Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of David C. Saviano, born December 21, 1950, to Anthony and Bernadina Saviano, in South Medford, Massachusetts.

Dave's family moved to Billerica when he was 13 years old. He graduated from Billerica Memorial High School in 1970, where his athletic abilities as a wrestler, baseball player, and football captain earned him Athlete of the Year honors his senior year.

Dave's father, Tony, a retired member of Pipefitters Local 537's refrigeration division, inspired Dave to follow in his footsteps. Dave became a pipefitter apprentice in September 1971 and was initiated into Pipefitters Local 537 in March 1975. After working his way through the ranks, Dave ran for, and was elected in 1989, to the executive board of Pipefitters Local 537. Three years later, he was elected vice president of Pipefitters Local 537 and re-elected to that position again in 1995. Dave's leadership and experience earned him a hiatus from serving his Local 537 brothers and sisters in an elected capacity, as Dave ran one of the largest co-generation power plant construction jobs in the country from 1999 to 2002 in Everett, Massachusetts. But he came back to Local 537 politics, was elected and re-elected as business agent in 2002 and 2004; and in 2007 was elected assistant business manager. During his career with Pipefitters Local 537 Dave also served as

an educational board trustee, attended United Association national conventions and New England Pipe Trade conventions.

Dave is also dedicated to his community and for many years, has served on the Democratic Town Committee, attended the Democratic State Convention and has been an elected town meeting member. Most recently Dave won a seat on the Town Planning Board.

Dave and his wife of more than 25 years, Rosemary, continue to live in Billerica. Their sons, David and Jeff, are now married, David to Gail and Jeff to Deb, and Dave and Rose are the proud new grandparents of David Philip Saviano, born to David and his wife, Gail, on May 21, 2010. An active member and leader of Pipefitters Local 537 for 39 years and a dedicated father and husband, Dave's commitment and hard work to his members and family earned him a new title at this stage in his life, retired grandfather.

Madam Speaker, it is my distinct honor to take the Floor of the House today, to join with Dave's family, friends and contemporaries to recognize and thank him for a career dedicated to the men, women and families of Pipefitters Local 537. I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating David C. Saviano's distinguished career and wish him a happy and full retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Stuart Rossman who stepped down on June 9, 2010 as President of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston.

An honors graduate of the University of Michigan and Harvard Law School, Mr. Rossman has dedicated himself to working for social justice, ensuring the well-being of the State of Israel and building a strong Jewish community in the greater Boston area. As an adjunct faculty member at both the Northeastern University School of Law and at the Suffolk University Law School, he trains and educates the next generation of lawyers and legal scholars.

Throughout his legal career, during which he served in the Massachusetts Attorney General's office and in his current post with the National Consumer Law Center, a national advocacy organization for low-income consumer justice, he has stood up for those whose voices are seldom heard. Mr. Rossman has brought together partners across ethnic and religious lines to speak out for what is right.

Mr. Rossman has also been a strong supporter of Israel and of the Jewish community. During his term as Chairman of the United Jewish Appeal Young Leadership Cabinet from 1991 to 1992, he led a solidarity mission to Israel during the Persian Gulf War and led the 8th Annual UJA Young Leadership Conference in Washington, attended by the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and over 3,000 participants. In addition to his work with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, he has been actively involved in the Combined Jewish Philanthropies, where he has served on its Executive Committee and Board. He also served as President of the Bureau of Jewish Education, President of the Massachusetts Association of Jewish Federations and Chair of the Boston-Haifa Connection, a partnership that seeks to build economic and social bridges.

He is also is a member of the Advisory Committees for the South Area Solomon Schechter Day School and the American Society for the University of Haifa New England Region.

Madam Speaker, Stuart Rossman has spent a lifetime working for the betterment of his community and of Israel and the relationship between our two countries. It is my pleasure to join with Stuart's family, his wife Shelley and daughters Rina and Jessie, JCRC Executive Director Nancy K. Kaufman and their colleagues to recognize his achievements and to congratulate him as he concludes his tenure as President of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Stuart Rossman who will be stepping down on June 9, 2010 as President of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston.

An honors graduate of the University of Michigan and Harvard Law School, Mr. Rossman has dedicated himself to working for social justice, ensuring the well-being of the State of Israel and building a strong Jewish community in the greater Boston area. As an adjunct faculty member at both the Northeastern University School of Law and at the Suffolk University Law School, he trains and educates the next generation of lawyers and legal scholars.

Throughout his legal career, during which he served in the Massachusetts Attorney General's office and in his current post with the National Consumer Law Center, a national advocacy organization for low-income consumer justice, he has stood up for those whose voices are seldom heard. Mr. Rossman has brought together partners across ethnic and religious lines to speak out for what is right.

