Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the Joint Committee on Printing, I wish to note the passing of Thomas F. McCormick, of Niskayuna, New York. Mr. McCormick died March 19, 2009, at age 80. From 1973 until 1977, he served as America's Public Printer, the head of the Government Printing Office (GPO).

Before his appointment as Public Printer by President Nixon, and following active and reserve duty in the Navy, Tom McCormick had a successful career at the General Electric Company. He joined GE's financial management program, and in 1967 he became president and general manager of The Maqua Company, a 420-person printing subsidiary of GE. Thereafter he headed strategic planning for GE's power generation business group in New York City. He took office as Public Printer in March 1973, at that time becoming the youngest person ever appointed to the post.

Tom McCormick served as Public Printer under Presidents Nixon and Ford and he held that position until succeeded by President Carter's appointee. During his term he automated GPO's business systems, expanded management training, and established program performance measures for GPO's operations. He continued GPO's program of replacing hot metal typesetting with electronic photocomposition technology and advocated standardizing print products to achieve savings. He promoted individualized service provision for customer agencies and giving them

more leeway to handle small job orders. He also called for relocating GPO to a new facility at a site in northeast Washington, D.C.

For the library and Government information communities, Tom McCormick supported the fledgling Government Documents Round Table of the American Library Association, and oversaw automating the Monthly Catalog of Government Publications and related measures that helped the lay the groundwork for future electronic dissemination measures. He worked closely with the printing industry and its various organizations and associations nationwide. His service was recognized by numerous industry service awards and distinctions, including an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from Lehigh University in my own state of Pennsylvania.

Madam Speaker, although Tom McCormick led the GPO long before I came to Congress, I am told that he was an energetic and articulate spokesman for the value of GPO and was an outspoken supporter of the men and women who work there. I commend Tom McCormick's record of service to the Nation and offer the condolences of the Joint Committee on Printing to Beverly, his wife of 55 years, and to their children and their families.

Madam Speaker, on the occasion of his retirement on February 2, 2009, we rise to thank Mr. Joe David Berg for 32 years of distinguished service to the United States House of Representatives. Joe has served this great institution as a valuable employee of House Information Resources (HIR), in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer.

Joe began his tenure with the United States House of Representatives in 1977 as a Senior Technical Aid working in the Configuration Planning and Management Section (CPMS). All computing capabilities were provided by a huge mainframe computer with hardware that filled a 10,000 square foot room. Joe provided technical support to the mainframe programmers as a member of the Programmer Assistance Team for ten years.

Joe served the House in many different roles during his 32 years working at HIR. His expertise in the Configuration Planning and Management Section led to Joe becoming manager of that group. Joe served as assistant to the Operations Manager, where he implemented automated system monitoring and alerts. The use of automated monitoring tools was so effective that Joe continues to implement automated monitoring and alerts systems on current technology. Joe served as Security Manager of House systems for more than 2 years. He also served as Special Assistant in Communications, working on the budget, planning and coordination of Communications activities. In Technical Support, Joe provided direct support to Member offices with the National Change of Address service, better known as NCOA. The NCOA service, formerly operated by HIR, improves the accuracy of postal mailing lists. Joe currently serves as a Senior System Engineer on the Windows System Engineering team.

Joe's excellent level of performance over the years gave him the opportunity to oversee and work on many complex projects to include building the AppManager monitoring system and was an active part of the design and build of the FinMart financial system that will become a part of the Atlas Project. Joe assisted in the initial build of the SQL database clusters that are the backbone of the majority of Windows based applications and websites for the House and is the primary engineer for the Windows based Active Server Page (ASP) and Moveable Type websites for Member and Committee offices. Joe single-handedly created sites for over 202 offices. He is also the primary engineer supporting the Federal Funds project. He has actively worked with our Virtualization effort in our ``Green the Capitol'' initiative and was instrumental in preliminary testing and subsequent implementation. He is one of the primary engineers for all hardware based efforts and server builds on the Infrastructure Team. He has provided countless consulting services to customers for various application and system creation projects.

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

Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Committee on House Administration, I urge passage of S. 22, which contains three important projects to advance the mission of the Smithsonian Institution.

This legislation would authorize the design and construction of laboratory and support space for the Mathias Laboratory at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater, Maryland; authorize construction of laboratory space to accommodate the terrestrial research program at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Gamboa, Panama; and authorize construction of a greenhouse facility at its museum support facility in Suitland, Maryland, to maintain the horticultural operations of, and preserve the orchid collection held in trust by, the Smithsonian. The diverse nature of these projects is a good example of the unique role that the Smithsonian plays in advancing our knowledge of the natural world.

The Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure reported legislation last year approving Smithsonian construction projects, which subsequently passed the House without controversy. This omnibus legislation, S. 22, is the clearest and quickest way to ensure enactment of these important initiatives.

Madam Speaker, on the occasion of her retirement at the end of February 2009, I rise to thank Ms. Deborah Price for her 25 years of outstanding service to the United States House of Representatives.

