Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, Bill Gray was very special to many people. Andrea, you were gracious enough to share Bill's special talents with Carol, me, and indeed many others around the world.

I am sure that thousands had the privilege enjoyed by Carol and me of really getting to know this unique individual and benefited by the association. We have met hundreds of persons whom we are certain they too can relate the kinds of stories that still linger with us about the good times experienced with him. He was not only a remarkable, affable individual but had a gift for touching many lives in a very special way.

We in the Congressional Black Caucus knew or suspected that he was going to be something exceptional by the ``attention'' he generated before we ever met him. He won the Democratic Primary by an overwhelming margin and had just coasted to victory in the general election when CBC members requested an urgent meeting with Norman Lear, producer of ``All In The Family.''

However, our meeting was not to commend him for highlighting the kind of insidious raw, racist views exposed in his portrayal of the Archie Bunkers of America but to prevent him from maligning black members of congress in making fun of one of us. The session was painful because Lear had been a supporter of the CBC from its inception and was a personal friend of several members.

The meeting was to discuss his publicly announced plan of another television weekly. It would caricature an African American as a buffoon who was just elected to congress from Philadelphia. Although each CBC member believed in the right of free expression and free speech, the contentious encounter was necessary because the collateral damage done to the image of the few black members in Congress, would have been devastating.

Lear presented his side and contended that working on the concept started long before Bill Gray's election. But he was not persuasive. It was obvious to us in the Caucus what the negative impact of the show would be when viewed nationally. He shared with us some of the scenes scheduled for showing. They were horrible and certain to be interpreted by a substantially naive white public as factually representative of black elected officials.

After more than a hour of back and forth, it was obvious to Parren Mitchell that nothing was being resolved. He rose and announced in departing that his intention was to organize a nationwide boycott of Mr. Lear's production. The issue was resolved quickly as Norman Lear stated, ``I intend to announce upon leaving this session that the show has been cancelled.''

Norman Lear continued to be a supporter of the Caucus and the organization's agenda.

Immediately after Bill was sworn into office, he began displaying the natural leadership abilities that eventually led him to become the first African American elected to leadership positions in the U.S. House of Representatives.

You and Bill became good friends with Carol and me. You guys were the ones that introduced us to the great seafood dining provided by the famous Bookbinder's Restaurant in Philadelphia. It was a great evening and a real learning lesson from you and the master storyteller.

Hey! What about those great parties at your house! You reigned as Queen and little Billy as the Crown Prince-in-Charge of all Operations. Everybody knew who ran that shop and it wasn't some ole big city professional politician.

How about the televised show that Bill and I did with Charlie Rose, to discuss my recently published book ``Just Permanent Interests'' It documented the history of black members of Congress from 1870 until 1992.

But the after show was the best. Bill and I went to get a drink to celebrate a great T.V. appearance. I ordered a beefeater martini with two olives. Bill told the waiter to cancel my order and bring two bombay sapphire martinis with lemon peels and very dry.

He guaranteed that I would like it. If not, he said that he would let me pay the tab. Bombay sapphire martini became my drink of choice from then on.

Martha's Vineyard in August capped many summers for us. The whole gang from the east coast all the way down to Florida usually showed up. Do you remember that great tennis match between Bill and James (Jim) Brannon? It was a close, hard fought contest that went on and on.

As an aside, Bill Giles was in the stands cheering his favorite player on to victory. At one point it was him shouting, ``come on Bill''. The next, it was ``Jim, my man, you can do it''. Giles was determined to be on the winning side, no matter whom that might be.

You knew Bill Giles always with a winner.

Speaking of Bill Giles--he was a great guy with hundreds of friends and a heart as big as a 747 airbus. He donated heavily to charitable organizations, and raised more in fundraising events. One of his favorite fundraising events was The Evening of Elegance dinner that through the years raised more than a million dollars for the United Negro College Fund.

Once Bill Gray was invited as featured speaker at the ``Evening's'' gala affair held at a prestigious ballroom in Manhattan. Somehow there was a mix up in communication and Gray was not informed that it was a formal affair.