Mr. Rossman has also been a strong supporter of Israel and of the Jewish community. During his term as Chairman of the United Jewish Appeal Young Leadership Cabinet from 1991 to 1992, he led a solidarity mission to Israel during the Persian Gulf War and led the 8th Annual UJA Young Leadership Conference in Washington, attended by the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and over 3,000 participants. In addition to his work with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, he has been actively involved in the Combined Jewish Philanthropies, where he has served on its Executive Committee and Board. He also served as President of the Bureau of Jewish Education, President of the Massachusetts Association of Jewish Federations and Chair of the Boston-Haifa Connection, a partnership that seeks to build economic and social bridges.

He is also is a member of the Advisory Committees for the South Area Solomon Schechter Day School and the American Society for the University of Haifa New England Region.

Madam Speaker, Stuart Rossman has spent a lifetime working for the betterment of his community and of Israel and the relationship between our two countries. It is my pleasure to join with Stuart's family, his wife Shelley and daughters Rina and Jessie, JCRC Executive Director Nancy K. Kaufman and their colleagues to recognize his achievements and to congratulate him as he concludes his tenure as President of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston.

I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in support of the amendment offered by my friend and colleague, Mr. Sarbanes of Maryland.

This amendment ensures due diligence on the part of Federal agencies by requiring cost comparisons before any work can be awarded to contractors at non-Department of Defense agencies.

I just want to point out that this is what DOD is doing now, and those of us on the Oversight Committee, who saw the problems that were created by recklessly contracting out core government responsibilities in the Iraq reconstruction era, think this is a great idea. We think that this is an idea that will make sure that we do effective cost analysis and also measure the appropriateness of whether or not a core government's function should be contracted out to begin with.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 2711) to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for the transportation of the dependents, remains, and effects of certain Federal employees who die while performing official duties or as a

result of the performance of official duties.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous materials.

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

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present H.R. 2711, the Special Agent Samuel Hicks Families of Fallen Heroes Act, for consideration.

This bipartisan legislation was introduced on June 4, 2009, by my colleague, Representative Mike Rogers of Michigan, as well as several members of the Oversight Committee, including Chairman Towns, and Representatives Bill Foster of Illinois, Elijah Cummings of Maryland, and Brian Bilbray of California. In addition, I am also pleased to be an original cosponsor.

Moreover, H.R. 2711 was passed by the House of Representatives by a voice vote on December 8, 2009, and subsequently passed the United States Senate, with minor amendments, on May 14, 2010.

H.R. 2711 is an important measure for the Federal law enforcement community. This bill authorizes the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to pay the relocation and moving expenses for families of agents who are killed in the line of duty. Law enforcement officers and their families are routinely moved by the government to take on assignments that enhance the security of our country. Under current law, the government is authorized to pay these expenses if an agent or employee is killed overseas, but it cannot do so for relocation if the death occurs within the United States. While we wish this legislation was not necessary, tragically there have been instances in which such authority was needed to support the families of agents or employees who have given their lives.

I applaud the Senate, and especially Senators Lieberman, Collins, Akaka, and Voinovich for recognizing the importance of this bill and for sending the bill back to the House with minor changes. The bill, as amended by the Senate, would extend these family benefits to employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Senate amendment also makes several largely technical changes to the scope of available assistance.

These improvements were made at the request of the Obama administration, which supports this measure. I do want to emphasize that the bill has strong support among the Federal law enforcement community, including the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and the FBI Agents Association.

Lastly, I'd like to point out that the title of the bill pays tribute to the memory and service of Special Agent Samuel Hicks. Special Agent Hicks was assigned to the Pittsburgh FBI office and was fatally shot on November 19, 2008, at the age of 33 while executing a Federal search warrant associated with a drug distribution ring.

Special Agent Hicks was a former police officer with the Baltimore Police Department. He and his family relocated to Pittsburgh when he became an agent. Unfortunately, after the loss of Special Agent Hicks, the Bureau was unable to assist the Hicks family in moving back to Baltimore due to the statutory limitations. This legislation would correct this problem and prevent future families from suffering additional grief and hardship.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2711.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present H.R. 2711, the Special Agent Samuel Hicks Families of Fallen Heroes Act, for consideration.

This bipartisan legislation was introduced on June 4th, 2009 by my colleague, Representative Mike Rogers of Michigan, as well as several Members of the Oversight Committee, including Chairman Ed Towns and Representatives Bill Foster, Elijah Cummings, and Brian Bilbray. In addition, I am pleased to say that I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 2711.

