over five years to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic, including up to $1 billion for the Global Fund to Combat HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria in Fiscal Year 2004. It would also create a five-year comprehensive, integrated, global strategy to strength the U.S. capacity to respond to the HIV/ AIDS pandemic. Additionally, an HIV/AIDS Response Coordinator within the Department of State would be created to oversee this plan.

I am particularly pleased by the bipartisan support that this legislation has garnered. I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) for introducing this bill and working with both sides of the aisle to bring to the floor today a bill that can be widely supported. Our goal should not be to impose our values on another culture, but to exhibit our values by showing care and compassion for our global neighbors. By supporting programs like the successful Ugandan ABC campaign (which says Abstain; if you can't abstain, Be Faithful; if you can't be faithful, use a Condom) we can effectively address this crisis.

Again, I support this legislation and encourage my colleagues to join me. We have the opportunity today to make a commitment to improve the lives of millions of people and ease the suffering of an entire continent. However, the fight against HIV/AIDS is far from over and we must live up to the commitment we make today by fully funding these programs in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to my colleagues' attention the tragic death of a young man from my home state of Connecticut, Marine Cpl. Kemaphoom Chanawongse, known as ``Ahn.''

On March 23, 2003, Marine Cpl. Chanawongse came under fire during a heroic attempt to secure a bridge over the Euphrates River near An Nasiriyah and was killed when the vehicle he commanded took a direct hit. ``Ahn'' was just 22 years old when he sacrificed his life for his new country.

Ahn's family immigrated to the United States from Thailand when he was 9 years old. He was an excellent student and skilled artist, and developed a keen interest in law enforcement. Following the steps of his grandfather who was a Group Commander in the Royal Thai Air Force, Marine Corporal Chanawongse was dedicated to his mission and proud of being a U.S. Marine. Both his grandfather and his brother, who is a student and teaches English in Thailand, have traveled here for the funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery.

Nicknamed ``Chuckles'' for his sense of humor, Ahn was highly respected and well-liked by his fellow marines. He served the United States in the 2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 2nd Marine Division of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

News of Marine Corporal Chanawongse's death reached his family and friends after three painful weeks of waiting while he was listed as missing in action. The Town of Waterford, Connecticut quickly rallied in support in many ways, including the establishment of a memorial fund and a scholarship fund at Waterford High School for students with high aspirations like Ahn's.

In honor of Ahn, Connecticut Governor John Rowland ordered the state and national flags to fly at half-staff from Wednesday, April 16 until sunset tomorrow, April 30, when Ahn will be buried at Arlington. Today, a traditional Thai merit-making ceremony is being held in his memory at the Thai Buddhist temple ``Wat Thai Washington D.C.'' after which his remains will be cremated.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Marine Cpl. Kemaphoom A. Chanawongse, who sacrificed his life for the just causes of our war on terrorism. Let us wish for him, according to the Thai sentiment, ``kor joang pai su sukah-ti tert.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to associate myself with the remarks of the gentleman from Georgia.

Mr. Speaker, the operative clause of this resolution says simply that ``Congress and the American people extend heartfelt congratulations to the United States Capitol Police on the occasion its 175th anniversary, and express the sincerest gratitude to the men and women of the United States Capitol Police and their families, and in particular,'' as the gentleman from Georgia mentioned, ``the Eney, Chestnut and Gibson families, for their devotion to duty and service in safeguarding the freedoms of the American people.''

It is hard to imagine that in the vaunted history of the Capitol Police, that we went from a single watchman in 1801 to the force that we now have today; from the perils of the War of 1812 to the perils of the war against terror. The men and women who wear the uniform here in the Capitol have served us extraordinarily well.

I want to rise and commend the efforts of Chief Gainer and what they have been able to accomplish here in the Capitol, protecting the Members this body, the staffs, and the many tourists who come here on a regular basis. It was not lost on any Member of Congress that during the events of September 11 that it was the men and women who wear the uniform who were our first responders. The fact of the matter is that the Capitol Police are our first responders and have performed extraordinarily well over their 175-year career.

Again, I just would like to echo the words of my esteemed colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder), in saluting the men and women of the Capitol Police who have done an extraordinary job on all of our behalves.

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

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear friend and colleague for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I am amazed that I learn something every time I come to this floor. I have always known of the gentlewoman's great tenacity and ability to put on a full court press, but I had never known that she was a basketball player before, and clearly am astonished to learn that her mom was a basketball player as well, although certainly she was in the center of her life and a point guard in the women's movement in Connecticut.

I am honored, as well, to be joined by my colleagues from Connecticut, and want to especially thank the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons) for organizing this. The University of Connecticut at Storrs is in the heart of the Second Congressional District. I thank, of course, the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson) for joining us as well.

