Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, no doubt, the national discussion over health care reform has been emotional for all Americans. People from every corner and every background of our country have had a chance to tell their story, to weigh in on this issue.

Many of the stories we have heard from our constituents back home have been personal--they have been heartbreaking--about struggles with the health care system. Those kinds of experiences can sometimes be difficult and they can be emotional to share, but they have played an important part in the conversation.

Because we are starting to see that in our uniquely American way, all of that passion is being channeled to productive change. We are close to bringing forward a potentially life-changing bill.

Just think about what this means. For the first time, millions of uninsured Americans can have access to health insurance and all of us will have health security knowing we can't lose our coverage. Ultimately, voting on reform means voting to give millions of Americans peace of mind.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution honoring the service and achievements of women in the Armed Forces and female veterans.

Every time I visit military installations, both at home and abroad, I am constantly impressed by the tremendous job our service members are doing.

And I am always particularly struck by the essential and natural role our brave servicewomen play in so many parts of our Armed Services.

There are close to 350,000 American women currently serving in our Armed Forces.

And it's hard to believe they were only granted permanent status in the regular and Reserve Armed Forces in 1948--because women were certainly making their mark well before then.

Women have voluntarily served in every military conflict in our country's history since the Revolutionary War.

They have been on the frontlines as nurses, waterbearers, and even saboteurs.

For years, dedicated women had to disguise themselves as men in order to enlist in our military.

Today, that's not the case--our servicewomen play an increasingly important role in America's military forces, and our country is the better for it.

Women are flying helicopters and fighter aircrafis; they are saving lives as nurses and doctors; they are driving support vehicles and policing perimeters.

They do not seek special recognition, but I believe it is important to understand and recognize the additional burdens that are inherent in the many roles they play outside of work--as wives, mothers, and caretakers.

The resolution recognizes the sacrifices our servicewomen and their families make to keep our country safe.

As Chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel and Co-Chair of the Women's Caucus Task Force on Women in the Military and Veterans, I am privileged to honor the legacy of servicewomen in the past, the courage with which women serve today, and the enthusiasm of the young women who dream of serving this great nation in the future.

Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to introduce this resolution today.

I thank my colleague for yielding the time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3585, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act. I think that it is so important.

I am very proud of my community of San Diego because we are known, as everyone is aware, of our perennial sunshine. I also wanted to assure our colleagues that we are not just basking in those rays; in fact, we are putting them to work. San Diego has been working to put that sun to use for some time.

Our city ranks first among California cities for use of solar energy according to a recent report by the Environment California Research & Policy Center. Our city's solar friendly policies, such as our quicker permitting for buildings that use solar power and a pilot program to offer homeowners incentives for solar installations, has made us really a bellwether for clean energy operations.

The other very, very critical issue that I want to applaud is our military and our Navy, because the Navy Region Southwest has taken great advantage of this wonderful resource that we have in our sun by investing in solar panels throughout San Diego bases, saving both energy and taxpayer dollars. There are a number of parking lots that are shielded by solar panels, a number of the buildings that have been transferred over the years. So this kind of sustainability of many of our military installations and buildings in San Diego is critically important for us. It makes a huge difference.

I certainly hope that other cities can take a look at what we have been able to accomplish and that San Diego's leadership can serve as a road map for other cities. As we guarantee our country's leadership for providing a road map for financial and structural investments in the research and development of solar energy, we can continue to move forward with the kind of momentum that is really critical, and that is what this bill is providing.

The public-private partnerships that will result from this bill will help make solar energy more affordable and accessible for all Americans. I see in my own neighborhood the changes that are occurring, pilot projects, solar projects in front of homes throughout the community. That sends a very powerful message to people.

I am thrilled to be a cosponsor of this legislation, and I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 3585.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 811) expressing support for designation of October 2009 as ``National Principals Month,'' as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 811 into the Record.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 811, which recognizes the designation of this month, October 2009, as National Principals Month.