Deborah began her career with the House on September 19, 1984, and served in positions within the Office of Finance of the Chief Administrative Officer. As a Team Lead within the Office of Financial Counseling, she provided financial assistance and guidance to all Member and Committee offices including monitoring and projecting available fund balances and ensuring expenditures comply with both House and Committee rules and regulations.

Deborah has provided financial guidance to every entity of the House, assuring that House staff and vendors are paid accurately. Her passionate customer service and tireless commitment to the countless House staff members who have worked with her will be deeply missed.

On behalf of the entire House community, we extend congratulations to Deborah for her many years of dedication and contributions to the financial management of the House. We wish Deborah many wonderful years enjoying her retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for the provisions of the Omnibus Appropriations Act that relate to funding the operations and programs of Legislative Branch. I am grateful to my esteemed colleagues on the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, particularly the able Chairwoman Ms. Wasserman Schultz, for their hard work and diligence on developing a good bill. There are five provisions that I am especially pleased with: the increase in the Members' Representational Allowance; the increase in Committee Funding; employee benefit parity with the Executive Branch; support

for the Wounded Warrior Program; and the Speaker's Green the Capitol initiative. These are crucially important appropriations that need our support.

An increase in the Members' Representational Allowance is an overdue necessity. As you know, these funds have nothing to do with Members' pay or campaign expenses; they are simply the funds that allow us to do our jobs. It is how our offices, staff, and business travel are paid for. It is how we represent, support, and serve our constituents. Without an adequate increase in the MRA, our ability to serve our constituents diminishes greatly. As more and more of our constituents fall on hard times, we need to be there to serve their needs and interests. Our offices need to be more responsive and more helpful than ever. We need this reasonable and realistic increase to simply fulfill those obligations.

In 2006, the MRA increased only 1.6%, and in 2007, only 2.7%. These changes didn't even account for cost of living increases, making our offices unable to offer competitive salaries. When our offices are not able to offer competitive pay with the private sector, we lose the ability to attract and retain the best and brightest staff. Now, in this time of crisis, this is an expense we cannot spare.

In the spirit of fiscal responsibility, there is a provision in this bill directing unused MRA funds to deficit or debt reduction. This provision not only helps the Members in most dire need of this increase, it grants freedom to those who do not. Members who do not spend the full amount of their funds will help us pay down our national debt. In this bill, no tax dollar is wasted.

I also support the increase in the funds available to Committees. With an aggressive legislative agenda from our leadership and from the Obama administration, the demand on our Committees and their staff is greater now than it has been in generations. We must support their staffing requirements, their investigation costs, and oversight expenses if we want to grapple with the varied and complex challenges confronting our nation.

I am also pleased that this bill creates some parity between the Legislative and Executive branches with regards to employee benefits. I urge support for the improved transit and student loan benefits in this bill.

Another important program supported in this bill is the Wounded Warrior program. It is becoming harder and harder for Americans everywhere seeking employment, and this is especially true for our wounded veterans. The continued support of the Wounded Warrior program fulfills an obligation to those who protect our freedoms, and sets an example for employers across the country.

Finally, I would also like to express my support for funding the Speaker's ``Green the Capitol'' initiative. Not only does this program reduce our carbon footprint, it also creates enormous energy savings. This is the right thing to do for both the environment and the taxpayer. At a time when fiscal responsibility is paramount, it would be irresponsible of us not to support this program.

Each of the provisions mentioned deserves our full support. These are non-partisan issues; both sides of the aisle have the same need to serve their constituents, hire and retain the best people, and improve the operations of the Capitol. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this bill.

Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the Joint Committee on Printing, I rise to note the passing of William J. Barrett, of Alexandria, Virginia. Mr. Barrett died January 26, 2009, at age 81, following a distinguished career in Federal service that culminated at the Government Printing Office (GPO) in the senior positions of Superintendent of Documents, Deputy Public Printer, and finally as acting Public Printer.

Before transferring his flag to the GPO, Bill Barrett had a successful career in the Navy Department, where he climbed from the position of fiscal accounting clerk in 1949 to acting Administrative Officer of the Navy, reporting to the Undersecretary of the Navy. In 1971, Bill was appointed as the first administrative officer of the GPO. Within two years of his arrival at GPO, Bill became Deputy Assistant Public Printer--Superintendent of Documents.

By 1981, Bill was appointed Assistant Public Printer--Superintendent of Documents. In that position, Bill oversaw GPO's Federal Depository Library Program, which distributes government documents to depository libraries in every state of the Union. While there, Bill was instrumental in stemming financial losses then plaguing the agency's document sales program. In April 1982, Bill was appointed to Deputy Public Printer, the second highest position in the agency. When the Public Printer resigned in January 1984, Bill served as acting Public Printer until he retired from Federal service in the following December.

Madam Speaker, although I did not have the privilege to know and work with Bill Barrett, I am told that he was a genuine friend to the GPO and well respected by the Members and staff of the Congress. While serving, Bill traveled extensively to educate Americans about the GPO, its operations and the important missions it fulfills, and many consider him perhaps the best ``ambassador'' the GPO has ever had. His distinguished career reflected his dedication and devotion to the Federal service and the people we all serve. I commend Bill Barrett's record of service to the Nation, and on behalf of the Joint Committee on Printing, I offer our condolences to Betty, Bill's wife of 59 years, and to their six children and their families.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 2(a)(2) of Rule XI of the rules of the House of Representatives, I submit the Rules of the Committee on House Administration for the 111th Congress for printing in the Congressional Record. The committee rules were adopted by voice vote, with a quorum present, at the organizational meeting of Tuesday, January 27, 2009.