Moreover, H.R. 2711 was passed by the House of Representatives by voice vote on December 8th, 2009 and subsequently passed the United States Senate, with minor amendments, on May 14th, 2010.

H.R. 2711 Is an important measure for the Federal law enforcement officer community. The bill authorizes the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to pay the relocation and moving expenses for families of agents who are killed in the line of duty.

Law enforcement officers and their families are routinely moved by the government to take on assignments that enhance the security of the country. Under current law, the government is authorized to pay these expenses if an agent or employee is killed overseas but cannot pay for relocation if the death occurs in the U.S.

While we wish this legislation was not necessary, tragically, there have been instances in the recent past where such authority was

needed to support the families of agents or employees who gave their lives.

I applaud the Senate, and specifically, Senators Lieberman, Collins, Akaka and Voinovich, for recognizing the importance of this bill and for sending the bill back to the House with minor changes.

The bill, as amended by the Senate, would extend these family benefits to employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Senate amendment also makes several, largely technical changes to the scope of available benefits. These changes were made at the request of the Obama administration, which supports this measure.

I want to emphasize that this bill has strong support from the Federal law enforcement community, including the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents Association.

Lastly, I would like to point out that the title of this bill pays tribute to the memory and service of Special Agent Samuel Hicks. Special Agent Hicks was assigned to the Pittsburgh FBI office and was fatally shot on November 19, 2008, at the age of 33, while executing a Federal search warrant associated with a drug distribution ring. Special Agent Hicks was a former police officer with the Baltimore Police Department. He and his family relocated to Pittsburgh when he became an agent. Unfortunately, after the loss of Special Agent Hicks, the Bureau was unable to assist the Hicks family in moving back to Baltimore due to statutory limitations. This legislation would correct this problem and prevent future families from suffering additional unnecessary grief and hardship.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his thoughtful remarks, and I just want to ask Members on both sides to join with Mr. Rogers of Michigan, also Mr. Foster of Illinois--and, Mr. Speaker, I know that you, as the Representative from Maryland's Seventh District, had a special interest in this bill on behalf of the Hicks family and all of those officers who are killed in the line of duty, so I want to thank you for your work as well.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1172) recognizing the life and achievements of Will Keith Kellogg.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous materials.

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

On behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present House Resolution 1172 for consideration. This legislation recognizes the life and achievements of a renowned American industrialist and philanthropist, Mr. Will Keith Kellogg.

Introduced by my colleague and friend, Representative Mark Schauer of Michigan, on March 11, 2010, House Resolution 1172 was favorably reported out of the Oversight Committee on May 20, 2010, by unanimous consent. And, additionally, this legislation enjoys the support of over 50 Members of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present House Resolution 1172 for consideration. This legislation recognizes the life and achievements of a renowned American industrialist and philanthropist, Mr. Will Keith Kellogg.

Introduced by my colleague, Representative Mark Schauer of Michigan, on March 11th, 2010, House Resolution 1172 was favorably reported out of the Oversight Committee on May 20th, 2010 by unanimous consent. Additionally, this legislation enjoys the support of over fifty members of Congress.

A longtime resident of the city of Battle Creek, Michigan, W.K. Kellogg, the founder of the famed Kellogg Company, was born on April 7th, 1860. While Mr. Kellogg lacked a formal education beyond the 6th grade, he was always an aspiring businessman and at the age of 14, began his business career selling brooms for a living.

At the age of 20, Mr. Kellogg moved to Battle Creek to work at the Battle Creek Sanitarium, where his brother, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, served as physician-in-chief. It was at the sanitarium where Mr. Kellogg and his brother first began experimenting with grains in order to improve the vegetarian diet of the hospital's patients.

The Kellogg brothers' efforts proved groundbreaking, as the year 1894 marked W.K. Kellogg's discovery of a process for making flaked cereal. The new cereal was an instant favorite among the sanitarium's patients and soon became available through mail order to accommodate the requests of hundreds of hospital guests.

In 1906, Mr. Kellogg officially entered the cereal business and founded the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company--which later became the Kellogg Company. Notably, the Kellogg Company product line reflected Mr. Kellogg's belief that the entire populace--and not just those on special diets--would be interested in healthy cereal foods. Accordingly, Mr. Kellogg continually sought to improve his breakfast cereals--eventually discovering that a better flake was produced by using only the corn grit or ``sweet heart of the corn''--and the Kellogg Company quickly became an industry leader in terms of innovative packing and nutritional labeling.

