Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that, during consideration of H.R. 5175 pursuant to House Resolution 1468, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers), or his designee, may control 10 minutes of the general debate time allocated to the chair of the Committee on House Administration.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 5175 and to include extraneous matter.

I yield myself 3 minutes.

Mr. Chairman, I stand with the American people and the House leadership in support of H.R. 5175, the Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act, or the DISCLOSE Act.

The legislation is designed to bring greater disclosure and transparency to election spending. The importance of this objective was reinforced in the Supreme Court's accompanying 8-1 decision that reaffirmed ``the constitutionality and necessity of laws that require the disclosure of political spending.''

Our democracy requires transparency and accountability in our political campaigns. Knowing the source of political spending allows voters to investigate the motives and to better assess the truthfulness and accuracy of the claims of the spenders and the candidates.

The DISCLOSE Act is a careful response to address the likely consequences of the Citizens United decision. The bill enhances disclosure requirements for corporations, unions, and other groups that decide to make campaign-related expenditures or to transfer funds to other organizations for the purpose of engaging in campaign-related activity.

This improvement to current disclosure requirements allows voters to follow the money and ensure that special-interest money cannot hide behind

sham organizations and shell corporations. If outside groups spend their funds in campaigns, the Supreme Court has recognized it as essential to hold them accountable. Voters have a right to know who is trying to buy our elections.

The bill expands disclaimers to require CEOs or highest-ranking officials of organizations that sponsor political advertisements to record ``stand by your ad'' disclaimers as well as to protect taxpayer dollars from misuse by preventing certain government contractors and TARP beneficiaries from making campaign-related expenditures.

The DISCLOSE Act also closes a loophole created by Citizens United to ensure that foreign corporations and foreign governments are not able to influence American elections by spending unlimited sums through their U.S. subsidiaries or affiliates. By allowing these entities to fund campaign communications, foreign-controlled corporations could use potentially bottomless coffers to influence the course of political debate and play a role in writing U.S. policy.

Considerable attention has been focused on a narrow exemption included in the bill, which is designed to accommodate nonprofit issue advocacy groups, which long have participated in political activity of which its dues-paying members are aware of and support. To be eligible for the exemption, an organization must have more than 500,000 dues- paying members, with a presence in all 50 States, have had tax-exempt status for the previous 10 years, and derive no more than 15 percent of its funding from corporate or union sources. It cannot use any corporate or union money to pay for campaign-related expenditures.

The narrowness of the existing exemption will prevent future organizations from being formed to function only as ``dummy,'' or sham groups, existing only to make campaign expenditures but without needing to disclose their major funders.

Exempted groups will still be required to file publicly available reports disclosing their campaign-related expenditures, and the CEOs of these groups will still have to appear in and take responsibility for all campaign-related ads run by their group.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 30 additional seconds.

The DISCLOSE Act ensures transparency and enhances accountability. It provides prompt and honest disclosure of political spending by those seeking to influence our elections.

A total of six hearings were held in the House and Senate, with more than 36 expert witnesses testifying. Concerned citizens have been vocal about the potential consequences of the Citizens United decision, sending nearly 2,500 emails and making roughly 4,500 phone calls in 1 week to the Committee on House Administration, urging Congress to quickly consider legislation that addresses the loopholes created by the Citizens United ruling.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 30 additional seconds.

This outcry of support reveals the DISCLOSE Act reflects the will of the American people and commands the support of their representatives. In addition, with 114 cosponsors and a broad spectrum of support, H.R. 5175 promotes openness in our politics. If Congress does not adopt the DISCLOSE Act, the public will be left in the dark to wonder whose interests are truly being served by a flood of negative advertising that will come to dominate campaigns.

I urge all Members to support this legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlelady from California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren), a valued member of the Committee on House Administration.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland, Chris Van Hollen.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from California (Mrs. Davis), another valued member of the House Administration Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Teague).

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hall).

Mr. Chairman, may I inquire how much time is left?

Mr. Chairman, at this time, I am pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle).

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased again to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen).

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

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.

