Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2488) to promote accessibility, accountability, and openness in Government by strengthening section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act), and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

I rise today in support of final passage of S. 2488, the Openness Promotes Effectiveness in Our National Government Act of 2007, or the OPEN Government Act.

This bill is a companion measure to legislation that I introduced earlier this session, H.R. 1309, the Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 2007, which was passed by the House in March. After months of negotiations between both Chambers, S. 2488 provides a strong, reasonable and bipartisan approach to streamlining the FOIA process and increasing transparency in government.

Two key provisions within the OPEN Government Act include expanding access to attorneys' fees for citizens who successfully challenge an agency's denial of information, along with the creation of a new FOIA tracking system for pending requests.

In addition, the bill will require agencies to disclose the type of FOIA exemptions used to redact specific information sought after in many requests.

Lastly, the bill will establish a government-wide ombudsman to help reduce the number of requests that are eventually resolved through costly and time-consuming litigation.

S. 2488 provides actual access to government information to which the American people are entitled. I want to thank all of the Members and staff who have contributed to the development of this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support its passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Virginia, the ranking member, for working with the majority on this important piece of legislation and getting this product to the floor.

At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank our esteemed chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Mr. Waxman, for his leadership on shepherding this bill through the Congress and would like to recognize the gentleman from California for such time as he may consume.

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me thank all of my colleagues too for the work that they did to craft this piece of legislation that I think goes a long way in improving FOIA. And S. 2488 provides a strong, reasonable, and bipartisan approach to streamlining the FOIA process and increasing transparency in our government. It also provides actual access to government information to which the American people are entitled.

Again, let me thank all of my colleagues for their support and help and effort on this legislation. And I urge my colleagues to support its passage.

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. 785) recognizing the 100th Anniversary of Robstown, Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H. Res. 785, which recognizes the 100th anniversary of Robstown, Texas.

H. Res. 785, which was introduced by Representative Solomon P. Ortiz on October 30, 2007, was reported from the oversight committee on November 8, 2007, by a voice vote. This measure has been cosponsored by 53 Members.

Known as the ``Biggest Little Town in Texas,'' Robstown is known for its international trade, oil and involvement in the agriculture and cotton industries.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for the recognition of the 100th anniversary of this historic town, and I urge the swift passage of this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time to my friend from Texas (Mr. Ortiz) as he would like to consume.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join with the pride of Robstown, Texas (Mr. Ortiz) and pass H. Res. 785.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4009) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 567 West Nepessing Street in Lapeer, Michigan, as the ``Turrill Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleague from California in the consideration of H.R. 4009, which names a postal facility in Lapeer, Michigan, after the Turrill family.

H.R. 4009, which was introduced by Representative Candice Miller on October 30, 2007, was reported from the oversight committee on November 11, 2007, by voice vote. This measure, which has been cosponsored by 14 Members, has the support of the entire Michigan congressional delegation.

The Turrill family dates back to the earliest settlers in the Lapeer area. They are a strong representation of what Lapeer is founded upon and are remembered as honest, hardworking farmers and leaders within the community. Dr. Miner Turrill arrived in Lapeer in 1832 and was the first postmaster of the county. When Lapeer was incorporated as a city in 1869, James Turrill was the first mayor. The City of Lapeer is historically touched by the efforts made by the Turrill family and their dedication as public servants.

Mr. Speaker, I urge swift passage of this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to urge my colleagues to adopt H.R. 4009, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for yielding the time and for his leadership on the subcommittee with this piece of legislation.

S. 597, as amended, ensures greater accountability by requiring that the NIH and DOD issue annual reports to Congress detailing how proceeds from the breast cancer research stamp are allocated. In addition, the bill extends reauthorization of the breast cancer research stamp until 2011.

I am grateful to Senator Feinstein for agreeing to this change. Now the Senate version of the breast cancer semipostal will be identical to the measure I sponsored, H.R. 1236, which was unanimously passed by the House on October 30, 2007.

Unlike many programs that are not reauthorized timely but continue to operate, the breast cancer research stamp must be reauthorized or the U.S. Postal Service will discontinue selling the stamp. In fact, the Postal Service was forced to take this stamp off sale for 26 days in 2004 because the Senate did not act in time.

Amid constituent concerns of stamp sales being halted, I contacted the Postmaster General of the U.S. Postal Service to ensure that sales would continue. I was assured that the stamp would not be removed from shelves; however, the Senate must pass this bill by December 31.