Giles was a stickler for procedure and had never permitted anyone, regardless of his check size to enter without tuxedo and black tie. His stern rule presented a chaotic situation of some embarrassing proportion. However, I happened to have brought an extra formal shirt and black tie. Bill was the same size as I. He wore the shirt and tie under his usual dark blue suit and nobody knew the difference.

Bill Gray gave a fantastic speech. Bill Giles was impressed and showed it as he presented him with a check for $120,000 for the United Negro College Fund.

Carol and I are still talking about the congressional trip that Bill organized and invited members of the CBC to travel with his CODEL. You and Bill were wonderful, gracious host and hostess. We saw the Mideast in style with that old gang of ours in the Congressional Black Caucus.

The Pyramids in Egypt and the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem had special meaning to us. Who could ask for more history in one region? But there was more--sitting with President Hosni Mubarak at his home in Alexandria and meeting with Prime Minister Menachem Begin in Tel Aviv.

Sailing down the Nile. Shopping in the ancient markets. Meeting with the Knesset. Seeing the Dome of Rock, the 3rd holiest of spot of the Muslim world where Mohammad allegedly ascended into heaven.

The Israelis and Egyptians watching the CODEL led by Bill and you were left in a wonderland. The warring factions paused while going to the Torah and Koran to answer, ``What kind of threat is this band of desperadoes raiding our land?'' The invading ``posse'' included such noted rabble-rousers as Charlie and Alma, George and Modean, Bill and Carol, Ed and Gwen. Jehovah and Allah, Abraham and Ishmael were in awe at the sight of such celebrities.

An eerie silence fell over the land. All hostilities ceased as the delegation rushed into the restaurants, markets and shops splurging U.S. Aid on receptive merchants. There was a great calm even though none laid down their arms. But it was obvious that Bill and Andrea had brought a temporary peace to the Mideast.

How can Carol and I forget my 50th birthday celebration sailing down the Potomac on a very large yacht? There was Bill donned in a naval officer's dress jacket, including a captain's garrison hat. It was almost an official outfit except his chest was only filled with imaginary combat medals.

As usual, he was the life of the party, giving orders and telling old salt's tales about the adventures at sea.

Mr. Speaker, Karen McKay of Florissant, Missouri was awarded ACT! Lead of the Year by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) for her dedicated volunteer and advocacy work to help make cancer a national priority.

This annual award is given to a lead congressional district volunteer who has demonstrated unfailing leadership advocating for

ACS CAN's areas of cancer-related public policy.

``Karen has been a tireless volunteer and dedicated cancer advocate of ACS CAN's legislative priorities,'' said Christopher W. Hansen, president of ACS CAN. ``We are grateful for Karen's outstanding efforts to organize local volunteers and advocate for strong and effective cancer-fighting public policy in her community.''

Karen leads the Ambassador Constituent Team (ACT!) in Congressional District 1 for ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. ACS CAN is the nation's largest cancer advocacy organization and supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. As the ACT! Lead, Karen serves as the primary volunteer contact with District 1 lawmakers and recruits and manages other local volunteers to lead district advocacy and fundraising efforts.

Karen has been a volunteer with the American Cancer Society for many years as a leader for her local Relay For Life event and has volunteered with the ACS CAN since it began over 10 years ago.

On behalf of all families touched by cancer, ACS CAN applauds Karen's passion and determination to advocate for meaningful legislation that helps eliminate the burden of cancer and end suffering and death from this disease.

ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard.

Highlights of Karen McKay's ACS CAN and ACS involvement

City Council Member in Florissant, MO from 2000-12 so understands local campaigns.

Attended every MO Lobby Day event from 2002-13; visits personally with over 20 legislators.

Attended every Federal Lobby Day event from 2007-2013; her Member has supported our issues each year, including co-sponsor of Quality of Life bills in 2012 and 2013.

Raised over $2,000 for Lights of Hope in 2012 and over $3,000 in 2013.