Rules of the Committee on House Administration, One Hundred Eleventh

Congress

Rule No. 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS

(a) The Rules of the House are the rules of the Committee

so far as applicable, except that a motion to recess from day

to day is a privileged motion in the Committee. Each

subcommittee of the committee is a part of the committee and

is subject to the authority and direction of the chair and to

its rules as far as applicable.

(b) The Committee is authorized at any time to conduct such

investigations and studies as it may consider necessary or

appropriate in the exercise of its responsibilities under

House Rule X and, subject to the adoption of expense

resolutions as required by House Rule X, clause 6, to incur

expenses (including travel expenses) in connection therewith.

(c) The Committee is authorized to have printed and bound

testimony and other data presented at hearings held by the

Committee, and to make such information available to the

public. All costs of stenographic services and transcripts in

connection with any meeting or hearing of the Committee shall

be paid from the appropriate House account.

(d) The Committee shall submit to the House, not later than

January 2 of each odd-numbered year, a report on the

activities of the committee under House Rules X and XI during

the Congress ending at noon on January 3 of such year.

(e) The Committee's rules shall be published in the

Congressional Record not later than 30 days after the

Committee is elected in each odd-numbered year.

Rule No. 2: REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS

(a) The regular meeting date of the Committee on House

Administration shall be the second Wednesday of every month

when the House is in session in accordance with Clause 2(b)

of House Rule XI. Additional meetings may be called by the

Chair of the Committee as she or he may deem necessary or at

the request of a majority of the members of the Committee in

accordance with Clause 2(c) of House Rule XI. The

determination of the business to be considered at each

meeting shall be made by the Chair subject to Clause 2(c) of

House Rule XI. A regularly scheduled meeting may be dispensed

with if, in the judgment of the Chair, there is no need for

the meeting.

(b) If the Chair is not present at any meeting of the

Committee, or at the discretion of the Chair, the Vice Chair

of the Committee shall preside at the meeting. If the Chair

and Vice Chair of the Committee are not present at any

meeting of the Committee, the ranking member of the majority

party who is present shall preside at the meeting.

Rule No. 3: OPEN MEETINGS

As required by Clause 2(g), of House Rule XI, each meeting

for the transaction of business, including the markup of

legislation of the Committee shall be open to the public

except when the Committee in open session and with a quorum

present determines by record vote that all or part of the

remainder of the meeting on that day shall be closed to the

public because disclosure of matters to be considered would

endanger national security, would compromise sensitive law

enforcement information, or would tend to defame, degrade or

incriminate any person, or otherwise would violate any law or

rule of the House: Provided, however, that no person other

than members of the Committee, and such congressional staff

and such other persons as the Committee may authorize, shall

be present in any business or markup session which has been

closed to the public.

Rule No. 4: RECORDS AND ROLLCALLS

(a)(1) A record vote shall be held if requested by any

member of the Committee.

(a)(2) The result of each record vote in any meeting of the

Committee shall be made available for inspection by the

public at reasonable times at the Committee offices,

including a description of the amendment, motion, order or

other proposition; the name of each member voting for and

against; and the members present but not voting.

(a)(3) The Chairman shall make the record of the votes on

any question on which a record vote is demanded available on

the Committee's website not later than two calendar days

after such vote is taken (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and

legal holidays). Such record shall include a description of

the amendment, motion, order, or other proposition, the name

of each member voting for and each member voting against such

amendment, motion, order, or proposition, and the names of

those members of the committee present but not voting.

(b)(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), the Chair may postpone

further proceedings when a record vote is ordered on the

question of approving any measure or matter or adopting an

amendment. The Chair may resume proceedings on a postponed

request at any time.

(2) In exercising postponement authority under subparagraph

(1), the Chair shall take all reasonable steps necessary to

notify members on the resumption of proceedings on any

postponed record vote.

(3) When proceedings resume on a postponed question,

notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous

question, an underlying proposition shall remain subject to

further debate or amendment to the same extent as when the

question was postponed.

(c) All Committee and subcommittee hearings, records, data,

charts, and files shall be kept separate and distinct from

the congressional office records of the member serving as

Chair; and such records shall be the property of the House

and all members of the House shall have access thereto.

(d) House records of the Committee which are at the

National Archives shall be made available pursuant to House

Rule VII. The Chair shall notify the ranking minority member

of any decision to withhold a record pursuant to the rule,

and shall present the matter to the Committee upon written

request of any Committee member.

(e) To the maximum extent feasible, the Committee shall

make its publications available in electronic form.

Rule No. 5: PROXIES

No vote by any member in the Committee may be cast by

proxy.