As Mr. Kellogg's company quickly expanded its operations to locations such as Australia and England, the Kellogg Company continued to play a key economic role in Battle Creek and across the United States. During the Great Depression, Mr. Kellogg, who famously announced that he would invest his money in his people, expanded his facilities in Battle Creek--thereby bringing much-needed jobs to his hometown. Similarly, he directed his Battle Creek plant to offer four work shifts of six hours each, so as to spread the payroll among more workers.

The Kellogg Company also played an instrumental role during World War II, as the company provided packaged rations for the United States armed forces. In addition, Kellogg Company engineering personnel made use of the company's production facilities in support of United States armed forces engineering efforts. And in recognition of the company's contribution to the American war effort, Mr. Kellogg received the Army- Navy ``E'' Flag for excellence.

In addition to his pioneering contributions to the food industry and his devotion to promoting healthy living around the world, Mr. Kellogg is also remembered as a dedicated philanthropist. Notably, in 1930, President Herbert Hoover named Mr. Kellogg to serve as a delegate to the White House Conference on Child Health and Protection, and in his continued efforts to assist young people, Mr. Kellogg subsequently established the W.K. Kellogg Child Welfare Foundation. The foundation, now known as the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, serves to provide a variety of educational, healthcare, and other opportunities to vulnerable children.

Moreover, Mr. Kellogg donated millions of dollars to a variety of hometown causes throughout his life, including the establishment of the Ann J. Kellogg School for Handicapped Children and the construction of a civic auditorium, a junior high school, and a youth recreation center in Battle Creek.

Mr. Speaker, after a lifetime of remarkable achievements in the world of business and a dedicated commitment to public service, W.K. Kellogg passed away on October 6th, 1951, at the age of 91. It is my hope that we honor the life and achievements of Mr. Kellogg through the passage of House Resolution 1172. Notably, this legislation is as timely as it is fitting, as this past April marked the 150th Anniversary of Mr. Kellogg's birth.

At this time I yield 5 minutes to the lead sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Schauer).

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's kind words and also the words of the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Schauer).

I would just add one last point, and that is that the Kellogg Company also played an instrumental role during World War II as the company for the first time provided packaged rations for the United States Armed Forces.

In addition, during World War II, Kellogg Company engineering personnel made use of the company's production facilities in support of the United States Armed Forces engineering efforts. In recognition of the company's contribution to the American war effort, Mr. Kellogg received the Army-Navy E Flag for excellence.

With that, I would just ask Members on both sides of the aisle to support Mr. Schauer in his resolution.

I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. 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.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1189) commending Lance Mackey on winning a record 4th straight Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous materials.

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

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present House Resolution 1189 for consideration. This resolution honors Lance Mackey for his record of four consecutive wins at the Iditarod.

House Resolution 1189 was introduced by my colleague, the gentleman from Alaska, Representative Don Young, on March 17, 2010. The measure was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered the measure reported by unanimous consent on April 14, 2010. Notably, House Resolution 1189 enjoys the support of over 80 Members of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, Lance Mackey's ability to win a record fourth consecutive Iditarod can truly be characterized as a remarkable achievement. As the residents of Alaska well know, the Iditarod takes place on 1,150 miles of grueling landscape across the State. Competitors race over mountain ranges, through tundra and spruce forests and across frozen rivers.

Mr. Mackey completed this year's race from a start in Anchorage to the finish line in Nome in just 8 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes and 9 seconds, the second-fastest finish in the history of this race.

In addition, he is the only person ever to be crowned Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champion four times in a row and the only person to win both the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod race in the same year, a feat that he accomplished in both 2007 and 2008.

Mr. Mackey's accomplishments have also served as an inspiration to the cancer community. In 2001, Mr. Mackey was diagnosed with throat cancer. He took a year off from racing in order to battle the disease.

Thankfully, Mr. Mackey is now considered cancer-free and often speaks to a variety of cancer patient groups about his fight and his recovery.

Mr. Speaker, let us now take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Mackey on his historic victory. I thank the gentleman from Alaska for introducing House Resolution 1189. I would also like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) for his support of this measure.

I urge my colleagues to support the House Resolution 1189.

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

Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman for his thoughtful remarks and ask Members on both sides of the aisle to support Mr. Young in his resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1316) celebrating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to add any extraneous materials.

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

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present House Resolution 1316, as amended, for consideration. This legislation celebrates Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, which is celebrated during the month of May.

House Resolution 1316 was introduced by my friend and colleague, Representative Mike Honda of California, on April 29, 2010. In addition, this resolution was favorably reported out of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee by unanimous consent on May 6, 2010. This House Resolution enjoys the support of over 55 Members of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community is composed of over 15 million people, who on a daily basis, make significant contributions to the betterment of our country. In addition to being one of our country's fastest-growing minority groups, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community is also responsible for generating an estimated $326 billion annually for our economy as entrepreneurs and owners of over 1.1 million businesses.

