Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, as chairman of the Committee on House Administration and of the Joint Committee on Printing, I wish to pay tribute to Carl A. LaBarre, who served the U.S. Navy faithfully and well during his career, and who then brought a similar standard of service to the Government Printing Office, where he led his staff in improving public access to Government information.

On October 4,2007, Carl LaBarre will be laid to rest with full honors in Arlington National Cemetery. A Montana native who attended the University of Montana and later the Naval War College, the Naval Post Graduate School, and the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, LaBarre was a career U.S. Navy officer who retired as Inspector General of the Naval Supply Systems Command in Washington, D.C., with the rank of Captain. During his service he earned the Legion of Merit, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Department of Defense Joint Service Commendation Award. Perhaps most significantly, especially to those of us who have been watching Ken Burns' latest documentary The War, then-Ensign LaBarre earned recognition for service in the best tradition of the Navy on December 7, 1941, while ``effecting the rescue of personnel trapped below decks'' on the battleship USS California, which was badly damaged in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

As noteworthy as it was, Carl LaBarre's career did not end with his service in the Navy. In 1971, he joined the GPO as Deputy Director and then Director of its Materials Management Service, which was responsible for keeping the GPO supplied with paper, ink, equipment, and all the other materials required to accomplish its work. In 1975, then-Public Printer Thomas McCormick appointed him Superintendent of Documents, a statutory position which is responsible for the public distribution of all Government documents via sales, distribution to Federal depository libraries, and the international exchange program. From that post LaBarre directed a nationwide network involving warehouse-based mail order operations, 25 bookstores in major metropolitan areas, and depository libraries in virtually every State and congressional district; during his tenure, the numbers of depository libraries increased from 1,170 to 1,367, broadening the reach of the program across America. Sales also increased, from $34.5 million annually when he took office to $55 million by the time LaBarre retired in 1982.

The hallmark of Carl LaBarre's service as Superintendent of Documents was his effort to improve the management of GPO's documents distribution operations and increase customer satisfaction. He adopted modern information technology and worked to make GPO's customer services comparable with those of private-sector firms. In the Federal Depository Library Program, LaBarre supported the automation of the Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications, which transformed the world of bibliographic control for Government documents. He supported microfiche conversion of Government documents, at that time seen as a primary means for providing depository libraries with scientific and technical documents printed in small numbers outside of GPO. He made the Depository Library Council an effective advisory body for the Public Printer and it remains so to this day. For his efforts he was commended by the American Library Association. LaBarre also received GPO's Distinguished Service Medal, the highest award the Public Printer can bestow, not once but twice for ``his outstanding success in improving the management of the Documents operations and for creating an unprecedented era of customer satisfaction,'' and for ``his exceptional leadership and his unparalleled achievements while serving as Superintendent of Documents.''

Madam Speaker, I have not had the privilege of working with Carl A. LaBarre during my tenure on the Joint Committee on Printing. Those who did have the privilege attest that he was a remarkable man and a faithful, dedicated public servant. On behalf of the Joint Committee and indeed the entire Congress, I extend condolences to Carl LaBarre's family, friends, and former colleagues.

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

In any organization, the most important resource is its dedicated employees, and without these employees, failure is certain. The employees we recognize today are acknowledged and commended for their hard work, contributions, and support of House Members, their staffs and constituents, and the overall operations of the House. These people have accomplished a great many things in a wide range of activities, and the House of Representatives, Members, staff, and the general public are better served because of them. The individuals we honor today have collectively provided 3,896 years of service to the U.S. House of Representatives:

Employee, officer, years of service: Maura P. Kelly, Clerk of the House, 50; Doris Boyd, Sergeant at Arms, 42; Ben J. Vann, Chief Administrative Officer, 40; Jerry L. Gallegos, Chief Administrative Officer, 40; Christine Stewart, Chief Administrative Officer, 38; Patricia A. Madson, Clerk of the House, 38; Gerald E. Bennett, Chief Administrative Officer, 38; James L. Newsome, Chief Administrative Officer, 37; Sue E. Dean, Clerk of the House, 36; Rodric J. Myers, Sergeant at Arms, 35; Deborah A. Bates, Chief Administrative Officer, 35; Janice L. Glosson, Clerk of the House, 35; Dane Stalbaum, Chief Administrative Officer, 35; Donna G. Downs, Clerk of the House, 34; Paul F. Lozito, Chief Administrative Officer, 34.