Mr. Speaker, let me again thank all of the breast cancer organizations, the Postal Service, and my colleagues in the House and Senate for their support.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting swift passage of S. 597, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Samuel J. Cornelius. His longstanding commitment to the citizens of Missouri has earned his place among the ranks of past inductees into the Missouri Walk of Fame.

Mr. Cornelius has been passionately devoted to promoting minority businesses and being engaged in the political process. A graduate of Anderson University, Mr. Cornelius got his start in business when he organized the Sacramento Street Businessmen's Association in Berkeley, California. During his time with the Businessmen's Association, he developed cooperative buying, promotion, and advertising programs for minority business owners.

Mr. Cornelius has been remarkably persistent in developing minority business leaders. After taking leave from his privately-owned business, he implemented the Economic Development Assistance Center for Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America. There he administered three national programs: The Anti-Poverty Program, the Minority Business Program, and the $16.5 Billion Feeding Program.

Mr. Cornelius has served as Vice-President of the NAACP Board of Directors and a member of the United Way, the United Black Fund and the Boys and Girls Club of America. In addition, he is listed in Who's Who in Black America. He is married, a proud father of four and a Veteran of the United States Navy.

Madam Speaker, it is with great privilege that I recognize Samuel J. Cornelius today before Congress. His life and his career are

steeped with dedication to the well-being, of not just Missouri residents, but to the entire nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Samuel J. Cornelius.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1236) to make permanent the authority of the United States Postal Service to issue a special postage stamp to support breast cancer research, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, as a sponsor of H.R. 1236, the bill would make permanent the breast cancer research stamp, which first went on sale on July 29, 1998.

After several discussions with the Postal Service, I offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1236 during the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia markup on September 18, 2007.

The amendment retained the Postal Service's flexibility by reauthorizing the breast cancer stamp for an additional 4 years and strengthens the bill's reporting requirements. The new reporting requirements would assess the breast cancer stamp's effectiveness and appropriateness and the cost to the Postal Service for administering the program to find a cure for breast cancer.

Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan), my friend, who is certainly committed to this cause and who has joined with me in what I think is a worthwhile cause for the people of this country.

I also want to dedicate H.R. 1236 in memory of the late Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis. Jo Ann's courageous battle with breast cancer further inspires us to expand efforts to secure more research dollars and find a cure for this devastating disease.

I commend everyone who has championed this issue in Congress, including former Representative Vic Fazio for introducing the first Breast Cancer Research Stamp Act in 1996, and Senator Dianne Feinstein, Representative Joe Baca and the late Juanita Millender McDonald who pioneered the idea of a permanent breast cancer stamp, research stamp in 2001. And I ask my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 1236.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this worthwhile effort.

I yield back my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3307) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 570 Broadway in Bayonne, New Jersey, as the ``Dennis P. Collins Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 3307, which names a postal facility in Bayonne, New Jersey, after Dennis P. Collins.

H.R. 3307, which was introduced by Representative Albio Sires on August 1, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on September 20 of 2007 by voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire New Jersey congressional delegation.

Mr. Speaker, Dennis P. Collins was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Army for 3 years. In 1974, the people of Bayonne, recognizing Mr. Collins's abilities and his love for the community, elected him as mayor when Mayor Fitzpatrick decided not to run for another term. He was re-elected in 1978, 1982 and in 1986. He served for 16 consecutive years.

In 1990, Mr. Collins retired as mayor, but remains active in public life. He received numerous awards and honors for his years of public service.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Albio Sires, for introducing this legislation, and urge the swift passage of the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires).

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 3307, 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 pass the bill (H.R. 3446) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 202 East Michigan Avenue in Marshall, Michigan, as the ``Michael W. Schragg Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 3446, which names a postal facility in Marshall, Michigan, after Michael W. Schragg.

H.R. 3446, which was introduced by Representative Timothy Walberg on August 3, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on October 23, 2007, by voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire Michigan congressional delegation.

Mr. Speaker, Michael W. Schragg served as postmaster of Marshall, Michigan, for 23 years. In June 1970 he began as a substitute clerk carrier, and in May 1979 he became the postmaster of Marshall.

