starttime 1237831205.05187
USE.
IT LOO TO COME IN. .
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER.
THE PRAYER WILL BE OFFERED BY
OUR CHAPLAIN, FATHER COUGHLIN.
CHAPLAIN COUGHLIN: LORD GOD,
CONTRARY LINES RUN PARALLEL.
THEY MAY NEVER MEET.
HOLDING THEIR OWN, THEY FOREVER
SPECT EQUAL DISTANCE TO EACH
OTHER.
CONTRADICTORY LINES ARE SURE TO
CLASH BECAUSE THEY ARE
DETERMINED ONLY BY
SELF-DIRECTION.
A STRAIGHT LINE DEMANDS
EVERYONE TO TAKE A SIDE.
A CURVE LINE, HOWEVER, HOWEVER
SUBTLE IT IS, IN THE END WILL
FORM A CIRCLE AND FIND ITSELF.
LORD, HELP US NOT TO BE RIGID
IN OUR OWN SENSE OF DIRECTION
OR RASH IN DRAWING LINES FOR
OTHERS.
DRAW US CLOSER TO YOUR
PRESENCE, LORD, SO WE MAY
RESPOND TO YOUR INFLUENCE UPON
US AND ALLOW US TO HAVE YOUR
WAY WITH US BOTH NOW AND
FOREVER.
AMEN.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
CHAIR HAS EXAMINED THE JOURNAL
OF THE LAST DAY'S PROCEEDINGS
AND ANNOUNCES TO THE HOUSE HIS
APPROVAL THEREOF.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 1 OF RULE 1
THE JOURNAL STANDS APPROVED.
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WILL
LED BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MASSACHUSETTS, CONGRESSMAN
LYNCH.
MR. LYNCH: I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE
TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE
REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS,
ONE NATION UNDER GOD,
INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND
JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
CHAIR WILL NOW ENTERTAIN REQUESTS FOR ONE-MINUTE
SPEECHES ON EACH SIDOF THE
THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH
CAROLINA.
MR. WILSON: MR. SPEAKER, I ASK
PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE
FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE
AND EXTEND MY RE
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION.
MR. WILSON: MR. SPEAKER,
ACCORDING TO A RECENT
RASSMUSEON POL 2/3 THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE IN THEIR OWN
JUDGME THAN THEY DO IN
CONGRESS.
I COULDN'T AGREE MORE, WHICH IS
WHY I AND MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES
IN CONGRESS BELIEVE WE CAN
LEARN FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
WE CAN TIGHTEN OUR BUDGET WHEN
TIMES ARE TOUGH.
WE CAN CUT OUT THE THINGS WE
DON'T NEED.
WE CAN MAKE SOME DIFFICULT
CHOICES RATHER THAN MORTGAGING
THE FUTURE OF THE NEXT
GENERATION AND THREATENING
SOCIAL SECURITY.
WE SHOULD RESPECT THE FACT THAT
AMERICANS KNOW BETTER HOW TO
SPEND THEIR OWN MONEY.
CONGRESS DOESN'T NEED AN EXPERT
ECONOMIST TO TELL US HOW TO BE
FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.
WE HAVE MILLIONS OF AMERICAN
FAMILIES, SMALL BUSINESSES AND
HOME BUILDERS ALL ACROSS THIS
NATION O ARE FINE EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP AND RESOLVE.
WE SHOULD BE PROMOTING SMALL
BUSINESSES TO CREATE JOBS, NOT
TAX THEIR SUCCESS.
IN CONCLUSION, GOD BLESS OUR
TROOPS AND WE WILL NEVER FORGET
SEPTEMBER 11.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS RISE?
MR. POE: I ASK PERMISSION TO
ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE:
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
MR. POE: MR. SPEAKER, THE
PROPOSED BUDGET IS GOING TO DOUBLE THE NATIONAL DEBT.
WHAT THAT MEANS TO JOE SIX PACK
IS EVERY AMERICAN WILL BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR $70,000 APIECE
TO PAY OFF THIS MASSIVE DEBT
INCURRED BY MONEY-GRABBING
GOVERNMENT.
DOES ANYONE KNOW THERE'S A
RECESSION GOING ON?
GOVERNMENT CANNOT SPEND AMERICA
INTO PROSPERITY WITH SOMEBODY
EL'S MONEY.
WE SHOULDN'T EVEN BE BORROWING MORE MONEY DURING THESE HARD
TIMES.
THE TREASURY SECRETARY SAYS
PART OF THE REASON GOVERNMENT
GOT INTO THIS ECONOMIC MESS WAS GOVERNMENT BORROWING.
THEY PLAN TO RAISE TAXES ON
AMERICAN CITIZENS TO PAY FOR
ALL THESE FANCY PROJECTS IN THE
BUDGET.
AMERICANS PAY ALREADY TOO MUCH
IN TAXES DURING THIS RECESSION.
AMERICANS DON'T WANT MORE
TAXES.
AMERICANS DON'T WANT TO INCUR
MORE DEBT.
AMERICANS DON'T WANT GOVERNMENT
TO SPEND MONEY IT DOES NOT
HAVE.
GOVERNMENT IS TAKING AMERICA'S
MONEY TO REWARD FAILURE AND
SENDING NEY TO SPECIAL
INTEREST GROUPS.
MEANWHILE, AMERICANS ARE LOSING
THEIR JOBS.
AMERICANS ARE TIRED, WEARY AND
MAD ABOUT GOVERNMENT RIPOFFS,
PAYOFFS AND LAYOFFS.
AND THAT'S ST THE WAY IT IS. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM ARKANSAS RISE?
PERSONS IN THE GALLERY WILL
REFRAIN FROM APPLAUSE.
MR. BOOZMAN: I ASK PERMISSION
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND
MY REMARKS. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE:
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
MR. BOOZMAN: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
MY CONSTITUENT DANA HILTON WAS
RECENTLY NAMED THE 2009
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR BY
NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
ASSOCIATION.
SHE HAS DILIGENTLY BEEN
INVOLVED IN THE FIRE SERVICE
FOR NINE YEARS.
SHE CURRENTLY SERVES AS THE
PUBLIC FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY
EDUCATOR FOR JOHNSON COUNTY'S
RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT IN
CLARKSVILLE, ARKANSAS, AS AN INSTRUCTOR FOR BOTH THE
ARKANSAS FIRE ACADEMY AND THE
NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY.
