Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Charles L. Fallis, who is retiring from his post as president of National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) after 4 years.

Mr. Fallis' more than 35 years of public service to the Federal Government began when he joined the U.S. Navy and served in both World War II and the Korean War. He commenced his Federal civilian service in Cincinnati, Ohio as a substitute railway mail clerk PFS Level-5. Rising through the Postal Service, Mr. Fallis was promoted to the rank of Regional Assistant Postmaster General, Eastern Region, which included the states of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

A Postal Inspector for 13 years, Fallis conducted complex criminal investigations, apprehended many scores of postal law violators, presented investigative evidence and testimony in U.S. Courts and audited and inspected major post offices. As Regional Assistant Postmaster General he was in charge of regional operations, oversaw construction of multi-million dollar post offices, directed a large staff, and held oversight responsibility for annual budgets of over $1 billion.

Mr. Fallis has been a NARFE member since 1985, first as an active participant in his local chapter. He then went on to serve two terms as First Vice President and two terms as President of Roanoke Valley Chapter 111 in Roanoke, Virginia. In addition, Mr. Fallis was active in the Virginia Federation of Chapters where he served multiple terms in the positions of Area Vice President, Vice President, and Federation President.

Mr. Fallis participated in NARFE activities at the national level as well, serving as chairman of the Resolutions Committee at the 1996 National Convention in Houston. He then served two terms as NARFE National Treasurer and two terms as NARFE National President.

His tenure at NARFE has proved successful in preserving benefits for retired and active Federal employees, and the addition of a visual and dental benefit to the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program (FEHBP).

Throughout his impressive career, Mr. Fallis and his wife Betty raised four children.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Charles Fallis and congratulating him on his retirement after a distinguished career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 275th anniversary of Prince William County, Virginia.

Prince William County, Virginia, was created on March 25, 1731, from territory that had been part of Stafford County and King George County. It is named for Prince William Augustus, 1720-1765, Duke of Cumberland, and a son of King George II, who became Captain-General of the British Army.

In 1608, Captain John Smith and his party rode a barge along the Potomac River and stopped in Prince William County on their way from Jamestown. They were the first Europeans recorded in this area. Doeg Indians, Algonquin speakers, lived in villages along the Potomac. The Souian-speaking Manahoac people lived in the Piedmont region. By trading with the native tribes, Captain Smith and his men were able to obtain enough food to sustain themselves and the settlers they had left behind in Jamestown. Native American settlements disappeared from the county by the beginning of the 18th century.

The first English settlement in the Northern Neck of Virginia, the land between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers, took place about 1643 in what is now Northumberland County. The first land patent in what is now Prince William County was taken out in 1653 by Thomas Burbage. After successive divisions, Prince William County reached its current outer boundaries in 1759. Manassas and Manassas Park were established as independent cities in 1975.

Prince William County, located 20 miles southwest of the Nation's Capital, is a perfect place to live, work, play, and raise a family. With a desirable location, highly educated work force, nationally recognized schools, and pro-business environment, Prince William County has it all.

Prince William is the second largest county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Prince William school system is one of the finest in the Nation. It is the State's second largest school system, with Internet access in every classroom. Prince William County offers a highly educated workforce--with more than 50 percent of adults holding a college degree. The county is swiftly becoming a major source of northern Virginia's highly educated labor pool. Prince William County is the new center of business opportunity in Metropolitan Washington.

In 2006, Prince William County will host a year-long celebration with special events to honor this momentous anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to commend and congratulate the citizens of Prince William County on the occasion of their 275th anniversary. I call upon my colleagues to join me in celebrating the history of this great county, and in wishing for its continued prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 60th anniversary of VFW Post 8469, and the veterans whose dedication and service to this country are a remarkable testament to the past and present character of America's servicemen.

On October 7, 2006, Fairfax City's VFW Post 8469 will celebrate its 60th anniversary. This Veterans of Foreign Wars Post includes members who have served their country in several foreign conflicts, including World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and most recently Iraqi Freedom. It is the history of this fine group of patriots that is celebrated. And history tells a tale.