During Marshall's 1987 annual historic home tour, Mr. Schragg began displaying a number of old postal artifacts throughout the post office. Due to the many artifacts displayed, tourists thought the post office was a museum rather than an official working post office. He decided to develop an extensive collection of postal antiques in the basement of the post office and in an annex building. Currently, he is known for his noteworthy accomplishment in the creation of the Marshall Postal Museum. Everyone in Marshall knows Mr. Mike Schragg as the man who knows everyone's zip code by heart.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Timothy Walberg, for introducing this legislation and urge the swift passage of this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to fully support H.R. 3446. I have no further requests for time, 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. 778) honoring the first responders and supporting the victims of the Southern California wildfires.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of House Resolution 778, a resolution that recognizes and honors the heroic service, actions, and sacrifices of first responders, National Guardsmen, volunteers, and others who participated in responding to the outbreak of wildfires in Southern California. House Resolution 778, which has 53 cosponsors, was

introduced by Representative Zoe Lofgren.

Mr. Speaker, wildfires in Southern California have destroyed over 1,000 homes and scorched more than 400,000 acres. From San Diego to Malibu, hundreds of thousands were warned to leave their homes. More than 250,000 were told to flee in San Diego County alone. There were at least 18 different wildfires in Southern California.

I commend my colleague, Representative Lofgren, for seeking to honor the first responders and to express full support to the victims of the Southern California wildfires and urge the swift passage of this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 3 minutes to my friend from California (Mr. Baca).

(Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis).

Mr. Speaker, I now yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California, Madam Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps).

Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to unanimously support this resolution and show full support to the victims of these wildfires, the people of Southern California. I urge swift passage.

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. 759) recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the Mass Movement for Soviet Jewish Freedom and the 20th Anniversary of the Freedom Sunday Rally for Soviet Jewry on the Mall in Washington, DC.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H. Res. 759, a bill that recognizes the 40th Anniversary of the Mass Movement for Soviet Jewish Freedom and the 20th Anniversary of the Freedom Sunday Rally for Soviet Jewry on the Mall in Washington, D.C. H. Res. 759, which has 57 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Henry Waxman on October 18, 2007. House Resolution 759 was reported from the Oversight Committee on October 23, 2007, by voice vote.

Mr. Speaker, the former Soviet Union today has the third-largest Jewish community in the world. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Russian Empire was home to the world's largest Jewish community. In the late 19th century, over 5 million Jews lived as a persecuted minority in Czarist Russia. This indifference towards Jews continued throughout the 20th century under the leadership of Secretary General Joseph Stalin and Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev of the Soviet Union.

In the mid-1960s, Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin was reported to have said ``the road is open and no problem exists'' for Soviet Jews who might want to leave for Israel. This remark sparked an increase in the efforts of Jews to leave the Soviet Union and helped initiate international efforts to facilitate their mass movement from Soviet Russia.

In 1967, in response to earlier Soviet Jewry advocacy efforts, Russian authorities allowed some Jewish citizens to leave for family reunification in Israel. Due to the lack of diplomatic relations between Israel and the Soviet Union, most emigres traveled to Vienna where Israeli authorities flew them to Israel. By March 1976, the majority of emigres who left on visas for Israel chose to resettle in the United States and other Western countries.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Waxman for seeking to recognize the 40th Anniversary of the Mass Movement for Soviet Jewish Freedom and the 20th Anniversary of the Freedom Sunday Rally for Soviet Jewry on the Mall in Washington, D.C., and urge the swift passage of this bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).

Mr. Speaker, at this time we have no additional speakers. I urge my colleagues also to support the 40th anniversary of the Mass Movement for Soviet Jewish Freedom and the 20th anniversary of the Freedom Sunday Rally for Soviet Jewry by unanimously adopting this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday this Congress sent the President bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the Children's Health Insurance Program. This bill will provide 10 million low-income children with health care coverage, including 4 million uninsured children who are currently eligible for the program but not yet covered. Unfortunately, President Bush just vetoed this bipartisan legislation.

The President's opposition to this bill puts him squarely in the minority.

The legislation has received overwhelming support from a wide variety of groups such as the AMA. A new Washington Post/ABC News poll shows that 72 percent of Americans support the reauthorization of the CHIP program.

Mr. Speaker, I am heartened that 45 of my Republican colleagues in this body joined Democrats in passing this critical legislation. However, if the President wants to veto it, I hope other House Republicans will stand with America's children instead of with the President and vote to strengthen the CHIP program.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2276) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 203 North Main Street in Vassar, Michigan, as the ``Corporal Christopher E. Esckelson Post Office Building''.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Madam Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in supporting H.R. 2276, which names a postal facility in Vassar, Michigan, after Corporal Christopher E. Esckelson.

