Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4825) to require any amounts remaining in a Member's Representational Allowance at the end of a fiscal year to be deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit reduction or to reduce the Federal debt.

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

I'm delighted now to bring to the floor this worthy bill offered by my colleague, and yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Kirkpatrick).

I'd now like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Peters).

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the remaining time.

I strongly support this bill, and I thank my colleagues from Arizona and Michigan for offering it. Not only is it an excellent proposal, but the timing is perfect, as the 2011 appropriations process begins. The annual bill that funds the House usually includes this language, but only if offered in the Appropriations Committee or on the floor, and even then, as legislation, the language is technically subject to a point of order that could block it. Our two colleagues rightly asked, Why should Congress have to enact this provision every year, and why not make it permanent?

So with that, I urge an ``aye'' vote.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3542) to direct the Architect of the Capitol to fly the flag of a State over the Capitol each year on the anniversary of the date of the State's admission to the Union, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that

all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks in the Record on H.R. 3542.

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

This bill, introduced by my colleague and ranking member Mr. Lungren of California, would commemorate each State's admission to the Union. The bill directs the Architect of the Capitol to fly each State's flag annually on the anniversary date of the State's admission to the Union over the Capitol, beginning with the first State admitted, the State of Delaware.

During markup, the committee by voice vote adopted a perfecting amendment that I offered so that the committee may issue a regulation to provide recognition of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands by flying the flag of each of these jurisdictions over the Capitol annually on the appropriate date. This amended bill passed through committee by unanimous vote voice and was reported favorably.

I urge its passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman from Mississippi. I thank him for his participation on the committee, and I thank the ranking member, Mr. Lungren, for his participation in the committee on this bill. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Rhonda Spaulding, Deliverance Evangelistic Church's First Lady, on her first Women's Conference. I congratulate Sister Spaulding on this achievement, as it will greatly benefit the women, and larger community, of Philadelphia.

As First Lady of the Deliverance Evangelistic Church, Sister Spaulding is a devoted teacher and community servant. Working with her church, she has been involved with various ministries dedicated to bettering the surrounding neighborhood. In an effort to continue and extend her community outreach and assistance, she has established the Deliverance Evangelistic Church's first Women's Conference, to be held on April 22 and 23, 2010.

This conference will address many of the most pressing issues facing women in Philadelphia. The unique needs and concerns of abused women, women in shelters, and young single mothers will be paid special attention. In focusing on the women of her community, especially the most disadvantaged, Sister Spaulding will be strengthening her community for generations to come.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in thanking First Lady Rhonda Spaulding and the Deliverance Evangelistic Church for their work in bettering their community, and congratulate Sister Spaulding on the occasion of her first Women's Conference.

Madam Speaker, on the occasion of his retirement in December 2009, we rise to thank Mr. Michael Douglass for 34 years of outstanding service to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mike began his career at the House in 1975 as a Sales Clerk in the Office Supply Store. Mike's leadership, dedication, and positive attitude were visible to his management and he moved up to become a Sales Clerk filling orders for delivery and then he moved into the Accounting Department. Mike eventually became the Supervisor of the Accounting Department in Office Supply, where he was responsible for the server, software, and business accounting process in the Supply Store. Later he took these skills to play a key role in implementing the House's first fully computerized purchasing system, which continues in use to this day. His people skills were essential to the successful rollout of that system (Procurement Desktop).

Mike eventually became responsible for configuring the purchasing system so that users could purchase goods and services in compliance with best practices and the Office of Inspector General recommendations. With his role in developing recommendations for implementing the system that will replace the current financial system, Mike's valuable contributions to the House community will continue long after he has left. Mike is known by his colleagues for his sound business judgment and problem solving skills. He is also known for his quick wit and fairness.

On behalf of the entire House community, we extend congratulations to Michael for his many years of dedication and outstanding contributions to the U.S. House of Representatives. We wish Michael many wonderful years in fulfilling his retirement dreams.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Reverend Cedric Hughes Jones, Jr. I congratulate Reverend Jones on his installation as the newest Pastor to the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Philadelphia.

Reverend Jones will be the fourth Pastor of the Mount Zion Baptist Church. He is excited to begin a new chapter of its history and will continue to support the church's major community outreach efforts. I am confident that Reverend Jones will carry on the outstanding legacy of community service shared by the previous Mount Zion Baptist Church pastors.