While Asian/Pacific American heritage is certainly worth recognizing and celebrating year round, the country and the Asian/Pacific American community have traditionally come together in the month of May to celebrate and commemorate Asian and Pacific American heritage.

This celebration began back in 1977 when Representatives Frank Horton and Norman Mineta and Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced resolutions asking the President to declare the first 10 days of May as Asian/Pacific Heritage Week.

The selection of the month of May stems from the fact that May marks the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in 1843. In 1978, President Carter made Asian/Pacific Heritage Week an annual event. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush proclaimed the entire month of May to be Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

Mr. Speaker, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have also made great strides in the area of civil rights and public policy. Led by such notable Americans as Patsy Mink, the first Asian American congresswoman, the President's current Cabinet includes three Asian Americans: Energy Secretary Steven Chu; Commerce Secretary Gary Locke; and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki.

In closing, let us as a body take a moment to recognize the valuable contribution of the Asian and Pacific American community and celebrate their rich cultural heritage by supporting House Resolution 1316.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to join with Mr. Honda and Mr. Cao and other Members in support of this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. 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.

Madam Speaker, the United States Postal Service, Postal Inspectors Equity Act, is intended to allow postal inspectors to receive full law enforcement availability pay (LEAP) comparable to criminal investigators of other executive branch agencies. Postal inspectors protect the U.S. Postal Service, its employees and its customers from criminal attack, and protect the nation's mail system from criminal misuse.

Under current law, compensation and benefits for postal inspectors are required to ``be maintained on a standard of comparability to the compensation and benefits paid for comparable levels of work in the executive branch of the Government outside of the Postal Service.'' See Title 39, U.S.C. 1003(c). Currently, the Postal Service is paying postal inspectors LEAP, but such payments are not statutorily required.

As written, the bill will require the Postal Service to pay postal inspectors LEAP pursuant to statute. The United States Postal Service, Postal Inspectors Equity Act will amend Title 5, U.S.C. 5545a to define postal inspectors as law enforcement officers eligible to receive LEAP. The bill will preserve and protect postal inspectors' law enforcement availability pay and ensure that the Postal Inspection Service will be able to recruit and retain highly qualified postal inspectors.

Madam Speaker, the United States Postal Service, Postal Inspectors Equity Act, is intended to allow postal inspectors to receive full law enforcement availability pay (LEAP) comparable to criminal investigators of other executive branch agencies. Postal inspectors protect the U.S. Postal Service, its employees and its customers from criminal attack, and protect the nation's mail system from criminal misuse.

Under current law, compensation and benefits for postal inspectors are required to ``be maintained on a standard of comparability to the compensation and benefits paid for comparable levels of work in the executive branch of the Government outside of the Postal Service.'' See Title 39, U.S.C. 1003(c). Currently, the Postal Service is paying postal inspectors LEAP, but such payments are not statutorily required.

As written, the bill will require the Postal Service to pay postal inspectors LEAP pursuant to statute. The United States Postal Service, Postal Inspectors Equity Act will amend Title 5, U.S.C. 5545a to define postal inspectors as law enforcement officers eligible to receive LEAP. The bill will preserve and protect postal inspectors' law enforcement availability pay and ensure that the Postal Inspection Service will be able to recruit and retain highly qualified postal inspectors.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1295) celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous materials.

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

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to present House Resolution 1295 for consideration. This legislation celebrates the role of mothers in the United States and supports the goals and ideals of Mother's Day.

Introduced by my colleague and friend Representative Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska on April 22, 2010, House Resolution 1295 enjoys the support of over 60 Members of Congress, and I am proud to say that I have gone out on a limb and become one of those cosponsors.

First, I would like to thank the gentleman from Nebraska for introducing the resolution. I would also like to thank Chairman Towns and Mr. Chaffetz, my colleague on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for bringing the resolution to the floor today.

On Sunday, May 9, 2010, we will celebrate the 102nd anniversary of the first official Mother's Day, which was celebrated on May 10, 1908, in Grafton, West Virginia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It may come as a surprise to some, particularly our own mothers, that it took nearly 103 years for our country to officially designate a day praising motherhood. Thankfully, in 1908 Senator Elmer Burkett of Nebraska had the good sense to propose making Mother's Day into a national holiday. And since 1914, Congress has recognized the second Sunday of May as a time to celebrate the immeasurable contributions mothers have made toward building strong families, thriving communities, and our great Nation generally.

