John J.H. "Joe" Schwarz

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to take this opportunity to commend Michigan State University Dean George E. Leroi for his service to the students of Michigan State University, and his significant contribution to the success of the College of Natural Sciences. George Leroi's long career includes service as an assistant professor of chemistry at Princeton University and as a professor of chemistry at Michigan State University. During his tenure at both of these fine academic institutions, Dr. Leroi guided, supported, taught, befriended, and counseled numerous students throughout both their academic and professional careers.

Dr. Leroi was awarded a Ford Foundation Fellowship, a SURF Research Fellowship with the U.S. National Bureau of Standards, and served as a Research Collaborator with the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory. In 1996, George Leroi was named as the Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at Michigan State University, and he continues to serve in that position today. Dr. George Leroi's significant experience in chemistry and his personal commitment to the success of the Michigan State University College of Natural Sciences brings great credit to himself, the State of Michigan, and the United States of America, and we recognize him upon the date of his retirement, October 6, 2006.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the success of Building Safety Week 2006, an annual, nationwide event sponsored by the International Code Council, ICC, that took place from May 7 to 13. The goal of Building Safety Week is to increase awareness of building safety and fire prevention issues through a variety of activities on the national, State and local levels.

This year, the ICC Board of Directors and members of the ICC Government Relations Advisory Committee, GRAC, gathered here in Washington, DC and spent a day visiting with Members of Congress to help spread their message of public safety. I personally met with one of my constituents, Mr. Henry Green of Lansing, MI, who serves as president of the Board of Directors. It is my hope that my colleagues here in the House and the Senate will carefully consider the legislative priorities presented to us in these meetings.

I would like to thank these men and women for their service and dedication to ensuring that we all live, work and play in a safe built environment. Along with Mr. Green, these individuals include: Immediate Past President Frank Hodge, Vice President Wally Bailey, Secretary/ Treasurer Steven Shapiro, Jimmy Brothers, Terrence Cobb, John Darnall, Gerald Geroge, John LaTorra, Ron Piester, Ed Berkel, Bill Duck, Bill Dupler, Greg Johnson, Barbara Koffron, Ron Lynn, Tim Ryan, Adolf Zubia, GRAC Chairman Ron Nienaber, Becky Baker, Bill Chambless, Ross Montelbano, Betts Nixon, Emory Rodgers, Lynn Underwood and George Wiggins.

Congratulations again to the hardworking and dedicated members of the

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in support of the Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act, H.R. 5013, of which I am a cosponsor.

While looting and other criminal activity were taking place in New Orleans, many civilians chose to protect themselves and their property. Many of these citizens kept firearms for the safety of themselves, their businesses, their families, and their property. They used firearms individually or in concert with their neighbors for protection against crime.

However, these lawful weapons were confiscated at gunpoint by nonconsensual entries into private homes, traffic checkpoints, by stopping of boats, and otherwise by force. The citizens from whom firearms were confiscated were either in their own homes or attempting to flee the flooding and devastation by means of motor vehicle or boat and were accosted, stopped, and arbitrarily deprived of their private property.

The means by which the confiscations were carried out, which included intrusion into the home, temporary detention of persons, and seizures of property, constituted unreasonable searches and seizures and deprived these citizens of liberty and property without the due process of law, in violation of fundamental rights under the Constitution.

Many of the confiscated firearms were family heirlooms, gifts given as a child, or were collectors' items. All firearms were taken with a handwritten receipt on a stray piece of paper or no receipt at all. Individuals with proof of purchase and serial number are still not able to get their firearms back. Of the few firearms that have been returned, some are ruined beyond repair due to water damage. Many of the firearms lost or stolen will never be returned.

H.R. 5013 clearly states the rights of people who own firearms during a major disaster or emergency. H.R. 5013 protects civilians' rights to bear arms, and H.R. 5013 allows people the right to protect themselves and their property as our forefathers intended.