The Mount Zion Baptist Church is excited to welcome Revered Jones into their community, and is confident that Reverend Jones will continue the church's mission and further build up their place within the surrounding community. The church has a long history of support for and outreach to their community. In providing meals, housing and clothing, as well as scholarship funds and other financial assistance, the Mount Zion Baptist Church has helped those in their community in the most need of help.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in thanking the Mount Zion Baptist Church and Reverend Jones for their work in bettering their community, and congratulate Reverend Jones on the occasion of his installment as Pastor.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to share with you the life and mourn the death of a remarkable public servant who dedicated his career to serving the United States Congress. Mr. Kent M. Ronhovde died on February 19 after a valiant struggle with cancer. Kent worked for 36 years at the Congressional Research Service, starting as an entry-level attorney right after law school and rising to senior management positions in the Service.

At the time of his death, Kent was Associate Director for Congressional Affairs and Counselor to the Director. In that capacity and for the last 7 years, he was the liaison between CRS and its oversight committees in the House and Senate ensuring that CRS and its congressional overseers remained in communication over the critical issues facing the Service. Regardless of changes in congressional and committee leadership, Kent ensured that there were no changes in CRS's commitment to its core values of confidentiality, authoritativeness, non-partisanship and objectivity.

This commitment to CRS values manifested itself in Mr. Ronhovde's other duties. He oversaw the Review Office, where all CRS products are reviewed for consistency with the dictates of objectivity, non-advocacy and nonpartisanship. Kent and his office also counseled CRS employees and managers on the delicate questions surrounding outside speaking and writing and compliance with CRS and Library of Congress regulations and policies designed to ensure that all CRS staff maintain the ability to be seen as impartial and objective in their work for Congress. These are questions whose sensitivity is matched by their importance to CRS and to the Congress. Kent understood well the absolute necessity of CRS maintaining its reputation for objectivity. Whether reviewing a report or memo, determining the propriety of an outside activity of a CRS staff member or advising the Director of CRS on a policy question, Kent exercised the good judgment and discretion demanded by such sensitive questions, questions with potentially profound consequences for the institution.

Mr. Ronhovde's devotion to CRS' mission to serve Congress and commitment to its values infused his entire career. He joined CRS' American Law Division after graduation from Georgetown Law School in 1974, law school having been interrupted by service in Vietnam as an intelligence officer. In the American Law Division, Kent rose through the attorney ranks, became a section head in 1985 and Assistant Chief of the division in 1986. During this time, he also earned a Masters of Public Administration from American University. Kent became a senior manager in the CRS Director's Office in 1996 and assumed his latest position in 2003. His portfolio in that position--in addition to the committee liaison and policy compliance responsibilities I recounted above--touched on the most important and consequential issues facing CRS. Director Daniel P. Mulhollan stated that ``Kent provided exceptional service to the Congress and to CRS. Colleagues throughout the Library and CRS admired his careful and deliberate judgment, his insightful examination of the question at hand and his sense of equanimity and balance. The Service and I could not have had a better counsel.''

CRS and the Congress have lost a wise and devoted public servant. We extend our deepest sympathies to Kent's wife, Juliet, daughters Kristin and Brooke and their families and to all his friends and colleagues in

Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us allows for the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for the annual commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust. The Holocaust is one of the most shameful and horrifying events of human history. As we stop to reflect on this heinous event, let it serve as a reminder that there is no room for prejudice, oppression and hatred. As Americans and world citizens, it is important that future generations be called upon to remember the atrocities of the Holocaust and the similarities in the hate crimes we see today.

Despite hatred, the human spirit is unwavering in the face of adversity. History has shown us that in times of despair, humanity prevails and always, always looks towards a brighter future.

There is no better place than the United States Capitol rotunda to embody the reverence and dignity so deserved in honoring the victims of the Holocaust. The United States Capitol has stood as a symbol of freedom and liberty, and a symbol of hopes and dreams. It is important, Mr. Speaker, that as we recognize one of the most notable tragedies in human history, we honor the memory of those who died so senselessly and pledge anew to stop atrocities like genocide, from occurring again.

Madam Speaker, thank you for allowing me to say a few words about our friend Jack Murtha. First, I would like to advise Mrs. Murtha that I am her adopted son. I don't know if Jack ever told you (Mom). But, he did adopt me.

He took me under his wing. It was warm in the winter and cool in the summer. He also taught me a few things. He taught me to be courteous to everyone and that everyone is special. He made us all feel special. He was more comfortable with the privates than with the generals. He made everyone feel important.

He would make the little people feel needed and appreciated. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed telling his stories and jokes. He had a big heart and tremendous compassion for people.

Unfortunately, a whole lot of people--including our illustrious press--never knew that Jack Murtha.

With the exception of his family, I was more fortunate than all of you. Every Thursday or Friday before we broke for the week, I would say goodbye to him. Because of his knee problem, I would help him down from his seat--the only reserved seat in Congress. Then, I would shake his hand and give him a kiss goodbye. I did not know Wednesday January 27th would be the last time I would kiss my friend good bye.

