Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 270) supporting the goals and ideals of College Savings Month.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 270.

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

Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 270, introduced by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Rogers), aims to raise awareness about the need to save for higher education expenses.

It is increasingly imperative for today's young people to possess college degrees in order to compete in our Nation's workforce. At the same time, the cost of undergraduate college educations continues to rise at a faster rate than inflation.

Behind only their own retirements plans and mortgages, parents will probably put more money into their children's college educations than anything else in their lifetimes. This reality can severely limit options for those students and families who have not set aside funds to pay for college.

Mr. Speaker, there is hope for parents and students who seek to defray the high costs of higher education. Many tax-deferred investment opportunities, low-interest loans and scholarships can assist with paying for college, and they are available for those who look hard enough. Hopefully, the House's consideration of this resolution will encourage all future college students, and parents of future college students, to fully explore all such options.

Mr. Speaker, few things are more valuable to one's career, financial security or happiness than their college education. Unfortunately, few things are more expensive than a college education. It is important that all Americans interested in going to college take the necessary steps to ensure that college is something they can afford.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H. Con. Res. 270. I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Rogers), and urge passage of the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Rogers), the sponsor of the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter).

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 273) recognizing and congratulating the East Boynton Beach, Florida, Little League team as the 2003 United States Little League Champions.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw), the sponsor of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I would advise the gentlewoman we have no additional requests for time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 70) recognizing Inspectors General over the last 25 years in their efforts to prevent and detect waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, and to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the Federal Government.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the joint resolution under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), introduced House Joint Resolution 70. This resolution commends inspectors general for the important work that they do to improve the operation of the Federal Government.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Enactment of the Inspector General Act. This 1978 law originally established Offices of Inspectors General in 12 Federal Departments and agencies. This act has since been amended so that today, statutory IGs oversee nearly 60 Federal Departments and agencies.

Inspectors general are a valuable resource for Congress and the American people. Through their audits and investigations, they highlight wasteful spending and fraudulent activities and recommend ways to improve the operation of government programs. In fiscal year 2002, IGs made recommendations that saved more than $70 billion. Investigations performed by IG personnel also resulted in more than 10,000 criminal prosecutions.

Mr. Speaker, 25 years after the enactment of the IG act, IGs remain important guardians of good government. This resolution salutes their efforts, and I strongly support its adoption.

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate and welcome the gentleman from Florida in his new capacity as an ex-officio member of the Committee on Government Reform.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1883) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1601-1 Main Street in Jacksonville, Florida, as the ``Eddie Mae Steward Post Office.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 1883.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1883 was introduced by our esteemed colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown), which designates this postal facility in Jacksonville, Florida, as the Eddie Mae Steward Post Office.

All Members of the Florida State delegation have cosponsored the legislation as is required by the rules of our committee.

Eddie Mae Steward lived nearly her entire life in Duval County, Florida. She became an institution in that area. After graduating from Douglas Anderson High School and Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, she began a life of public activism. Ms. Steward became the first female president of the local NAACP chapter in Jacksonville and rose to the level of Florida State president of the NAACP. Naming this post office after her in Jacksonville would be a wonderful tribute to her life of philanthropy.

Mr. Speaker, Eddie Mae Steward sadly passed away in March of 2001 at the age of 61. The gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown) introduced identical legislation to 1883 last year, and it passed the House, but not the Senate, before the end of the 107th Congress. With today's passage by the House, we would hope that H.R. 1883 can be presented to the President for his signature before the end of this Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would advise the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) that we have no additional speakers. I am prepared to yield back when she is.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Paula Edwards, a fellow resident of Ohio on her recent election to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU). Ms. Edwards, the President and CEO of Nationwide Federal Credit Union located in Columbus, Ohio, was elected as a regional director, representing the States of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Ms. Edwards has been associated with Nationwide FCU for more than 25 years. Ms. Edwards joined Nationwide FCU as the Operations Manager in 1975. Since that time, Ms. Edwards has served as the Services Manager for Nationwide's mutual fund operation, Nationwide Investing Foundation, she has served on the Nationwide FCU board of directors, including a three-year stint as chairwoman, and in 1989 she took over her current position as President and CEO of Nationwide FCU.

In addition, Ms. Edwards is active in a number of other activities including holding positions on the Corporate One FCU Board and Executive Committee. She is the Chair of Consumer Credit Counseling for the Midwest and she also serves on the Public Service Credit Union Strategic Advisory Group.

During her 25 years of service in the credit union community Ms. Edwards has made the financial literacy of her members a priority. In addition, Ms. Edwards has worked hard to build the credit union movement into what it is today; a healthy, competitive alternative to other financial institutions.