Sixty years ago Fairfax was a bucolic little southern county. There were only two high schools. The Fairfax County Police Department had only six officers. Most of the young men who went off to war in the preceding 5 years knew each other, as did many of their families. They generally left for war at different times and typically served in different units, spread all over the globe.

These soldiers saved the world and then they returned to an America that had radically transformed in their absence; specifically, to a county poised on the verge of a period of unprecedented growth. The only thing that had changed more than their world was the soldiers themselves. The returning soldiers, in the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes, ``[had] shared the incommunicable experience of war . . .'' This theme, and the reality of their circumstance, helped to underscore the necessity for a place and a venue where the veterans could find comradeship, work for the common good of the community, their fellow veterans, the widows and orphans, and to remember their fallen.

Mr. Speaker, today VFW 8469 is blessed with the presence of four of the 108 charter members of our Post from October 1946. All members of VFW 8469 stand on the shoulders of these and other giants.

The Charter Members named VFW 8469 the ``Blue and Gray Post'', in honor of the area's famous 29th Infantry Division and in recognition of the healing power of a post-Civil War poem titled, The Blue and the Gray, by Francis Miles Finch. The first verse of which reads:

``By the flow of the inland river,

Whence the fleets of iron have fled, [the Chesapeake Bay and

Potomac River]

Where the blades of the grave-grass quiver,

Asleep are the ranks of the dead: [Arlington Cemetery]

Under the sod and the dew,

Waiting the judgment-day;

Under the one, the Blue,

Under the other, the Gray.''

All Americans owe an unfathomable debt to our American soldiers who have taken up

arms in defense of our lives and our freedom. As I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 60th anniversary of VFW Post 8469, I believe it appropriate to conclude with the remarks of Floyd Houston, a member of VFW Post 8469.

``These young veterans need us as much as we need them. We must never forget our past--these giants who built what we have today and we must always keep faith with our values as we press into the future--support to veterans, their survivors, our community, and honoring our dead. May God continue to bless this Post, this county, this country, and may we never be at a loss for heroes such as these.''

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Marumsco Hills Elementary School as it prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s the Woodbridge area was starting its suburban growth. Most of the land surrounding the school was developed by Cecil D. Hylton. His major projects included Marumsco Village (1954), Loch Lomond (1958), Westgate (1961), Marumsco Acres (1961), Marumsco Hills (1961), Marumsco Woods (1962), and Dale City (1965).

In June 1963, the citizens of Prince William County approved a bond proposal for $7,000,000 for school construction. In April 1964, Cecil D. Hylton and his wife Irene deeded 12 acres in Section 2 of the Marumsco Hills subdivision to Prince William County Schools. Marumsco Hills Elementary School was constructed by the Whythe Construction Company in 1964 for a contract price of $442,631.67.

The school was designed by architect Earl Bailey. This particular plan was called the Bailey plan and was in a barbell design with circular pods on either end of a rectangular section. Eight other schools in the county were constructed in the same design. The classrooms surrounded an open court with each room opening onto the court.

It was first occupied by pupils for a full day of school on November 25, 1964. The dedication ceremony was held a year later on December 14, 1965. Dedication speakers included Stuart Beville, the Superintendent of Prince William County Schools. The school address at that time was 1005 Page Street. In 1966 a six-room addition was constructed, which now houses first grade and kindergarten classrooms. In 1984, the pods were enclosed, creating 5 new rooms. In 2005 another two-rooms were added to the previous addition.

The school originally housed 1st through 6th grade students. In 1966, the county school system made major changes, moving 6th graders to the middle school level. In 1973 kindergartners were added to the elementary schools. In the 1974-1975 school year, 720 students were enrolled here. That year there were 74 kindergartners and 193 fifth graders. Today Marumsco Hills Elementary School currently has 406 students.