First, let me thank the staff of House Administration--Jamie Fleet, Matt Pinkus, Tom Hicks, and Jennifer Daehn--for the hard work they've done on this bill. There was a lot of moving around and a lot of moving parts to be able to put it back together so we could be here today.

I would also like to thank Karen Robb, who I am sure, right now, is probably the most relieved person in knowing that this is finally coming to an end, and I appreciate all her help.

Despite all the rhetoric that we've heard about this bill, the simple purpose, Mr. Chairman, is: Who's saying it; who's paying it. All I want to know when I run or if I run or anybody runs for reelection, if somebody's running an ad against me, I'd like to know who that person is, or if somebody is writing an ad in my favor, I'd like to know who that person is.

We talked about the unions as opposed to corporations. The unions pay dues and they take out at an hourly rate a checkoff to go to a PAC committee, a PAC fund. They also have the right not to do that. They can say, I don't want to send any money to a PAC fund. But if they do, they now vote. They sit and vote for every single candidate that that union is supporting, whether or not they want to support that candidate or not, and every union puts a tagline saying who they're supporting and they're paying for that.

Corporations. I could be a member and a stockholder of a corporation like AT&T and have stocks, and they can run against me and I don't even know it. Also, those corporations don't vote. I'm a stockholder; I don't vote. I can't vote to say what they do with my money, even though they spend the money for an opponent against me. Again, Mr. Chairman, all we're saying is, who's saying it and who's paying for it.

With that, Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object.

Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition to the motion.

I am.

Mr. Speaker, this motion to recommit is a needless distraction from the core mission of the underlying legislation. All the legislation says basically is, who is saying it, who is paying it? We have a right to know who's talking about us; we have a right to know who's talking for us. That's all this says. I urge the Members to defeat this motion.

I would like to yield to the author of this legislation, the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen).

Again, Mr. Chairman, all we need to know and the voters need to know is who's saying it and who's paying it.

With that, I would ask for a ``no'' vote on the motion to recommit and a ``yes'' vote on the disclosure bill.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1381) recognizing the National Museum of American Jewish History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, as the only museum in the Nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and preserving the American Jewish experience.

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

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, this resolution recognizes the National Museum of American Jewish History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, as the only museum dedicated exclusively to exploring and preserving the American Jewish experience.

I am fortunate to have this outstanding institution in my district. Founded in 1976, the National Museum of American Jewish History currently has the largest collection of Jewish Americana in the world. Even so, it is expanding to a new building on Independence Mall in Philadelphia.

I cannot think of a more appropriate place for this institution than at the heart of our Nation's birth, just steps from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. I applaud the museum for its dedication to connecting the Jewish community to their heritage and to reminding Americans of all backgrounds of their freedoms and diversity we all enjoy.

I urge Members to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from the great State of Pennsylvania, Allyson Schwartz.

I yield the gentlelady 1 additional minute.

I thank the gentleman for his support.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and urge the passage of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1178) directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to compile the cost estimates prepared by the Congressional Budget Office which are included in reports filed by committees of the House on approved legislation and post such estimates on the official public Internet site of the Office of the Clerk, as amended.

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

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

The American people are increasingly interested in the nuts and bolts of the legislative process. Americans are especially interested in the Congressional Budget Office's estimates of how pending legislation may increase or decrease the budget deficit.

Under House rules, CBO cost estimates are included in committee reports which are printed once filed with the Clerk and later made available online, but the cost estimates in committee reports are not particularly easy to find online within those committee reports, even if one knows where to look. The gentleman's resolution will make it easier to find cost estimates by having the Clerk link her Web site directly to the CBO public site. This excellent proposal will make CBO spending-related information more widely available than it is now. I have consulted with the Clerk's office, which supports the idea and has assured me the cost will be minimal.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the distinguished sponsor of the resolution, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Murphy).

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I heard that what we have to do is ask the Clerk.

Why are we doing this? We make laws. We are making a law here now. We are telling the Clerk. We are not only telling this Clerk. We are telling any Clerk that we want to put a Web site on the Clerk's page for our constituents to see.