Had 29 State and Federal Legislators sign the ``Cancer Promise'' during that campaign.

Her business was a corporate sponsor of the Wall of Hope banner displayed on National Mall.

Every year prior to Federal Lobby Day, tapes 30 minute show on News 20 that airs several times daily for several weeks, and is seen by over 1 million viewers.

Receives ``Pillars of Success'' recognition from High Plains each year for work as ACT Lead.

Co-chair of local RFL event in 1998 that raised $52,000; 3 years later, as Chair, raised $130,000.

Worked with and helped establish the ``Look Good, Feel Better'' program in her area for cancer patients.

Nomination Criteria

To be nominated for an ACS CAN award, an individual/team should have excelled in activities related to building or sustaining their state's volunteer structure and/or elevating the profile of advocacy, ACS CAN, and its public policy agenda. Specifically, a nominee should have accomplished one or more of the following:

Advancing the Volunteer Structure

Demonstrated exceptional recruitment/retention/recognition abilities.

Demonstrated a successful team approach to advancing our efforts.

Advancing Advocacy & ACS CAN

Excelled at ACS CAN fundraising efforts.

Effectively communicated the ACS CAN public policy agenda to the media and elsewhere.

Participated in and/or led local/state/federal coalitions in support of ACS CAN's public policy agenda.

Promoted advocacy at Relay and/or other ACS events.

Promoted advocacy and/or ACS CAN within other ACS departments.

2013 Nomination of Karen McKay for ACS CAN Award for ACT Lead of the

Year, First Congressional District, Missouri

(Mr. Tim Freeman, Missouri Grassroots Director for the American Cancer

Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)).

I started in my position as Missouri Grassroots Director in

January of 2009. The previous staff person who had my

position left me a very detailed packet of information

regarding the job. One of the things that stood out to me was

her suggestion that one of the first phone calls I should

make was to the ACT Lead for the 1st congressional district,

Karen McKay. I did so within the first few days of

employment, and it's been one of the smartest things I've

ever done in this job.

Karen ``gets it'' when it comes to advocacy. She is a

former elected official, so she has firsthand experience and

a personal understanding of what it takes to influence

elected officials. Karen doesn't pull any punches. She

educates herself on the issues she is advocating for, and she

presents them in a succinct and powerful way. She is able to

answer questions that lawmakers or staff may have, and makes

sure to follow up after her meetings and conversations.

Karen has worked hard to support efforts at all levels of

government. As a former City Council member, she understands

the role a council can play in passing important pieces of

legislation, including local smoke-free ordinances.

At the state level, she has cultivated some tremendous

personal relationships with a large number of State Reps,

Senators, and staff members. During our MO Lobby Day event

each year, she personally meets with dozens of lawmakers and

staff members, securing important support for our key

legislative efforts. Karen also attends several community

functions throughout the year where she has the opportunity

to see elected officials from all levels. She never fails to

use these opportunities to talk about ACS CAN issues and

encourage elected officials to support our efforts.

Karen also worked extremely hard to help promote our recent

tobacco tax campaign here in Missouri. Although it fell just

short of victory, Karen was a key contributor in getting us

as close as we came.

At the federal level, Karen has a tremendous relationship

with her Congressman, Rep. Lacy Clay, and his staff. She

knows several members of his staff personally, and is always

greeted in his DC office with a big smile, hugs, and pictures

being taken. The same is true for her meetings with

Congressman Clay. Just recently, Karen got Congressman Clay

to once again agree to co-sponsor ACS CAN's Quality of Life

legislation. Needless to say, Rep. Clay has been a supporter

of ACS CAN priority issues for many years, in great part

because of the efforts of Karen McKay.

Karen is also a tremendous fundraiser for ACS CAN. Her

fundraising efforts began with her involvement with RFL, and

have translated over to ACS CAN. Last year, she was one of

the top 5 fundraisers for Lights of Hope, with over $2,500

raised, and this year she has surpassed that goal and will

raise over $3,000 before the event in September. Her overall

fundraising for both ACS and ACS CAN are astounding.