Since its establishment in 1966, Marumsco Hills Elementary School has committed itself to lofty standards of academic and extracurricular excellence. Over the years, as the Prince William area has expanded and diversified, Marumsco Hills Elementary School has followed the community's example.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank Marumsco Hills Elementary School faculty and staff for the immeasurable contributions they have made to the community by shaping today's youth and tomorrow's future. I congratulate the school on its successes over the last 40 years and I wish it more successful years in the future. I ask that my colleagues join me in applauding this outstanding and distinguished institution.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate consideration of the bill (H.R. 3699) to provide for the sale, acquisition, conveyance, and exchange of certain real property in the District of Columbia to facilitate the utilization, development, and redevelopment of such property, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment in lieu of the amendments reported by the Committees on Government Reform, Energy and Commerce, and Transportation and Infrastructure now printed in the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I was recorded as having missed the vote on final passage of H.R. 6166, the Military Commissions Act. I was present during the vote and intended to support this measure; however, my vote was not recorded.

I would like the record to reflect that I would have voted ``aye'' on this measure.

Chairman Buyer, I thank you and Mr. Filner for your leadership on this.

Secure information is the lifeblood of effective government policy and management, yet Federal agencies continue to hemorrhage vital data. Recent losses of personal information compel us to ask, what is being done to protect the sensitive digital identities of millions of Americans, and how can we limit the damage when personal data goes astray?

As we all now know, a Department of Veterans Affairs employee reported the theft of computer equipment from his home, equipment that stored more than 26 million records containing personal information. VA leadership delayed acting on the report for almost 2 weeks while millions were at risk of serious harm from identity theft and the agency struggled to determine the exact extent of the breach.

But this is only one in a long string of personal information breaches in the public and private sectors, including financial institutions, data brokerage companies, and academic institutions. Just last week, we learned the Census Bureau cannot account for 1,100 laptops issued to employees. These breaches illustrate how far we have to go to reach the goal of strong, uniform government-wide information security policies and procedures.

On our committee, we focused on government-wide information management security for a long time. The Privacy Act and the E- Government Act of 2002 outline the parameters for the protection of personal information. These recent incidents highlight the importance of establishing and following security standards for safeguarding personal information. They also highlight the need for the proactive security breach notification requirements for organizations, including Federal agencies, that deal with sensitive personal information.

Congress has been working on requirements for the private sector, but Federal agencies present unique requirements and challenges, and these incidents demonstrate that we need to strengthen laws and rules protecting personal information held by Federal agencies.

Given the VA incident, and in order to get a more complete picture of the problems before pursuing legislation, our Committee sent a request to every Cabinet agency seeking information about data breaches.

The results are in, and they are troubling. We have learned there has been a wide range of incidents involving data loss or theft, privacy breaches and security incidents. In almost all of these cases, Congress and the public would not have learned of such events unless we had requested the information. This history of withholding incidents has to stop.

Our committee bill, which has been incorporated as a manager's amendment in section 2, requires that timely notice be provided to individuals whose sensitive personal information could be compromised by a breach of data security at a Federal agency.

Despite the volume of sensitive information held by agencies, until now there has been no requirement that people be notified if their information is compromised. Under this legislation, the administration must establish practices, procedures, and standards for the agencies to follow if sensitive personal information is lost or stolen and there is reasonable risk of harm to an individual; and we provide a clear definition of the type of sensitive information we are trying to protect. We also give the agency CIOs the authority when appropriate and authorized to ensure that agency personnel comply with the information security laws that are already on the books.

Finally, we ensure that costly equipment containing potentially sensitive information is accounted for and secure. Half of the lost Census Bureau computers simply weren't returned by departing or terminated employees. The agency did not track computer equipment, nor were employees held accountable for failing to return it. This is taxpayer-funded equipment containing sensitive information, and we have to know who has it at all times.

Each year our committee releases information security score cards. This year the VA earned an F, the second consecutive year and fourth time in the past 5 years the Department received a failing grade, and the government overall got a D-plus.