Rule No. 6: POWER TO SIT AND ACT; SUBPOENA POWER

(a) For the purpose of carrying out any of its functions

and duties under House Rules X and XI, the Committee or any

subcommittee thereof is authorized (subject to subparagraph

(b)(1) of this paragraph)--

(1) to sit and act at such times and places within the

United States, whether the House is in session, has recessed,

or has adjourned, and to hold such hearings; and

(2) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance

and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such

books, records, correspondence, memorandums, papers,

documents and other materials as it deems necessary,

including materials in electronic form. The Chair, or any

member designated by the Chair, may administer oaths to any

witness.

(b)(1) A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the

Committee or subcommittee in the conduct of any investigation

or series of investigations or activities, only when

authorized by a majority of the members voting, a majority

being present. The power to authorize and issue subpoenas

under subparagraph (a)(2) may be delegated to the Chair

pursuant to such rules and under such limitations as the

Committee may prescribe. Authorized subpoenas shall be signed

by the Chair or by any member designated by the Committee,

and may be served by any person designated by the Chair or

such member.

(2) Compliance with any subpoena issued by the Committee or

a subcommittee may be enforced only as authorized or directed

by the House.

Rule No. 7: QUORUMS

No measure or recommendation shall be reported to the House

unless a majority of the Committee is actually present. For

the purposes of taking any action other than reporting any

measure, issuance of a subpoena, closing meetings,

promulgating Committee orders, or changing the rules of the

Committee, one-third of the members of the Committee shall

constitute a quorum. For purposes of taking testimony and

receiving evidence, two members shall constitute a quorum.

Rule No. 8: AMENDMENTS

Any amendment offered to any pending legislation before the

Committee or a subcommittee must be made available in written

form when requested by any member of the Committee. If such

amendment is not available in written form when requested,

the Chair will allow an appropriate period of time for the

provision thereof.

Rule No. 9: HEARING PROCEDURES

(a) The Chair, in the case of hearings to be conducted by

the Committee, and the appropriate subcommittee chair, in the

case of hearings to be conducted by a subcommittee, shall

make public announcement of the date, place, and subject

matter of any hearing to be conducted on any measure or

matter at least one (1) week before the commencement of that

hearing. If the Chair, with the concurrence of the ranking

minority member, determines that there is good cause to begin

the hearing sooner, or if the Committee so determines by

majority vote, a quorum being present, the Chair shall make

the announcement at the earliest possible date. The clerk of

the Committee shall promptly notify the Daily Digest Clerk of

the Congressional Record as soon as possible after such

public announcement is made.

(b) Unless excused by the Chair, each witness who is to

appear before the Committee or a subcommittee shall file with

the clerk of the Committee, at least 48 hours in advance of

his or her appearance, a written statement of his or her

proposed testimony and shall limit his or her oral

presentation to a summary of his or her statement.

(c) When any hearing is conducted by the Committee upon any

measure or matter, the minority party members on the

Committee shall be entitled, upon request to the Chair by a

majority of those minority members before the completion of

such hearing, to call witnesses selected by the minority to

testify with respect to that measure or matter during at

least one day of hearings thereon.

(d) Any member of the Committee may, if a subcommittee

grants unanimous consent for a specific hearing, be permitted

to sit during that hearing with a subcommittee on which he or

she does not serve, but no member who has not been elected to

a subcommittee shall count for a quorum, offer any measure,

motion, or amendment, or vote on any matter before that

subcommittee.

(e) Committee or subcommittee members may question

witnesses only when they have been recognized by the Chair

for that purpose, and only for a 5-minute period until all

members present have had an opportunity to question a

witness. The 5-minute period for questioning a witness by any

one member can be extended as provided by House Rules. The

questioning of a witness in Committee or subcommittee

hearings shall be initiated by the Chair, followed by the

ranking minority member and all other members alternating

between the majority and minority. In recognizing members to

question witnesses in this fashion, the Chair shall take into

consideration the ratio of the majority to minority members

present and shall establish the order of recognition for

questioning in such a manner as not to disadvantage the

members of the majority. The Chair may accomplish this by

recognizing two majority members for each minority member

recognized.

(f) The following additional rules shall apply to hearings

of the Committee or a subcommittee, as applicable:

(1) The Chair at a hearing shall announce in an opening

statement the subject of the investigation.

(2) A copy of the Committee rules and this clause shall be

made available to each witness as provided by clause 2(k)(2)

of Rule XI.

(3) Witnesses at hearings may be accompanied by their own

counsel for the purpose of advising them concerning their

constitutional rights.

(4) The Chair may punish breaches of order and decorum, and

of professional ethics on the part of counsel, by censure and

exclusion from the hearings; and the Committee may cite the

offender to the House for contempt.

(5) If the Committee determines that evidence or testimony

at a hearing may tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any

person, it shall--

(A) afford such person an opportunity voluntarily to appear

as a witness;

(B) receive such evidence or testimony in executive

session; and (C) receive and dispose of requests from such

person to subpoena additional witnesses.

(6) Except as provided in subparagraph (f)(5), the Chair

shall receive and the Committee shall dispose of requests to

subpoena additional witnesses.

(7) No evidence or testimony taken in executive session may

be released or used in public sessions without the consent of

the Committee.