Then I hear that we're spending time arguing. We're not spending time arguing. You're spending time arguing over something that doesn't pertain to this bill. We're not spending time arguing. We would have gotten done in 5 minutes, but because you wouldn't let me speak and because you're allowed to, you're arguing, not us.

So, with that, I thank the gentleman from New York for his great contribution to transparency. Transparency, transparency, transparency. When we go a little step further, we get a rebuttal. I thank the gentleman for his sunshine--for making people see easily without looking through all of the other Web sites, rather just on the Web site of the Clerk of the House, and we're getting that. So I thank the gentleman from New York for his contribution to transparency and to sunshine in government.

I urge an ``aye'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

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

Madam Speaker, on the occasion of his retirement on May 25, 2010, we rise to thank Mr. Rick Weidemann for his 22 years of distinguished service to the U.S. House of Representatives. Rick has served this great institution as a valued employee of the Clerk of the House for 8 years and House Information Resources (HIR) in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for 14 years.

Rick began his career at the House with the Office of the Clerk in November 1987 as a Data Entry Clerk for the Finance Office. A year later he was promoted to the position of Senior Telecommunications Administrator with the Office of Telecommunications. In June of 1995, Rick joined HIR when the Office of Telecommunications was transferred to the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer. During this time, Rick managed the landlines and wireless requirements of Members, committee, leadership and House support offices.

In recent years, Rick has handled the increased workload and challenges of the position brought on by the explosive growth and variety of personal digital assistants (PDAs) and Smart Phones.

On behalf of the entire House community, we extend congratulations to Rick for his years of dedication and outstanding contributions to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the Philadelphia Tribune, the oldest, continuously published African American owned newspaper in the nation. For 125 years the Tribune has chronicled the African American story while also being an important part of that story.

The Tribune was founded in 1884 by Christopher Perry only 19 years after the end of the U.S. Civil War. Perry, born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1856, moved to Philadelphia at the age of 17, intent on starting a newspaper. He said, ``For my people to make progress, they must have a newspaper through which they can speak against injustice.''

Perry published the first edition of the Tribune Weekly when he was 28. To put the debut of the one-page and one-man operation newspaper in an historical context, that same year African American inventor Lewis Lattimer began working for Thomas Edison, Tuskegee Institute was founded by Booker T. Washington and Harriet Tubman was still alive. After Perry died in 1921, the leadership of the newspaper passed to his son-in-law, E. Washington Rhodes.

From 1922 to 1970, Rhodes was at the helm of the newspaper as publisher. An attorney, Rhodes was also an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, appointed by President Calvin Coolidge. He was the first Black to be appointed to that position. Additionally, he served as president of the National Bar Association; was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1938; and, was president of the National Publishers Association (NNPA), a national trade organization of African American owned newspapers.

Over the past decades, committed to the newspaper's mission as stated by Perry, the Tribune has been led by Eustace Gay, John Saunders, Alfred Morris and Waverly Easley. And today, under the leadership of Chairman Walter Livingston, Jr., and President/CEO Robert Bogle, the Tribune newspaper continues to expand and has been the recipient of numerous national awards including the NNPA's John B. Russwurm Award for ``Best Newspaper in America Award and the A. Phillip Randolph ``Messenger Award.''

President Bogle stresses that after 125 years the mission of the Philadelphia Tribune has not changed very much. ``For 125 years the Tribune has been the voice of those who would have been voiceless.'' And, for that reason today Madam Speaker, I salute the proud history, advocacy and courage of the Philadelphia Tribune. The Tribune is an historic trailblazer whose light continues to lead on the path to justice and equality for the voiceless.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize a great Philadelphian and a great American, Mr. H.F. (Gerry) Lenfest, and to call out specifically his outstanding service to the nation through his unwavering support of the Library of Congress. As he marks his 80th birthday I rise in tribute to a visionary leader who has established a high bar for philanthropists and whose dedication to the nation's library, his city, state and nation are legend.