Our Federal Government has sensitive personal information on every citizen, health records, tax returns, military records. If our government can't secure this information, who can? We need to ensure the public knows when its sensitive personal information has been lost or compromised in some way.

I again want to commend my colleagues, Chairman Buyer, Ms. Pryce, Mr. Sweeney, Mr. Filner, all who recognize the importance of securing personal information held by agencies. I appreciate their work in supporting this issue. The provisions we have included in this bill are a great first step. If new policies and procedures are not forthcoming quickly or if they fail to have the teeth to get the job done, we will revisit the matter.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to bill (H.R. 2066) to amend title 40, United States Code, to establish a Federal Acquisition Service, to replace the General Supply Fund and the Information Technology Fund with an Acquisition Services Fund, and for other purposes.

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 the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2066, the General Services Administration Modernization Act, which was introduced by Armed Services Committee Chairman Hunter and myself last year. This legislation passed the House last May and was recently passed by the Senate with a handful of modifications which we are here today to accept in order to send the legislation to the President's desk for signature.

This important legislation would authorize a much-needed reorganization and streamlining of the General Services Administration, the Federal agency that is charged with leveraging the Federal Government's buying power to purchase commercial goods and services in a manner that maximizes taxpayer dollars.

Each year, GSA buys products and services from the private sector worth well over $30 billion and resells them to Federal agencies through two different services. The Federal Technology Service, or FTS, uses the Information Technology Fund purchase information technology; and the Federal Supply Service, the FSS, uses the General Supply Fund to purchase commercial goods and services.

This bifurcated system may have made sense when the IT fund was created two decades ago when information technology was in its infancy. Today, however, laptop computers, cell phones and e-mail are as ubiquitous as desks and phones. The business case, for separate systems to handle IT goods and services, no longer exists. In fact, the bifurcated system has become a barrier to coordinated acquisition of management services and the technology needed to support a total solution.

H.R. 2066 would amend GSA's organic stature by enacting structural reform to GSA's current organization in order to consolidate the Federal Supply Service and the Federal Technology Service into a single entity operating out of a unified fund, providing Federal agencies with a one-stop shop to acquire all of their commercial goods and services. This change in statute would provide GSA with the structure it needs to bring it in line with the current commercial marketplace.

The environment in which the Federal Government purchases goods and services has changed dramatically in recent years. H.R. 2066 would remove the old structures that inhibit efficient Federal purchases and solutions that are a mix of products, services and technology. The Federal marketplace should reflect the best of the commercial marketplace, both in the products and service we buy and the way that we buy them.

I would urge my colleagues to accept these amendments and support

Let me thank my colleague from Maryland for his assistance on this and so many other things that the committee works on. I would urge all members to support the passage of H.R. 2066.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3508) to authorize improvements in the operation of the government of the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.

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 the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3508, the District of Columbia Omnibus Authorization Act. H.R. 3508 was introduced in July by Delegate Norton and myself and was passed by the House on suspension last December. This is the second Congress in a row that we have moved an omnibus authorization bill for the District.

The purpose of this legislation is to provide a process by which Congress works with the District to consider annually or biannually any changes that need to be made to Federal laws governing the District of Columbia.

H.R. 3508 contains many provisions that will help the District manage its operations more effectively. The most significant of these provisions is the permanent authorization of the District of Columbia's Chief Financial Officer. The District's CFO was created by Congress in 1987, but has been provided 1-year extensions through appropriations bills since 2001 when the District of Columbia's Control Board expired.

H.R. 3508 would amend the D.C. Home Rule to provide for a permanent Chief Financial Officer for the District, one that is fully accountable both to the District and to the Congress regarding all financial matters in the Nation's Capital.

H.R. 3508 would also, among other things, allow the District's courts to operate outside of the District in the event of emergencies and provide the Mayor limited budgetary flexibilities under certain circumstances.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3508.