(8) In the discretion of the Committee, witnesses may

submit brief and pertinent sworn statements in writing for

inclusion in the record. The Committee is the sole judge of

the pertinence of testimony and evidence adduced at its

hearing.

(9) A witness may obtain a transcript copy of his testimony

given at a public session or, if given at an executive

session, when authorized by the Committee.

Rule No. 10: PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING MEASURES OR MATTERS

(a)(1) It shall be the duty of the Chair to report or cause

to be reported promptly to the House any measure approved by

the Committee and to take or cause to be taken necessary

steps to bring the matter to a vote.

(2) In any event, the report of the Committee on a measure

which has been approved by the Committee shall be filed

within 7 calendar days (exclusive of days on which the House

is not in session) after the day on which there has been

filed with the clerk of the Committee a written request,

signed by a majority of the members of the Committee, for the

reporting of that measure. Upon the filing of any such

request, the clerk of the Committee shall transmit

immediately to the Chair notice of the filing of that

request.

(b)(1) No measure or recommendation shall be reported to

the House unless a majority of the Committee is actually

present.

(2) With respect to each record vote on a motion to report

any measure or matter of a public character, and on any

amendment offered to the measure or matter, the total number

of votes cast for and against, and the names of those members

voting for and against, shall be included in the Committee

report on the measure or matter.

(c) The report of the Committee on a measure or matter

which has been approved by the Committee shall include the

matters required by Clause 3(c) of Rule XIII of the Rules of

the House.

(d) Each report of the Committee on each bill or joint

resolution of a public character reported by the Committee

shall include a statement citing the specific powers granted

to the Congress in the Constitution to enact the law proposed

by the bill or joint resolution.

(e) If, at the time any measure or matter is ordered

reported by the Committee, any member of the Committee gives

notice of intention to file supplemental, minority, or

additional views, that member shall be entitled to not less

than two additional calendar days after the day of such

notice, commencing on the day on which the measure or

matter(s) was approved, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and

legal holidays, in which to file such views, in writing

and signed by that member, with the clerk of the

Committee. All such views so filed by one or more members

of the Committee shall be included within, and shall be a

part of, the report filed by the Committee with respect to

that measure or matter. The report of the Committee upon

that measure or matter shall be printed in a single volume

which--

(1) shall include all supplemental, minority, or additional

views, in the form submitted, by the time of the filing of

the report, and

(2) shall bear upon its cover a recital that any such

supplemental, minority, or additional views (and any material

submitted under subparagraph (c)) are included as part of the

report. This subparagraph does not preclude--

(A) the immediate filing or printing of a Committee report

unless timely request for the opportunity to file

supplemental, minority, or additional views has been made as

provided by paragraph (c); or

(B) the filing of any supplemental report upon any measure

or matter which may be required for the correction of any

technical error in a previous report made by the Committee

upon that measure or matter.

(3) shall, when appropriate, contain the documents required

by Clause 3(e) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House.

(f) The Chair, following consultation with the ranking

minority member, is directed to offer a motion under clause 1

of Rule XXII of the Rules of the House, relating to going to

conference with the Senate, whenever the Chair considers it

appropriate.

(g) If hearings have been held on any such measure or

matter so reported, the Committee shall make every reasonable

effort to have such hearings published and available to the

members of the House prior to the consideration of such

measure or matter in the House.

(h) The Chair may designate any majority member of the

Committee to act as ``floor manager'' of a bill or resolution

during its consideration in the House.

Rule No. 11: COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT

The Committee shall conduct oversight of matters within the

jurisdiction of the Committee in accordance with House Rule

X, clause 2 and clause 4. Not later than February 15 of the

first session of a Congress, the Committee shall, in a

meeting that is open to the public and with a quorum present,

adopt its oversight plan for that Congress in accordance with

House Rule X, clause 2(d).

Rule No. 12: REVIEW OF CONTINUING PROGRAMS; BUDGET ACT PROVISIONS

(a) The Committee shall, in its consideration of all bills

and joint resolutions of a public character within its

jurisdiction, ensure that appropriation for continuing

programs and activities of the Federal Government will be

made annually to the maximum extent feasible and consistent

with the nature, requirement, and objectives of the programs

and activities involved. For the purposes of this paragraph a

Government agency includes the organizational units of

government listed in Clause 4(e) of Rule X of House Rules.

(b) The Committee shall review, from time to time, each

continuing program within its jurisdiction for which

appropriations are not made annually in order to ascertain

whether such program could be modified so that appropriations

therefore would be made annually.

(c) The Committee shall, on or before February 25 of each

year, submit to the Committee on the Budget (1) its views and

estimates with respect to all matters to be set forth in the

concurrent resolution on the budget for the ensuing fiscal

year which are within its jurisdiction or functions, and (2)

an estimate of the total amounts of new budget authority, and

budget outlays resulting there from, to be provided or

authorized in all bills and resolutions within its

jurisdiction which it intends to be effective during that

fiscal year.

