Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 46) honoring the life of Al Hirschfeld and his legacy.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

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

Madam Speaker, House Resolution 46, introduced by my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), honors the life of legendary illustrator Al Hirschfeld.

Madam Speaker, Al Hirschfeld passed away at his home in New York City on January 20 at the age of 99. During his remarkable career that spanned three-quarters of a century, Al Hirschfeld drew caricatures of giants of the performing arts world that appeared primarily in the New York Times, but also in a variety of books and periodicals. An A-list of museums and galleries feature his works, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the St. Louis Art Museum, which is in his hometown.

His drawings, easily recognized by their distinctive flowing lines and the hidden word ``Nina,'' the name of his daughter that appeared in each of his works, turned generations of his own fans into connoisseurs of all art and theater. Indeed, in June of 1990, I had the opportunity to meet some of his family members to observe and admire his work firsthand and even to go on a search for some of those Ninas that were hidden in his caricatures when his exhibit was at the Tennessee Botanical Gardens and Fine Arts Center in Nashville.

By passing this resolution, this House can express the sadness of the City of New York, and indeed all of America, from Al Hirschfeld's passing last month. Therefore, I urge all Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 46.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler). I simply urge adoption of this measure.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Chairman, it is a pleasure to rise in support of H.R. 4 and the wonderful work that has been done in welfare reform over the past several years.

Coming from a State legislative body and working on this issue in my State, I know how difficult it has been for us to get relief from some of the Federal rules, and I really commend our chairmen and those who have worked tirelessly to loosen those rules so that we can continue to pull more children from poverty and create environments where those children and their families can dream big dreams and have wonderful adventures in life.

I also want to commend the chairman and the committee that has worked on this. What we are doing in the bill we have before us is to address the needs in alternative child care, making it easier for us to provide child care for second- and third-shift workers so that those moms and dads can go and work and be productive in their jobs knowing that their children have a safe environment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor our Fort Campbell family as they prepare to send America's best overseas.

Fort Campbell has already suffered the loss of four very brave men who fought for our freedom. They were Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mark Osteen, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Thomas Gibbons, Staff Sergeant Daniel Kisling, and Sergeant Gregory Frampton. They were killed during a training mission.

It is my privilege to represent much of Fort Campbell and many of the brave men and women who call it home. As we speak, the 101st Airborne Division, America's famed Screaming Eagles, are gearing up for deployment. They will be taking our thoughts and prayers with them as they serve the forces that guard our country and protect our way of life. They have been ever vigilant and ever ready to defend this great Nation, our values, and our allies since World War II. We have asked them to make certain sacrifices to advance freedom in the past, and once again they stand ready and willing to risk themselves in our defense.

I was very touched today as I read some of their thoughts as they planned for departure. ``This is the culmination of what we do,'' Sergeant Greg Weaver stated. ``This is our job.''

And from Private Jerokiah Darr, ``I don't know exactly what we're up against. All I know is we're the best-trained division in the Nation.''

And Specialist Eric Reason said, ``We've got the best Army in the world, and I'm confident in it.''

Mr. Speaker, Fort Campbell comprises much of my district. It is located in Montgomery County, Tennessee. It is an honor and a privilege to represent those men and women, and it is an honor for me to take time this evening to pause in our deliberations and to honor those men and women and the families of Fort Campbell.

Mr. Speaker, in almost 30 years of experience as a business, community, and political activist, Mary MacRae has given her best to virtually every endeavor and it shows.

As a successful business owner and president of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Mary is an advisor to Members of Congress and a mentor to entrepreneurs everywhere. Few others can lay claim to as long a list of accomplishments as Mary.

While at NAWBO, Mary helped found the Women's Resource Center, a source of training, counseling and technical assistance for start-up and existing women business owners in Tennessee. This single accomplishment has the potential to help thousands of women start and run a business. Mary exemplifies the value of public service and she does so with humility, grace, and plenty of hard work.

Tennessee and America are better for her determination and her service to others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning in support of the nomination of Miguel Estrada. If Miguel Estrada were considered for Federal bench on merits alone, we would not be still debating his qualifications. He would already be serving.

Estrada was given the very highest recommendation by the American Bar Association, not what those who seek to tar and feather him would consider a right wing organization. While we prefer our Tennessee law schools, we do know that some consider Harvard to be a pretty good alternative. Mr. Estrada not only graduated from Harvard, but was the editor of the Law Review. Again, Harvard is not what Estrada's critics would consider a right wing organization. And in what can only be described as a stellar career, he went on to clerk for Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, who is also not considered by those on the left to be part of the right wing.

I think my point is clear. Partisan politics are behind the attacks on his character and the delay in his nomination.

With the country on alert for terrorist attacks, a potential conflict in Iraq, and effort on the way to enact economic stimulus, it is time to stand behind this extremely qualified candidate.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 19) recognizing the 92nd birthday of Ronald Reagan.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.J. Res. 19.

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

Mr. Speaker, House Joint Resolution 19, introduced by our distinguished colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox), recognizes the 92nd birthday of President Ronald Reagan.

Last Thursday, February 6, Ronald Reagan became the first President to reach the age of 92. This resolution honors the man whose very name represents an era, a leader who saw in America that shining city on a hill when we had lost our sense of national purpose.

Reagan's legacy transcends the decade in which he served. He has become the standard bearer of expectations for modern-day Presidents. And as time passes, history is judging him well. Those who once doubted Reagan's vision have come to recognize his greatness.

During two terms in office, Reagan bounced back from a would-be assassin's attack with humor and courage. In an all-too-familiar scene, he comforted a Nation coping with the loss of our Challenger 7, and he kept his promises. Reagan campaigned on tax relief, and he delivered tax relief. In the process, he fueled record growth and expansion.

Reagan's accomplishments were not just on do the domestic front. At the Brandenburg Gate, he defied the diplomats and said what millions of Americans were thinking: ``Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.'' Today, we know that Communist Russia was shaken to its core by this new type of a leader, one who was not afraid to stand tall for freedom.

Now I hope this House will join all Americans in honoring President Reagan's 92nd birthday and, more importantly, his remarkable life.

Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I urge all Members to support the adoption of House Joint Resolution 19.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox), the distinguished sponsor of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for introducing this very worthwhile measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Beauprez).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Chocola).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), who knew and worked very closely with President Reagan.

Mr. Speaker, for all of the reasons that have been articulated by my esteemed colleagues, I urge adoption of this measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.