Bobby R. Small, Chief Administrative Officer, 34; H.D. Engel, Sergeant at Arms, 34; Lea Fowlie, Chief Administrative Officer, 33; Donald W. Reedy, Chief Administrative Officer, 33; Gloria J. Washington, Chief Administrative Officer, 33; Flora A. Posey, Chief Administrative Officer, 32; Caroline Klemp, Chief Administrative Officer, 32; Richard R. Villa, Sergeant at Arms, 32; Elliot C. Chabot, Chief Administrative Officer, 32; Elaine Comer, Chief Administrative Officer, 32; David J. First, Chief Administrative Officer, 32; Eric C. King, Chief Administrative Officer, 32; Daniel H. Ertel, Chief Administrative Officer, 32; William P. Sims, Sergeant at Arms, 32; George R. Cannon, Chief Administrative Officer, 32.

Karen F. Forriest, Sergeant at Arms, 32; Marion M. Pacic, Chief Administrative Officer, 32; Kelly D. Patrick, Sergeant at Arms, 32; Marie E. Higgs, Chief Administrative Officer, 31; Alice B. Bridges, Clerk of the House, 31; Sharyn B Alexander, Chief Administrative Officer, 31; Charles R. McCall, Jr., Clerk of the House, 31; Richard N. Hughes, Chief Administrative Officer, 31; Stanton Sechler, Chief Administrative Officer, 31; Wendell E. Twombly, Chief Administrative Officer, 31; Donald T. Kellaher, Sergeant at Arms, 31; Robert L. Stallings, Chief Administrative Officer, 31; Bridget A. Cox, Chief Administrative Officer, 31; Deborah M. Spriggs, Clerk of the House, 30; Vincent L. Marcum, Jr., Chief Administrative Officer, 30.

Charles D. Roche, Sergeant at Arms, 30; Stefan L. Rusnak, Chief Administrative Officer, 30; James M. Garrott, Chief Administrative Officer, 30; Joe D. Berg, Chief Administrative Officer, 30; Frank H. Jones, Chief Administrative Officer, 30; Newton B. Pendergraph, Chief Administrative Officer, 30; John P. Mooney, Chief Administrative Officer, 30; Trevera R. Jackson, Chief Administrative Officer, 30; Mark D. O'Sullivan, Clerk of the House, 30; Alessandro Cusati, Chief Administrative Officer, 30; Cathy J. Kell, Chief Administrative Officer, 30; Michael J. Arceneaux, Clerk of the House, 30; Peyton J. Jackson, Chief Administrative Officer, 29; Peggy C. Sampson, Clerk of the House, 29; John F. Kelliher, Sergeant at Arms, 29.

Jacqueline L. Hurda, Chief Administrative Officer, 29; Carnelius Thomas, Clerk of the House, 29; Michael K. Allen, Chief Administrative Officer, 29; Frederick J. Masheter, Jr., Chief Administrative Officer, 29; Arden Moser, Chief Administrative Officer, 29; Robert W. Warnick, Chief Administrative Officer, 29; John T. Lewis, Chief Administrative Officer, 29; Douglas C. Toms, Clerk of the House, 29; Ronny K. VanDyke, Chief Administrative Officer, 29; John T. Whitmyer, Chief Administrative Officer, 29; William M. Cox, Clerk of the House, 29; Pearl J. Mangrum, Chief Administrative Officer, 29; Lois A. Cortese, Chief Administrative Officer, 29; Thomas K. Hanrahan, Clerk of the House, 29; Stephen E. Pingeton, Clerk of the House, 29.

