Ron Klein

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Financial Services be discharged from further consideration of the bill (S. 4036) to clarify the National Credit Union Administration authority to make stabilization fund expenditures without borrowing from the Treasury, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Affairs be discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 67) celebrating 130 years of United States-Romanian diplomatic relations, congratulating the Romanian people on their achievements as a great nation, and reaffirming the deep bonds of trust and values between the United States and Romania, a trusted and most valued ally, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1704) honoring the 2500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon, as amended.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, H. Res. 1704 honors the anniversary of the Battle of Marathon, a watershed event in the protection of the then-fledgling form of government we continue to practice to this day and we know as democracy.

As the story goes, a messenger ran 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to deliver news of the Greek victory over the Persians, a feat commemorated today by millions of athletes around the world through the running of marathons.

In this anniversary year, the town of Hopkinton, Massachusetts, the sister city to Marathon, Greece, created ``Marathon 2010'' to encourage a global celebration of the victory at Marathon and to connect marathoners throughout the world in the shared experience of running.

The commemorative Flame of Marathon was brought from Marathon to Hopkinton nearly 2 years ago as a symbol of the twin cities common heritage as caretakers of the sport of the marathon.

As part of the celebration of the 2500th anniversary, the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., celebrated the military roots of long distance running by receiving the flame in October.

We commend the hundreds of thousands of marathon runners throughout the world who exemplify the words of the philosopher Confucius, a contemporary of the battle who said: ``I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.''

We join together with marathoners around the world in celebrating the 2500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) for introducing this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the author of the bill, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).

Madam Speaker, I certainly would like to acknowledge the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for his cosponsorship of the bill as well. I am looking forward to Mr. Smith, Mr. McGovern, and me all planning for next year's marathon and getting ready for the big race.

I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.