(d) As soon as practicable after a concurrent resolution on

the budget for any fiscal year is agreed to, the Committee

(after consulting with the appropriate committee or

committees of the Senate) shall subdivide any allocation made

to it in the joint explanatory statement accompanying the

conference report on such resolution, and promptly report

such subdivisions to the House, in the manner provided by

section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

(e) Whenever the Committee is directed in a concurrent

resolution on the budget to determine and recommend changes

in laws, bills, or resolutions under the reconciliation

process it shall promptly make such determination and

recommendations, and report a reconciliation bill or

resolution (or both) to the House or submit such

recommendations to the Committee on the Budget, in accordance

with the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

Rule No. 13: BROADCASTING OF COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MEETINGS

Whenever any hearing or meeting conducted by the Committee

is open to the public, those proceedings shall be open to

coverage by television, radio, and still photography, as

provided in Clause 4 of House Rule XI, subject to the

limitations therein. Operation and use of any Committee

Internet broadcast system shall be fair and nonpartisan and

in accordance with Clause 4(b) of rule XI and all other

applicable rules of the Committee and the House.

Rule No. 14: COMMITTEE AND SUBCOMMITTEE STAFF

The staff of the Committee on House Administration shall be

appointed as follows:

(a) The staff shall be appointed by the Chair except as

provided in paragraph (b), and may be removed by the Chair,

and shall work under the general supervision and direction of

the Chair;

(b) All staff provided to the minority party members of the

Committee shall be appointed by the ranking member, and may

be removed by the ranking minority member of the Committee,

and shall work under the general supervision and direction of

such member;

(c) The appointment of all professional staff shall be

subject to the approval of the Committee as provided by, and

subject to the provisions of, clause 9 of Rule X of the Rules

of the House;

(d) The Chair shall fix the compensation of all staff of

the Committee, after consultation with the ranking minority

member regarding any minority party staff, within the budget

approved for such purposes for the Committee.

Rule No. 15: TRAVEL OF MEMBERS AND STAFF

(a) Consistent with the primary expense resolution and such

additional expense resolutions as may have been approved, the

provisions of this rule shall govern travel of Committee

members and staff. Travel for any member or any staff member

shall be paid only upon the prior authorization of the Chair

or her or his designee. Travel may be authorized by the Chair

for any member and any staff member in connection with the

attendance at hearings conducted by the Committee and

meetings, conferences, and investigations which involve

activities or subject matter under the general jurisdiction

of the Committee. Before such authorization is given there

shall be submitted to the Chair in writing the following:

(1) The purpose of the travel;

(2) The dates during which the travel will occur;

(3) The locations to be visited and the length of time to

be spent in each; and

(4) The names of members and staff seeking authorization.

(b)(1) In the case of travel outside the United States of

members and staff of the

Committee for the purpose of conducting hearings,

investigations, studies, or attending meetings and

conferences involving activities or subject matter under the

legislative assignment of the committee, prior authorization

must be obtained from the Chair. Before such authorization is

given, there shall be submitted to the Chair, in writing, a

request for such authorization. Each request, which shall be

filed in a manner that allows for a reasonable period of time

for review before such travel is scheduled to begin, shall

include the following:

(A) the purpose of the travel;

(B) the dates during which the travel will occur;

(C) the names of the countries to be visited and the length

of time to be spent in each;

(D) an agenda of anticipated activities for each country

for which travel is authorized together with a description of

the purpose to be served and the areas of committee

jurisdiction involved; and

(E) the names of members and staff for whom authorization

is sought.

(2) At the conclusion of any hearing, investigation, study,

meeting or conference for which travel outside the United

States has been authorized pursuant to this rule, members and

staff attending meetings or conferences shall submit a

written report to the Chair covering the activities and other

pertinent observations or information gained as a result of

such travel.

(c) Members and staff of the Committee performing

authorized travel on official business shall be governed by

applicable laws, resolutions, or regulations of the House and

of the Committee on House Administration pertaining to such

travel.

Rule No. 16: NUMBER AND JURISDICTION OF SUBCOMMITTEES

(a) There shall be two standing subcommittees, with party

ratios of members as indicated. Subcommittees shall have

jurisdictions as stated by these rules, may conduct oversight

over such subject matter, and may consider such legislation

as may be referred to them by the Chair. The names and

jurisdiction of the subcommittees shall be:

(1) Subcommittee on Capitol Security--(2/1). Matters

pertaining to operations and security of the Congress, and of

the Capitol complex including the House wing of the Capitol,

the House Office Buildings, the Library of Congress, and

other policies and facilities supporting congressional

operations; the U.S. Capitol Police.

(2) Subcommittee on Elections--(4/2). Matters pertaining to

the Federal Election Campaign Act, the Federal Contested

Elections Act, the Help America Vote Act, the National Voter

Registration Act, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens

Absentee Voting Act, the Federal Voting Assistance Program,

the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, the Americans with

Disabilities Act (accessibility for voters with

disabilities), the Federal Elections Commission (FEC), the

Elections Assistance Commission (EAC), and other election

related issues.

(b) No subcommittee shall meet during any full Committee

meeting or hearing.

(c) The Chair may establish and appoint members to serve on

task forces of the Committee, to perform specific functions

for limited periods of time, as she or he deems appropriate.