Joseph P. Coppa, Chief Administrative Officer, 29; Joseph A. Lee, Sergeant at Arms, 29; Matthew F. Cizek, Clerk of the House, 28; Patrica N. Smith, Clerk of the House, 28; Willie M. Roane, Chief Administrative Officer, 28; Teresa A. Rowe, Chief Administrative Officer, 28; Alfredda L. Horton, Chief Administrative Officer, 28; Cookie Clark-Henry, Sergeant at Arms, 28; Peter Shipman, Chief Administrative Officer, 28; Patrick H. Pettis, Sergeant at Arms, 28; Timothy A. Claggett, Chief Administrative Officer, 28; Horace E. Hamlin, Sergeant at Arms, 28; Russell A. Malone, Chief Administrative Officer, 27; Edwarda P. Moore, Chief Administrative Officer, 27; Alvin C. Thompson, Chief Administrative Officer, 27.

Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk of the House, 27; Louis A. Constantino, Sergeant at Arms, 27; Alfred R. Powers, Chief Administrative Officer, 27; Stephen P. Mathis, Chief Administrative Officer, 27; Ted Daniel, Sergeant at Arms, 27; Sheila L. Roscoe, Chief Administrative Officer, 27; David W. Roth, Clerk of the House, 27; Thomas D'Amico, Chief Administrative Officer, 27; John P. Long, Chief Administrative Officer, 27; Mary K. Niland, Clerk of the House, 27; Melissa K. Franger, Sergeant at Arms, 27; Patricia C. Nuzzo, Chief Administrative Officer, 27; Ronnie W. Reed, Chief Administrative Officer, 27; Nicarsia K. Mayes, Sergeant at Arms, 27; George D. Moore, Jr., Chief Administrative Officer, 27.

Willie C. Williams, Sergeant at Arms, 27; Sandra M. Rubio-Marrero, Chief Administrative Officer, 27; Kevin N. Chambers, Chief Administrative Officer, 27; Charles M. McGee, Clerk of the House, 26; Helene M. Flanagan, Chief Administrative Officer, 26; Frederick H. Bowles, Jr., Chief Administrative Officer, 26; Philip Melvin, Chief Administrative Officer, 26; Sandra F. Durham, Chief Administrative Officer, 26; Gail P. Davis, Chief Administrative Officer, 26; Anthony A. Thompson, Chief Administrative Officer, 26; Timothy W. Babcock, Chief Administrative Officer, 25; John M. Wright, Chief Administrative Officer, 25; Lewis L. Maiden III, Chief Administrative Officer, 25; John L. Carter, Jr., Chief Administrative Officer, 25; Jeanne M. Mershon, Sergeant at Arms, 25.

Roland S. Janifer, Chief Administrative Officer, 25; Janet H. DiMatteo, Chief Administrative Officer, 25; Bernestine Kea, Chief Administrative Officer, 25; Leslie D. Henderson, Chief Administrative Officer, 25; Floyd M. Johnson, Chief Administrative Officer, 25; Andrew W. Straughan, Chief Administrative Officer, 25; Thomas K. McGarry, Chief Administrative Officer, 25; Annette G. Brown, Chief Administrative Officer, 25; Su-Hwa Chang, Chief Administrative Officer, 25; Standley Brady, Sergeant at Arms, 25.

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 in particular. Their long hours and hard work are invaluable, and they have set an example for other employees to share in their dedication and commitment, and to follow in their footsteps. I celebrate our honorees and celebrate the importance of their public service.

Madam Speaker, as chairman of the Committee on House Administration and of the Joint Committee on Printing, I want to recognize Ms. Violet Moorhouse, a long-time map cataloger at the Government Printing Office, who retired on July 31, 2007, following nearly 40 years of dedicated service.

Ms. Moorhouse went to work at the GPO in 1968 committed to serve the public, a commitment strengthened by a desire to do something positive following the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. During her long career, Ms. Moorhouse worked in almost every type of library, including public, school, university, and special libraries. Prior to GPO, she cataloged documents at the New York Public Library. After working on cataloging general monographs, Ms. Moorhouse turned to map cataloging when maps were brought into GPO's Federal Depository Library Program in the 1970's. She cataloged all types of Federal maps, including serial maps and maps on microfiche and CD-ROM from the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Forest Service, and the National Park Service. She pioneered many currently used cataloging practices for maps while welcoming advances in technology and cataloging that allowed more timely access to these important materials. She also trained incoming librarians in map cataloging, and was generous in sharing her expertise and detailed knowledge of the nuances of Federal maps with others.