Gerry Lenfest has been Chairman of the James Madison Council, the Library's first-ever national private sector group, since 2007. He was one of the founding members of this remarkable group of philanthropists, and the Council is growing and flourishing under his leadership. The Council helps the Library add to the national collection and share its treasures with the nation and the world. Mr. Lenfest, who has a deep interest in educating today's youth, is the driving force behind the Library's top fundraising priority--to create a much-needed residential scholars center in the nation's capital. He is the lead donor, and is co-chairing the fundraising campaign to provide the emerging generation of researchers and teachers both here and abroad with inexpensive accommodations close to the unequaled reservoir of educational material in the Congress's library.

Championing the Residential Scholars Center is the latest of Gerry Lenfest's many benefactions to the nation's library. Since accepting the invitation of Librarian of Congress James H. Billington to join the Madison Council in 1990, Mr. Lenfest and his wife Marguerite have played key roles in the establishment and expansion of the National Digital Library, an authoritative, free Web site that presents 16 million unique and important primary documents of our nation's history and culture to students, teachers, researchers and casual browsers around the world. Gerry and Marguerite have also supported the Library in acquiring a number of unique, historically significant items for the national collection such as the Lafayette map collection and the 1507 Waldseemuller map, the first map of the Western Hemisphere and the first document of any kind to use the name ``America.''. Gerry and Marguerite turn visions into reality not only through their generosity, but also through their engaging personalities.

In addition to their enthusiastic support for many varied initiatives at the Library of Congress, the Lenfests have extended their involvement and generosity to more than 168 educational, musical, conservation, health, arts and historic causes in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania, and across the nation. Gerry's philanthropic leadership and presiding skills over cultural institutions in Philadelphia, like his Chairman's role with the Library of Congress, have been major contributions to America--and reminds us of the special role that Philadelphia has played in our nation's history and culture.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor rock- and-roll legend, Philadelphia institution, and my good friend, Jerry Blavat. For 50 years, Jerry has been entertaining audiences in Philadelphia and beyond with his love of music and dedication to good times.

Jerry burst onto the Philadelphia music scene as a dancer on the original Bandstand, where he soon became a crowd favorite. He transitioned into radio in 1960, hosting his own rock and roll show, which broadcasted in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. With the nickname ``The Geator with the Heater'', Jerry quickly established himself as a landmark on the Philadelphia airwaves. Today, Jerry continues to host radio shows in a variety of formats that can be heard around the world.

In addition to his prominence on Philadelphia radio, Jerry is a well- known cultural icon. Utilizing his prominence in the music scene, Jerry is able to draw attention to a variety of causes. A huge fan of Motown and doo-wop, Jerry continues to showcase the contributions Philadelphia area artists made to rock and roll. In recognition of his outstanding work and contributions to the music world, Jerry was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

Jerry Blavat's long and impressive career showcases his pride in and commitment to his community. Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in celebrating Jerry's 50 years of entertaining

others, and honor him for the great work he has done for the people of Philadelphia.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor one of Philadelphia's great athletes, Carlos Bradley, on his induction into the Pennsylvania State Sports Hall of Fame. Throughout his athletic career, Carlos has proven to be not only an extraordinary sportsman, but a man of great character as well.

Carlos was an All-American linebacker at Germantown High School in Philadelphia, and he also earned the distinction of being an All- American at Wake Forest University. Carlos then went on to become a successful NFL linebacker, playing for the San Diego Chargers and, later, the Philadelphia Eagles. Carlos now uses his athletic experience to help clients as a personal trainer, where he is one of the most sought after trainers in the country.

In addition to having a spectacular athletic career, Carlos has worked to help give back to our youth. As the Executive Vice President of the International Student Athlete Academy, Carlos works to help young athletes realize their true athletic and academic potentials. By

working with junior high and high school student athletes, the ISAA helps these students prepare for well rounded lives.

Carlos's impressive career shows a long-standing commitment towards promoting the benefits of sport and exercise, and he is well deserving of being inducted into the Pennsylvania State Sports Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating Carlos Bradley on his induction into the Pennsylvania State Sports Hall of Fame, and thank Carlos for his hard work and dedication to his community.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor a true American treasure: Historian and collector Charles L. Blockson. Mr. Blockson is the founder and curator of the Charles L. Blockson Afro- American Collection of rare texts, slave narratives, art and other historically significant artifacts located at Temple University in the First Congressional District. It is one of the largest African American collections of its kind at a major university.