This bipartisan resolution introduced by myself and Congressman Todd Platts honors and supports the critical role that school leaders play in the lives of our students, because one of the principal reasons behind a school's success is often its strong principal. This is true every day in schools all across our country.

At San Diego High School of International Studies in my district, Principal Karen Wroblewski has been the force behind the school's high ranking and Newsweek's top 100 high schools for 3 years running. Families have been known to camp in Karen's office to garner a spot in the incoming class. This success is only bolstered by the fact that her school is in a historically low-performing educational area and that the student body is one of the most diverse in our city. Understandably,

Karen was named the 2009 National Magnet Principal of the Year.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of our country, in Delaware, Principal Stephanie Smith is a similar driving energy behind Seaford Middle School. As a result of Seaford's emphasis on challenging coursework and collaboration with her staff, the State chamber of commerce recognized the school with its Superstars in Education award, and it is a 2009 MetLife National Association of School Principals breakthrough school.

These women are prime examples of how elementary, middle and high school principals provide the vision, the dedication and the mobilizing power for successful schools. School leaders set the academic tone, and they keep teachers involved to develop performance goals and objectives. Behind every one of their efforts is the genuine intent to improve student achievement.

Unlike many other careers, principals are expected to fill a variety of roles which are each complex in their own right. On any given day, they are likely to be everything from educational visionary, to community builder, to budget analyst, to facility manager, to counselor. This means that principals often work long hours. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that one in three principals works far more than 40 hours per week, and they often work many additional hours supervising school activities at night and on weekends. Just because students go home at the end of the day or at the end of the school term does not mean that the work of a principal stops. In fact, principals could give our congressional schedule quite a run for its money.

During my time on the San Diego School Board, I worked with many of these remarkable individuals. I witnessed how their commitment and energy can inspire an entire school from the youngest student to the most senior teacher. In the end, it is principals who are responsible for creating and managing the environment where our students learn and grow.

So this month, let's honor this important role which they dedicate themselves to all year round.

I would also like to thank the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals for their work to designate October 2009 as National Principals Month.

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

Mr. Speaker, I remember a school in my district that I visited often as a school board member and then later in the State legislature. It was kind of a tough school, really; and I used to go into the principal's room or into the teachers' lounge, and people were always grumbling. Then a new principal came to town, and she hired a number of new teachers. A number of teachers had actually left the school because she came in. I think she established early that she was going to have some very high standards. Some people left. Within a year, the tone at that school was turned around so dramatically.

I remember walking into the office one day, and they had pictures of all the teachers and their families on the wall so that parents, when they came in, could relate not just to the teachers, but they could know the teachers' families. Everybody seemed to be part of a family; and that happened because of the vision, because of the enthusiasm and, really, because of the skill of that principal. That school now continues to do very, very well. It has established itself in the community so differently than what I really remember it to be for a number of years.

So we know that principals truly make a difference. When they can translate their desire to see high achievement and high expectations to everybody on the staff and in the whole community, it really does matter to young people. That's what we need. Tremendous principals often, I guess, consider themselves to be pretty ordinary folks, but they do extraordinary things.

I'm just delighted to be part of this resolution, and I am very happy that we're able to talk about it today on the floor, and I thank my colleague for that as well.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support and the passage of House Resolution 811, recognizing National Principals Month; and 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. 837) recognizing Kentucky Wesleyan College for over 150 years of service as an institution of higher education.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 837 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 837, which recognizes Kentucky Wesleyan College for its over 150 years of operation.

Founded in 1858, during a Kentucky Methodist conference, Kentucky Wesleyan College began as a training school for preachers, but the curriculum expanded to include an inclusive liberal arts education and, after a strong demand, business classes.