During her career, Ms. Moorhouse contributed more than 100,000 bibliographic records to the Catalog of United States Government Publications and initiated many geographic name authority records in the Library of Congress authority database, providing a deep contribution to the field of geophysical data. Her prodigious talents were so valued that in 1998 she received the American Library Association's Map and Geography Round Table (MAGERT) award, which is presented to librarians for outstanding service to map librarianship. Her articles on GPO map cataloging appeared regularly in the MAGERT publication ``base line'' and in GPO's ``Administrative Notes'' newsletter. She also wrote the chapter on the Superintendent of Documents classification of maps in GPO's Classification manual. Ms. Moorhouse was active in the ALA's Government Documents Round Table and in the Cartographic Users Advisory Council, as well as in MAGERT.

Ms. Moorhouse earned a B.A. in English and comparative literature at the University of California, Berkeley. She earned an M.L.S. while on a one-year fellowship at Berkeley. She also did graduate work in Far Eastern Regional studies, with an emphasis on China, at the University of the Pacific, and continued her academic studies in the computer and cartographic fields in Washington, D.C.

I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Ms. Moorhouse for her significant contributions to the GPO through her distinguished service in the Federal Depository Library Program, and extending best wishes for her well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to discharge the Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure from further consideration of House Concurrent Resolution 196, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on H. Con. Res. 196.

Madam Speaker, on the occasion of his retirement in July, 2007, I rise to thank William ``David'' Crudup III for his 36 years of outstanding service to the U. S. House of Representatives.

David began working for the House in 1971 in the Longworth Bake Shop where he served many of our Nation's leaders and foreign visitors. One of his most memorable events was when he had the opportunity to bake a birthday cake for then-First Lady Betty Ford. Upon leaving the Longworth Bake Shop, David worked the next 20 years for the Clerk of the House in the Office Furnishings division. He served as a Logistics and Distribution Specialist performing a wide range of duties including furniture delivery to Congressional offices, warehouse inventory management and assisting with the proper disposal of excess furniture.

In September 1991, David took a position with Office Systems Management, also under the Clerk. He was responsible for a wide range of duties including the delivery and removal of office equipment from Congressional offices, as well as performing and reconciling equipment inventories and assisting with the proper disposal of excess equipment.

Throughout his career, David has been admired by House staff and his co-workers for his enthusiasm, professionalism and willingness to help others. He frequently went above and beyond the call of duty. His dedication and hard work should be commended. On behalf of the entire House community, we extend congratulations to David for his years of outstanding service and contributions to the U.S. House of Representatives. We wish him many wonderful years in fulfilling his retirement dreams.

Madam Speaker, on the occasion of his retirement in

May, I rise today to thank Mr. Phil Nichols for his long career of outstanding service to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Phil Nichols has been an employee of the House for 31 years. During that time, he has earned the respect and admiration of his fellow co- workers. Phil is a person of great character and will leave behind a legacy of professionalism, hard work and dedication to the institution. His accomplishments while serving the House were many. One of his most notable contributions was as a member of the team responsible for reupholstering the two chairs on the dais in the House Chamber which are used by the Vice President of the United States and the Speaker of the House during every State of the Union speech.

Phil's retirement is bittersweet. The House will lose an individual who from day one of his employment made a long term commitment to excellence. His performance has always been exceptional and beyond expectations. His legacy will live on in the Chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives. We wish Phil many wonderful years in fulfilling his retirement dreams.

Madam Speaker, on the occasion of his retirement on July 24, 2007, I rise today to thank Arthur ``Art'' Baltrym for over 32 years of outstanding service to the United States House of Representatives.