Karen has also done a great job of recruiting others to be

part of her ACT Team through the years, having filled all

positions at some point during her time as ACT Lead.

Karen is an ACT Lead that other members of our Missouri

team look to for ideas, leadership, and support. I can tell

you that as the staff partner for Missouri, I do the same.

Karen is a big reason for the success we've had here in MO,

and it is a pleasure for me to nominate her for ACT Lead of

the Year. It's an award that she could have won many times

over, and I sincerely hope she will receive full

consideration this year.

I thank my friend from California for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1961. This bipartisan legislation will reinstate the historic Delta Queen's grandfathered status from a law that prohibits wooden vessels from transporting overnight passengers. Congress has granted the Delta Queen Riverboat a reprieve from this law for the last 40 years, until management concerns prevented a continuation in 2008. That situation has been resolved, and now the work of restoring this historic vessel is underway. H.R. 1961 is also supported by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Seafarers International Union, and the American Maritime Officers Association. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I are truly committed to saving this one-of-a-kind American treasure, the Delta Queen.

I represent St. Louis, and St. Louis is a river town. The reason that my community was founded and grew into a great city was the mighty Mississippi River. That river not only flows beneath the magnificent Gateway Arch, it also flows in the hearts of every St. Louisan and every American who has ever read Mark Twain, listened to jazz and blues, or wondered what it must have been like to go west with the pioneers as they pushed across the unknown frontier.

The Delta Queen is more than an irreplaceable historic vessel. It is also a symbol of the bold American spirit that had the courage to tame the continent and make us one Nation, from sea to shining sea. This great steamboat should continue to travel America's inland waterways. This is the right thing to do for the Delta Queen, and it's the right thing to do for future generations of Americans and international visitors who deserve the chance to travel on this magnificent vessel.

I also want to raise some concerns about two issues that I've heard over and over. One issue is that the opponents of this bill have redefined the meaning of an earmark. When I started in this body, an earmark was related to appropriations and not a waiver.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I have a college degree from a small public college called the University of Maryland. In the U.S. marketplace, I always thought competition was healthy. Now I'm hearing that this competes against other riverboats. So I'm kind of concerned about that issue, too. Perhaps someone could address it or clarify it for me.

With that, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1961.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove my name as a cosponsor of H.R. 1077.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the bill, also. This bill would compromise the privacy rights of Federal employees and it would negatively impact law enforcement. The bill would assume that every Federal employee consents to having any conversation recorded as long as they are acting in an official capacity. The bill contains no exceptions for law enforcement or military personnel.

This bill is opposed by the National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys. In their letter, they said:

Passage of this legislation, as approved by the House

Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on July 24, will

disserve the dedicated and brave public servants in United

States Attorneys Offices and law enforcement who work

tirelessly to pursue justice on behalf of the United States.

The National Treasury Employees Union also wrote in opposition to this bill. They said:

H.R. 2711 provides that every official interaction by any

executive branch employee, whether by telephone or in person,

shall be allowed to be recorded by the other party. And in

certain circumstances, these executive branch employees must

notify the other party of their right to record or be subject

to appropriate disciplinary action. No exceptions are made in

the bill for law enforcement or other sensitive

communications.

The Oversight Committee did not hold a single hearing on this bill. The bill was rushed through just to get it on the floor this week in time to fit the House leadership's message agenda. This is irresponsible legislating and should be defeated.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize former Congressman William H. Gray III, who suddenly passed away last week in London. As politicians, we all have certain people that we looked up to as role models and mentors so that we could carry out our duties in a dignified manner. For myself, I had my father, former Congressman Bill Clay, and Mr. Gray. During my youth, I served as a doorman for the House of Representatives where I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Gray on numerous occasions. Over time, I had developed profound respect for Mr. Gray. He was a man that had a sincere interest in the concerns of his constituents and a man that fought for minorities across the country during a time when racial tensions were still high.