By the 1880s, half of the alumni were employed as either teachers or as businessmen--I hope businesswomen as well, but perhaps not at that time--a testament to the quality of the education students received at

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to bring House Resolution 837 forward. 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. 660) recognizing the distinguished history of the Laurinburg Normal Industrial Institute, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 660 into the record.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 660, which recognizes the historical significance of the Laurinburg Institute, one of the Nation's oldest African American boarding high schools in the United States.

In the early 1900s, there were few educational opportunities for black students. The Laurinburg Institute, along with other African American boarding schools, answered the needs of many African Americans desiring an education.

The Laurinburg Institute was founded on September 15, 1904, in Laurinburg, North Carolina, by Emmanuel McDuffie and his wife, Tinny Etheridge McDuffie, at the urging of Booker T. Washington and William Edwards. Since then, the McDuffie family has remained committed to the school's mission, devoting their lives to its service for more than three generations.

The school has developed and created exceptional music and athletic programs. Over the years, Laurinburg Institute has graduated renowned musicians and professional athletes, most notably NBA All-Star Charles Scott. Other prominent alumni include musician Dizzy Gillespie and professional basketball player Sam Jones.

Today, this school offers a unique atmosphere for all students to succeed. The McDuffie family, through generations of hard work and dedication, has implemented a curriculum for their students to succeed. The institute has an enrollment capacity of 135 students and has a student body comprised of young men and women from across the country and the globe.

Once again, I support this resolution and thank Congressman Kissell for bringing this bill forward. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize for 10 minutes the gentleman from North Carolina, the sponsor of this legislation, Mr. Kissell.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored. I certainly want to thank Mr. Kissell for really giving us a more expanded view of the Laurinburg Institute. I appreciate his passion and interest in it.

I want to encourage my colleagues to support this resolution, House Resolution 660, recognizing the historical importance of the Laurinburg Institute.

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. 836) expressing support for Teen Read Week.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous materials on House Resolution 836 into the Record.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 836, which supports the goals and ideals of Teen Read Week from October 18 through October 24, 2009.

Teen Read Week was started in 1998 by the Young Adult Library Services Association as an initiative to encourage more teens to read. Research shows that strong literacy ability is correlated to academic success, but many of our youth are struggling to read and to write at proficient levels. For instance, 70 percent of eighth graders and 65 percent of 12th graders do not read at grade level. I find that unacceptable, and I know that my colleague does as well. The inability of students to read at grade level can tremendously affect a teenager's decision to stay in school. Also, strong literacy skills help predict college success in college introductory classes.

Critical reading and comprehension help students achieve their personal and professional goals. In addition to supporting Teen Read Week, this bill calls for more adolescents to read in their free time. While teens hover around video games, wide-screen television sets and computer screens, books are collecting dust on bookshelves. It is vital that we continue to encourage students to read for both their academic and personal purposes even though there are many things that do compete for their time. Teens, parents and teachers can all play a significant role in helping children and students achieve academic success.

With that, I want to thank Representative Roe for introducing this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I know how important this is. We talk to young families about the importance of reading to their young children. But it's also important that we continue that enthusiasm in the home for their younger adults as they go through school.

Kids read to learn. There are so many places that they can go because they can read. Often it is true that young people have to read a lot of things in school, but they don't often read for their enjoyment. And until they start doing that, and they really understand what it can mean to them for the rest of their lives, they may not become the kind of readers that they probably would want to be and would benefit from.

So I'm delighted that my colleague has brought this forward. It helps us to

encourage teens to continue to read. I support House Resolution 836 and urge my colleagues to do so.

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.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1818) to amend the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental and Native American Public Policy Act of 1992 to honor the legacy of Stewart L. Udall, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on Senate 1818 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Senate 1818, which enhances the Morris K. Udall Foundation and honors the life of Stewart L. Udall.

The Morris K. Udall Foundation was established by Congress in 1992 and is an independent Federal agency based in Tucson, Arizona, which operates exceptional educational programs focused on developing leadership on environmental and Native American issues. The Udall Foundation includes the only entity within the Federal Government focused on preventing, managing and resolving Federal environmental conflicts.