DANA ENCOURAGED THE RURAL FIRE
DEPARTMENT IN JOHNSON COUNTY TO
MAKE FIRE PREVENTION PART OF
ITS MISSION.
NOW IT HAS A FIRE PREVENTION
DIVISION AND THANKS TO DANA'S
EFFORTS HAS RECEIVED ALMOST
$150,000 IN GRANTS AWARDS FOR
FIRE PREVENTION EFFORTS.
IN ADDITION TO SERVING THE
STATE OF ARKANSAS, DANA HAS
PUBLISHED NUMEROUS ARTICLES,
APPEARED ON SEVERAL TELEVISION
NETWORKS AND RECORDED
EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS TO PROMOTE
FIRE AND SAFETY ON THE NATIONAL
LEVEL.
DANA OWNS FIRE HOUSE STOCK
PUBLISHING. I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME
IN CONGRATULATING DANA.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE CHAIR LAYS BEFORE THE HOUSE
A COMMUNICATION.
THE CLERK: THE SPEAKER'S ROOM
-- THE HONORABLEHE SPEAKER,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MADAM, PURSUANT TO THE PERMISSION GRAED IN CLAUSE
2-H OF RULE 2 OF THE RULES OF
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE CLERK RECEIVED THE
FOLLOWING MESSAGE FROM THE
SECRETARY OF THE SENATE ON
MARCH 23, 2009, AT 9:40 A.M.
APPOINTMENTS, CONGRESSIONAL
AWARD BOAR HEALTH INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY POLICY COMMITTEE.
WITH BEST WISHES I AM, SIGNED
SINCERELY, LORRAINE C. MILR,
CLERK OF THE HOUSE.
THE SPEAKER PRO
CHAIR LAYS BEFORE THE HOUSE A
COMMUNICATION.
THE CLERK: THE HONORABLE THE
SPEAKER, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, MADAM,.
MADAM, THIS IS TO NOTIFY YOU
FORMERLY PURSUANT TO RULE 8 OF
THE RULES OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRES
BEEN SERVED WITH A SUBPOENA
ISSUED IN THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT
OF VIRGINIA FOR TESTIMONY IN A
CRIMINAL CASE.
AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL I
HAVE DETERMINED THAT COMIAE
WITH THE SUBPOENA IS CONSISTENT
WITH THE PRECEDENCE AND
PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE.
SIGNED DEPUTY STAFF DIRECTOR.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE:
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE
20, THE CHAIR WILL POSTPONE
FURTHER PROCEEDINGS TODAY ON
MOTIONS SUSPEND THE RULES ON
WHICH A RECORDED VOTE OR THE
YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED OR ON
WHICH THE VOTE INCURS OBJECTION
UNDER CLAUSE 6 OF RULE 20.
RECORDED VOTES ON
QUESTIONS WILL BE TAKEN AFTER
6:30 P.M. TODAY.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS
RISE?
MR. LYNCH: GOOD AFTERNOON, MR.
SPEAKER.
I MOVE THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND
THE RULES AND A
RESOLUTION 178.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION.
THE CLERK: HOUSE RESOLUTION
178.
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE NEED
FOR ENHANCED PUBLIC AWARENESS
OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND
SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF
A NATIONAL BRAIN INJURY
AWARENESS MONTH.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE:
PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS,
MR. LYNCH, AND THE GENTLEMAN
FROM MISSOURI, MR. AKIN, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
MR. LYNCH: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY
HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO
REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS
.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE:
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, I NOW
YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY
CONSUME. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, AS A
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE
ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT
REFORM, I AM JOINED BY MY
COLLEAGUES IN THE CONSIDERATION
OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 178, WHICH
EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR ENHANCED
PUBLIC AWARENESS OF TRAUMTRAUM
-- TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND
FOR DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL
BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH,
WHICH HAS BEEN COMMEMORATED
DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH.
HOUSE RESOLUTION 178 WAS
INTRODUCED BY THE GREAT
REPRESENTATIVE, MR. BILL
PASCRELL OF NEW JERSEY, ON
FEBRUARY 13, 2009, AND HAS THE
SUPPORT AND CO-SPOORS OF OVER
90 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
AND THE REASON FOR SUCH
GENEROUS CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT
IS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FACT THAT
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IMPACTS
NEARLY 1.5 MILLION AMERICANS A
THE MEASURE WAS CONSIDERED BY
THE OVERSIGHT PANEL ON MARCH
10, 2009, AND WAS PASSED BY
VOICE VOTE WITH UNANIMOUS
SUPPORT FROM MYSELF AND MY
FELLOW
MR. SPEAKER, EACH AND EVERY
MARCH, THE NATIONAL BRAIN
INJURY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
AND THE STATE AFFILIATES COME
TOGETHER WITH OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES,
SCHOOLS AND, OF COURSE, THOSE
WHO HAVE SURVIVED OR SUSTAINED
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND
THEIR FAMILIES TO PROMOTE
GREATER AWARENESS AND AWARENESS
OF BRAIN INJURY.
MR. SPEAKER, BEFORE CONSIDERATION OF THIS
RESOLUTION, HOW MANY OF US ARE
AWARE THAT EVERY 21 SECONDS
THAT EVERY INDIVIDUAL IN OUR
COUNTRY SUSTAINS A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY OR THE FACT THAT
AMONG OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN
ENGAGED IN THE GLOBAL WAR ON
TERRORISM, BRAIN INJURY HAS
BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A SIGNATURE
WOUND USUALLY RESULTING FROM
ROADSIDE BOMBS AND
EXEXPLOSIVIVE DEVICES?
OFTEN DESCRIBED AS SOMEWHAT A
SILENT EPIDEMIC, BRAIN INJURY,
WHETHER AS A MILD CONCUSSION OR
SEVERE EUGH TO RESULT IN
COMATOSE CONDITIONS CERTAINLY
DESERVES THE ATTENTION OF THE CONGRESS AND THE RESEARCH
CENTERS IN THIS COUNTRY.
MR. SPEAKER, IN CLOSING, I'D
LIKE TO, AGAIN, THANK MY
COLLEAGUE FROM NEW JERSEY,
CONGRESSMAN BILL PASCRELL, FOR
WORKING TO MAKE SURE WE
RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR GREATER
PUBLIC AWARENESS OF BRAIN
INJURY AND FOR HIGHLIGHTING THE
MONTH, WHICH THIS YEAR I SHOULD
ADD, WILL FOCUS SPECIFICALLY ON
BRAIN INJURY IN SPORTS AND
YOUTH RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
HOUSE RESOLUTION 178 IS
CERTAINLY WORTHY OF THE SUPPORT
OF THIS BODY, AND I HOPE M
COLLEAGUES WILL VOTE
ACCORDINGLY.