Mr. Gray was elected to the Congress in 1978, representing Pennsylvania's 2nd Congressional District. Many remember Mr. Gray for his quick rise within the Democratic Party. From 1985 to 1989, Mr. Gray was the chairman of the House Budget Committee--the first African American to do so. He used his power as chairman to influence legislation and economic sanctions against the apartheid regime of South Africa, which sparked a close friendship between him and Nelson Mandela. In 1989, he was the first African American to serve as the Majority Whip and many saw this as his stepping stone to becoming the first African American Speaker of the House.

Aside from the powerful roles that he assumed in Congress, Mr. Gray is remembered most for his contributions to the city of Philadelphia, through his preaching and leadership. Since 1972, Mr. Gray served as the pastor at Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Even while serving in Congress, Mr. Gray never lost sight of his role as the spiritual leader of his community. On numerous occasions, Mr. Gray would say, ``First and foremost, I am a Baptist preacher.'' Through his leadership in Congress, Mr. Gray secured needed funding for Philadelphia's transportation and school systems. His success in Congress was secured by his ability to reach across party lines in order to build strong bipartisan coalitions.

Mr. Gray's story began at Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia. One day, Mr. Gray's father was invited to speak to the students. Before taking the stage, the principal told Mr. Gray's father, ``Don't worry, you can keep it short; these kids aren't going anywhere.'' His father replied, ``I don't know about these other kids, but I know one kid who is going somewhere.'' His father's intuition proved to be more than accurate. A gifted basketball player,

Mr. Gray accepted a scholarship to play at Franklin and Marshall College. After receiving his bachelor's degree, he went on to receive master's degrees from Drew Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary as well as spending time abroad studying at Oxford University in England. Education was held in a high regard to Mr. Gray. During the prime of his political career, Mr. Gray resigned from Congress to assume a ``higher calling'' as president of the United Negro College Fund. While many politicians abruptly resign in light of scandal, Mr. Gray resigned in order to ``open the door to higher education for a million more black men and women.'' During his time as president, Mr. Gray successfully raised over $2 billion for the UNCF.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus and on behalf of Congressmen, past and present that were influenced by Mr. Gray's leadership, I would like to express my gratitude for his service to minorities, Congress, and to the United States of America. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bipartisan legislation that I am pleased to cosponsor with my colleague and friend, Mr. Davis, to designate the new Interstate 70 bridge over the Mississippi River connecting the city of St. Louis and southwestern Illinois as the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge.

As the U.S. Representative who has the honor of representing the St. Louis Cardinals, it is a special privilege for me to speak about Stan Musial from the perspective of a Member of Congress, and also from the memory of a

young boy at Old Sportsman's Park with my dad, former Congressman Bill Clay, as we watched Stan play near the end of his remarkable career.

Stan Musial was simply one of the greatest baseball players of all time. As was noted earlier, he was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame on the first ballot, and that much is known to the world. Mr. Speaker, what is less known is that as good a player as he was on the field, Stan Musial was even a better man off of the field. In his own quiet way, Stan Musial was also on the vanguard of fighting discrimination and changing America.

Stan was born in the small town of Donora, Pennsylvania, the fifth of five children. Donora is also the hometown of baseball's famous Griffey family.

As a young man, Stan was no stranger to the challenges of African Americans and the evils of segregation. Years before the desegregation of baseball in 1947, Stan, a gifted athlete, was playing basketball with Buddy Griffey, the father of the great Ken Griffey, Sr., and the grandfather of the great Ken Griffey, Jr. When their high school team was supposed to have dinner in a segregated hotel, Stan and the rest of the team walked out.

In 1947, 6 years after Stan was called up to the Cardinals, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Many more great Black and Latino players would follow. They faced racial taunts and threats on an almost daily basis, sometimes from the fans in the stands, sometimes from the opposing team, and sadly, sometimes from their own teammates. When some White players on the St. Louis Cardinals threatened to boycott the game if they were forced to play with Blacks, Musial stood tall for justice and stopped the boycott before it started.