Art began his career with the House in 1966 as a Congressional Page. After completing his education at St. John's University in New York and Georgetown University in Washington, DC, he graduated with a bachelors degree in Political Science. At that time, he returned to the U.S. Capitol and worked as a Capitol Police Officer.

Art left the Capitol Police in 1971 to pursue a challenging opportunity to work for the Education and Labor Committee, where he worked for the next seven years. In January 1978, Art was hired by the Clerk of the House as a cabinetmaker for the former Property Supply department. Over the next 32 years, he was promoted to various positions and eventually became manager of the CAO Furnishings department. Art's accomplishments are far too lengthy to list in this tribute. However, two examples of his contributions are worthy of recognition.

After the original Speaker's Chair was given to then Speaker Thomas P. (``Tip'') O'Neal for placement in his official library, the Clerk of

the House commissioned the construction of a replacement chair. Art was a key member of the team that hand-built the replacement Speaker's Chair. He personally spent numerous hours hand-carving the exquisite detail that is displayed on much of the chair. Another significant contribution was his oversight of the team which constructed the two hydraulic-controlled lecterns currently used today on the House floor.

On a more personal note and equally worthy of recognition, Art has dedicated his life to making the CAO and the U.S. House of Representatives a better place. He has served as a tutor for the CAO's literacy program since its inception. He also serves his community by working as a ``Food for Others'' volunteer and assisting the Arlington Street People's Assistance Network. After his retirement, it is Art's goal to pursue more volunteer opportunities and to perform community services in order to continue making a difference in the lives of others.

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

Madam Speaker, I send a concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 190) to the desk and ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, this concurrent resolution provides for printing additional copies of three congressional publications that our constituents frequently request from us and of which supplies are nearly exhausted. Two of the publications are about the U.S. Constitution. With Constitution Day, September 17, approaching fast, we need to replenish our supplies so that Members can fulfill the requests from schools, civic organizations and others.

Madam Speaker, I know of no controversy and urge an ``aye'' vote.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2630) to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit authorized committees and leadership PACs of a candidate or an individual holding Federal office from making payments to the candidate's or individual's spouse, to require such committees and PACs to report on disbursements made to the immediate family members of the candidate or individual, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I stand with the House leadership in full support of H.R. 2630, the Campaign Expenditure Transparency Act.

This legislation will help to reassure Americans that their public officials are working in their interest and not for personal gain. This bill will amend the Federal Election Campaign Act to protect candidates or Federal officeholders from either directly or indirectly compensating their spouses with funds from any authorized political committee under their control.

H.R. 2630 also creates an important new requirement to disclose any compensation paid from campaign coffers to the immediate family members of the candidate or officeholder. The bill ensures that the rigid penalties for violations are enforced personally against the candidates or officeholders. It would prohibit political committees from reimbursing candidates or officeholders for any penalties.

Some may say this legislation may prevent some from running for office because they will run the risk of accidently violating the law. This is not the case. These penalties may only take effect if the candidate or officeholder is aware of the violation.

H.R. 2630 is another way we can restore the confidence that the people's House is working for all Americans. I urge all Members to support this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff) such time as he may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Mr. Schiff be allowed to control the balance of the time on our side.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor my dear friend and City Councilwoman, the Honorable Carol Ann Campbell. Just like the distinguished Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Carol Ann is the scion of a great political family. Her early years at the side of her father, the famous Edgar Campbell, prepared her well for her future leadership role. But it is her inner strength that plays the biggest part in making her who she is.

Everyone who knows Carol Campbell knows that she is a force of nature. Her drive and tenacity are matched only by her compassion and her loyalty. She has devoted her life to helping others. Her dedication to her neighbors led to tremendous public investment in her district during her time in City Council. Her advocacy on behalf of the African American community led to election of record numbers of judges and other officials. She has been the confidant of speakers, mayors, and governors and of presidents. And I am proud to say that she is my advisor, my strongest supporter and my best friend.