As a board member of NAFCU, she has distinguished herself as a leader in the only national trade association that exclusively represents the interests of America's federal credit unions, and I have no doubt that Ms. Edwards will serve NAFCU members as well as she has served her own credit union members. Again, I would like to congratulate Ms. Edwards on her new position and wish her the best of luck in this new role.

Mr. Chairman, I thank both the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley) and the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) for their very kind words.

Mr. Chairman, when I travel back to Ohio, I have to admit that folks up there are not telling me how important it is that we reauthorize the Fair Credit Reporting Act. They are not telling me how this legislation helped them drive home the new minivan the same day they went to the dealership, or how the convenience of the national credit granting system allowed them to charge a trip with the kids to Disneyland on their MasterCard. What is ironic, Mr. Chairman, is that this lack of interest from the average American consumer demonstrates to me very clearly that the amendments the Congress passed in 1996 to create the national credit system that we all take for granted today is working exceptionally well and it is a perfect illustration of why we need to support this legislation.

The bill before us today not only makes that system of the national standard for our country, but it also, as has been mentioned, tackles the problem of identity theft. During the committee's extensive hearing process on this legislation, we heard from a number of experts on the issue. We also heard from a number of victims. One of them came from my hometown, a woman by the name of Maureen Mitchell. And it was the severity of Maureen's case that inspired me to

work with my friend, the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hooley), who has really been dogged in the pursuit of this part of the legislation for years, and my hat's off to the gentlewoman from Oregon.

It was the severity of that case, and, basically, she and her husband had their identities stolen, and they racked up $100,000 in bills. In Chicago, the thieves went and got $45,000 in loans in the span of 2 hours, and they were horrified to learn that they were the ``proud owners'' of two sport utility vehicles that they, of course, did not purchase.

Anytime the Congress debates the issue of preempting State law, we have to question whether or not the Federal Government knows better than the States on how to pass a law that affects our citizens. When the question relates to access to credit and identity theft, I strongly believe the answer is in this legislation. Creating a set of uniform national standards will benefit people across the economic spectrum and is the perfect vehicle to fight the crime of identity theft.

I would urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to think of all the times we take for granted the ability to gain fast access to credit in our day-to-day activities. As a parent, it was terrifying when my daughter got her first credit card in the mail. But when that envelope arrived and she proudly stuck that piece of plastic in her wallet, she began building a credit history that will one day allow her to buy a home or take that vacation to Disneyland.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank very much the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Oxley), the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), and the gentleman from Alabama (Chairman Bachus) for this nice piece of legislation.

Mr. Chairman, when I travel back home to Madison, Ohio, I'll admit it--the folks up there aren't telling me how important reauthorizing the Fair Credit Reporting Act is to them. They're not telling me how this legislation helped them drive a new minivan home the same day they went to the dealership, or how the convenience of our national credit granting system allowed them to charge a trip with the kids to Disneyland on their Matercard. What's ironic, Mr. Chairman, is that this lack of interest from average American consumers demonstrates to me very clearly that the amendments Congress passed in 1996 to create the national credit system that we all take for granted today is working exceptionally well, and is a perfect illustration of why we need to support this legislation.

The bill before us today not only makes that system the national standard for our country, but also tackles the issue of identity theft. During the Committee's extensive hearing process on this legislation, we heard from a number of experts on this issue, and we also heard the testimony of a number of victims, one of whom--Maureen Mitchell--is from my hometown. The severity of Maureen's case is what inspired me in the 106th Congress to work with my friend Congresswoman Darleen Hooley to draft what have now become the critical ID theft provisions in the bill before us today. To give you some idea of the enormity and extent of the Mitchell family's identity theft saga, all told, Maureen and her husband Ray have been victimized to the tune of well over $100,000. Their identities have been used to apply in a two-hour period for $45,000 worth of personal loans at three different banks in Chicago. And they are the ``owners'' of two luxury Sport Utility Vehicles that they never purchased.

Any time Congress debates the issue of pre-empting State law, we have to question whether or not the Federal Government knows better than the States how to pass a law that affects our citizens. When the question relates to access to credit and identity theft, I strongly believe that the answer is in this legislation: creating a set of uniform national standards will benefit people across the economic spectrum, and is the perfect vehicle to fight the crime of identity theft.

That said, it would be wrong of us to tie consumers and industry down with very specific operating guidelines and regulations. It would be foolish to believe that there is one cure-all that will completely prevent cases of identity theft, but with the options and flexibility provided by this legislation, consumers, creditors, and law enforcement will be able to stay ahead of the identity thieves as they find new technologies and methods of carrying out this crime.

Again, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to consider all the times we take for granted the ability to get fast access to credit in our day-to-day activities. As a parent, yes, it was a terrifying thing when my oldest daughter got her first credit card. But what that envelope arrived in the mail and she proudly stuck that piece of plastic in her wallet, she began building a credit history that will one day allow her to buy a home and take that vacation to Disneyland with her family. With the Fair Credit Reporting Act set to expire at the end of the year, this Congress is in a unique position to have a tremendous impact on every American consumer. If we do not act today and support this legislation, we will be denying future generations of Americans the same financial luxuries we have all enjoyed for the last eight years.