When Stan died, stories from those difficult days were told with great reverence and respect. Upon hearing of his death, Hall of Famer Willie Mays recalled a story from an All-Star game in the 1950s. Before the game, in one corner of the National League clubhouse, sat Mays, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, and Frank Robinson, playing cards all by themselves. The White ballplayers on the National League roster either ignored them or were openly hostile. So Stan Musial, who by then was one of the biggest stars in the game, simply walked over, sat down, and said, ``Deal me in.'' That was his way of saying, ``Fellows, you belong here, it's gonna get better, and I'm glad to have you on my team.''

When asked about his friend's passing, the great Hank Aaron, baseball's legitimate all-time home run king, and someone who faced much hateful racism himself, said this of Stan:

I not only liked Stan Musial, I wanted to be like Stan

Musial.

Two years ago, I was privileged to accompany Stan and his family to the White House as President Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The President said this about Stan:

His brilliance could come in blinding bursts--hitting five

home runs in a single doubleheader; leading the league in

singles, doubles, triples, and RBIs over a single season.

Stan Musial made that brilliance burn for two decades, even

as he missed a season in his prime to serve his country in

the U.S. Navy during World War II. Stan remains to this day

an icon untarnished, a beloved pillar of the community, a

gentleman you'd want your kids to emulate.

Mr. Speaker, that is absolutely true. And soon, when millions of Americans cross the beautiful new bridge that will bear his name, I hope they will remember that Stan Musial was more than just a proud veteran and a great ballplayer. His life and legacy truly symbolize the best of the greatest generation.

I thank my colleagues from Missouri and Illinois for supporting this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Missouri, the Honorable Jason T. Smith, be permitted to take the oath of office today.

His certificate of election has not arrived, but there is no contest and no question has been raised with regard to his election.

Mr. Speaker, as the co-dean of Missouri's U.S. House delegation, I want to congratulate and extend a warm welcome to my newest colleague, Congressman Jason Smith.

Mr. Smith is an attorney, a fourth-generation farmer from southeast Missouri, and he has distinguished himself as one of the youngest speaker pro tems in the history of the Missouri House. He follows in the footsteps of my dear friend, former Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson, who represented Missouri's Eighth Congressional District for 17 years, and I know Mr. Smith will continue her legacy of public service.

Now I am pleased to yield to my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Miss Sydney Everett, an outstanding high school graduate of Metro Academic & Classical High School in the great city of St. Louis, Missouri. Indeed, there are many recent high school graduates who deserve significant accolades for their commendable academic achievements. However, Sydney is a rare instance of intellectual rigor coupled with an enduring and heartfelt commitment to the well-being of her community. Given her extensive track record of high academic standings and numerous extracurricular activities, Sydney was offered over $1.2 million in school based scholarships and academic grants from nine institutions of higher education.

Sydney Everett's story is that of a young American woman whose tenacity and resolve have allowed her to thrive in her academics and extracurricular activities. While attending Metro Academy, she immersed herself in the most rigorous curriculum available at her high school as a candidate for a full International Baccalaureate diploma. She has always challenged herself to broaden her understanding and extend the horizon of her knowledge. Yet, her drive extends far beyond the walls of the classroom.

Sydney is deeply involved in the functions of her school with an extensive and well-rounded resume of extracurricular activities including her involvement in her school's student council, concert band, policy debate team, and literary magazine. Moreover, she genuinely values the time she gives back to the St. Louis community as a volunteer at a local church and elementary school.

Before her junior year, Sydney served as a Congressional Page and proudly represented my district in the United States House of Representatives. Additionally, she participated in my Congressional Youth Cabinet, which is an organization I founded to provide outstanding high school students across the St. Louis area with the opportunity to advise myself and my staff on key local and national issues. With her hard work ethic and strong social conscience, Sydney was a valuable advisor to my office.

Sydney has left an indelible impact on her school and her community, and she will be sorely missed when she advances to college.

She will attend Barnard College at Columbia University in the fall and intends to earn a degree in international human rights law with hopes of attending law school and one day representing people and organizations throughout the world that are fighting for human rights.

