Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, as Members know, it is the custom of the House when a new Member is sworn in after a special election, the senior Member from that Member's State has the privilege of introducing the new Member to the House. Since South Dakota only has one Member of Congress, that is not possible today; and so I have that privilege.

But I do want to acknowledge the escort committee to the gentlewoman from South Dakota (Ms. Herseth), and that does have a nice ring to it, and what a distinguished escort committee it is, indeed: our former colleague, the Democratic leader in the United States Senate, Tom Daschle, and another former colleague from the House of Representatives, the distinguished Senator from South Dakota, Tim Johnson.

Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman from South Dakota (Ms. Herseth) will bring to this House of Representatives the values of the heartland of America and a voice for her generation. She comes from a very distinguished political family in South Dakota. Her grandfather was Governor; her parents were public servants, very respected in South Dakota. She comes here, though, to make her own mark and to make the people of South Dakota very, very proud.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to recognize the distinguished gentlewoman from South Dakota (Ms. Herseth).

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleagues and all the women Members of Congress in cosponsoring this resolution and honoring the contributions of the women who served the homefront during World War II. Symbolized by ``Rosie the Riveter,'' these women answered the call to aid America at a pivotal time in our Nation's history.

Millions of ``Rosies'' produced the planes, ships, tanks, trucks, guns, and ammunition that America needed to win the war. They were the indispensable workforce at home that helped our Nation achieve victory abroad.

The Rosies not only equipped our country to win the war, they also made it a better place for women. These courageous and hardworking women broke down traditional barriers surrounding women and the workplace. Shattering stereotypes, the Rosies were not only successful workers but were also dedicated wives and mothers.

The Rosies created new opportunities for women in all parts of our society. They blazed a trail that American women continue to follow today. Sixty years later, ``Rosie the Riveter'' has become a lasting symbol of women's rights and an icon of the can-do spirit of women. As the famous Rosie poster said, ``We can do it.''

The Rosies helped build our military at a critical time, and they helped build a better America. We are all forever in their debt.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for yielding me time and for his exceptional service and leadership as chair of the Human Rights Caucus of the House. I also want to acknowledge the great work and leadership of the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith). He has been a champion for human rights, and it has been my privilege to work with him over the years to promote international human rights. I thank him for his accommodation this evening.

Mr. Speaker, the forward march of freedom has often been advanced by brave souls who defied the powers of their day to demand the liberties and human rights to which all people everywhere are entitled.

This week the world pays tribute to the brave souls of Tiananmen Square who 15 years ago stood up for freedom, only to be met with a hail of bullet and a new era of repression.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox), as well as the distinguished chairman, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), and our ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) in sponsoring this resolution that remembers and reaffirms.

We remember the courage of the heroes of Tiananmen, and we reaffirm our Nation's commitment to the principles of freedom and democracy of which they dreamed. In doing so, this resolution keeps alive the spirit of Tiananmen Square. The spirit of Tiananmen lives in the hearts of all freedom-loving people.

We remember how millions of ordinary students, workers and citizens marched in peace. How they raised the Goddess of Democracy and the image of our own Statue of Liberty. How they quoted our own Founding Fathers. We remember with sadness and outrage how the so-called People's Liberation Army was unleashed on its own defenseless people, slaughtering thousands and searing into our consciences forever one of the most enduring images of the 25th century, the picture of a lone man before a tank, bringing a line of tanks to a grinding halt.

Fifteen springs later, the spirit of Tiananmen lives on in the prison cells across China. Today, we once again call on Beijing to release the thousands of Tiananmen activists held to this day and all the prisoners of conscience whose only crime was to demand their basic human rights. The spirit of Tiananmen lives on in the exiles who fled their beloved homeland and who today carry on the struggle. In San Francisco, which I have the privilege of sharing representation with the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), we are proud that many of these talented young people have enriched our community. But even as we observe their celebrations to our Nation, we work for a day when they may return if they so choose to their own nation, a free and democratic China.

For too long the United States has pursued a policy of trickle-down liberty. First, economic freedom and then they said political freedom will follow. The 15 years since Tiananmen have exposed this policy as the illusion that it is. For a billion Chinese, freedom remains a dream deferred. After all these years, journalists, activists, academics, workers and religious believers are still persecuted and, Mr. Speaker, tortured. As this 15th anniversary nears, Beijing is still harassing and arresting dissidents and families of the Tiananmen victims. Meanwhile, Chinese elites are enriched by global trade. And despite more than a decade of concessions from Washington, our trade deficit with China has grown from $2 billion a year to over $2 billion a week, to a dangerous $124 billion a year.