Jack Murtha was your friend. Jack Murtha was the best friend of the men and women in uniform. He will be deeply missed. We will never see another Jack Murtha.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2843, is a bipartisan initiative that would move the Architect of the Capitol selection process entirely to the legislative branch. This legislation has been amended from the version reported by the Committee on House Administration to include two additional House and two additional Senate Members. As amended, this legislation provides the following with authority to select the AOC: The Speaker of the House, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the majority and minority leaders of the House of Representatives and Senate, the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the chairs and ranking minority members of the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate, a Member of the Senate to be designated by the majority leader of the Senate, and a Member of the Senate to be designated by the minority leader of the Senate.

Under the current system, the office of the Architect has been vacant for nearly 3 years. The long delay in filling the position has been exacerbated by the complexities and uncertainties of the current law, and the involvement of the executive branch.

The Committee on House Administration believes that enactment of H.R. 2843 will streamline the selection process.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Madam Speaker, on the occasion of her retirement on February 1, 2010, I rise today to thank Carol Nichols of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, CAO, for her years of dedicated and outstanding service to the United States House of Representatives.

Since joining the House in 1992, Carol has served this great institution in a variety of capacities--some of which have been groundbreaking, and all of which have contributed to the enhancement of the functioning of a Member's Congressional office. When initially hired by the Clerk of the House, Carol became the first woman to work in the ``shops'' on the House side of the Congress, taking a position in the House Upholstery Shop. As Carol learned and perfected her craft as an upholsterer serving the needs of Congressional offices, she also gained a finer appreciation for the day-to-day operational dynamics and the equipment and furniture resource needs of a Member's office. In particular, she came to have a keen appreciation for the particular logistical challenges presented to a Member's office and the House during the Congressional Transition every two years, when many offices and staffs relocate to new space and are challenged with maintaining optimum functionality while furniture and equipment moves are underway.

With the establishment of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer in 1995 and the partnership with the Architect of the Capitol's Superintendent's Office, the CAO and AOC established joint Coordination teams to focus specifically on managing the office moves in a more collaborative and efficient manner during the 106th Congressional Transition, with the ultimate goal to reduce the office's down time experienced by the Member and the staff. Carol was assigned to the initial team of Move Coordinators--an assignment in which her attention to detail and exceptional organization skills proved invaluable. She brought a number of innovations and improvements to the process, and in preparation for the subsequent transition, Carol was appointed team lead of the Move Coordinators, for which she received recognition by being honored with the CAO's Distinguished Service Award. In every transition that followed through the 111th Congress, Carol served the House as the CAO's lead for the transition.

Carol's ability to manage large scale moves, to successfully coordinate the efforts of her team, to effectively troubleshoot problems, to anticipate the customer's needs and exceed their expectations, and to get the desired results and deliver solutions along the way became particularly helpful during the anthrax incident in the fall of 2001 as the House faced the challenge of relocating every Member's office from the House buildings in a matter of a few days. Carol played a critical role on the CAO team in setting up separate offices for every Member at an alternate location, and in managing their subsequent transition back to the House complex following the incident. Several years later, Carol served as the single point-of-contact for the CAO office in working with the Architect of the Capitol in coordinating and facilitating the relocation of offices and staff from the O'Neill House Office Building prior to its demolition.

With the CAO's creation of Office Coordinators and the House Office Service Center to work with Congressional offices day-in and day-out to manage more effectively their office logistical needs, Carol was promoted to serve

as the initial Manager of the Office Coordinators. Carol completed her service to the House as the Director of the CAO Customer Service Center, where she has been responsible for the oversight of not only the Office Coordinators, but First Call, CAO Graphics, and Modular Furniture as well.

As Carol embarks on her retirement with her husband, Phil, who retired from the House in 2007 following 31 years of service, I am happy to extend to Carol the best wishes of the Members and employees of the House of Representatives for an enjoyable and fulfilling retirement. In recognizing her years of service to the House, I congratulate her on her unwavering commitment and exceptional performance over the years, and I personally thank her for making our lives in Congressional offices a bit easier through her contributions to the efficient management of the physical environment and logistics of our offices.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor one of the finest people I have ever known, Christopher Milito.

Cpl. Milito was tragically taken from us on January 16, 2010. He died in the line of duty protecting civilians as a member of the Delaware River Port Authority Police Department.

He joined the department on January 31, 1994, and quickly became one of its most popular and respected officers.

Christopher grew up in my neighborhood, the Overbrook section of Philadelphia. I've known him and his family for years. He was that rare person that everyone loved. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone. He was kind, unselfish, and had a heart as big as all outdoors. He loved his community, he loved his country, and he loved being a police officer. But more than anything, he loved his family.