Finally, I would like to thank Chairman Oxley and Subcommittee Chairman Bachus for their strong leadership on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, on a gratifying endorsement of my oratorical skills, the Chairman of the full committee has asked that I ask unanimous consent that in the engrossment of the bill, H.R. 2622, the Clerk be authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references and to make such other technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to reflect the actions of the House.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1572) to designate the historic Federal District Court Building located at 100 North Palafox Street in Pensacola, Florida, as the ``Winston E. Arnow Federal Building,'' as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to welcome everybody back after our recess, and I have to confess a little bit of disorientation. As I walked into the Chamber today, I thought for a moment I was in the Committee on Financial Services when I see Mrs. Cole, now a member of the Clerk's office, and I congratulate the Clerk on that hire; and further I am confused by the whiskers growing on the Parliamentarian's chin.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1527, as amended, was introduced by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) and it designates the historic building located at 100 North Palafox Street as the Winston E. Arnow Federal Building.

This bill was amended during subcommittee markup to make some minor technical changes relating to the designation of the building. These changes were made with the full support of the bill's sponsor, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller).

Judge Arnow was born in 1911 in Micanopy, Florida. He attended the University of Florida, where he received a bachelor's degree in 1932 and his law degree in 1933. He was admitted to the bar, and for 2 years served as a research clerk for the Florida Supreme Court, the first person to hold such a position.

From 1935 to 1942, he worked in private practice, when he was called to serve in the Army infantry for a year before being transferred to the Judge Advocate General Corps, wherein he was discharged as a major in 1945.

From 1946 until 1967, Judge Arnow practiced law as a partner in the firm of Clayton and Arnow. While in private practice, Judge Arnow served as a member and as chairman of the numerous bar committees, including the Steering Committee for Florida Civil Practices Before Trial and Committees on Continuing Legal Education and Rules of Civil Practice.

He was a member of the Florida Bar Committee that wrote the 1954 Consolidated Rules of Civil Procedure, in addition to authoring or coauthoring several other books and articles on the topic.

In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson appointed Bo Arnow to serve as a judge for the United States District Court, Northern District of Florida. During his tenure, he served first as a Judge, then as chief judge from 1969 until he took senior status in 1981.

Judge Arnow has been recognized for his achievements by the University of Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Order of the Coif, an important legal honor society, as well as by the Judicial Conference for the 11th Circuit.

Mr. Speaker, this is a fitting tribute to a dedicated public servant. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller), the author of this legislation, and to congratulate him for shepherding this legislation to the floor today.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume simply to correct the record earlier so we do not get inundated with phone calls relative to the aforementioned whiskers not belonging to Mr. Johnson, the Parliamentarian, but to his distinguished colleague, Mr. Sullivan.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and urge passage of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1668) to designate the United States courthouse located at 101 North Fifth Street in Muskogee, Oklahoma, as the ``Ed Edmondson United States Courthouse''.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1668, introduced by the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Carson), designates the building located at 101 North Fifth Street in Muskogee, Oklahoma, as the Ed Edmondson United States Courthouse.

Ed Edmondson was a life-long resident of Oklahoma. He attended the public schools of Muskogee, Muskogee Junior College, and the University of Oklahoma where he graduated in 1940. Following graduation, Congressman Edmondson joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation after 3 years with the FBI. He served in the Navy for 3 years and then 24 years in the Naval Reserve. During his service, Congressman Edmondson attended law school at Georgetown University. Upon his discharge from active duty and graduation from law school, Congressman Edmondson was admitted to the Washington, D.C. Bar Association. He then returned to Oklahoma to work in private practice and then as county attorney of Muskogee County.

In 1952, Congressman Edmondson was elected to the 83rd Congress and was reelected nine times, representing his home State for 20 years. After his service in the House, Congressman Edmondson returned to his native State and lived out his life in Muskogee where he passed away in 1990.

This is a fitting tribute to a dedicated public servant. I urge my colleagues in supporting passage.

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

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

I congratulate the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Carson) for shepherding this bill to the floor and its expected passage today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1572 and H.R. 1668.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding to me for the purpose of a colloquy in order to clarify the intent of two provisions.

This legislation authorizes the director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases to issue grants to non-Federal entities for the construction and operation of specialized research facilities. A second provision of the bill authorizes the Secretary of HHS to take control of these facilities in the event or threat of bioterror emergency.

As you know, the Public Buildings Act of 1959, which is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, governs the construction, acquisitions, repair and alteration of public buildings, including many laboratories and research facilities.