The highest tribute we could pay on this anniversary would be to use our political and economic influence to advance the reforms advocated 15 years ago.

Finally, the spirit of Tiananmen lives on in the hearts of the Chinese people, especially those in Hong Kong who have tasted freedom. In taking to the streets to demand democracy, the brave people of Hong Kong have been a stirring example to the world. On this anniversary, U.S. resolve in facing Beijing would send a clear message to democratic reformers throughout Asia. Democracy in Asia is as crucial there as it is in the rest of the world.

So it is that the spirit of Tiananmen endures and inspires. Tanks and troops may crush a protest, but they can never extinguish the flame of freedom that burns in every human heart.

Mr. Speaker, on this day with this resolution we say to the people of China, including the people of Hong Kong and freedom-loving people everywhere, your cause is our cause. We will never forget. We will never forget. And in doing so we reaffirm our commitment to a common dream: the day when the world's most populous nation can at last be called the world's largest democracy.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize the 100th Anniversary of the Flood Building of San Francisco and to have the opportunity to express my appreciation to the Flood family for their immeasurable contributions to the City of San Francisco over four generations.

It was a great pleasure to attend the Flood Building Centennial Celebration on April 16 and to celebrate with members of the Flood family. I particularly want to thank Jim Flood and Judy Wilbur for carrying on the outstanding traditions of their distinguished family.

The Flood Building was built by James L. Flood in 1904 as a tribute to his father, James Clair Flood. Architect Albert Pissis, a master of Beaux-Arts classicism, designed the Classic Revival structure, along with many other great works throughout San Francisco. At the time it was built, the 12-story Flood Building was the largest building in San Francisco.

The building's history is one of survival. It remained standing after both the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes that devastated San Francisco. In 1950, it was scheduled to be destroyed and replaced by a three-story modern structure, but the building was saved at the last minute when the Federal government seized it through the right of eminent domain. At the time, Washington was in desperate need of a San Francisco-based office to help manage the Korean War, and the Flood Building offered an ideal solution. The Federal government returned the building to the Flood family in 1953.

Today, Jim Flood--James Clair Flood II, named after his great grandfather--owns, manages, and has his office in the building, making it San Francisco's oldest family-owned commercial building. The Flood Building has flourished under his management, undergoing a $15 million renovation to restore the building to its original style. Architecturally, it is the most significant commercial building in San Francisco, and it was named a city landmark in 1982.

I join the Flood family and so many of my constituents in celebrating the 100th anniversary of this San Francisco treasure.

Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I rise to pay tribute to the life and work of my longtime friend, Susan T. Kennedy, who passed away on April 17, 2004. Susie was a great woman and an exceptional public servant. We will miss her terribly.

Susie's life was one of service and political and community activism. Beginning with her work with the Service Employees Union, Susie was a tireless advocate of labor. At the age of 21, she was elected to the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee--the youngest ever to serve--and was reelected for the next 25 years.

In 1962, Susie joined the staff of Democratic Assemblyman Phillip Burton. Upon his election to Congress, she became his Administrative Assistant, supervising his District Office in San Francisco. She was his trusted advisor, and he depended on her great political instincts, judgment, and understanding of the people of San Francisco.

Susie was absolutely committed to the constituents and elected officials she served. After working for both Phil and Sala Burton for 25 years, she graciously and expertly helped with my transition to Congress after I won a special election in 1987 to succeed Sala Burton. I will never forget her support and friendship. Susie later joined with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to help create a lasting memorial to Congressman Phil Burton.

Susan Kennedy was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend. To her sons, Marc and Frank, and to her sisters and brothers, Dolores, Bernie, Mary, Walter, Kathleen and Tom, thank you for sharing your beloved Susie with us. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of her family at this sad time.

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

To the gentleman from California's (Mr. Dreier) question as to whether it was appropriate to table the resolution, I think we should have tabled the letter.

Mr. Speaker, it is with personal and official pride that I rise to pay tribute to Charles Johnson on his retirement as House Parliamentarian and to thank him for his many years of outstanding service to this body.