I would not presume to speak on behalf of America's 82 million mothers. Instead, I would simply recognize their importance in shaping our society and our future. Many of our greatest national heroes attribute their own successes to the guidance of their moms. While examples abound, I will quote President Abraham Lincoln, who once said of his own mother, ``I remember my mother's prayers, and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.'' I am sure that similar thanks and praise are appropriate for mothers of every American.

Madam Speaker, although I think you would agree that it is completely inadequate to spend just 1 day a year celebrating the contributions of America's mothers, my wife regularly reminds me that in our house every day is Mother's Day. As a small token of our appreciation, I urge this body to join its 63 cosponsors and agree to House Resolution 1295.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, in closing, I just want to thank the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry) for his foresight and for proposing this resolution. In closing, I want to wish all the moms in Massachusetts and across America a happy Mother's Day, including my own mom and my mother-in-law and my wife.

With that, 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 agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1247) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the Nation during Public Service Recognition Week, May 3 through 9, 2010, and throughout the year.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous materials.

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

Madam Speaker, as chairman of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Federal workforce, postal service, and the District of Columbia, I am pleased to present House Resolution 1247 for consideration. This legislation expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the Nation during Public Service Recognition Week and throughout the year.

As the original sponsor of the resolution, along with my friend and colleague, Mr. Chaffetz of Utah, I'm proud to say that House Resolution 1247 has the support of 60 Members of Congress. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Chaffetz for jointly introducing the resolution with me and for his work on bringing this to the floor today. I'd also like to thank the Partnership for Public Service for their role in organizing this annual celebration week, as well as for their superior work promoting careers in the public sector.

Madam Speaker, this week marks the 27th anniversary of Public Service Recognition Week. From May 3 through May 9, 2010, Public Service Recognition Week is designed to commemorate the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice made by our Nation's Federal, State, and local government employees. It's highly appropriate that we take a moment each year to fully appreciate the extraordinary deeds that are performed by our public employees throughout our country and abroad. Among other things, public servants fight fires and they enforce our laws; teach in our schools and libraries; defend our Nation; and protect the environment and our national parks. These individuals deserve our highest praise, although too often they are criticized and undervalued.

There are millions of individuals who work in government services in every city, county, and State across America and in hundreds of cities abroad. We all benefit enormously from the hard work of these dedicated individuals, and I'd like to take this opportunity to highlight a terrific example from my own district of a good Federal employee

who performs on a daily basis tasks that are vital to a lot of people that we worry about--and that is within the Veterans Administration Boston health care system. The VA system is a consolidation of facilities which delivers high-quality patient care to our Nation's veterans in areas such as mental health services, occupational therapy, and the women's veterans' homeless programs. The employees of all of these centers help to ensure that our Nation's heroes receive the health care they deserve. In particular, Cecilia McVey, who is the Associate Director of Nursing and Patient Care Services at VA Boston, who began her Federal career in 1972, and continues to be recognized as a leader of the Boston VA health care system.

Madam Speaker, our public servants are being recognized this week. I just want to talk about a few of them very, very briefly.

For example, Pius Bannis works for the field office of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. He has worked tirelessly and selflessly providing assistance to Haitian orphans in the aftermath of the devastation of the January, 2010, earthquake.

Sergeant Kimberly D. Munley and Sergeant Mark A. Todd, Sr., both civilian employees, members of AFGE, the American Federation of Government Employees, who responded to the shooting at Fort Hood. These are civilian employees but they confronted an armed gunman and also mass chaos. The two civilian Defense Department police officers brought an end to the tragic carnage and rampage at Fort Hood that killed 14 people and wounded 43 others.

Also, Sara Bloom, an attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office in my own district of Massachusetts. Sara Bloom led the legal case against one of the major drug manufacturers and recovered $2.3 billion on behalf of the American people in fines and penalties--the largest health care fraud settlement in the history of the United States.

Jamie Konstas, an Intelligence Analyst at the FBI. He provided vital resources in the fight against commercial and sexual exploitation of children, which has resulted in the conviction of more than 500 individuals and predators and the rescue of more than a thousand child victims.

Also, Carl W. Pike and the Project Coronado Team. They led the largest strike against the La Familia Mexican drug cartel, resulting in more than a thousand arrests, plus the seizure of 1\1/2\ tons of methamphetamine and $32 million in cash.

Also, Terry Glass and the Army Medical Support Systems Team, which developed a state-of-the-art medical evacuation kit to provide lifesaving treatment and emergency transportation to soldiers severely wounded by roadside bombs.