MR. SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI,
MR. AKIN.
MR. AKIN: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I
MAY CONSUME -- I'D LIKE TO
YIELD TIME
RESPECTED AND DISTINGUISHED
COLLEAGUE FROM PENNSYLVANIA,
CONGRESSMAN PLATTS, AS MUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA IS
RECOGNIZED.
MR. PLATTS: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I APPRECIATE THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI FOR
YIELDING TO ME.
I'M HONORED TO JOIN WITH THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS,
MR. LYNCH, AS WELL AS MY GOOD
FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE, MR.
PASCRELL FROM NEW JERSEY, ON
SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THIS
RESOLUTI
IMPORTANT NEED FOR INCREASED PUBLIC AWARENESS OF TRAUMATIC
BRAIN INJURY AND TO DESIGNATE
MARCH AS NATIONAL TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH.
FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS, I'VE
BEEN HONORED TO CO-CHAIR THE
CONGRESSIONAL TRAUMATIC BRAIN
INJURY TASK FORCE WITH MY GOOD
FRIEND, REPRESENTATIVE PASCRELL
FROM NEW JERSEY, AND WHILE IT'S
BEEN A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH
BILL FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS, I
ESPECIALLY WANT TO HIGHLIGHT
HIS GREAT LEADERSHIP LONG
BEFORE I JOINED THE TASK FORCE
FOR MANY YEARS LEADING THIS
CAUSE AND HELPING TO RAISE
AWARENESS ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT
ISSUE.
TOGETHER WE HAVE WORKED TO
INCREASE AWARENESS OF T.B.I.
WHICH MANY PEOPLE DO NOT
REALIZE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF
DEATH AND DISABILITY AMONG
CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS IN
THE UNITED STATES.
MR. SPEAKER, THIS YEAR ALONE
OVER 1.4 MILLION PEOPLE WILL
SUSTAIN A TRAUMATIC BRAIN
INJURY.
SADLY, AT LEAST 80,000 OF THESE
INDIVIDUALS WILL REMAIN
PERMANENTLY DISABLED FROM THE
TRAUMA.
FALLS, MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES,
SPORTS INJURIES AND VIOLENCE
ARE AMONG THE MAJOR CAUSES OF
T.B.I. LEAVING EVERY INDIVIDUAL
SUSCEPTIBLE.
ADDITIONALLY, T.B.I.'S CAN
MANIFEST THEMSELVES IN VARIOUS
WAYS FROM SMALL BEHAVIORAL
CHANGES TO MORE TRAGIC INJURIES
INCLUDING COMPLETE PHYSICAL
DISABILITY AND DEATH.
BRAIN INJU FAMILY EMOTIONALLY AND
FINANCIALLY, OFTEN RESULTING IN
HUGE MEDICAL AND REHABILITATION
EXPENSES.
THE RECENT TRAGIC DEATH OF
NATASHA RICHARDSON AMPLIFIES
THE IMPORTANCE OF BRINGING
AWARENESS TO THIS CRITICAL
ISSUE. BECAUSE MS. RICHARDSON APPEARED
TO BE UNAFFECTED IMMEDIATELY
AFTER A SKIING ACCIDENT IN
WHICH SHE HIT HER HEAD, SHE DID
NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT.
UNFORTUNATELY ONLY HOURS LATER
AFTER EXPERIENCING A SEVERE
THE HOSPITAL, LAPSED INTO A
COMA AND TRAGICALLY DIED.
TRAGEDY SUCH AS THESE HAPPEN
EVERY DAY AND CAN OFTEN BE
PREVENTED.
T.B.I. HAS ALSO BEEN NAMED THE
SIGNATURE WOUND OF THE WAR IN
IRAQ WITH APPROXIMATELY MORE
THAN 20% OF OUR DEPLOYED MEN
AND WOMEN RETURNING WITH THIS
INJURY.
THANKS TO THE STATE OF THE ART
BODY ARMOR WHICH
WOMEN OVERSEAS ARE EQUIPPED
THEY ARE ABLE TO SURVIVE
VIOLENT ATTACKS WHILE STILL
RECEIVING A BLUNT FORCE TO THE
HEAD.
FORTUNATELY IN RECENT YEARS
CONGRESS AND THE ADMINISTRATION
HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO PROVIDE
INCREASED FUNDING FOR MILITARY
T.B.I. SCREENING AND TREATMENT
PROGRAMS.
HOWEVER, MORE STILL NEEDS TO
DONE.
MR. SPEAKER, BECAUSE ALL OF OUR
FELLOW CITIZENS HAVE FAMILY,
FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WHO COULD
FALL VICTIM TO T.B.I. AT
ANYTIME I STRONGLY URGE SUPPORT
FROM ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES FOR
THIS RESOLUTION HERE TODAY AND
URGE A YES VOTE.
I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR
YIELDING AND YIELD BACK THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI
RESERVES.
MR. AKIN: I VERVE.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS IS
RECOGNIZED.
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I TAKE GREAT PLEASURE IN
RECOGNIZING THE GENTLEMAN FROM
NEW JERSEY, MR. PASCRELL, FOR
FIVE MINUTES.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
SCRELLSCRELL THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER, -- MR. PASCRELL: THANK
YOU, MR. SPEAKER, AND I THANK
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MASSACHUSETTS.
MR. SPEAKER, I LEARNED ABOUT
THIS INJURY ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO
WHEN I WAS APPROACHED BY ONE OF
MY CONSTITUENTS WHOSE SON WAS
STRUCK BY A CAR, LEAVING HIM
WITH SEVERE COGNITIVE AND
YSICAL DISABILITIES.
IN RESPONSE, CONGRESSMAN --
FORMER CONGRESSMAN JIM
GREENWOOD FROM PENNSYLVANIA,
AND I FORMED THE CONGRESSIONAL
BRAIN INJURY TASK FORCE TO
FURTHER EDUCATE AND MAKE AWARE
OF BRAIN INJURIES AND SUPPORT
FUNDING FOR BRAIN INJURY
RESEARCH.