To praise Charlie Johnson is easy, and it is one thing that brings Democrats and Republicans together. I have only served for 17 years of Charlie's 40, and during that time I have observed, and we have all witnessed, profound changes in how this body conducts its business. But through every change and difficult time, the House has always been able to count on the expert, honest, and fair advice of Charlie Johnson.

Charlie began his service in the House in 1964, as acknowledged by the Speaker, shortly after graduating from the University of Virginia Law School. When he was appointed House Parliamentarian in 1994, he joined a distinguished line that includes Clarence Cannon, Lewis Deschler, and Bill Brown. Think of this, my colleagues: Charlie is just the third Parliamentarian since 1928.

Respected on both sides of the aisle, Charlie was first appointed by a Democratic Speaker, Speaker Tom Foley, and reappointed by Republican Speakers Newt Gingrich and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert).

Charlie exemplifies the best of this House. With his unquestioned integrity and keen intellect, he has consistently maintained the highest standards of nonpartisanship and scholarship for the Office of Parliamentarian. Charlie has guided us carefully, but firmly, through turbulent floor debates; and he knows of what we speak here and has provided sound and discreet advice to individual Members and staff.

He has served as a mentor to the outstanding Parliamentarians that serve under him, among them his respected successor, John Sullivan. And we are all pleased with the Speaker's announcement that John Sullivan will be named the Parliamentarian; and that, of course, is the suggestion of Charlie Johnson. So respected is he that he can even suggest his own successor.

On top of everything, Charlie Johnson is truly a kind man. The Speaker and others will reference Camp Dudley, one of his acts of kindness.

As a San Franciscan, and, Charlie, I am going to spill the beans on you, I am delighted that Charlie is also a devoted San Francisco Giants fan. But Charlie is not just a fan. When he leaves us, he will take up his true calling as a major league batting practice pitcher, beginning with a Dodgers-Expos game soon.

Perhaps, Mr. Leader, we can use our collective influence to have this event covered by C-SPAN. Maybe we could just do it right here on the floor and then it will be covered by C-SPAN.

Although Charlie will relinquish his daily duties here, Charlie's dedication to this House, of course, will remain. Charlie will continue the difficult, but essential, work on the Precedents of the House of Representatives.

Earlier this week when the Speaker told me of the news of Charlie's submitting this letter, which I agree should be tabled, I received the news with mixed emotions. We all know how great Charlie is as the Parliamentarian and what a great friend he is to many of us, but of course we want to see him go on after 40 years to fulfill himself personally in other ways. And so we know he will teach professionally at the University of Virginia Law School and he will collaborate with the Parliamentarian in the House of Commons of the U.K. on a book of parliamentary procedures that will surely be a great contribution on that important topic.

But I was delighted to hear Charlie talk about his own personal plans. Of course he will have more time with his wonderful family, and he is very lucky his grandchildren live in the region. In fact, we are lucky his grandchildren live in the region because hopefully that will mean that Charlie will visit us frequently.

As you leave us, Charlie, please go forth with the knowledge that anyone who values the work of this House of Representatives indeed values the work of democracy, is deeply in your debt, and that goes well beyond those of us who have served here, with the knowledge that you will be deeply missed and with the hope for us that you will visit us often. Good luck to you. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you to your family for sharing you with us.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the very distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost), ranking member on the Committee on Rules. He and the Committee on Rules and staff, as well as other Members, know full well the quality of the excellence of the work of Charlie Johnson, and I ask unanimous consent that he be allowed to control that time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the question that President-to-be Ronald Reagan made famous in the debate in 1980: ``Are you better off today than you were 4 years ago?''

The answer, of course, for most Americans is ``no.'' Under President Bush and the Republican Congress, most Americans have suffered. If you are a taxpayer, you are not better off. We went from a budget that was in balance in 1999, the deficit was zero, and on a path to a $5.6 trillion surplus to one now that is half a trillion dollars in debt this year alone.

If you are a senior, you are not better off because prescription drug costs for seniors have skyrocketed 44 percent in the last 4 years. And what do they get but a hoax of a prescription drug bill.

If you are a student, you are not better off because the Bush administration has underfunded the No Child Left Behind Act by $27 billion since 2001 and wants to cut funding for higher education by $1.3 billion while college tuition has increased by 28 percent.