Mr. Speaker, it is not every day that we come across such talented and caring students like Sydney Everett. Her unique accomplishments serve as an example for every student in St. Louis and across the United States. It is a great honor to recognize her relentless passion for knowledge, unwavering dedication to her community, and humble character in light of such great achievements.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th anniversary of the Crown Candy Kitchen restaurant in the great city of St. Louis. Since its founding in 1913, the Crown Candy Kitchen has become deeply intertwined into the community and continues to serve as an example of continued success in the Old North St. Louis neighborhood.

The story of the Crown Candy Kitchen is predominately an American story. The Crown Candy Kitchen was opened in 1913 by Harry Karandzieff and his best friend Pete Jugaloff. They were immigrants who brought their culinary skills from Greece, along with a dream of providing a friendly environment for diners to enjoy their unique dishes. During the early 50's Harry's son George took the business over and built the business into what it is today. Now George's three sons Andy, Tommy, and Mike run the business with a little help from the 4th generation.

Unique features of the Crown Candy Kitchen include homemade chocolate candy which

restaurant goers have enjoyed since the creation of the restaurant. Its decor is also unique. The restaurant has an old-fashioned decor with Coca-Cola memorabilia from the 1930s. Another impressive item within the restaurant includes the oldest operating soda fountain in the metro St. Louis area, and one of the oldest in the country.

A passerby may think the Crown Candy Kitchen's menu is simple. After a sampling of the menu they would quickly realize this ``simple'' menu is anything but. Its menu features sandwiches and is best known for its desserts, most especially for its malted milkshakes and homemade candy. Recently, the restaurant was featured on the Travel Channel's television series, Man v. Food. The show's host, Adam Richman, took on the Crown Candy Challenge, which is an attempt to drink five 24-ounce malts or shakes within 30 minutes. He was however, unsuccessful. In 2012, the restaurant was featured on another Adam Richman-hosted show, Best Sandwich in America, for its ``Heart-Stopping BLT'' sandwich. These accolades are a testament to the history and quality provided in the Crown Candy Kitchen.

Mr. Speaker, this remarkable accomplishment by the Crown Candy Kitchen is something that we can all take great pride in. It is a tribute to the people of St. Louis and the local community. It is a great honor to pay tribute to such an enduring and successful institution.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Maryland for yielding.

I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 273, a deeply flawed bill that punishes all Federal workers across the Nation by not even allowing them to have a half of a percent salary increase.

Once again, the majority is showing America that they do not care about the suffering of middle class Federal employees after they have already accepted a 2-year pay freeze and a freeze on retirees' cost-of- living adjustments.

Federal employees are intelligence analysts who defend America's borders; they are nurses and doctors who care for our veterans; they are scientists who conduct lifesaving research, which is producing remarkable results and generating new jobs across this country; and they provide countless other Federal services to all of our constituents.

It is wrong to intentionally target our Nation's best and brightest public servants by giving them good reason to quit their government job and move to the private sector.

My friends, the sad truth is that this bill is not really about deficit reduction. It is just the latest act in more bad political theater that does nothing to strengthen our economy.

My honorable colleague, Federal employees are my constituents and your constituents. They are hurting. We should not be wasting time on political nonsense like this.

I urge my friends on both sides of the aisle to put our country before our politics. Let's defeat this reckless and unfair bill, and then let's sit down together to force a reasonable compromise that will reduce the deficit, avoid the sequester, and restore economic security for middle class families.

Will the gentleman yield?

Will the gentleman yield?

I don't have time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great American who leaves this body today to return to the private sector, my wonderful friend from Cape Girardeau . . . Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson. Her retirement is a great loss to the citizens of southeast Missouri, to our State, and to our Nation.