The legislation today will enhance the foundation's programs and operations. It will also honor one of the greatest public servants in history, Stewart L. Udall, by adding his name to the foundation with that of his late brother, Morris K. Udall.

Through its education programs, the Udall Foundation identifies and educates tomorrow's leaders in fields that are critical to the energy, climate change and economic issues facing our Nation. The programs include the premier college scholarship and doctoral fellowship for studies related to the environment and a scholarship for Native Americans studying tribal policy or health care; the Native American Congressional Internship program; it includes the Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management and Policy known as the NNI; and the Parks in Focus program.

The work of the Udall Foundation has become even more important today. As the Nation seeks long-term solutions, the 1,000-some Udall Scholar alumni, who are chosen in part for their demonstrated commitment to public service, will clearly be in the forefront of clean energy and climate change response activities for our national needs.

This bill will continue to provide support for the Udall Foundation's important mission, and it recognizes the unsurpassed contributions of Stewart L. Udall by adding his name to the foundation's title.

Stewart Udall served in this House of Congress from 1955 and was appointed Secretary of the Interior in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. As Secretary of the Interior, Stewart Udall had an unmatched record of environmental leadership, overseeing the creation of four national parks, six national monuments, eight national seashores and lakeshores, nine recreational areas, 20 historic sites and 56 wildlife refuges. It is quite an accomplishment.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to express my support for Senate 1818, and I urge my colleagues to support this very important bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of Senate 1818, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 408. I introduced this resolution to honor the work of the Army's Family Readiness Volunteers, Air Force Key Spouse Volunteers, Navy Ombudsmen, Marine Corps Key Volunteers and Coast Guard Ombudsmen. Each day, thousands of these men and women volunteer their time to help improve the quality of life for military families by serving as a channel between deployed units and their loved ones at home. Most of these important volunteers are military spouses, frequently with a loved one deployed overseas.

I also introduced this measure to bring their efforts to the attention of all Americans. As chairwoman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, I know that today's all-volunteer force is, in many ways, less integrated into the society that they are sworn to protect. My hope is that this resolution will help shed light on a group of dedicated volunteers that the average American may know little about but who are a crucial component of military readiness. I firmly believe that the outstanding performance of our servicemembers is directly connected to their efforts, and with today's high operational tempo, their services are as important as ever.

Family Readiness volunteers and ombudsmen help our military families solve a variety of problems and meet the challenges servicemembers and their families face before, during, and after deployments. As Admiral Mullen wrote when he was Chief of Naval Operations, ``A strong command Ombudsman Program, both ashore and afloat, will help ensure that families have the information necessary to meet the challenges of a military lifestyle.''

Across each service, these volunteers also assist newly enlisted servicemembers and spouses and their families with a wide range of issues, from understanding their health and retirement benefits to serving as a conduit of information to the command.

Mr. Speaker, I am fortunate enough to be able to meet with Navy ombudsmen in my district several times a year to discuss the issues that military families care most about, from everyday issues like day care to uniquely military issues such as coping with the deployment.

And, in fact, when I first came to Congress, it was a Navy ombudsman in San Diego who helped me understand the complex issues faced by our all-volunteer force. And just last week, I had the pleasure of meeting with over 100 Army Family Readiness Volunteers who traveled to Washington to learn how to improve their abilities to advocate on behalf of the families they help at home. I was inspired by the willingness of these women and men who traveled from across the United States for training that will ultimately help them support their soldiers.

When you meet with volunteers, you quickly realize that a key component to our overall military readiness is the readiness of our military families. In my view, and the view of our top military leaders, America's deployed men and women could not do their jobs abroad if they were constantly worried about their families back home. Simply put, Family Readiness volunteers and ombudsmen help reduce uncertainty and ease anxiety around deployments by keeping families involved so our servicemembers can stay focused on their mission.