If you are a worker, you are not better off because 2.2 million jobs have been lost and the unemployment rate is 5.6 percent, one-third higher than the 4.2 percent when President Bush took office. And workers are not better off because wages have failed to keep pace with inflation. Wages rose a mere nickel between March and April.

If you are a consumer, you are not better off because gas prices have increased from $1.26 to a record $2.01 a gallon since President Bush took office.

In the next few days, we will be offering further lists of grievances of the reckless policies of the Bush administration and the Republican Congress. Clearly, we are not better off since President Bush took office.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate my constituent, Philip C. Hopewell, MD. The American Lung Association has awarded Dr. Hopewell, a leader in the fight against tuberculosis, the Edward Livingston Trudeau Medal to recognize his lifelong contribution to the prevention diagnosis and treatment of lung disease.

In 1970, Dr. Hopewell took a brief sabbatical from his internal medicine residency program at the University of California San Francisco to work in war-torn Nigeria as a consultant to the Nigerian government on their tuberculosis control program. Dr. Hopewell's experience gave him first hand knowledge of the problems faced by developing countries in implementing effective tuberculosis control programs. More importantly, it gave Dr. Hopewell the belief that effective TB control programs can be established in the developing world.

Since 1971, Dr. Hopewell has shared his expertise in designing and implementing TB control programs. Most recently, Dr. Hopewell has worked as vice-chair of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for the World Health Organization (WHO) Stop TB Department. In his capacity at the WHO-STOP TB Partnership, Dr. Hopewell has provided technical expertise to developing nations around the globe on development and implementation of effective TB programs.

I first became aware of Dr. Hopewell's work about five years ago when we met to discuss increasing the U.S. committee to TB control at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). At that time, the USAID contribution to international TB control was essentially zero. Dr. Hopewell made it clear to all who would listen that TB control programs can work in the developing world and it is in our country's best interests to take an active role. Through Dr. Hopewell's work and the hard work of many others, the U.S. support for international TB control has grown. Yet there is more to be done, as Dr. Hopewell always reminds me.

While the world has benefited from Dr. Hopewell's work, he has not ignored the problem of TB at home in San Francisco. Dr. Hopewell became involved in the San Francisco tuberculosis control program through his supervision of a contract by which clinical services were provided to the Department of Public Health. The affiliation of an academic institution and an effective public health tuberculosis control program has provided and continues to provide important opportunities for training and research in many aspects of tuberculosis control. This combination forms the foundation of the Frances J. Curry National Tuberculosis Center, directed by Dr. Hopewell. The Curry Center is one of three CDC-funded model centers in the country.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Hopewell is a teacher, a healer, a scientist and an international humanitarian. I join many throughout this country in recognizing and honoring Dr. Hopewell and his lifetime of achievement in the research, prevention and treatment of lung disease.

Mr. Speaker, for centuries, American has been enriched by our diverse and rapidly growing Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and by the contributions that Native Hawaiians, Chamorros, and Samoans have made in their ancestral homelands. Since the 1700s, when Filipino immigrants settled in the Louisiana bayou and Chinese and Japanese immigrants worked the sugarcane fields of Hawaii, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have worked hard to call America their home.

In the face of prejudice and poverty, interment and exclusion, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community has always remained strong in spirit, proud of its heritage, and committed to making progress. Today, there are 11 million Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the United States, tracing roots to nearly 50 different countries and ethnic groups, each with distinct cultures, traditions, and histories.

The achievement of the community demonstrates the critical role of civic participation in making the American Dream a reality. With more than 200 Asian American and Pacific Islanders running for elected office in the U.S. last year alone, the community's participation in politics ensures that its concerns are addressed at the highest levels of government.

This Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we salute such pioneers as Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, who is 1903 became the first Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander to serve in Congress; Dilip Singh Saund, who in 1956 became the first Asian American elected to Congress; Hiram Leong Fong, who in 1959 became the first Asian American Senator; and my dear friend Patsy Mink, who in 1964 became the first Asian American woman elected to Congress.

We also celebrate the political leadership of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders today. As the Leader of the Democrats in the House of Representatives, I am proud to work in the Democratic leadership with Congressman Robert Matsui of California, the highest ranking Asian American in congressional history. We are both proud to lead the only truly diverse caucus in the Congress, which includes our great Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). Under the leadership of Congressman Mike Honda of California, CAPAC has promoted greater understanding in Congress of the concerns of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. CAPAC is fighting for educational opportunities for our children, for better access to health care including an end to minority health disparities, for real immigration reform, and to grow the economy and create good-paying jobs.

This Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we take pride in our history and the promise of our future and we rededicate ourselves to the fight to make the American Dream a reality for all.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time and for his tremendous leadership on behalf of the national security of our country. I also thank the gentleman for his attempt to develop a bipartisan resolution that would bring us all together and take the opportunity to send a true message to the world of democratic values.

Mr. Speaker, last Thursday, Secretary Rumsfeld came to the Congress and he briefed Members of the House of Representatives on the situation in Iraq. He neglected to tell Members of Congress that the situation in Iraq included this most unfortunate, disgraceful situation in the prison. He withheld that information from the Congress of the United States when he had full knowledge of it and apparently had full knowledge for a while.

Indeed, that very evening, ``60 Minutes'' broke the story, a story it had been working on for a while. So why was Congress the last to know, especially on a day when the Secretary was briefing the Congress on the situation in Iraq?

The distinguished chairman of the Committee on Armed Services has said repeatedly in the course of this debate that this information was made public in January by a public statement by General Kimmett. I do not know when that constituted keeping Congress informed; and if that is the standard, if a sentence that does not really explain the situation expressed in a press conference in Iraq meets the standard for informing Congress, then we are in a lot more trouble than we even thought.

Please do not bring that up as an example of ``letting us know,'' because I do not think anybody, even within the administration, would have called that sufficient notification to Congress.

Since last Thursday when the Secretary of Defense withheld information from the Congress, the Senate has held robust hearings. They stopped in their tracks. They stopped the business of the Senate, which was the reauthorization of the Defense Act, and went into committee as the Committee on Armed Services because of the urgency of this matter. Yet this House had to be dragged kicking and screaming into having hearings on the subject. We should have hearings not only in the Committee on Armed Services, but in the Committee on International Relations. We should be having these hearings in the Committee on the Judiciary as well. We should be having these hearings in the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, it touches so many jurisdictions in this House, because we must get to the bottom of this.

So today we have this resolution that has come to the floor, missing an opportunity to send a very clear, forceful, values-based message to the world and to the American people about who we are and what we stand for and what we will not tolerate in the behavior of our people.

We all agree that our troops, our men and women in uniform, and even the civilians over there, are courageous, patriotic, and have acted with great courage. They are willing to sacrifice their lives. We owe them our deepest gratitude and respect and our prayers. This resolution acknowledges that fact, and it is right to do so.

Some U.S. personnel, military and civilian, abused Iraqi prisoners in ways that are shocking and reprehensible. The resolution acknowledges that fact and deplores it. Unfortunately, by including a number of causes that seek to compare life in Iraq after the invasion with conditions that existed before, the resolution creates an inference that whatever post-invasion improvements exist, somehow they mitigate the abhorrent nature of the treatment of the prisoners. These ``whereases'' have no place in the same resolution.

The resolution should be focused tightly on the scandal and the need to find out why it occurred and who should be held accountable. Diffusing the focus conceals an important fact: this scandal increases the danger to our troops in Iraq, makes their mission more difficult to accomplish, and threatens the interests of the United States around the world. Even with a concerted effort in which a better-crafted resolution could have played an important part, it will be a very long time before the standing of the United States is restored in the eyes of the world, unless we face up to this matter.

Congressional oversight of the war in Iraq has not been aggressive enough. The administration's failure to provide accountability for its policies and an accounting of the money already provided has not been questioned adequately. Compounding that record of inaction by not investigating this matter thoroughly will be inexcusable.

This resolution could have called clearly for congressional investigations, to include a review of the role that the U.S. civilian contractors and other civilians may have played in it. That suggestion was outright rejected by the Republicans, saying we will not include the investigation and the contractors in this resolution; we will not add it. And it begs the question, Why?

Today, America has an opportunity to show the world our greatness by sending a message to the American people and to the world that we deplore this conduct, that we understand the significance of these abuses in the eyes of the Arab world, and that we will act to uncover the facts to find out who is responsible and to make sure that it will never happen again.

Every opportunity we get, we will always offer our praise and gratitude to our troops. We could have done that in a resolution that would have had bipartisan support, because it was very important that we send a message to the Arab world that we do understand the significance of these abuses to them. This is very, very, very significant; but it has been lost in the resolution before us.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the motion to recommit to be offered by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), which delivers a message that truly reflects America's values.