Rule No. 17: REFERRAL OF LEGISLATION TO SUBCOMMITTEES

The Chair may refer legislation or other matters to a

subcommittee, or subcommittees, as she or he considers

appropriate. The Chair may discharge any subcommittee of any

matter referred to it.

Rule No. 18: OTHER PROCEDURES AND REGULATIONS

The Chair may establish such other procedures and take such

actions as may be necessary to carry out the foregoing rules

or to facilitate the effective operation of the committee.

Rule No. 19: DESIGNATION OF CLERK OF THE COMMITTEE

For the purposes of these rules and the Rules of the House

of Representatives, the staff director of the Committee shall

act as the clerk of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 5159) to establish the Office of the Capitol Visitor Center within the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, headed by the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services, to provide for the effective management and administration of the Capitol Visitor Center, and for other purposes, with a Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert in the Record at this point correspondence related to the bill.

House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure,

Washington, DC, October 1, 2008.

Hon. Robert A. Brady,

Chairman, Committee on House Administration, House of

Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Brady: I write to you regarding H.R. 5159, as

amended, the ``Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008''.

H.R. 5159, as amended, contains provisions that fall within

the jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure. Specifically, section 102 of H.R. 5159, as

amended, establishes a process for designation and naming

rooms or space within the Capitol Visitors Center. I write to

confirm the mutual understanding of the Committee on House

Administration and the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure that this provision does not waive, reduce, or

otherwise affect the jurisdiction of the Committee on

Transportation and Infrastructure to name facilities of the

U.S. Capitol.

I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this

legislation before the House in an expeditious manner and,

accordingly, I will not seek a sequential referral of the

bill. However, I agree to waive consideration of this bill

with the mutual understanding of the interpretation of

section 102 and that my decision to forgo a sequential

referral of the bill does not waive, reduce, or otherwise

affect the jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation

and Infrastructure over H.R. 5159.

Please place a copy of this letter and your response

acknowledging the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure's jurisdictional interest in the Congressional

Record during consideration of the measure on the House

Floor.

I look forward to working with you as we prepare to pass

this important legislation.

Sincerely,

James L. Oberstar,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to discharge the Committee on House Administration from further consideration of House Concurrent Resolution 435 and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to discharge the Committee on House Administration from further consideration of House Resolution 1272 and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the upcoming retirement from federal service of Susan Marone who has served the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the House since April 1995. Since returning to Congressional service on Capitol Hill in 1995, Susan has been responsible for the day-to-day management of the Resume Referral Service/Outplacement Resource Center--a service of the Chief Administrative Officer providing vacancy announcement and placement services to Member and Committee offices, while assisting individual House employees and prospective applicants from outside the Congress with the process of applying for positions in the House. In her capacity of overseeing the Resume Referral Service, Susan has brought her considerable experience in the political arena to her work for the House which has enabled her to provide a strong understanding of the functions and day-to-day operations of a Congressional office in assisting Members, Chiefs of Staff and Staff Directors in finding ideal candidates for their office positions.

Susan's retirement marks a milestone of her long history of service to the Nation and its citizens. In addition to having previously worked for a United States Congressman and two United States Senators, her career of public service includes work with the New York State Legislature and the Mayor's office in New York City. She has also worked for two U.S. Presidents, a U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and the U.S. Ambassador to UNESCO in Paris.

As Susan marks her retirement from the Federal Government and the House, she can do so in knowing the gratitude that we have for the exceptional service that she has delivered to the Members and Committees of the House through the Resume Referral Service, where she created a vacancy announcement posting process that has been both timely and responsive to the fast-paced environment of Capitol Hill. In 2007 alone, Susan posted 486 positions for over 227 different offices, a thirteen percent increase in the number of postings over the previous year and a twenty-six percent increase in the number of Member and Committee offices served in that same year. This extent and volume of service is indicative of Susan's track record over her thirteen years with the Resume Referral Service in expanding its capability and responsiveness in serving the needs of Congressional and Committee offices and in positioning it as a vital resource in helping to meet the critical hiring needs of the Members of the House.

As Susan prepares for her retirement later this year and her move to Montepulciano, Italy next year, I extend to her the best wishes of the House and our appreciation for her years of dedicated and unwavering public service to the Congress and our Nation.

Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the Joint Committee on Printing, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Mr. Ernest Gilman Baldwin, Associate Director for Program Management in the Office of the Chief Information Officer at the Government Printing Office. Gil, as he is known to his friends and colleagues, is retiring next month following 35 years of dedicated Federal service at the GPO in support of the Congress, Federal agencies, and the American public.

Beginning in the Congressional Record Index Office in 1973, Mr. Baldwin joined GPO's Superintendent of Documents organization in 1974. There he spent most of his career working with the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), the oldest and most respected free Government information program in the world, which makes available for public use the official publications of this House and of the Senate, as well as those of the executive and judicial branches. Mr. Baldwin rose through the ranks to become Director of Library Programs in 1998, along the way winning the respect and affection of GPO's staff and librarians in more than 1,200 depository libraries located in every State and congressional district.