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

Again, let me thank my colleague from Maryland, who has continued to work with us on these regional issues. I join with him in joining our colleagues to support H.R. 3508.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6102) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 Lawyers Road, NW in Vienna, Virginia, as the ``Captain Christopher Petty Post Office Building,'' 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 include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6102, as amended, a bill to rename the post office in Vienna, Virginia, after two American heroes. Major William Hecker III and Captain Christopher Petty both gave their lives on January 5, 2006, while serving in Iraq.

Captain Petty began his service to our country upon entering his college's ROTC program. He was commissioned in the Army immediately after graduation; and his grandfather, an artillery officer in World War II, pinned his own second lieutenant's bars and insignia on his grandson's chest.

Captain Petty honored both his grandfather and our country with his service and was stationed next to the Iranian border, where he coordinated the artillery for his battalion.

Major William Hecker studied engineering management at West Point and in 2000 went on to earn a master's degree in English from the University of Oregon. He returned to West Point as an assistant English professor for 3 years, and he had plans to continue teaching after his assignment in Iraq. His love of literature was second only to his love of his country.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Major Hecker knew that he wanted to be in the Army since he was in the third grade. He believed in making a difference, and he was looking forward to going to Iraq.

We owe these men and their families a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. I hope my colleagues will join me in support of H.R. 6102. I ask that we continue to honor these two fallen soldiers and all of our men and women in uniform that serve this great Nation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I submit for printing in the Congressional Record a letter from Mrs. Hecker, Major Hecker's mother, talking about her thoughts and her son's activities in Iraq.

November 18, 2005.

Hon. John Murtha,

Johnstown, PA.

Dear Representative Murtha: I am the wife of a retired Army

officer who served this great country of ours for twenty-

eight years, including two tours of duty in Vietnam. I am

also the mother of two sons, both of whom chose to serve in

our Armed Forces. Our older son is a Major in the 4th

Infantry Division and will be departing for a year's tour of

duty in Iraq in just a little over a week. Our younger son is

a 1LT in the Marine Corps currently stationed in Okinawa as a

C-130 pilot. He could be detailed to Iraq as well.

I respect your service to country, as well as your right to

speak your mind about the situation in Iraq. But I, too, have

a right to an opinion and to make my voice known. Although I

rarely if ever write a political letter, your recent

statements have moved me to do so! I believe your comments

about Iraq have harmed our chances for success, and will only

serve to embolden the terrorists and encourage them to

continue with their violence, hoping that it will hasten our

retreat. Not only that, I believe it would be immoral to

abandon the fledgling Iraqi government before they are ready

to provide for their own security.

I have faith in our military leaders and believe that they

are taking the necessary steps to train the Iraqi forces, and

provide for our eventual withdrawal. I also have faith in our

executive branch that they are taking the necessary steps to

help the new Iraqi government get a democratic style

government in place * * * and to give them at least a chance

of success. Although mistakes were made in the execution of

the war and its aftermath, the goal itself is worthy. And in

spite of all the negativity that we are constantly bombarded

with, I believe that there have been some remarkable

successes!

Although my son would surely prefer to stay home with his

wife and four young children, he is both a soldier and a

scholar. He understands that we are in a vital long-term

struggle against a dangerous ideology, and he is willing to

make the necessary sacrifices to defeat it. It is a difficult

struggle that will require patience and fortitude, both on

and off the battlefield. If we lose our will here at home, it

makes the task for our soldiers all the more difficult. I

believe your comments were irresponsible and are contributing

to the loss of national will. If they were made to obtain

political advantages, I would find that abhorrent and

unworthy of a former Marine.

Please know that our soldiers are heroes, not victims. They

are making great sacrifices on our behalf. They need to be

supported and appreciated until their mission is over. I

suggest you reconsider your comments and the effect they have

on our soldiers and their families.

Sincerely,

Nancy Hecker.