Mr. Chairman, am I correct that nothing in this legislation exempts the Secretary of HHS or the director of the institute from the requirements of the Public Buildings Act?

I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana.

Mr. Speaker, it is also my understanding that the facilities authority granted to the Secretary of HHS and the Director of the Institute of Diseases is intended only for

special use facilities, which do not meet the definition of a public building under the Public Buildings Act. Is that also correct?

Mr. Speaker, lastly, it is my understanding that the march in authority granted the Secretary of HHS is intended to give the Secretary control of these facilities for a limited period of time only. Is that also correct?

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the clarification.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 763) to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 46 East Ohio Street in Indianapolis, Indiana, as the ``Birch Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse.''

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

Mr. Speaker, S. 763, which is identical to H.R. 1082 which was introduced by the gentlewoman from Indiana (Ms. Carson), designates the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 46 East Ohio Street, in Indianapolis, Indiana, as the Birch Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse.

This bill has the bipartisan support of the entire Indiana delegation, and I thank the gentlewoman from Indiana (Ms. Carson) for agreeing to bring S. 763 to the floor in lieu of her bill, which the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure favorably reported out on May 21, 2003. I would like to have inserted into the Record that the gentlewoman from Indiana (Ms. Carson) has been diligent not only in this Congress, but in the last Congress, in attempting to achieve passage of this legislation, not only in this body, but in the other body; and the Bayh family has a great champion on their side when it comes to the gentlewoman.

Senator Bayh was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1928 to school teachers, and it is from them he inherited an ethic of public service. Upon graduation from high school, Senator Bayh volunteered for and served in the United States Army from 1946 to 1948. Upon his return, he attended and graduated from the Purdue University School of Agriculture at Lafayette in

1951. This education served him well, since throughout his long career, he always found time to work on and oversee the family farm, growing corn and soybeans for more than four decades.

Senator Bayh's political career began in 1954, when, at the age of 26, he was elected to serve in the Indiana House of Representatives. While serving in that body, he served as speaker in 1959 and as the Democratic floor leader in 1957 and 1961. Despite these responsibilities, he also found time to attend and graduate from Indiana University School of Law in 1960, and was admitted to the bar in 1961.

In 1962, at the age of 34, Senator Bayh entered the United States Senate where he served three terms from 1963 until 1981. While in the Senate, he served as chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, working with the CIA, the National Security Agency and the FBI. He also was a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation where he called for and funded efforts to build the District of Columbia's Metro subway system which so many of us enjoy, and to modernize the Amtrak rail system.

Senator Bayh is best known as chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee where he authored two amendments to the Constitution, something we will not see any time soon in subsequent Congresses, the 25th Amendment on Presidential and Vice Presidential succession, and the 26th Amendment which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.

This is a fitting tribute to a dedicated public servant. I support this legislation and encourage Members to do the same.

Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a parliamentary inquiry of the Chair.

Mr. Speaker, is the Chair aware of any rule of the House which would provide a nexus between this legislation and the tax bill except for the fact that Birch Bayh at one time was a child?

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I simply want to say, I will not choose to characterize a sitting Member of the United States Senate favorably or unfavorably. I would note historically that Senator Bayh did vote in favor of the tax package which has been discussed here today.

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

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

Mr. 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 S. 763, the matter just considered by the House.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1018) to designate the building located at 1 Federal Plaza in New York, New York, as the ``James L. Watson United States Court of International Trade Building''.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1018, introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) designates the building located at 1 Federal Plaza in New York City, New York, as the James L. Watson Court of International Trade Building.

Judge Watson was born in Harlem, New York, the son of Jamaican immigrants in 1922.

During the Second World War, Judge Watson served with the famous Buffalo Soldiers Regiment in Italy where he was wounded and returned to the United States decorated with a Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge.

He graduated from New York University in 1947 and the Brooklyn Law School in 1951. In 1954, Judge Watson was elected to the New York State Senate.

In 1963, Judge Watson was elected to New York City Civil Court, a position he held until President Johnson appointed him to what was then known as the United States Customs Court and is now known as the United States Court of International Trade.

During his 25-year tenure on the bench, Judge Watson heard cases in California, Oregon, Washington, Atlanta, Tampa, Houston, El Paso, San Antonio, and Dallas on civil and criminal matters.

Judge Watson also worked to help modernize his court under the Customs Court Act of 1970. As chairman of the court's Rules and Practices Committee, he reworked the rules and facilitated the modernization of the court with the introduction of computers. He took senior status in 1991, and passed away in 2001.

I would like to note that the House passed by a voice vote similar legislation during the previous Congress. However, due to technical differences with the version in the Senate, it was never enacted. I trust our consideration this year will result in a more favorable outcome. I support the legislation, and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 166 and H.R. 1018.