Lastly, Robert James (RJ) Simonds, who dedicated his 20-year career to fighting the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, advising policymakers on the creation of lifesaving programs and working in developing nations to assure those families receive those services.

Those are just a handful of the public servants that we recognize this week. They are a wonderful reflection of what a lot of people do every day. Madam Speaker, our public servants' hard work and dedication contribute significantly to the greatness and prosperity of our Nation. It is for this reason that, with the help the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) I introduce this resolution, and I urge its adoption. Public servants improve our lives on a daily basis. I hope this Congress will take the time to honor all of those who have dedicated their life to our country by voting in favor of House Resolution 1247.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and I want to thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) for his support on this resolution and cosponsorship. I ask my colleagues to

join us in supporting House Resolution 1247.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1722) to require the head of each executive agency to establish and implement a policy under which employees shall be authorized to telework, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous materials.

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

Madam Speaker, as chairman of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Federal workforce, postal service, and the District of Columbia, I am pleased to present H.R. 1722 for consideration. This legislation seeks to improve and expand access to telework among Federal employees governmentwide.

The bipartisan measure before us today was introduced by my friend and colleague, Representative John Sarbanes of Maryland, along with myself and Congressmen Frank Wolf, Gerry Connolly, Jim Moran, Dutch Ruppersberger, and Danny Davis on March 25, 2009. The bill was amended and favorably ordered reported by the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on April 14, 2010.

Madam Speaker, despite the evolving nature of the way the Federal Government conducts its affairs, telework continues to be underutilized by Federal agencies. H.R. 1722 provides for improvements to increase the number of Federal employees that participate in telework programs. Some of the most notable aspects of this legislation include: requiring agencies to develop telework policies within 1 year that allow authorized employees to telework; directing the Office of Personnel Management to develop regulations on overall telework policies and to annually evaluate agency telework programs; requiring the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidelines on information security protections for telework; and instructing agencies to designate a telework managing officer to ensure effective development and implementation of telework plans.

H.R. 1722 also seeks to elevate the importance of incorporating telework into the continuity of operations planning of agencies. Notably, the Office of Personnel Management and its Director, John Berry, estimated that telework reduced the estimated cost of lost productivity during the snowstorms this past winter by $30 million.

H.R. 1722 is critical if the Federal Government is going to evolve into a more efficient, prepared, and environmentally responsible entity.

This legislation is being considered with an amendment making technical corrections. Notably, H.R. 4106, a bill similar to H.R. 1722, was passed by this body during the 110th Congress.

I urge my colleagues to again take action to move telework forward by passing H.R. 1722, the Telework Improvements Act of 2010.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, at this time, it gives me great pleasure to yield 5 minutes to Representative John Sarbanes, the gentleman from Maryland, who is the lead sponsor on our side in support of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentlelady from West Virginia for her thoughtful remarks, and I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly) who is also an original cosponsor and a tireless champion of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I don't believe we have any further speakers, but I will continue to reserve.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for his thoughtful comments and his leadership on this issue. I do want to just try to address the scoring aspect of it, for those who are, as rightly they should be, sensitive to the budget. Our understanding from the estimate provided by the Congressional Budget Office is that this provision would cost approximately $30 million over 5 years. However, I think it is important to point out that during the recent unexpected snowstorms in the Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia area this past winter, in February we saved $30 million per day. So the program costs $30 million over 5 years, and in one severe snowstorm, we saved $30 million per day by utilizing the telework function.

In closing, I also want to thank Mr. Sarbanes and Mr. Connolly for their leadership on our side and also the bipartisanship showed by the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) and Mr. Wolf as well. I think they did a fine job. I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 1722.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4543) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4285 Payne Avenue in San Jose, California, as the ``Anthony J. Cortese Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous materials.

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

Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over the United States Postal Service, I am proud to present H.R. 4543 for consideration. This legislation will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4285 Payne Avenue in San Jose, California, as the Anthony J. Cortese Post Office Building.

Introduced by my friend and colleague Representative Zoe Lofgren of California on January 27, 2010, H.R. 4543 was favorably reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on April 14, 2010, by unanimous consent. In addition, this legislation enjoys the overwhelming support of the California House delegation.

A 55-year resident of San Jose, California, Mr. Anthony Cortese was born in the East Bay city of Richmond, California, and graduated from James Lick High School in San Jose. While in his early twenties, Mr. Cortese began working for the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier in the downtown San Jose post office and continued to serve as a proud Postal Service employee for over 40 years. As a letter carrier, Mr. Cortese became an active member of his union, the National Association of Letter Carriers Local 193. Mr. Cortese climbed the ranks from shop steward to vice president, and in 1981 was elected union president, a position he proudly held for 27 years.