The University of Connecticut's women's basketball team is special to the State of Connecticut. They are virtually embraced by all of our citizens, and there has been a love affair in the State of Connecticut with this team. As most of you and everyone knows, throughout the Northeast the winters can get pretty severe, and this was no exception. But the Huskies, both the men's and women's teams, bring extraordinary delight into people's homes all across the State of Connecticut.

We, day in and day out, have the best fans anywhere in the United States, as witnessed by sellout after sellout after sellout of our games, and it is because of the extraordinary program that has been put together at the University of Connecticut.

So, along with the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons), the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson) and the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), I want to give the tribute that rightfully belongs to Geno Auriemma and his entire coaching staff, Lew Perkins, and President Austin for the outstanding job they have done at the University of Connecticut.

I would also like to point out that this was a special final four, and, as both the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) and the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson) have pointed out, underscored by the importance of those that are thinking about changing title IX. So, in many respects, though the University of Connecticut Huskies walked off the court victorious, the real winners were women's athletics and its importance.

I say that because I think that there is a unique purity about this game and those that watch athletic competition. I liken it to baseball in the 1950s and 1960s. For sports enthusiasts and purists who watched the women's final four and got to see Duke and Tennessee and Connecticut and Texas, and then the final game between Connecticut and Tennessee, you saw athleticism, sportsmanship, camaraderie and gamesmanship at its very best, something certainly that we all can be proud of and something that I know, having two girls and a son at home, that by watching that kind of play are inspired and get to dream the big dreams that the Lady Vols and the University of Connecticut Huskies have dreamt.

For UCONN it was a tremendous victory. I sincerely hope that Geno and Kathy and their family get to really live this moment, because for the coach and for Chris Dailey and all of the assistant coaches, a three- peat is already expected of them.

Their accomplishments are legendary. They set a national record for consecutive victories this year by winning 70 games in a row, they won 76 of 77 games on their way to their second national championship, and they beat every ranked team along the way. As was pointed out, this was done for the first time by a team of all underclassmen.

In Connecticut we like to say that the Supremes had Diana Ross, certainly the British had Princess Diana, but in Connecticut, we have D, Diana Taurasi, simply the best basketball player in the country. Throughout this past week people from West Virginia have been coming up to me and talking about how she reminds them of Jerry West; and people from Indiana have been coming up and saying how she reminds them of Larry Byrd. And we had Sue Byrd last year, who was not a bad player either; but Diana Taurasi is in a class of her own.

They say a team is an extension of its coach, and certainly this team is the personification of Geno Auriemma, of his spirit, his style, his manner of coaching. He does so with class. Geno Auriemma won his 500th game against the University of Texas and his 501st against Tennessee, and his remarks on beating Tennessee were a tribute to Pat Summitt and the Lady Vols, saying that they had beat the best women's basketball program in the country, and Tennessee arguably was playing the best basketball of any team in the tournament at that point. Of course, Pat Summitt's credits are legendary as well.

This is a rivalry that has been established and will continue for some time to come, but it is one, I think, that again highlights the importance of making sure that people all across this country get to see women's athletics played out on a national stage with all the excitement, drama and athleticism that this competition has brought to the country.

I would also point out that what makes us so proud of our Huskies is that, as extraordinary as they are on the court, they are equally extraordinary off the court, not only academically, in the classroom, but as ambassadors.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the outstanding success of the Big East throughout this tournament. Our colleagues from New York, of course, are very proud of the Syracuse team that went on to win the national championship; and our men's team, again going to the Sweet 16, and also being joined by three other teams, and, of course, the eventual winner, Syracuse.

I know New York and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks), if he is still within earshot and is listening, is proud of the great job that St. John's did in winning the NIT; and I know that the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) was somewhat chagrined that Pitt did not make it all the way. But nonetheless, nonetheless, it was a stellar achievement on the part of the Big East. Geno Auriemma, again, pointed that out.

So I am very proud to stand with my colleagues here today and pay tribute to the University of Connecticut and their outstanding women's basketball team. They are a credit to their families, to their university, to our great State of Connecticut and to the entire Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time. I would feel remiss, with the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp) taking most of the time here, that I did not get an opportunity to mention that the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Ford) had also been involved in a wager, far more dramatic, I might point out, I say to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons), than the paultry ham that you were able to get. The gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Ford) had committed that the Tennessee delegation, working through the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp), was going to get us a new wing at the University of Connecticut; and we want to greatly thank him for that as well.

I yield to the gentleman from Connecticut.

Pork.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of women's basketball and to pay tribute to the University of Connecticut women's basketball team.

The Huskies have won 76 of their last 77 games including a record breaking 70 wins in a row on their way to winning their second national title on April 8, 2003. They are the first women's basketball team ever to win the national championship without a senior on the team. They achieved this distinction by defeating outstanding teams from Texas and Tennessee in the Final Four.