Cpl. Milito never took anything for granted and always gave his best at whatever he was doing. Over the course of his career, he received 28 letters of commendation, most notably for his participation in crime prevention presentations to youth. Cpl. Milito wasn't satisfied with only doing a great job; he also pushed to educate himself. A 1988 graduate of Lamberton High School, he attended Community College of Philadelphia and earned a certificate in police training from Camden County College in 1994.

He attended Temple University at night to earn his Bachelor's Degree in criminal justice. And, he was just a few hours away from earning his Master's Degree in criminal justice at West Chester University when he was so tragically taken from us.

Madam Speaker, I know that my colleagues will join me in expressing our deepest condolences to his family, as well as thanking them for letting him brighten all of our lives.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life and work of my friend Hardy Williams, the late State Senator from Philadelphia. Senator Williams was a pioneer in championing African American causes in Philadelphia and dedicated his life to serving his community.

Senator Williams was born April 14, 1931 and raised in West Philadelphia. A product of the School District of Philadelphia, Sen. Williams graduated from Pennsylvania State University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and began his groundbreaking work shortly thereafter. He organized the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus in 1972, and served five successful terms as a State Representative.

In 1982 he was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate. During his tenure in the Senate, Sen. Williams served as minority chairman of the Public Health and Welfare Committee and chairman of a task force on violence as a public health issue. In 1994, he founded and served as executive director of Black Family Services. Sen. Williams also founded the Organized Anti-Crime Community Network. He worked with Blacks Networking for Progress, the Delaware Valley Ecumenical Council, and the African-American Delaware Valley Port Corporation. Sen. Hardy was instrumental in establishing the Crisis Intervention Network, a program dedicated to preventing violence among youths.

Senator Hardy Williams' long and impressive career showcases his commitment, service, and dedication to bettering his community. Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in celebrating the life and accomplishments of Sen. Williams, and honor him for the great work he has done for the people of Philadelphia.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of myself and Congressman Daniel E. Lungren of California, I want to call to the attention of my colleagues a letter we recently sent to the Speaker regarding the retirement of Mr. James J. Cornell from the post of Inspector General of the House of Representatives. I enclose the letter here for your consideration.

House of Representatives,

Committee on House Administration,

Washington, DC, December 16, 2009.

Hon. Nancy Pelosi,

Speaker, House of Representatives, The Capitol, Washington,

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3224) to authorize the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to plan, design, and construct a vehicle maintenance building at the vehicle maintenance branch of the Smithsonian Institution located in Suitland, Maryland, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the consideration of H.R. 3224.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3224 would authorize $4 million in fiscal year 2010 for the Smithsonian Institution to plan, design and construct a vehicle maintenance building at its facilities in Suitland, Maryland. Our committee ordered the bill reported unanimously.

The new building would absorb the vehicle maintenance functions for the entire Smithsonian complex in the Washington area. These are currently performed in a constricted and increasingly dysfunctional space at the General Services Building within the National Zoo in northwest Washington, D.C.

The vehicle maintenance functions, which cover the maintenance, repair and fueling of about 780 Smithsonian-owned vehicles and pieces of equipment, are not compatible with the surrounding environment at the zoo and would be better served at the Suitland facility, which has more space and is isolated from public access. The space being vacated at the zoo would be converted to other uses.

The bill authorizes the planning, design and construction of this project, which would give the Committee on House Administration primary jurisdiction. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has an additional referral, also reported this bill. The fiscal year 2010 Interior appropriations conference report, which has been enacted into law, contains the necessary funding for this bill, and I urge the approval of the legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I would like to thank Mr. Lungren, too, for his cooperation on this and for hurrying over just a second or two late.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Honorable Francis P. Cosgrove. For 35 years, Judge Cosgrove has served on the Philadelphia Municipal Court, and in December he will celebrate his retirement after decades of service to his community.

Judge Cosgrove served on active duty in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953. He graduated from LaSalle College in 1956 and received his Juris Doctorate from Temple University School of Law in 1963. After his graduation, Judge Cosgrove became a member of the Philadelphia Bar Association and went into private practice from 1964 to 1973. In November of 1973, he was elected judge to the Municipal Court of Philadelphia. Judge Cosgrove served in this capacity from 1974 through 1998. On February 18, 1998, he was appointed to Senior Judge status for the Philadelphia Municipal Court. On December 31, 2009, Judge Cosgrove will retire from the bench after 35 years.

In addition to his service on the Municipal Court, Judge Cosgrove is a member of several committees and organizations dedicated to bettering the Philadelphia community and beyond. He is a part of the Catholic War Veterans, St. Thomas Moore Society, Knights of Columbus, Polish American Citizens League, Polish-America Congress, and is a gold card carrying member of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craft workers.

Judge Cosgrove's long and impressive career showcases his commitment and service to his community. Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in thanking Judge Cosgrove for his work and congratulate him on the occasion of his retirement.