THERE WASN'T TOO MUCH AT THAT
TIME.
IN FACT, MOST OF THE MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE
SERIOUSNESS OF THE INJURY, HOW
A MILLION AND A HALF AMERICANS
ARE AFFECTED EVERY YEAR.
I THINK PEOPLE OFTEN WONDER WHY
WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME TALKING
ABOUT BRAIN INJURY.
UNFORTUNATELY IT TOOK THE WAR
TO CRYSTALIZE WHAT THIS ENTIRE
ISSUE IS ALL ABOUT.
SOMEONE IN AMERICA SUFFERS A
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY EVERY 21 ??
SECONDS.
AT LEAST A MILLION AND A HA
AMERICANS SUSTAIN THIS INJURY
INJURY, AS I'VE MENTIONED.
THAT'S MORE THAN BREAST CANCER,
H.I.V., MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS,
SPINAL CORD INJURIES COMBINED.
OF THOSE, 50,000 WILL DIE EVERY
YEAR.
AN ESTIMATED 3.2 MILLION
AMERICANS ARE CURRENTLY LIVING
A LONG-TERM DISABILITY BECAUSE
OF T.B.I.
AS MANY AS 20% OF THE 1.8
MILLION DEPLOYED TROOPS IN
AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ, THAT'S
360,000 SOLDIERS, HAVE
SUSTAINED T.B.I.'S IN IRAQ AND
AFGHAN.
THAT IS -- AFGHANISTAN.
THAT IS AN ASTONISHING FIGURE.
T.B.I. ISNE OF THE RARE
AFFLICTIONS THAT IS WIDESPREAD
AMONG BOTH THE CIVILIAN
POPULATION AND OUR SOLDIERS.
THERE'S BEEN A WEAKNESS IN THE
DEFENSE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND
MANY INJURED SOLDIERS WEREN'T
RECEIVING THE LEVEL OF CARE
THAT THEY DESERVE.
THE MILITARY'S MADE GREAT STRIDES IN THE LAST SEVERAL
YEARS TO BETTER PREVENT, IDENTIFY, TREAT BRAIN INJURIES
AMONG OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN
IN UNIFORM.
AND CONGRESS HAS BEEN A WILLING
PARTNER IN THE EFFORT TO ENSURE SUSTAINED PROGRESS ON THIS
FRONT.
JUST TODAY, MR. SPEAKER, MY
GOOD FRIEND FROM MASSACHUSETTS,
JUST TODAY ON "USA TODAY,"
FRONT PAGE, REVIEW, "G.I.'S AT
RISK BY FITNESS PRACTICES
MANY OF THE SOLDIERS ARE NOT
FIT TO GO TO THE
BATTLEFIELDMENT MANY OF OUR
FOOTBALL PLAYERS --
BATTLEFIELD.
MANY OF OUR FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN
COLLEGE ARE NOT FIT TO GO ONTO THE FIELD IF THEY'RE NOT
SCREENED WE ARE DOING AN
INJUSTICE TO THE CAUSE.
ACCORDINGLY, THE BRAIN INJURY
TASK FORCE BROUGHT TOGETHER
EXPERTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
AT ST. J
MEDICAL CENTER IN PATTERSON,
NEW JERSEY, IN OCTOBER FOR THE
INTERNATIONAL CORN
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND TRAUMATIC
BRAIN INJURY.
THESE EXPERTS GENERATED
RECOMMENDATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN
-- THAT WERE PRESENTED TO THE
CONGRESS TWO WEEKS AGO.
WE CANNOT FORGET FOR THOSE
WOUNDED WARRIORS AND THEIR
FAMILIES, THE WAR WILL NOT END
WHEN THE LAST SHOTS ARE FIRED.
DESPITE THE STAGGERING
STATISTICS AND HEART-SHATTERING
STORIES THAT COME TO US FROM
IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, PUBLIC
AWARENESS CONTINUES TO LAG,
T.B.I. REMAINS A
EPIDEMIC PLAYINGING OUR NATION
-- PLAGUING OUR NATION.
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY CAN
STRIKE ANYONE AND LEAVE
DEVASTATING RESULTS.
WE PROBABLY ALL KN SOMEONE OR
KNOW THE STORY OF SOMEONE WHOSE
LIFE WAS IRREVERSEABLY CHANGED
BECAUSE OF A BRAIN INJURY.
JUST LAST WEEK WE SAW A FLURRY
OF MEDIA ACCOUNTS OF THE TRAGIC
DEATH OF ACTRESS IN A TASHA
RICHARDSON WHO SUSTAINED A
BRAIN INJURY FROM SKIING.
IF THAT TRAGEDY TAUGHT US
ANYTHING, IT'S THAT AS FAR AS
SCIENCE HAS COME, WE STILL KNOW
RELATIVELY LITTLE ABOUT THIS
PERVASIVE INJURY.
THE CONGRESSIONAL BRAIN INJURY
TASK FORCE CONTINUES TO SEEK
INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE
PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED BY THE
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY ACT.
AFTER AN UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT
OF CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT IN
THESE RECENT YEARS.
DESIGNATING A MONTH TO
RECOGNIZ
THE SEOUSNESS OF BRAIN
INJURIES AMONG BOTH CIVILIANS
AND MILITARY COMMUNITY WILL
BRING MUCH-NEEDED PUBLIC
ATTENTION TO THIS FREQUENTLY
FORGOTTEN MALADY.
AND I MIGHT ADD, MR. SPEAKER,
THAT THIS WEDNESDAY THROUGHOUT
THE DAY, FROM 10:00 IN THE
MORNING UNTIL 2:00 IN THE
AFTERNOON, IN THE RAYBURN
BUILDING, WE'RE HAVING A FAIR,
TWICE AS MANY DISPLAYS, CLOSE TO 50 DISPLAYS AND THEN WE WILL
HAVE THE LEADING FOLKS FM THE
MILITARY AND CIVILIAN TALK
ABOUT IT FROM 3:30 UNTIL 4:30
AND IN T EVENING, A
RECEPTION.
WE'RE COMING TOGETHER, BRINGING THE MILITARY AND CIVILIAN
TOGETHER TO HELP OUR SOLDIERS
AND HELP AMERICANS.
THIS RESOLUTION WILL HONOR THE
FAMILIES WHO DAY IN AND DAY OUT
CARE FOR AND LOVE THEIR FAMILY
MEMBERS.