Geno Auriemma, Chris Dailey, their assistants, Lew Perkins, and the entire UConn program are to be commended for their continued pursuit of excellence both on and off the basketball court. They are a credit to women's sports and college athletics in general.

Coach Auriemma paid a great tribute to Pat Summitt and the Tennessee team, citing that UConn beat the best women's basketball program in the country. Though his Huskies were victorious, the real winner was women's athletics.

With all the talk about changing Title IX, this Final Four bears testimony on the wisdom of that policy. Texas, Duke, Tennessee, and Connecticut brought women's basketball to another level. For purists who follow sports, its reminiscent of baseball in the 1950s and 60s. There is a purity about the women's game that is unique and endearing and transcends gender.

For the University of Connecticut team, the first ever group of all underclassmen to win the national title, what a lasting tribute to your dedication, stamina, spirit, and will to win.

They say that teams are an extension of their coach. Clearly the UConn women's program is personified in Coach Auriemma and in their leader Diana Taurasi. The Supremes had Diana Ross, the British had Princess Diana. Connecticut has ``D,'' Diana Taurasi, simply the best women's basketball player in the country.

While Diana Taurasi at times carried this team on her back, the championship could not have been won without a team effort. Ann Strother will be remembered for shaking off a tough tournament to play her best game in the biggest game. The flawless ball handling and clutch three pointers by Maria Conlon freed Taurasi to focus on shooting and driving to the basket. The solid inside play of Jessica Moore, Barbara Turner, and Willnett Crockett kept the offense balanced and the defense off guard. And who will forget Ashley Battle's steal of the ball to seal the victory. Not to be overlooked are the contributions throughout the year of Morgan Valley, Ashley Valley, Stacey Marron, and Nicole Wolff.

I only hope Geno and Kathy, Chris Dailey, and all the coaches get to relax and enjoy the moment, because the expectation for a three-peat has already started.

Lastly, this great game with great teams was played out by young women on a national stage in what will go down as a tournament for the ages, and will inspire countless dreams of girls and boys who aspire to excel in sports and seize the moment.

I am further delighted to collect my dinner wager from Harold Ford, Jr. of Tennessee, a future President of the United States. I will enjoy every morsel of this meal as I brag on the Huskies, Diana Taurasi, the Big East, and another future President, Joe Lieberman.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute to the University of Connecticut's fourth women's basketball national championship and celebrating the game of women's basketball and the continued success of women's athletics.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of women's basketball and to specifically congratulate the national champion University of Connecticut Huskies for the outstanding job they did last night in defeating the University of Tennessee, an equally great program. This victory underscores the importance of title IX and what it means to women's sports. And on the way, the University of Connecticut has distinguished itself. Coaches Auriemma and Dailey, athletic director Perkins, and the entire program along with the Lady Huskies deserve our admiration for the inspiration that they have provided each and every one of us. They make us so proud in the State of Connecticut.

And by the way, I am happy to collect my wager from the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Ford), a soon-to-be someday President of the United States who I will be able to say at some point lost his wager on Tennessee and had to pay up because of the University of Connecticut.

Reserving the right to object, Mr. Speaker, we have no objection. We are in concurrence.

Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

The Speaker pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Ohio?

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 1559, the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2003, While I believe that it is a tragedy that the Republican Leadership in the House did not allow the Democrats to offer an amendment to include funding to support critical first responder and other homeland security needs, we have no choice to vote for this bill to support our brave men and women now engaged in hostilities in Iraq. My support for this bill does not mean, however, that I will not continue my fight with my like-minded colleagues to provide additional funds to enhance the security of Americans at home. We urgently need to address vulnerabilitites in our ports, borders, transportation system and other critical infrastructure, and we need to augment our first- response by way of training, equipment and communality of communications, in reinforce counter-terrorism and other capabilities.

As Ranking Member on the Committee on House Administration, I am pleased that this bill includes funds to address the needs of several Legislative Branch agencies under my Committee's jurisdiction. There is over $37 million for general expenses of the Capitol Police, mostly for additional equipment to improve the physical security of the Capitol, the temple of our democracy which thousands of American and foreign tourists visit each year. The bill provides $63.9 million for acquisition of a larger headquarters for the Capitol Police. Our police force has grown considerably since the 1998 shootings and 9/11, and there is a need for more space to consolidate functions and improve operational efficiency.

Also under our jurisdiction, the bill funds security-related work in the Library of Congress and the Congressional Research Service. The bill funds the newly constituted House Select Committee on Homeland Security, which will, under the able leadership of the gentleman from California [Mr. Cox] and the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Turner], oversee our newest department and its enormous job of making our people as safe as we can be made from terrorism.