While Director, Mr. Baldwin began the FDLP's transition to electronic document distribution, building a staff with an extraordinary ability to work in partnership with depository librarians and the citizens they serve. The transition to a more electronic FDLP has resulted in significantly increased public access to publications produced by the Government, extending the reach of the Federal Depository Library Program farther than at any time in its history. Mr. Baldwin managed this transition with eagerness, care, and a sense of adventure that inspired his staff and his colleagues in the library profession. In recognition of his leadership, he was honored in 2005 with the James Bennett Childs Award for lifetime contributions to the profession of Government documents librarianship, by the Government Documents Round Table of the American Library Association.

For the last 4 years, Mr. Baldwin has brought his experience and leadership to the team developing GPO's Federal Digital System (FDsys), which will bring to maturity GPO's long transition into the digital age.

Next month, Mr. Baldwin will retire from a long and distinguished career of public service. I ask my colleagues to join me in conveying our thanks and appreciation to Gil Baldwin, and our best wishes for a healthy and happy retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize outstanding employees of the Officers, Clerk of the House, Sergeant at Arms and Chief Administrative Officer, and Inspector General of the U.S. House of Representatives who have reached the milestone of 25 years of service to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Our most important asset in the House is our dedicated employees, and their work, often behind the scenes, is vital in keeping the operations and services of the House running smoothly and efficiently. The employees we recognize today are acknowledged and commended for their hard work, dedication, and support of House Members, their staffs and constituents, and for their contributions day-in and day-out to the overall operations of the House. These employees have a wide range of responsibilities that support the legislative process, assure the security of the institution, and maintain our technology and service infrastructure. They have accomplished a great many things in a wide range of activities, and the House of Representatives and its Members, staff, and the general public, are better served because of them. The individuals we honor today have collectively provided over two hundred seventy-five, 275, years of service to the U.S. House of Representatives:

Matthew P. Agee--Chief Administrative Officer

David S. Bogan--Chief Administrative Officer

James A. Bowles--Chief Administrative Officer

Mary B. Engler--Clerk of the House

Stephen R. Johnson--Chief Administrative Officer

Mary M. Kelley--Chief Administrative Officer

Arnette M. Person--Chief Administrative Officer

Robert V. Rota, Jr.--Clerk of the House

Michael H. Starnes--Clerk of the House

Nathaniel L. Tolson--Clerk of the House

Deborah J. Turner--Clerk of the House

On behalf of the entire House community, I extend congratulations and once again recognize and thank these employees for their commitment to the U.S. House of Representatives as a whole, and to their respective House Officers and Inspector General in particular. Their long hours and hard work are invaluable, and their years of unwavering service, dedication and commitment to the House set an example for their colleagues and other employees who will follow in their footsteps. I celebrate our honorees, and I am proud to stand before you and the nation on their behalf to recognize the importance of their public service.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1207) directing the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives to provide individuals whose pay is disbursed by the Chief Administrative Officer by electronic funds transfer with the option of receiving receipts of pay and withholdings electronically, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks in the Record on this bill.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution is a commonsense step in modernization of our pay system. It would offer Members and staff the option, not the requirement, of receiving their pay stubs electronically. It would also make W-2 forms available electronically and allow individuals to change the deductions and withholdings, and to electronically redesignate the depository institutions for their electronic deposits.

Not only will this simplify pay records for Members and staff, it will reduce paper waste to support the Speaker's Green the Capitol Initiative.

This resolution has strong bipartisan support. Once it has been adopted in the House, and the committee will work with the CAO to ensure a smooth transition.

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

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

I would also like to thank the gentlelady from North Carolina for a very sensible bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, again, I thank the gentlelady for her very responsive bill, and I thank the gentleman from Michigan for his remarks even though it had nothing at all to do with this bill whatsoever.

And, Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6608) to provide for the replacement of lost income for employees of the House of Representatives who are members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces who are on active duty for a period of more than 30 days, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks in the Record on this bill.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6608 provides supplemental income to House employees who are Armed Forces reservists and who are involuntarily called to active duty. The House will supplement the active military duty pay by making up the difference between the employee's military salary and the employee's House salary prior to their call to active service.

To be eligible for the supplemental income, employees must be employed by the House for at least 90 days prior to military activation. The cost of the pay supplements will come from appropriate House accounts and not charged to the employing office. In addition, the employee's salary will be subject to the cost of living adjustments in the same as other House employees.

Mr. Speaker, I introduced this bill to address family hardships caused by some reservists and National Guard members being deployed for the second or third time. These servicemen and women earn military wages while on active duty and must leave their families and jobs, often for an undetermined and unpredictable amount of time.

The private sector is supporting our soldiers and sailors by continuing to pay the difference between their usual salary and their active duty pay. This bill will offer the same for House employees.

This is a good bill with strong bipartisan support that honors the devoted public service of our House employees. Our active duty reservists should not endure undue financial hardship for heeding our Nation's call to service.

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

Mr. Speaker, I will inquire of the gentleman if he has any other speakers.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve.

Mr. Speaker, I find myself a little miffed that they would have to politicize this soldier bill, but I understand we have two soldiers on that side of that bill.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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