As the outgoing dean of Missouri's congressional delegation, she has led our group with fairness, respect, and a spirit of cooperation. As she retires today, I know that every member of the Missouri delegation, as well as her many friends on both sides of the aisle, join me in congratulating her on an exceptional career in the U.S. House. Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson has represented southeast Missouri with honor and integrity and in the face of so much discord, so much distortion, and too often, an inability to compromise,

Jo Ann has always been a voice of calm, reason, and good common sense. There is no doubt that the center aisle caucus will miss her strong, principled leadership. Congresswoman Emerson is a member who searches for common ground . . .

Both out of instinct and because of her deeply held belief that Congress was sent here to work together to solve problems, not to obstruct the government, not to incite intolerance or rancor, not to set one region of the country against the other, but to seek out, and then support a common agenda that will do the most good for America.

That is how Jo Ann has lived her life, and that is how she has served. Congresswoman Emerson is a skilled legislator, she is a wonderful colleague, and she is a great friend of mine. Congresswoman Emerson represents the best of Missouri.

I will miss her wise voice as Democrats and Republicans seek common ground to move the Nation forward. My only consolation on her retirement, is the knowledge that my good friend, her husband, attorney Ron Gladney, and their wonderful children . . . will finally have their wife and mother back. And that is a great family blessing that we should all understand and appreciate. From the dark days immediately after she assumed the congressional seat of her late husband . . . Congressman Bill Emerson.

Jo Ann has brought the Missouri values of common sense, family, community, faith, and freedom to the floor every day.

I shall miss her wisdom, her kindness, and her decency, and I know that our State, this honorable body, and our Nation will be forever grateful for her service.

Congresswoman, I thank you for all your help and friendship, I congratulate you on your retirement. May God bless you and your family.

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

I rise in support of S. 2170, the Hatch Act Modernization Act. This needed bill is based on recommendations from the head of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, Carolyn Lerner. This legislation was introduced by Senator Daniel Akaka, along with the ranking member of the Oversight Committee, Elijah Cummings. This bill will make three key reforms:

The first reform will allow State and local government workers to run for political office. The Hatch Act prohibits any of these employees from running in a partisan political election if their jobs involve Federal funding. This creates problems for many government workers who are otherwise well qualified to run for local office.

For example, Mr. Jon Greiner had to be fired as police chief of Ogden, Utah, because he ran for a State senate seat and won. Ms. Kristin DiCenso, an Illinois State employee, was prevented from running for court clerk. In response to this barrier, she said, ``I was utterly deflated. It's insanity.''

The second reform would institute a less severe range of penalties for Hatch Act violations. Current law requires employees who violate the Hatch Act to be terminated unless the Merit Systems Protection Board unanimously votes for a lesser penalty. Jon Adler, the president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, testified that this penalty system is draconian.

The third reform made by this bill is to treat District of Columbia employees like State and local government employees under the Hatch Act.

This is a commonsense change.

In closing, I support the Hatch Act Modernization Act, and I hope that every Member of the House will support this bill so that it can become law.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that we pass the underlying bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland, Elijah Cummings, the chief sponsor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I'd like to yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

I yield an additional minute to the gentlewoman.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I rise in support of this important legislation. This bill renews the authorization of the Public Interest Declassification Board. The PIDB is an advisory committee whose purpose is to promote the fullest possible public access to significant national security decisions and activities. The PIDB advises the President on policies related to classification and declassification of national security information. The Board also advises the President on the declassification and release of classified records with historical value. The authorization for the PIDB is set to expire at the end of this month. It is important that we reauthorize the authority for this panel so that their important work is not jeopardized.

Just last month, the PIDB issued a report to the President, titled ``Transforming the Security Classification System.'' The report made a number of recommendations for improving the classification system. The report criticized our current system. It stated:

We believe the current classification and declassification

systems are outdated and incapable of dealing adequately with

the large volumes of classified information generated in an

era of digital communication and information systems.

Overcoming the entrenched practices that no longer serve the

purpose of protecting our national security will prove

difficult.

Transparency and access to information are essential tools for effective oversight of the executive branch. Outdated systems for managing classified information must be modernized to provide greater public access to information about the Federal Government's policies and activities. Reauthorizing the PIDB is critical to that effort, and I support this bill. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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