It does so clearly and forcefully, and there is a reason for that. The gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) has

been a champion for human rights for as long as he has been in the Congress, and probably longer. His leadership on the Helsinki Commission, his bipartisan work on these issues gives him standing and authority to speak in a way, again, that clearly reflects America's values.

The Republican resolution does not do that; the Hoyer motion to recommit does.

Let us leave no doubt in the hearts and the minds of the world that we will live by the principles that we preach.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of sadness that I rise to pay tribute to Mary McGrory, who passed away 2 weeks ago at the age of 85. During her magnificent career with the Washington Star and The Washington Post, Mary informed and engaged her readers on every major event of the past half century.

Mary was a keen observer, an elegant writer and a tenacious journalist; and she was an inspiration to so many women. It was a joy to read her columns, and of course, we miss her terribly. That is why I am so pleased to join my colleagues here today, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), who was a very close personal friend of Mary McGrory, and our colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), who is in the Chamber now, as well as our colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey), who had the honor of being pallbearers for Mary. What a tribute.

We loved Mary for her insights. No matter how many reporters covered an event, Mary always found the small detail that had large implications others may have overlooked.

She noted the manner in which Richard Nixon's staff reacted to his retirement press conference in 1962, the bearing of Secretary of Army Robert Stevens during the Army-McCarthy hearings, and so many other fine points. At times, it seemed that Mary grasped the significance of everything that she saw.

She saw nearly everything. We loved Mary for her diligence. She was one of the hardest-working people in Washington. Even into her eighties, she would come to Capitol Hill to see firsthand the events of the day.

She was always willing to have a cub reporter, even a senior editor, take her bags; but she would never ask someone else to take her notes.

She was legendary for looking after every detail, even writing out the instructions for her own funeral. She had directed her former Washington Star colleague, Phil Gailey, to talk about her beloved Star in the eulogy, and she told him: ``Don't go blubbering on me the way you do when you read a dog story with a sad ending.''

Mary's insight and her industry were matched only by her eloquence. We loved Mary for choosing every word with care.

Mary had a vocabulary that would send her editor reaching for his dictionary, and when she wrote about a retiring Congresswoman once that her ``black eyes still snap with the old fire,'' she gave her readers in eight words a better understanding of the congresswoman than lesser writers did in eight paragraphs.

From the Army-McCarthy hearings that brought her to Washington's attention, to her Watergate coverage for which she won the Pulitzer Prize, to her chronicling of the Iraq War debate which proved to be her swan song, her writing enriched our national dialogue. Those of us who were inspired by President John F. Kennedy, as she was, took sad solace in her loving reporting on his assassination.

Here, in the Congress, we were so fortunate to have the opportunity to honor Mary McGrory in March and to see the outpouring of affection and gratitude for her career. We were joined by many Members of the House of Representatives, many members of the United States Senate, many of her colleagues from the press corps. We were her fans, and we were there for her.

God blessed America with Mary McGrory, a beautiful writer, a wonderful person. Her passing is a tremendous loss for us all.

She loved Boston. She loved being Irish, but she also loved Italy; and she had a bond always with the Italians. She visited Italy frequently.

She loved her garden. We all know how much she loved her garden. One could talk all day about Mary McGrory and never be able to capture her in the way she would capture her. Nonetheless, it was an honor and a privilege, and, indeed, a joy to be able to call her friend.

Again, I know that I speak for many in this Chamber who will say thank you, Mary, for what you have given us. Thank you for being a blessing to our country. We will miss you sadly. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time of the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the tremendous leadership of two of our colleagues, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan), and the 30-Something Working Group for taking the lead on this vital effort to talk to the next generation of Americans about issues that they care about.

Tonight, during the Special Order, our 30-Something Working Group has 1 hour to speak to the young people of America. It consists of 14 Members of Congress in their 30s, as it said. The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) is in his 20s, just turned 30. All regions of the United States are represented in the group and all aspects and the beautiful diversity of our country: the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Carson); the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Davis); the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Ford); the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson); the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy); the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind); the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin); the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen); the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson); the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek); the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan); the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Linda T. Sanchez); the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith); and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner). How proud we are of them.