I am particularly pleased that this bill includes $110,000 to satisfy an operating shortfall at the Office of Compliance. While this amount of money is very small in the context of the overall bill, it is important to ensure fairness in the Congressional Accountability Act complaint process by allowing the Office to employ outside, independent mediators. I would like to compliment the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Kingston] and the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Moran], Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, respectively, for recognizing the importance of this program and for providing the funding needed for it to continue.

Mr. Chairman, I look forward to working with the distinguished gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Ney], Chairman of the House Administration Committee, our Committee colleagues, and members of the Appropriations Committee on these and a number of matters in coming months to ensure the security and other needs of the first branch of government are properly met.

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I believe we need to urgently act on providing additional resources to meet our country's homeland security needs that this bill fails to address. In the meantime, however, I rise in support of this bill to provide short term funding for our troops and security needs of the Congress and would urge my colleagues to vote in favor of it.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H. Res. 134, which elects Members of the House to serve on the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library and the Joint Committee on Printing, as provided for in the applicable statutes relating to these two entities.

All of these members also serve on the Committee on House Administration, except in the case of the Joint Library Committee, where we will again be joined, pursuant to a new statute enacted in 2000, by the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch.

The House and Senate will each have three Majority and two Minority members on both panels. The Senate passed a resolution, S. Res. 84, electing its members to the two joint committees on March 13.

The subject matter under the jurisdiction of the joint committees requires bicameral oversight which neither chamber can exercise alone.

The Joint Committee on the Library, created originally in 1802, currently oversees the Library of Congress, the Congressional Research Service and the Botanic Gardens. It operates much like a ``board of trustees'' in relation to the Librarian of Congress, who is a presidential appointee, and other key Library personnel.

It supervises the Architect of the Capitol in his administration of the Botanic Gardens.

It supervises works of fine arts, including the National Statuary Hall Collection in the Capitol, and directs the Architect in his role in administering fine arts issues within the joint committee's jurisdiction.

The Joint Committee on Printing, created in 1846, establishes rules for congressional printing and generally oversees operations of the Government Printing Office (GPO).

In the 107th Congress, the JCP held hearings on the Administration's misguided proposal to allow executive agencies to bypass GPO and procure printing elsewhere, in violation of Federal law. Congress subsequently moved to block implementation of this proposal, and I anticipate further oversight on this subject during the current Congress.

The two joint committees do not have authority to receive or report legislation. However, both can hold hearings, issue reports and directives, and take other actions which have a substantial impact on the entities within their control, including matters relating to the expenditure of funds.

Mr. Speaker, since the three Minority members of the House Administration Committee are all new to that panel, none of us has ever served on a joint committee of Congress. I look forward to serving as ranking minority member of the Joint Committee on the Library once the joint committee has organized itself and, as expected, chooses Senator Stevens of Alaska to once again serve as the chairman under the traditional rotation between the two chambers.

Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald will also serve on the panel. As a former city councilwoman, mayor, and state assemblywoman with a professional background in education, she brings a significant breadth of experience to the committee's work. I have also served with her on the Digital Divide Caucus in the House, and look forward to working with her to support initiatives the Library of Congress has taken to make information more broadly available to the public.

On the Joint Committee on Printing, where Rep. Ney will again be chairman in the 108th Congress under the rotation, I will be joined by Rep. Bob Brady of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who succeeds another Member from that city serving on the panel, Rep. Fattah.

It is fitting that we will have Bob on the JCP since he represents Philadelphia, where Benjamin Franklin established an innovative printing business at age 22, publishing newspapers, pamphlets and cartoons. Bob Brady is a cross between Ben Franklin and Rocky Balboa.

Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Ney) to explain.

Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to

object, again let me applaud the chairman and the staff and the committee for their outstanding work in echoing the comments of our Chair, and if the Chair would engage me in a short dialogue, this extension has no impact on the well thought-out plan of the two-thirds/ one-third distribution in the committee that all the Chairs and ranking members had agreed to over the course; is that correct?

Mr. Speaker, continuing that dialogue, it is our understanding as well that as we proceed down this course that the Special Select Committee on Homeland Security has been treated outside of this process as well; is that correct?

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for clarifying that. The distinguished chairman again has done an outstanding job in putting this together.

Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Madam Speaker, reserving the right to object, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney) to explain the purpose of the resolution.

I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.

Madam Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I would just add that it is an honor and a privilege as a new member of the committee to be joined by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Brady) on the Joint Committee on Printing and by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) on the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library. Both have distinguished themselves in this Congress, and I look forward as a new member serving with them both and our distinguished chairman.

Madam Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Madam Speaker, reserving the right to object, and I will not object, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio to explain the resolution.

I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.

Madam Speaker, I concur with the distinguished chairman, the gentleman from Ohio.

Madam Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.