Comprised of more than 40,000 items, the Blockson Collection continues to grow through the acquisition of both current and retrospective materials. An estimated 25,000 volumes fill the shelves of the collection and an additional 3,500 volumes are rare books. Another 15,000 items of rare Afro-Americana include pamphlets, slave narratives, antislavery broadsides, signed letters, posters, photographs, sheet music, original phonograph recordings and statues.

On March 10, 2010, in recognition of Women's History Month and on the 188th anniversary of the birth of the African American abolitionist Harriet Tubman, I was pleased to honor Mr. Blockson for his donation of his collection of Harriet Tubman artifacts to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). The donated artifacts included a shawl given to Harriet Tubman by England's Queen Victoria, historic photographs and a hymnal signed by Tubman.

By making this donation to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, Mr. Blockson has ensured that this unparalleled collection will be shared with millions of visitors to the museum. Madam Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending Mr. Blockson whose donation represents a continuum of a life dedicated to preserving African American history.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Con. Res. 243) authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous matter in the Record on H. Con. Res. 243.

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

Mr. Speaker, this resolution authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for the birthday celebration of King Kamehameha, the first King of Hawaii. This annual celebration honors the first King of Hawaii who successfully unified the islands to establish for the first time a unified Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810.

The first King Kamehameha Day was celebrated in Hawaii on June 11, 1872. This State holiday is a celebration of the rich history and the culture of Hawaii.

This resolution allows for a Sunday ceremony on June 6, 2010, so it will not disrupt the use of the CVC or tours of the Capitol.

I urge Members to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Hawaii and sponsor of this resolution, Ms. Hirono.

Mr. Speaker, again, I urge all Members to support this important part of the history of Hawaii.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove my name as a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 49.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Deacon Victor M. Bowes. I congratulate Deacon Bowes on the occasion of his 100th birthday and thank him for his long history of service to his community.

Born March 10, 1910, Deacon Bowes was born and raised in North Carolina. He moved to Chester, Pennsylvania in 1942 to work as a welder building ships for the defense of his country. He joined the Bethany Baptist Church in Chester three years later, beginning his more than 60-year relationship with the Church.

After being ordained a deacon, Deacon Bowes was appointed Chairman of the Board of Deacons on March 7, 1957. He served in this capacity for over 42 years, overseeing incredible progress and developments within his church. In recognition of his service, he was honored in 1999 with the title of Chairman Emeritus for the Board of Deacons.

Throughout his tenure at Bethany Baptist Church, Deacon Bowes has worked tirelessly to better his community. He served as church school treasurer for 30 years, taught Sunday School classes, and was a regular teacher of Wednesday Night Bible Study for many years. Deacon Bowes was Chairman of the Building Committee Ministry that oversaw the construction of a new church building.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating Deacon Bowes on the occasion of his 100th birthday, and thank the Deacon for his long history of work and involvement in his community.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize one of law enforcement's outstanding leaders. Marcello Muzzatti, currently a police officer with the Washington Metropolitan Police Department K9 unit, has been a member of the Fraternal Order of Police since 1981. He currently serves as President of the Washington, DC Fraternal Order of Police Lodge number one, after having served fourteen (14) years as Vice-President.

In 2002, Officer Muzzatti was appointed Chairman of the National Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Committee, by the late FOP President, Steve Young. One of his first orders of business as Chairman was planning the National Police Memorial Service. The Service includes all of the fallen law enforcement officers from across the Country, including those killed during the attacks of 9/11. He made many positive changes to the National Memorial Committee and took the National FOP Memorial Peace Officers Service to a new level of excellence.

Officer Muzzatti has also worked tirelessly to strengthen and improve the relationships with many organizations. He volunteers his own time to reach out to the fallen officers' children by attending various retreats and events sponsored by Concerns of Police Survivors. He is also involved with the planning and implementation of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Museum project.

Madam Speaker, it is an honor to recognize the hard work of police officers like Officer Muzzatti. He serves as an example to all and today, I salute him.