As president of Local 193 for nearly 30 years, Mr. Cortese devoted his efforts to advancing the well-being of his fellow letter carriers. Notably, Mr. Cortese successfully procured a union-owned headquarters building for the members of Local 193. He helped expand member health benefits and established an open, meaningful, and continuing dialogue between his union members and Federal, State, and local elected officials.

However, Mr. Cortese's service was not just limited to his efforts on behalf

of his fellow letter carriers. Rather, Mr. Cortese's commitment to public service could be evidenced by his effort to benefit the entire San Jose community. Specifically, in 1990, Mr. Cortese established a local food drive initiative, sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers, that since 1991 has become a national food drive held every year on the first Saturday before Mother's Day.

Regrettably, Mr. Cortese passed away on February 11, 2007. However, while Mr. Cortese is no longer with us, his memory and legacy of public service will live on through his family, his friends, his community, and of course his fellow letter carriers.

Mr. Speaker, let us further honor the life and legacy of this letter carrier and former union president Anthony Cortese through the passage of H.R. 4543, which will designate the postal facility located at 4285 Payne Avenue in San Jose, California, in his honor. I urge my colleagues to join me and the bill sponsor, Zoe Lofgren from California.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I want to thank the gentleman from Texas for his kind remarks. And I would encourage my colleagues to join the lead sponsor of this measure, Zoe Lofgren from California, in supporting H.R. 4543.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1103) celebrating the life of Sam Houston on the 217th anniversary of his birth, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous materials.

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

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present House Resolution 1103 for consideration. This resolution honors the life and accomplishments of Sam Houston for his historical contributions to the expansion of the United States.

Introduced by my friend and colleague, Representative Mike McCaul of Texas, on February 24, 2010, House Resolution 1103 was favorably reported out of the Oversight Committee on April 14, 2010, by unanimous consent. In addition, the legislation enjoys the support of over 50 Members of Congress.

As we all know, Sam Houston, a 19th century American soldier, statesman and politician, played a pivotal role in the development of the State of Texas as well as our collective national history. As a soldier enlisted in the 7th Infantry Regiment, Private and then-First Lieutenant Houston fought courageously in the Battle of 1812 during which he received nearly mortal wounds at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in March of 1814.

As a practicing attorney in the State of Tennessee, Mr. Houston served as a district attorney in 1819, as the State's adjutant general in 1820, and then as a major general in 1821.

As a United States Representative elected to the 18th and 19th Congresses, Mr. Houston proudly represented the State of Tennessee before his service as the State's Governor from 1827 to 1829. As a subsequent resident of the State of Oklahoma, Mr. Houston served as a vocal advocate in support of Native American rights and in 1829 was recognized as a member of the Cherokee Nation by the Cherokee National Council. However, Mr. Houston is best known for his relentless efforts to secure statehood for Texas.

In 1835, Mr. Houston moved to the Texas territory and promptly served as a member of the convention at San Felipe de Austin, a gathering of colonists designed to promote and establish separate statehood for Texas. One year later, Mr. Houston was elected to serve as commander in chief of the Texas army and in this capacity successfully led his volunteer Texas forces against those of Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana in the Battle of San Jacinto. Notably, the battle culminated with the signing of the Treaty of Velasco, which recognized the Republic of Texas.

In recognition of his service, Mr. Houston was subsequently elected to serve as the first President of the Texas Republic, a position that he held from 1836 to 1838 and again from 1841 to 1844. Fittingly, the city of Houston was named after the President of the Texas Republic in 1837.

Mr. Houston also served the Texas Republic as a member of the Texas Congress from 1838 to 1840, and upon Texas' admission as a State into the Union, served as a United States Senator from the 31st through the 34th Congresses. Mr. Houston would also serve as Governor of the State of Texas from 1859 to 1861, making him the only person in the United States to ever have served as the Governor of two different States. Notably, Mr. Houston's tenure as a Texas Governor ended with his refusal to take an oath of loyalty to the Confederacy following Texas' secession from the Union, an act that Mr. Houston deemed illegal.

Mr. Houston died on July 26, 1863, at the age of 70. Fittingly, his last words, as spoken to his wife, Margaret, were reportedly: ``Texas, Texas, Margaret . . . ''

Mr. Speaker, let us honor the lasting contributions of Sam Houston to the State of Texas and our national history through the passage of this resolution, H. Res. 1103.

I urge my colleagues to join Mr. McCaul of Texas in supporting H. Res. 1103.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, again I encourage my colleagues to join Mr. McCaul and Mr. Olson of Texas in supporting H. Res. 1103, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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