WHO HAVE AFFLICTED AND DO SO
WITHOUT FANFARE, WITHOUT
30 S
MR. LYNCH: I GRANT THE
GENTLEMAN AN DISH MINUTE.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAIS RECOGNIZED FOR AN
DISH MINUTE.
MR. PASCRELL: THEY DO IT
BECAUSE THEY LOVE THEIR SONS OR
THAT YOU ARE DAUGHTERS, THEIR
BROTHERS OR SISTER, EEF DAY
EVERY MONTH.
TO MEET SOME OF THE FOLKS AS WE
RECOGNIZE BRAIN INJURY
AWARENESS MONTH HERE IN ON
CAPITOL HILL.
WE ARE HOSTING A FARE WITH
HUNDRED -- FAIR WITH HUNDREDS
OF INDIVIDUALS FROM THE BRAIN
INJURY COMMUNITY.
LET'S PASS THIS RESOLUTION TO CONFIRM CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING
AWARENES EDUCATION,
PREVENTION AND RESEARCH BY
REMINDING ALL AMERICANS OF
THOSE INDIVIDUALS OF FAMILIES
WHO SUFFER FROM A BRAIN INJURY.
WE'VE COME A LONG WAY, MR.
SPEAKER.
IN 10 YEARS.
WE COULD FIT THE AMOUNT OF
PEOPLE IN OUR CAUCUS IN A PHONE
BOOTH.
THAT'S ALL CHANGED.
NOW WE'RE CLOSE TO 125, 130
MEMBERS OF THIS, BOTH SIDES OF
THE AISLE.
WE'RE DOING -- WE'RE REALLY
SEEING RESULTS, PARTICULARLY IN
THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS.
I WANT TO THANK THE GENTLEMAN
FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
I WA TO THANK MY FRIEND FROM
PENNSYLVANIA BECAUSE THIS IS
ONLY THE BEGINNING OF A FIGHT
WHERE WE WILL RESPOND AND OUR
MEN AND WOMEN WHO PUT THEIR
LIVES ON THE LINE WILL KNOW
THAT WE REALLY MEAN WHAT WE
SAY, THA
WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN FOR
THEM.
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
MR. LYNCH: WE CONTINUE TO
RESERV
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN CONTINUES TO RESERVE
HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI.
MR. AKIN: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I
MAY CONSUME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
MR. AKIN: LAST WEEK THE DEVASTATION OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN
INJURY WAS ONCE AGAIN BROUGHT
TO OUR ATTENTION WITH THE DEATH
OF ACTRESS NATASHA RICHARDSON.
THIS TRAGEDY WAS BUT ONE TYPE
OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY THAT
BRINGS ABOUT DEATH OR PHYSICAL
DY BILLTATION TO OVER 1.4
YEAR.
WHILE THE LEADING CAUSE OF
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IS THE
RESULT OF FALLS, THEY'RE
FOLLOWED BY AUTOMOBILE
ACCIDENTS BEING STRUCK BY OR
AGAINST A HARD SURFACE AND
ASSAULT.
MEN ARE THE GREATER RISK OF
BRAIN INJURY AND
AFRICAN-AMERICANS HAVE THE
HIGHEST DEATH RATE FROM THIS
INJURY.
ALL OF THESE COLD, HARD FACTS
DO NOT TELL THE STORY OF
SHATTERED LIVES, OF THE
INDIVIDUAL IF THEY SURVIVE, AND
UNTOLD HEART ACHE AND LIFELONG
IMPACT ON LOVED ONES AND
FRIENDS OF THE INJURED.
IN AMERICA THERE ARE 125,000
CITIZENS LIVING WITH LIFE-LONG
DISABILITIES FROM TRAUMATIC
BRAIN INJURY -- TRAUMATIC BRAIN
INJURIES.
THESE HEAD INJURES COME ABOUT
IN MANY WAYS, NOT THE LEAST OF
WHICH ARE THE INJURIES
SUSTAINED THROUGH OUR SOLDIERS
FIGHTING IN AFGHANISTAN AND
IRAQ. THE COST OF LIVES AND THE
ONGOING SUFFERING IS TRAGIC FOR THESE BRAVE MENED A WOMEN.
THEIR INJURIES WILL CONTINUE TO
REQUIRE COSTLY MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE FROM STATE AND
FEDERAL AND LOCAL AGENCIES.
GENERALLY A CONCUSSION IS A
TYPE OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
THAT IS CAUSED BY AN INJURY TO
THE HEAD THAT MANY PEOPLE
UNDERESTIMATE.
IT IS CRITICAL TO RECOVERY THAT
ANY TYPE OF BLOW TO THE HEAD,
WHETHER IT IS A CHILD'S FALL
FROM A SWING TO A TEEN SPORT OR
AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT, BE TAKEN
SERIOUSLY.
OFTEN SYMPTOMS DON'T SHOW UP
IMMEDIATELY, SO KEEPING A CLOSE
WATCH ON THE INJURED PERSON IS
IMPERATIVE SO THAT MEDICAL
ATTENTION CAN BE SOUGHT IF
NEEDED.
WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR
ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE BRAIN
INJURY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA,
WHO ARE INVALUABLE IN
GENERATING, UNDERSTANDING AND
AWARENESS OF BRAIN INJURY.
WE JOIN WITH ALL WHO WISH TO
BROADCAST A MESSAGE OF HOPE AND
ACTION OF THIS OFTEN
UNDERESTIMATED CONDITION DURING
MARCH, WHICH HAS BEEN
DESIGNATED AS THE NATIONAL
BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH.
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, I
RESERVE THE BALANCE
THE SPEAKER PRO
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MASSACHUSETTS.
MR. LYNCH: WE CONTIN
RESERVE, MR. SPEAKER.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS
CONTINUES TO RESERVE HIS TIME.
MR. AKIN: I YIELD BACK.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI YIELDED
BACK HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MASSACHUSETTS.
MR. LYNCH: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
IN CLOSING I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THE RELENTLESS WORK DONE ON
THIS ISSUE OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN
INJURY BY MR. PASCRELL FROM NEW JERSEY WHO IS THE CHAIR AND
ALSO BY MR. TODD PLATTS FROM
PENNSYLVANIA WHO IS THE
CO-CHAIR.
I HAVE ACCOMPANIED BOTH OF
THOSE GENTLEMEN, SEEN THEIR
WORK IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.