Madam Speaker, there aren't enough hours in the day to list the accomplishments of this great lady. But, I am proud to ask all of my colleagues to join me in saluting her today.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1281, the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007. As Chairman of the Committee on House Administration, the committee that has original jurisdiction on matters that relate to Federal elections, I encourage this measure to prevent voter suppression.

Over the past 100 years, this body has passed legislation regarding the very sacred franchise, the right to vote, that has significantly increased participation of all Americans across the Nation. No longer is the right to vote only made available for white, male land owners. Women, African-Americans, young people and others have been guaranteed their right to vote through the Constitution and various landmark legislation.

Therefore, any attempt to prevent an eligible American from exercising this fundamental right should be met with swift protective action. During the last election cycle, just north of this House in Maryland, fliers were distributed in African-American communities which falsely stated that candidates had been endorsed by their opponent's party and by prominent African-American leaders. Distributing this type of misleading information and intimidating voters through nefarious tactics are direct threats to our democracy that must not be tolerated.

Attempts to knowingly communicate false election-related information, with the intent to prevent Americans from exercising their right to vote, will be met with fines and/or imprisonment. The House and the nation should remain committed to ensuring that all eligible Americans have a guarantee that they will be able to exercise their right to vote free from intimidation and false pretenses.

I stand in full support of H.R. 1281, the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007

Madam Chairman, I just want to say a few quick things.

We had a problem in House Administration when Chairwoman Millender- McDonald passed away. There was a void. But taking over as chairman, I have a great working relationship with my ranking minority member, Mr. Ehlers. I have a great working relationship with the ranking minority member of this subcommittee, Zach Wamp. I also have tremendous respect for and a great working relationship with the chairwoman.

We have had some conversations that we did not need to discuss here. I have been assured and am extremely comfortable with the fact that we will be together working out our jurisdictional problems. I thank the gentlewoman for stepping in at a time when it was needed. Again, with my ranking minority member, we have a great relationship. We probably have the best committee in that we get along all the time. We are going to continue to do that. I thank, again, the ranking member.

I look forward to working with you, and I have your assurance that we will be doing that.

Madam Chairman, I want to express my appreciation for the work of the gentlelady from Florida to craft the FY08 appropriations bill for the Legislative Branch. As we are well aware in the Committee on House Administration, working on this bill may not be very glamorous, but it is essential to keeping the House running.

The Committee on Appropriations has done a good job of balancing the many needs of the House--paying our employees, keeping the physical plant running, and operating the various agencies that serve Capitol Hill.

I am particularly pleased to see in this bill an additional $5 million toward upgrading the radio systems of the Capitol Police. Establishing a secure communications system for our police force is essential to the security of the Hill.

I also appreciate the Committee's commitment of funds for the ``Green the Capitol'' initiative. According to the House Chief Administrative Officer's calculations, we can eventually recoup these costs from savings on our utility bills when we make the House more energy- efficient.

I look forward to continuing our strong working relationship in the future.

Finally, as Chairman of the Joint Committee on Printing, I urge the Members to reject the amendment by the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Flake]. It is essential that the Congressional Printing and Binding Appropriation be funded at least at the level recommended by the Appropriations Committee. The Government Printing Office must have enough resources to provide Congress with the printing and digital services fundamental to our legislative process.

The congressional printing account has been flat-funded since 2005. As a result, in order to deliver what we require to do our jobs in Congress, GPO has had to reach into its own working capital. When GPO depletes it working capital, it consumes funds otherwise available to keep pace with technology, train employees, even to maintain plant and equipment.

GPO receives no salaries-and-expenses appropriation for its printing operations. GPO runs just like a business, and the Congressional Printing and Binding Appropriation is Congress' prepayment for its own orders. As a GPO customer, like many other Federal agencies, Congress has to pay its way and cannot expect GPO to underwrite printing needs, especially as we increase congressional activity in this 110th Congress. If Congress continues to underfund its own printing, GPO will eventually face a financial crisis that we caused, threatening its ability to operate for any of its agency customers. Let's reject the Flake amendment to keep that from happening.

Mr. Speaker, I offer a resolution (H. Res. 478) and I ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 164) authorizing the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.