Today, it would be really impossible for our military to mitigate some of the stresses of war if there was not the valuable and active family contact maintained by these individuals. With every year of war, these volunteers have taken on an increasing amount of responsibility, so much so that the services have even begun to compensate a small number of individuals for their efforts.

While volunteers help provide peace of mind for our deployed personnel, they also provide information about the status of a unit's deployment overseas.

I recall the role that the Navy ombudsmen played when the USS New Orleans and the USS Hartford collided in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this year. For the families of the sailors and marines aboard both ships, the news was startling. Families were all wondering the same things: Was their loved one injured? Was the ship still able to sail? How would the incident impact the length of their deployment?

The ombudsman for the USS New Orleans, a ship stationed in my district, recounted to my office how within 10 minutes of the news breaking, he had over 20 calls from concerned family members. It was at that point that he e-mailed his families a simple message, with the subject line reading: ``USS New Orleans Collision, Everyone is safe.'' His message at a time of need let the families know not to worry.

This ombudsman told my office, ``The emails and phone calls that I

fielded that day calmed my families. They were getting some bad news, but from a familiar voice . . . someone that they know and have spoken to . . . this does not necessarily make the news better but certainly more palatable.''

Many of the families of the sailors and marines aboard the USS New Orleans responded to the ship's ombudsman about the valuable service he provided. One family member wrote, ``Thank you so much for the updates. Having you as a connection to information to our loved ones has been critical and really important. My parents and I are incredibly grateful as we have been very worried about my sister.''

Another family member wrote and said, ``Thank you. You have been helpful through this difficult time. I appreciate the phone call and the reassurance that everything was okay.''

Thanks to the work of this ombudsman, families at home had the right information at the right time. This is the invaluable role family readiness volunteers play and will continue to play as long as our military is at war.

Before I yield back, Mr. Speaker, I would like to strongly encourage all of my colleagues who have not yet had the opportunity to meet with these men and women to reach out to the family readiness volunteers and ombudsmen in their districts or States. I hope that they will do that. I also hope my colleagues will help me recognize the important role readiness volunteers and ombudsmen play in helping military families and honor their enormous contribution to our Nation's defense by supporting this measure.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution supporting October 2009 as National Principals Month. This designation will honor and recognize the critical role that school principals play in the lives of our students.

One of the principle reasons behind a school's success is often a strong principal.

Elementary, middle and high school principals consistently provide the vision, dedication, and mobilizing force behind successful schools.

Principals set the academic tone for their schools and work collaboratively with teachers to develop performance goals and objectives, all in an effort to improve student achievement.

Today's principals are expected to fill a variety of roles, each complex in its own right.

On any given day, they are likely to be everything from educational visionary, to community builder, to budget analyst, to facility manager, to counselor.

This means that principals often work long hours. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that one in three principals works more than 40 hours per week and often works additional time supervising school activities at night and on weekends.

During my time on the San Diego School Board, I worked with many of these remarkable individuals. I witnessed how their commitment and energy can inspire an entire school--from the youngest student to the most senior teacher.

In the end, it is principals who are responsible for creating and managing the environment where our students learn and grow.

This month, let's honor this important role, which they dedicate themselves to year-round.

I am pleased to introduce this bipartisan resolution with my colleague from the Education and Labor Committee, Congressman Todd Platts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2010. As the chairwoman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, I'm proud to speak for this bill which continues our commitment to our men and women in uniform and their dedicated families. I want to recognize the ranking member on the subcommittee, Representative Joe Wilson, for his support and assistance.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Ike Skelton, and the ranking member, Buck McKeon, for their leadership. These gentlemen exercised extraordinary direction in order to complete another solid Defense authorization bill. I urge my colleagues in the House to vote for this conference report as it provides vital, and I mean vital, support for the armed services during this time of conflict and especially for their families, their families, who face the daily stress and strains of 8 years of war.