THEY'VE SEEN THE SITUATION IN
BALAD IN THE FIELD HOSPITALS IN
IRAQ, AS WELL AS GERMANY, THE
MILITARY HOSPITAL THERE, AS
WELL AS GOING BACK TO WALTER
REED ARMY HOSPITAL.
THEY KNOW FULL WELL THE EXTENT
OF TS.
THEY ARE OUR MOST OUTSPOKEN
ADVOTES ON BEHALF OF FAMILIES
WHOSE LOVED ONES HAVE BEEN
AFFECTED WITH T.B.I. AND WE ARE
ALL IN DEBT TO THEIR HARD WORK.
MR. SPEAKER, WITH THAT I ASK
ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT
THE MEASURE OF MR. PASCRELL OF
NEW JERSEY AND MR. PLATTS OF
PENNSYLVANIA AND SUPPORT HOUSE
RESOLUTION 178 AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
ALL TIME EXPIRED, THE QUESTION
NOW IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND
THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE
RESOLUTION 178. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR,
2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING
RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE,
THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE
RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO AND
WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO
RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE
TABLE.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS
RISE?
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE
THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE
RULES AND PASS THE BILL H.R.
918.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF
THE BILL.
THE CLERK: H.R. 918.
A BILL TO DESIGNATE THE
FACILITY OF THE UNITED STATES
POSTAL SERVICE LOCATED AT 300
EAST THIRD STREET IN JAMESTOWN,
NEW YORK, AS THE STAN LUNDINE
POST OFFICE BUILDING.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE:
PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS,
MR. LYNCH, AND THE GENTLEMAN
FROM MISSOURI, MR. AKIN, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
MR. LYNCH: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY
HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS
WITHIN WHICH TO REVISE AND
EXTEND THEIR REMARKS.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE:
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
MR. LYNCH: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I NOW YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS
I MAY CONSUME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, IN MY ROLE AS CHAIR OF THE HOUSE OF
THE SUBCOMMITTEE WITH OVERSIGHT
AUTHORITY FOR THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, I AM PLEASED TO
STAND BEFORE THE BODY IN
CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 918, WHICH IS THE MEASURE BEFORE US
DESIGNED TO RENAME THE UNITED
STATES POSTAL FACILITY LOCATED
AT 300 EAST THIRD STREET IN
JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK, AS THE
STAN LUNDINE POST OFFICE
BUILDING.
THIS LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED
BY MY FRIEND, BRIAN HIGGINS,
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, ON
FEBRUARY 9, 2009, AND IT WAS
CONSIDERED AND REPORTED OUT OF
THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE BY
VOICE VOTE ON MARCH 10, 2009.
ADDITION, H.R. 918 ENJOYS
THE SUPPORT OF THE ENTIRE
SITTING NEW YORK HOUSE
DELEGATION.
A NATIVE OF THE CITY OF
JAMESTOWN, STANLEY NELSON
LUNDINE HAS DEVOTED OVER FOUR
DECADES OF HIS LIFE TO PUBC
SERVICE IN THE NEW YORK STATE.
BORN IN JAMESTOWN ON FEBRUARY
4, 1939, MR. LUNDINE GRADUATED
FROM JAMESTOWN HIGH SCHOOL IN
1957.
HE RECEIVED HIS B.A. FROM DUKE
UNIVERSITY IN 1961 AND IN 1964
RECEIVED HIS INJURES DOCTORATE
FROM NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL
OF LAW.
AFTER FIVE YEARS OF GAINING ADMISSION TO THE NEW YORK STATE
BAR, HE WAS ELECTED TO HIS FIRM
TERM AS MAYOR OF JAMESTOWN,
HAVING PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS E
CITY'S ASSOCIATE CORPORATE
COUNCIL AND CHAIRMAN OF THE --
COUNSEL AND CHAIRMAN OF THE
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION.
MR. LUNDINE DEDICATED HIS
EFFORTS TO ADDRESSING
LONG-STANDING LABOR STRIFE IN
THE CITY.
TO THIS END, HE DEVELOPED A
UNIQUE LABOR MANAGEMENT
STRATEGY AND SUBSEQUENTLY
GARNERED JAMESTOWN NATIONAL
ATTENTION AS A WIDELY
SUCCESSFUL LABOR MANAGEMENT
PARTNERSHIP MODEL, A MODEL THAT
WE COULD DEALER USE TODAY.
IN 1976 MR. LUNDINE WAS ELECTED
TO REPRESENT NEW YORK STATE'S
39TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT,
BECOMING THE FIRST DEMOCRAT TO
HOLD THAT SEAT SINCE 1874.
WHILE REPRESENTING NEW YORK'S
SOUTHERN TIER DISTRICT IN CORN,
UNTIL 1987, MR. LUNDINE
CONTINUED HIS COMMITMENT TO
LABOR MANAGEMENT COOPERATION
THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF
LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH LABOR
MANAGEMENT COUNCILS AND
EMPLOYEE STARK OWNERSHIP PLANS.
HE ALSO REMAINED DEDICATED TO
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES,
SERVING A SUBCOMMITTEE
CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE BANKING
COMMITTEE.
IN 1986 MR. LUNDINE WAS ELECTED
TO STATEWIDE OFFICE AS
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF NEW
YORK.
UNDER GOVERNOR MARIO QUOMEOW,
SERVING UNTIL 1994.
DEVELOPMENT THE STATE'S
ECONOMY, INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF JOB TRAINING
PROGRAMS AND ALSO STRENGTHEN NEW YORK'S HOUSING AND
TECHNOLOGY SECTORS.
CURRENTLY, STAN LUNDINE SERVES
AT THE CITIZEN -- SERVES THE
CITIZENS OF NEW YORK THROUGH
PUBLIC SERVICE ON A WIDE
VARIETY OF NONPROFIT PRIVATE
SECTOR EFFORTS.
NOTABLY, IN APRIL OF 2007, MR.
DUN -- LUNDINE WAS APPOINTED ON
LOCAL GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY AND
COMPETITIVENESS.
THE PANEL IS TASKED WITH
PROMOTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT
COLLABORATION AND EFFICIENCY IN
THE NAME OF SAVING TAXPAYER
DOLLARS.
MR. SPEAKER, LET US HONOR STAN
LUNDINE'S, TO DESIGNATE HIS
HOMETOWN POST OFFICE IN HIS
NAME.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN
WITH MYSELF AND CONGRESSMAN
BRIAN HIGGINS, WHOAS THE
CHIEF SPONSOR OF THIS
LEGISLATION, AND I ASK MY
COLLEAGUES TO JOIN US IN
SUPPORTING THIS H.R. 918 AND RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI.