Democrats are committed to listening to and working with young people on issues they care about and that impact their lives, jobs, the economy, health care, higher education, globalization, and protecting the beautiful environment that is God's creation.

Over the past 8 months, our 30-Something Members have been on the road across America beginning a new dialogue with the next generation. Thirty-Something Members have traveled to Louisiana, Alabama, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Michigan, Florida, through the States that I have mentioned, their home States, talking to young people to hear their views on critical issues.

Two weeks ago, the 30-Something Working Group cohosted the Next Generation Democratic Summit. More than 250 18- to 30-year-olds came to Capitol Hill to discuss their concerns with Members of Congress and to share their insights about how to inspire other young people to be more engaged in government.

Today, we are launching another part of our effort to reach out to the next generation. This regular 30-Something hour is an exciting opportunity for House Democrats to have a national discussion with young Americans across the country. We certainly invite response from the young Americans.

Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues well know, all of us here in Congress have a responsibility to the next generation. We have received a precious gift, a privilege, of representing our districts in Congress and the wonderful responsibility to make the future better for the next generation. Not only do we have that responsibility as a Congress, but each of us has a responsibility to do that. Every decision that we make has an important bearing on the future. No one is impacted more by that than our young people.

So I am so very proud of our 30-Something Working Group and the leadership that they have assumed under the exceptional leadership of the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan).

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to join my colleagues in honoring a true public servant, John R. Miller, as he begins the retirement he so richly deserves. For the past 28 years, John has belonged to that small but essential group of dedicated, nonpartisan professionals who quietly ensure that the House of Representatives functions smoothly and serves the people of the United States.

John has served as Assistant Counsel, Deputy Counsel, and, for the past eight years, as the Law Revision Counsel. The Law Revision Counsel supervises a staff of 12 attorneys who, along with several editors, administrative aides, and technical specialists, are charged with preparing and publishing the United States Code. The Code is a consolidation and codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States. It is indispensable to legislators, lawyers, and anyone with an interest in the rule of law. Under the superb leadership of John Miller, the office has rightfully earned a reputation for excellence.

John's lifetime of service to our country should be a source of pride to him and his family. On behalf of the House Democratic Caucus, it is my pleasure to commend and thank John for his great career in the House of Representatives and to wish him all the best in his retirement.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. That has a nice ring to it. Thank you very much, Larry, for yielding your time.

I am pleased to join our very distinguished Speaker in welcoming you to the floor of the House of Representatives. You are an inspiration to us. You built a strong foundation.

Mr. Michel, it is always an honor to be in the same room with you. As minority leader I understand part of your role. I have a certain level of impatience with it myself. But I am pleased to see that bipartisanship is alive and well, at least among the former Members in the Congress of the United States.

Good for you for honoring Sam Nunn. Sam Nunn is a great American recognized throughout our country even though he has not been in office for a few years now. He has always been an inspiration to us in and out of public office. He is always in public service, and his initiative and leadership on Nunn-Lugar is as valid and as important an initiative now as it was then, perhaps even more needed today. You were a leader. You saw early what the need would be, and it is an answer for us. So thank you, Sam Nunn, for your great leadership, and thank you to all of you for honoring Sam Nunn.

I had to go to a discussion about continuation of government, so forgive me for being in and out. As I look around, I see so many friends on both sides of the aisle, and it should not be a partisan issue, but I am afraid it has come down to that again today. But any thoughts that you have about, one thought was that the Members of Congress could suggest their successor in time if an act of terrorism hits Congress. I said that would be good, you would not have to change the boards. We would just have the same names up there. We could be well represented by our very able family members, our constituents would. But you come at a time when you have a great deal, should we say, of lively debate on the issues.

Seeing you reminds us of another time when we were able to work out these issues more easily and more amicably. Hopefully that day will return soon. And when it does, it will be because of the influence you all have on all of us.

Congratulations on your good work on Congress to Campus. I am not surprised that it is such a success with David Skaggs and Mr. Lightfoot, I do not know where he is now, and all the others working on it, going from 6 to 40 campuses in a short period of time. Thank you for making public service more appealing to young people. Hopefully those of us still in office will be able to follow your lead on that as well.

Welcome. Good luck in your deliberations. You are a source of strength and inspiration to us. And I want to extend the greetings of all of the Members of the House and Democratic Caucus to every single one of you.

Again, Mr. Michel, a special welcome to you always.