Let me highlight a few of the important programs and policies in the conference report which reflect that this has been deemed the year of the military family. The bill provides for a 3.4 percent pay raise. It makes mandatory face-to-face mental health screening for all returning servicemembers. To help schools with large enrollments of military children, it provides $30 million for Impact Aid, as well as funds to assist military children with severe disabilities.

To that end, it also establishes an Office of Community Support for Military Families with Special Needs. The report expands TRICARE eligibility when it comes to dental programs and provides TRICARE for Reservists called to duty 180 days before they reactivate. It also allows Reserve retirees and their families to buy into TRICARE Standard coverage, and it prohibits an increase in TRICARE fees for inpatient care for 1 year.

To reduce the strain on our forces, the conference report authorizes an additional end-strength increase for the Army for 2010 and makes further increases possible. It also sets up a program to account for missing persons from conflicts beginning with World War II.

Mr. Speaker, we have a moral and constitutional responsibility to ensure that those who volunteer to defend our Nation have the training and equipment they need to successfully execute their mission. The bill before us recognizes the sacrifices that those in uniform, survivors, retirees and their families are making on behalf of our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, before I yield back, I would also like to express my support for the inclusion of language to strengthen our Federal hate crime laws in this conference report. Hate crimes perpetuate and reinforce historic discrimination and persecution against particular groups. They are committed not simply to harm one particular victim, but to send a message of threat and intimidation to others. Left unchecked, crimes of this kind threaten to unravel the very fabric of American

society that our servicemembers fight to protect.

I am so happy to join my colleagues here this evening, and I want to thank you, Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz and Congresswoman Myrick, for your leadership on this issue.

Some years ago I decided to participate in a 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk in

my hometown of San Diego. I had had a college roommate who, with successful treatment, had survived breast cancer, and I wanted to show my support. Walking would mean being with many women and men across San Diego who, like her, had fought the disease, and I knew I'd also be supporting many organizations that have worked to heal them.

I remember thinking about how I would find the time to train for the walk, because I wanted to be certain that if I took it on that I was going to complete the walk. And with time-management skills and congressional travel schedules, I wasn't sure how that all would work out, but I was really delighted to have signed up.

Breast cancer hadn't really affected me personally. The disease hadn't struck my family. I just felt the need to walk with others.

Soon after I signed up for the event, I was looking forward to joining my sister and her husband for dinner and just catching up on our lives and sharing stories of our children. I was actually really excited to also tell her that I had signed up for the walk. She's a marathon runner, and I thought maybe she wanted to join me since walking for 3 days would probably be really easy for her.

But my sister at that dinner had news of her own to share. She had just had a biopsy and it had come back malignant. Her diagnosis: breast cancer.

Far too many people know what it's like to sit there as I did and hear that news from someone that you love so dearly. And I know my colleagues on the floor today have expressed that as well. At that point my commitment and passion for the walk was only heightened, particularly as I spent the next 6 months or more talking with my sister about her treatment and her progress.

During the 3-day walk, I listened to so many people whose loved ones had been personally affected by breast cancer. As you know, each story is really heartbreaking and inspiring all at one time. I remember all the T-shirts with the pictures, and many of them were of loved ones who had lost their lives to breast cancer.

It's because of my sister and my roommate and my colleagues here that I have heard so much about breast cancer. And I'm so proud to work here in Congress to promote much of the legislation that we have talked about today. Legislation like the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act, the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act, the EARLY Act, and other bills on this issue. I also strongly support the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program, which is resulting in exciting advances to find better treatments and eventually a cure. And I know that so much has changed since that 3-day walk I took quite a few years ago.

As everyone has said, at some point in their lives, nearly every American will have a family member or friend who battles breast cancer. We must do more to ensure that women of all ages, including younger women, know how breast cancer can affect them.

My sister was fortunate to have treatment that allowed her to continue her work and take care of her family. And I am so grateful and happy to stand here and say that she has been in remission for more than 6 years.