H.R. 2276, which was introduced by Representative Kildee of Michigan on May 10, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on September 20, 2007, by a voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire Michigan congressional delegation.

Madam Speaker, Marine Corporal Christopher E. Esckelson was killed on December 28, 2006, while conducting combat operations in al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Lansing, Michigan.

In October of 2002, Corporal Esckelson joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and attended Delta College. His desire was to become a doctor, but he was called to active duty in April 2006. Corporal Esckelson was extremely proud to be a marine and committed to serve his country with distinction and courage.

Madam Speaker, I commend Representative Kildee for introducing this legislation and urge swift passage of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to Representative Kildee from Michigan.

Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Kildee, for introducing this legislation, and urge its swift passage by the House.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3325) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 235 Mountain Road in Suffield, Connecticut, as the ``Corporal Stephen R. Bixler Post Office''.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Madam Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 3325 which names a postal facility in Suffield, Connecticut, after CPL Stephen R. Bixler. H.R. 3325, which was introduced by Representative Joe Courtney on August 2, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on September 20, 2007, by voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire Connecticut congressional delegation.

Madam Speaker, Marine CPL Stephen R. Bixler was killed on May 4, 2006, while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

LTC James M. Bright, the battalion's commander, said, ``Corporal Bixler was a vibrant, active man. He died fearlessly leading and willingly sacrificing his own safety for those around him.''

Corporal Bixler was a devoted soldier with strength of character and self-assurance. He served his country with honor and distinction.

Madam Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) for introducing this legislation and urge swift passage of the bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to my friend from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).

Madam Speaker, like my colleague from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland), I urge my colleagues to vote favorably for H.R. 3325, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3382) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 North William Street in Goldsboro, North Carolina, as the ``Philip A. Baddour, Sr. Post Office''.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Madam Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H.R. 3382, which names a postal facility in Goldsboro, North Carolina, after Philip A. Baddour, Sr.

H.R. 3382 was introduced by Representative G.K. Butterfield on March 1, 2007, and was reported from the Oversight Committee on September 20, 2007, by a voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire

North Carolina congressional delegation.

Mr. Baddour was born on March 16, 1915. He was a business and civic leader in Goldsboro, North Carolina. He was a merchant for over 30 years and served on the city council from 1979 until 1995. During his tenure on the council, he also served as mayor pro tempore.

Upon his retirement as a city councilman, Mr. Baddour was honored with a key to the City of Goldsboro and a resolution from the North Carolina League of Municipalities for his years of public service. Former Governor Jim Hunt honored him as a recipient of the Long Leaf Pine. Mr. Baddour died on April 6, 2002.

Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Butterfield, for introducing this legislation, and I urge the swift passage of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my friend from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to swiftly pass H.R. 3382, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3233) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at Highway 49 South in Piney Woods, Mississippi, as the ``Laurence C. and Grace M. Jones Post Office Building''.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Madam Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H.R. 3233, which names a postal facility in Piney Woods, Mississippi, after Laurence C. and Grace M. Jones.

H.R. 3233, which was introduced by Representative Charles Pickering on July 31, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on September 20 of 2007 by voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire Mississippi congressional delegation.

Madam Speaker, Dr. Laurence Clifton Jones was born on November 21, 1882, in St. Joseph, Missouri. He attended the University of Iowa and graduated in 1907. Due to racial oppression and widespread poverty among African Americans, he decided to establish a school in Piney Woods, Mississippi, to educate young people. He started the Piney Woods School with just $2 and three students.

Dr. Jones married Ms. Grace M. Allen in 1912. She became a pivotal helpmate to her husband by performing fund-raising activities for the Piney Woods School. Mrs. Jones was an educator and taught courses in domestic science.

Laurence and Grace Jones were dedicated educators who left a legacy in keeping with their principles, ``educating the head, hearts and hands'' of young people. The school they built continues to this day on a 60-acre campus among a 2,000-acre wooded site with an enrollment of 275 students.

Piney Woods School is the largest of four remaining historically black boarding high schools in the United States. It is a college preparatory high school with grades 9-12, where many students graduate and go on to college.

I commend my colleague, Representative Charles ``Chip'' Pickering, for introducing this legislation and urge the swift passage of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge the swift passage of H.R. 3233 and yield back the balance of my time.