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 pass the bill (H.R. 5224) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 350 Uinta Drive in Green River, Wyoming, as the ``Curt Gowdy 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 include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5224 would designate the Post Office building in Green River, Wyoming, as the Curt Gowdy Post Office Building. Nicknamed ``The Cowboy,'' sports fans across the country in the 1960s and 1970s turned to hear Gowdy's commentary on baseball, football, and college basketball games. He was the number one announcer at NBC Sports during the pre-cable television era; and he was known for his objective, laid- back style. In fact, one of his most career-defining moments came almost 46 years ago today, when he called the Ted Williams' final at- bat in the major leagues.

I urge all Members to join me in honoring the life and contributions of Curt Gowdy by supporting the passage of H.R. 5224.

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida for his eloquent remarks. Curt Gowdy will always be a part of my sports memories as a youth. I think this is a fitting tribute, and I urge my colleagues to adopt it.

Mr. Speaker, 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. 471) congratulating the Professional Golfers' Association of America on its 90th anniversary and commending the members of the Professional Golfers' Association of America and the PGA Foundation for the charitable contributions they provide to the United States.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, founded in 1916, the PGA is a not-for-profit organization comprised of more than 28,000 men and women. These members commit themselves daily to promoting the game of golf. They stand by their mission to make the game accessible to everyone, and they contribute generously to charitable organizations across the Nation.

I would hope all Members will come together to support H. Con. Res. 471 as introduced by my distinguished colleague from the State of Florida.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the author of this resolution, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley).

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for introducing this resolution. I think I also ought to note that PGA President Tim Finchem has done wonders for this organization in terms of bringing this back into the inner city, bringing golf to those with disabilities and communicating with us here on Capitol Hill about the kinds of things they are doing.

I would urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 745) supporting the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 745, introduced by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts), would support the goals and the ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Cancer of the pancreas is known to be one of the most devastating and deadly forms of cancer. It is the fourth most common cause of death by cancer in the United States and recent studies have shown that of the estimated 23,000 cases annually, 23 percent will live less than a year. With no early detection methods and minimal treatment options, this resolution seeks to provide elevated awareness on the risks associated with pancreatic cancer, as well as the need for research funding and greater treatment options.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2690) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8801 Sudley Road in Manassas, Virginia, as the ``Harry J. Parish Post Office''.

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 the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, Harry Parrish was a dedicated servant to both his State, his city, and his country. In 1942, he joined the Army Air Force where he began his pilot training, and he went on to become a decorated World War II pilot.

He was the mayor of Manassas for 18 years and later became an active member of the Virginia General Assembly where he rose to be chairman of the finance committee in the House of Delegates.

In 2002, as one of the few World War II veterans in the general assembly, he was integral in securing Virginia's $334,000 contribution to the National World War II Memorial. It is with gratitude for his public service and for all that he has done for his community and the Commonwealth that I ask Members to join me in naming the Manassas, Virginia Post Office after Harry J. Parrish.

And I would just add that this was a man who knew no partisan bounds. He literally was an individual from the community with broad bipartisan support in all of his elections, but always put his State, his Commonwealth, his city, and his county first in his legislative actions. It was a privilege to know Harry Parrish, and I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I understand Mr. Wolf is on his way over. Mr. Harry Parrish was a constituent of my friend Frank Wolf's as well, and served very ably with Frank working on a number of State and local and national issues together, bringing transportation out to that section of Prince William County, working on financial arrangements, and for the overall good of the community. So I would at this point, I think, reserve the balance of my time.

Could I ask the Chair how much time is remaining on our side.

Without objection, I would withdraw at this point and will resubmit this in just a minute, and we could move on with our next piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1275) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7172 North Tongass Highway, Ward Cove, Alaska, as the ``Alice R. Brusich 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 include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, Alice Brusich began her 31-year career with the postal service in 1954 as an assistant postmaster. Just 2 years later, she became postmaster where she was a strong advocate of improving and maintaining the postal service in Alaska. Mrs. Brusich was also a founding member of the Alaska Chapter 51 of the National Association of Postmasters in the United States.

Even after her retirement in 1985, Alice remained an active supporter of the postal service; and for this reason, I support naming the post office in Ward Cove, Alaska in her honor.

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

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