But I know that everyone's story is not like hers. Many women, and men, lose this battle every year.

I am just proud to join with my colleagues this evening, and I want to thank them again for honoring so many who in their lives have survived breast cancer and remembering those who didn't. We need to continue to support increased education awareness and the momentum that will bring us all to a cure.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Bill Kolender, a distinguished public servant, lifelong law enforcement official and well-respected and recently retired Sheriff of San Diego County.

After growing up in Chicago, Bill Kolender found his way to San Diego. In 1964, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Affairs and Public Administration from San Diego State University, which wisely honored him as its outstanding alumnus in 1985. It was one of many well-deserved awards he received during his 13 years of service as Chief of Police for the San Diego Police Department.

Although he retired from the San Diego Police Department in 1988, Bill Kolender remained in the public eye and continued to serve the public good. In 1991, Governor Pete Wilson appointed Bill to serve as Director of the California Youth Authority (CYA), the largest youth correctional agency in the nation. I remember hearing him speak eloquently of the young people whose lives he touched and how engaged he was in their rehabilitation.

His passion for public safety remained strong and his commitment to San Diego never faltered. Before long, Bill decided to run for sheriff. He was elected by the people of San Diego County to serve as their 28th Sheriff, a position he assumed in 1995. He was re-elected three times.

Serving as Sheriff of San Diego County is no small task. His responsibilities were many. As Sheriff, Bill led over 4,000 employees, oversaw a $500 million budget, and successfully operated 7 detention facilities and 11 court facilities. He led by example and administered justice in a firm, but fair, manner. He never sought to exploit a situation or to use another's tragedy to promote a personal agenda. Instead, he worked tirelessly to protect the people of San Diego.

As Sheriff, Bill served as the de facto police chief for 9 of the 18 cities in San Diego County that contracted the services of his office. Bill Kolender was, in short, the chief law enforcement officer for much of San Diego County. It was here, in law enforcement, that he truly shined. When Bill retired earlier this year, crime in San Diego County was at a 25-year low. Across the board and across the county, San Diego is safer thanks to Bill Kolender. In nearly every category, and in nearly every city, crime is down.

As a former police chief, Bill understood that criminals do not respect city boundaries. By working cooperatively, Sheriff Kolender brought together leaders of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to create multi-jurisdictional task forces that successfully shared information and strategies to fight crime and to reduce it.

Those who understand this issue--whether they serve in public safety, in elected office or in academics--credit Bill Kolender for ushering in an era of cooperation between law enforcement agencies across the county. Bill Kolender was the leader who brought these different agencies together to make all of San Diego safer.

I am not the first to honor Sheriff Bill Kolender, and I will not be the last. But I am proud to add my voice to the chorus of those singing his praises because the accolades are well deserved. Thanks to Bill Kolender, San Diego is not only America's finest city, it is one of America's safest cities.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules

and pass the bill (H.R. 1752) to provide that the usual day for paying salaries in or under the House of Representatives may be established by regulations of the Committee on House Administration, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, the principal purpose of this legislation is to allow the Committee on House Administration to oversee and administer a payday schedule for all staff in the House of Representatives. It does not affect pay for Members.

The House passed a similar bill in the 110th Congress. This bill gives the Committee on House Administration the ability to set the day of pay for House employees. This flexibility will allow the committee to be more responsive to the needs of our employees, many of whom have expressed their frustration about the current system. Furthermore, this bill will give us the opportunity to be more consistent with employees in the Senate, the executive branch, and most of the private sector with regard to paydays.

The committee also adopted a technical amendment to provide that staff members of congressional liaison offices assigned to the House who are on active duty in the Armed Forces will continue to be eligible to apply for membership in the House of Representatives staff exercise facility. The House passed a resolution, H. Res. 1068, in the 110th Congress which approved this policy, and the bill before us simply would enact it into permanent law.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

The gentleman is correct. We would be delighted to work with him on that.

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