MR. AKIN: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I
MAY CONSUME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
MR. AKIN: I RISE IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 918,
LESLATION TO DESIGNATE THE
POST OFFICE IN JAMESTOWN, NEW
YORK, AND THE STAN LUNDINE POST
OFFICE BUILDING.
STAN LUNDINE IS ONE OF
JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK, MOST
STEADFAST PUBLIC SERVANTS.
HE SERVED AS MAYOR OF JAMESTOWN
, AS UNITED STATES
REPRESENTATIVE AND AS
LIEUTENANT GENERAL OF NEW YORK.
HE WAS ELECTED MAYOR OF HIS
HOMETOWN JUST SIX YEARS AFTER
GRADUATING FROM NEW YORK
UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW.
REALIZING HIS SUCCESS AS MAYOR,
NEW YORK'S 39TH DISTRICT
ELECTED LUNDINE TO THE HOUSE OF
REPRENTATIVES IN 1976.
IN HIS FIVE TERMS AS
CONGRESSMAN FROM NEW YORK,
LUNDINE CONTINUED TO FOCUS ON
LABOR MANAGEMENT ISSUES.
IN THE CONGRESS HE FOCUSED ON
FINANCE AND BANKING SERVICING
AS SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMAN OF THE
HOUSE BANKING COMMITTEE.
AFTER HIS HOUSE CAREER HE WAS
ELECTED LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF
NEW YORK UNDER MAYORIO CUOMO
AND WORKED ON HOUSING,
TECHNOLOGY, DEVELOPMENT
INITIATIVES AS WELL AS TRAINING
AND PROGRAMMING POLICIES.
PUTTING HIS LABOR MANAGEMENT
SKILLS TO USE, HE NOW SERVES AS
DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL FORGE
COMPANY, U.S. INVESTMENT
SERVICES AND JOHN OHLMAN
ASSOCIATION.
HE SERVED AS DIRECTOR AS THE
COUNTRY HEALTH NETWORK, A GROUP
OF FOUR HOSPITALS AND THEIR
PHYSICIANS DEDICATED TO
IMPROVING THE LOCAL HEALTH CARE
DELIVERY SYSTEM IN HIS
COMMUNITY.
STAN LUNDINE'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO
THE COUNTRY, THE STATE OF NEW
YORK AND THE CITY OF JAMESTOWN,
LET US NOW COMMEMORATE HIS 25
YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE BY
NAMING THE POST OFFICE IN HIS
HOMETOWN OF JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK
, AS THE STUN LUNDINE POST
OFFICE BUILDIN MR. SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MASSACHUSETTS.
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, I
CONTINUE TO RESERVE.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS
RESERVES THE BALANCE OF S
TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI.
MR. AKIN: YIELD BACK.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MASSACHUSETTS. MR. LYNCH: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
IN CLOSING I WANT TO THANK MY
COLLEAGUE FOR HIS GENEROUS
REMARKS. AND I DO WANT TO GIVE GREAT
CREDIT TO CONGRESSMAN BRIAN
HIGGINS FROM THE BUFFALO AREA.
HE IS THE CENTRAL SPONSOR OF
THIS MEASURE TO NAME THIS POST
OFFICE AFTER STAN LUNDINE.
VERY DESERVING HONOR.
WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD
BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
ALL TIME HAVING EXPIRED, THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE
SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R.
918.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOS
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR,
2/3 HAVING RES
AFFIRMATIVE, THE -- MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
MRLYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, I ASK
FOR THE CALL OF THE YEAS AND
NAYS.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING
THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS
WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING
UNTIL COUNTED.
A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING
ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE
ORDERED. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20
AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR
ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER
PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOON WILL
BE POSTPONED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS
RISE?
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE
THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE
RULES AND PASS THE BILL H.R.
1218.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF
THE BILL.
THE CLERK: H.R. 1218, A BILL TO
DESIGNATE THE FACILITY OF THE
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
LOCATED AT 112 SOUTH 5TH STREET
IN SAINT CHARLES, MISSOURI, AS
THE LANCE CORPORAL DREW W.
WEAVER POST OFFICE BUILDING.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE:
PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS,
MR. LYNCH, AND THE GENTLEMAN
FROM MISSOURI, MR. AKIN, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
MR. LYNCH: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY
HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO
REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR
REMARKS.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE:
WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, I NOW
YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY
CONSUME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
MR. LYNCH: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
MR. SPEAKER, I PRESENT FOR
CONSIDERATIOH.R. 1218, A BILL
TO DESIGNATE THE UNITED STATES
POSTAL FACILITY LOCATED AT 112
SOUTH FIFTH STREET IN ST.
CHARLES, MISSOURI, AS THE LANCE CORPORAL DREW W. WEAVER POST
OFFICE BUILDING.
THIS LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED
ON FEBRUARY 26, BY MY COLLEAGUE
AND FRIEND, REPRESEATIVE TODD
W. AKIN OF MISSOURI AND
CONSIDERED AND REPORT OUT OF THE OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT
REFORM COMMITTEE BY A VOICE
VOTE ON MARCH 10, 2009.
ADDITIONALLY, H.R. 1218 ENJOYS
THE SUPPORT OF THE ENTIRE
MISSRI CONGRESSIONAL
DELEGATION.
A NATIVE OF ST. CHARLES,
MISSOURI, LANCE CORPORAL DREW
W. WEAVER BRAVELY SERVED WITH
THE THIRD LIGHT ARMORED
RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION, FIRST
MARINE DIVISION OUT OF THE 29
PALMS, CALIFORNIA, ON FEBRUARY
21, 2008.
THE YOUNG MARINE WAS KILLED IN
ACTION AND AL ANBAR PROVINCE IN
IRAQ WHILE CONDUCTING COMBAT
OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.
BORN ON JULY 5, 1987, LANCE
CORPORAL WEAVER DECIDED TO JOIN
THE MARINES SHORTLY BEFORE HIS
GRADUATION FROM HIS HIGH SCHOOL
IN 2005.
HE WAS BEST KNOWN FOR HIS
POSITIVE ATTITUDE, HIS SENSE OF
HUMOR AND LOVE OFED A MINITER
-- OF ADVENTURE.
ST. CHARLES WEST ASSISTANT
PRINCIPAL REMEMBERED SEEN LANCE
CORPORAL WEAVER TAKE DAILY
MORNING RUNS ON ZUMBLE ROAD IN
FRONT OF THE SCHOOL FOR
PREPARATION OF BOOT CAMP.
UPON RETURNING OF HIS BASIC
TRAINING HE ASKED IF HE WANTED
TO SERVE IN THE MARINES.
ABSOLUTELY, RELIED LANCE
CORPORAL WEAVER.
ANOTHER ADMINISTER RECALLED
THAT LANCE CORPORAL WEAVER, QUOTE, TRULY BELIEVED IN WHAT
HE WAS DOING, CLOSED QUOTE.
AND ONE SAID HE WAS A TRUE HERO
AND A BELOVED MEMBER OF THE ST. CHARLES COMMUNITY.
MR. SPEAKER, LANCE CORPORAL
WEAVER'S LIFE AND SERVICE
STANDS AS A TTAMENT TO THE
STRENGTH AND DEVOTION OF HIS
FAMILY AS WELL AS THE BRAVERY
AND DEDICATION OF THE YOUNG MEN
AND WOMEN THAT HAVE JOINED HIM
IN OFFERING THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE ON BEHALF OUR
NATION.
IT IS MY HOPE THAT WE CAN HONOR
THIS OUTSTANDING SOLDIER
THROUGH PASSAGE OF THIS
LEGISLATION.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, I URGE MY
LLEAGUES TO JOIN US IN
SUPPORTING CONGRESSMAN AKIN IN
HIS SPONSORSHIP OF H.R. 1218.
AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI.
MR. AKIN: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I
MAY CONSUME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
MR. AKIN: TODAY I RISE IN
STRONG SUPPORT OF HOUSE
RESOLUTION 1218, A BILL I
INTRODUCED TO HONOR THE LIFE OF
DREW W. WEAVER BY DESIGNATING
THE POST OFFICE IN ST. CHARLES,
MISSOURI, AS THE LANCE CORPORAL
DREW W. WEAVER POST OFFICE
BUILNG.
A RESIDENT OF ST. CHARLES,
MISSOURI, LANCE CORPORAL DREW
W. WEAVER WAS PART OF THE THIRD
LIGHT ARMORED RECONNAISSANCE
BATTALION, FIRST MARINE
DIVISION, FIRST MARINE
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.
ON FEBRUARY 21, 2007, LANCE
CORPORAL WEAVER DIED WHILE
CONDUCTING COMBAT OPERATIONS IN
AL ANBAR PROVINCE OF IRAQ.
AS CAPTAIN MARK BROWN NOTED,
DREW WAS KNOWN FOR HIS
ENTHUSIASM AND HIS ABILITY TO
MOTIVATE PEOPLE AROUND HIM.
DREW'S CONTRIBUTION TO HIS
COUNTRY WAS HONORED BY HIS
COMMUNITY WHEN HUNDREDS, MAYBE
MORE THAN HUNDREDS, ACTUALLY,
SHOWED UP FOR HIMEMORIAL
SERVICE AND PROCESSION.
A GRADUATE OF ST. CHARLES WEST
HIGH SCHOOL, FRIENDS AND FAMILY
DREW REMEMBER HIM AS AN
ENERGETIC YOUNG MAN WHO IS
EAGER TO SERVE HIS COUNTRY.
RYAN HANSON, HIS BEST FRIEND
AND A FELLOW SERVICEMAN, SAID DREW LOVED WHAT HE WAS DOING
AND WAS PROUD OF WHAT HE DID
FOR THE MARINE CORPS.
AS THE FATHER OF TWOARINES,
ONE OF WHOM HAS SERVED IN IRAQ
AND IN FALLUJAH, IT'S A
PRIVILEGE TO STAND HERE TODAY
TO HONOR ONE OF OUR FALLEN
SOLDIERS.
DREW'S COMMITMENT AND
DEDICATION TO HIS COUNTRY IS A
SHINING EXAMPLE OF HOW OUR
MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN ARE THE
FINEST OUR NATION HAS TO OFFER.
HIS AND HIS FAMILY'S SACRIFICE
SHOULD SERVE AS A REMINDER TO
ALL THAT THE FREEDOM WE ENJOY
AS AMERICANS IS NOT ALL IS FREE
BUT THE RESULT OF TREMENDOUS
BRAVERY AND SELFLESS SERVICE OF
MEN AND WOMEN WILLING TO PUT
THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY FOR
FREEDOM'S CAUSE.
AS REVEREND JAMES BEND NOTED
DURING DREW'S FUNERAL, I THINK
WE CAN LEARN FROM THEM THAT THE
FREEDOM WE ENJOY IN THIS
COUNTRY IS PRECIOUS, THAT IT IS
SPECL AND THAT IT MUST BE
PRESERVE SOMETIMES AT GREAT
PERSONAL COST.
OUR NATION WILL BE FOREVER
INDEBTED TO LANCE CORPORAL DREW
WEAVER.
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK THAT MY
COLLEAGUES JOIN ME TODAY IN
HONORING LANCE CORPORAL DREW
AVER.
VOTE YES ON HOUSE RESOLUTION
1218.
I RESERVE.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITH
THAT THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MISSOURI RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MASSACHUSETTS.
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, WE HAVE
NO FURTHER SPEAKERS AND I'M
PREPARED TO YIELD BACK.
IF THE GENTLEMAN HAS COMPLETED. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: DOES
THE GENTLEMAN RESERVE?
MR. LYNCH: YES.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS
TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI.
MR. AKIN: I YIELD BACK. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI YIELDS
BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MASSACHUSETTS.
MR. LYNCH: I ASK THAT WE
SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION 1218.
AND I ASK ALL MEMBERS TO
SUPPORT THIS MEASURE.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
ALL TIME HAVING EXPIRED, THE
QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE
SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R.
1218.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR,
2/3 HAVING RESPONDED IN THE
AFFIRMATIVE -- THE GENTLEMAN
FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, I OBJE TO THE VOTE ON THE
GROUNDS THAT A QUORUM IS NOT
PRESENT AND I MAKE A POINT OF ORDER THAT A QUORUM IS NOT
PRESENT.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE:
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20 AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR
ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER
PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL
BE POSTPONED.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 12-A OF RULE
1, THE CHAIR DECLARES THE HOUSE
IN RECESSION UNTIL