Michael Bilirakis

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his contribution to this special order and his work. In the short period of time he has been here, he has become a true leader on this subject. In 1992, Mr. Speaker, I chaired hearings of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus and heard heart- wrenching stories of people who had relatives abducted during and after the invasion. As a result of legislation that I cosponsored, our government recently discovered the remains of one of the missing, a young American named Andrew Kasapis. Andrew disappeared when he was 17. His remains were recently found in a field in Cyprus. The administration's report to Congress on the whereabouts of the U.S. Citizens missing from Cyprus since the invasion concluded that the other four Americans are presumed dead. However, it is imperative that the administration maintain efforts to find the truth and account for these four Americans who along with 1,614 others have still not been found. I would yield at this point to the other gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 24th anniversary of Turkey's brutal invasion and illegal occupation of the Island of Cyprus. Five Americans lost their lives in the invasion and the illegal occupation continues today. Turkey continues to illegally occupy more than one-third of Cyprus with 40,000 troops. The current status quo is unacceptable. It is also unacceptable that the United States and the international community, while publicly denouncing the invasion and occupation, allow it to continue. The resulting instability between Greece and Turkey threatens the strength of NATO and could ignite into military conflict. It is time to demand, I repeat, demand a solution in Cyprus. I am hopeful that a solution to the division of a Cyprus is within reach. However, my optimism is tempered by the fact that I held my first Cyprus special order on the ninth anniversary of the invasion in 1983. Although much has changed since then, many issues remain the same. In July 1974, Turkish forces, consisting of 6,000 troops and 40 tanks, landed on Cyprus's northern coast and captured almost 40 percent of the island nation. I might add parenthetically that those 40 tanks were either American made tanks or certainly American made parts which went into them. Cyprus, which is roughly the size of Connecticut, has not been whole since the invasion. Churches have been plundered and ransacked, beautiful frescoes have been stripped off the walls of religious institutions. Some churches have been converted into mosques, while still others were turned into cinemas and recreation centers. The Cypriots have witnessed the intentional destruction of their cultural heritage over the past 24 years. Cyprus is an island divided by the green line, a 113-mile physical barrier which separates Greek Cypriots from the towns and communities where their families lived for generations. The division of Cyprus is most obvious in its divided capital city of Nicosia. It is the last truly divided city in the world. Armed guards stare at each other at check points around the city. In the center of the city bullet holes scar buildings and serve as a powerful reminder of the 1974 events. More than 200,000 men, women, and children were forcibly expelled from the northern portion of Cyprus during the invasion and occupation. They remain refugees today. A people without a home. There are still 1,614 people missing from the invasion. Mr. Speaker, I would yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pappas) at this point.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the subject of this special order.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. As the gentleman knows, the original amendment that he is planning to offer was an amendment that I was prepared to oppose very, very strongly, because we, the majority and the minority, worked awfully hard for a long time to come up with the Safe Drinking Water Act, and now, just a short time afterward, it looked like attempts were made to change that. But we have pointed that out to the gentleman, and we had tremendous cooperation in trying to work this out. Actually, the language we did work out would not have changed, because there was never any intent on our part to change, the Safe Drinking Water Act in any way whatsoever. It was just basically to focus on the fact that there is a problem in Nebraska in expediting a review, and asking the EPA to use the results of its review pursuant to the appropriate section of the Safe Drinking Water Act. So whereas I suppose technically it is legislating on an appropriations bill, there is really no intent to do that, or to change the Safe Drinking Water Act in any way whatsoever. Again, I appreciate the gentleman's understanding and cooperation. I would hope that the Environmental Protection Agency would see that we are focusing on this, even though we certainly do not intend to change the Act.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak in opposition of the amendment. Mr. Chairman, as I said, I do rise in strong opposition to the amendment which would prohibit the use of VA funds to further implement the Veterans' Equitable, and I emphasize that word equitable, Resource Allocation system. VERA, as it is called, corrects historic geographic imbalances in funding for VA health care services and ensures equitable access to care for all veterans. Long ago, our Nation made a commitment to care for the brave men and women who fought the battles to keep America free. These are our Nation's veterans. Please take note when I say ``our Nation's veterans.'' They are not Florida's veterans or Arizona's veterans or New York's veterans. They are our veterans, and we, as a Nation, have a collective responsibility to honor the commitment that we made to them. When they volunteered to fight for America's freedom, no one asked these veterans what part of the country they came from. It simply did not matter. Unfortunately, when they came home, veterans found out that where they live matters a great deal. Until the passage of VERA, a veteran's ability to access the VA health care system literally depended upon where he or she happened to live. Since coming to Congress, I have heard from many, many veterans who were denied care at Florida VA medical facilities. In many instances, these veterans have been receiving care at their local VA medical center. However, once they moved to Florida, the VA was forced to turn them away because the facilities in our State simply did not have the resources to meet the high demand for care. This lack of adequate resources, Mr. Chairman, is further compounded in the winter months when Florida veterans are literally crowded out of the system by individuals who travel south to enjoy our warm water. It is hard for my veterans to understand how they can lose their VA health care simply by moving to another part of the country or because a veteran from a different state is using our VA facilities. Congress enacted VERA for a very simple reason: equity. No matter where they live or what circumstances they face, all veterans deserve to have equal access to quality health care. Since VERA's implementation, the Florida Veterans' Integrated Services Network, VISN, which includes Puerto Rico, I might add, has treated approximately 35,000 more Category A veterans. These are service-connected and low-income veterans who would not have had access to VA medical care without VERA. The Florida and Puerto Rico network estimates it will treat a total of 280,000 veterans by the end fiscal year of 1998. The Florida network has also opened nine new community based outpatient clinics in the past 2 years. It plans to open three more clinics by the end of the fiscal year. None of this could have happened without VERA. The failure to move forward with an improved and fair funding allocation system would mean that the VA would miss a unique opportunity to revitalize its way of doing business. The negative impact would be felt most by veterans who would not be treated in areas that are currently underfunded. Failing to implement VERA will waste taxpayers' dollars because a return to the funding practices of the past will mean that some VA facilities will receive more money per veteran than others to provide essentially the same care. The author of this amendment argues that veterans of New York are not being treated equitably. The VERA system already takes regional differences into account by making adjustments for labor costs, differences in patient mix, and differing levels of support for research and education. Under VERA, the VA facilities in the metropolitan New York area are receiving an average of $5,659 per veteran patient. This means that these facilities receive an average payment for each patient that is 27 percent higher than the national average. I ask, how is this inequitable? If the Hinchey amendment passes, continued funding imbalances will result in unequal access to VA health care for veterans in different parts of the country. VERA ensures that veterans across the country have equal access to VA health care and that tax dollars are wisely spent. I urge my colleagues to vote against the Hinchey amendment.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution agreed to yesterday to remember and honor the lives of two American heroes, Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police. Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson died in the line of duty last Friday while courageously protecting Members of Congress, congressional staff and visitors to the U.S. Capitol. Their heroic actions, and those of other U.S. Capitol Police officers, saved countless lives--including my Health Subcommittee staff, two interns in my office, and a family from my congressional district visiting Washington, D.C. We cannot forget that the men and women of the U.S. Capitol Police put their lives on the line every day for us. They are dedicated professionals who protect our nation's foremost symbol of freedom and democracy. More important, they protect our lives, those of our staff, and the millions of tourists who visit the Capitol each year. Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut are heroes. Their selfless act of courage exemplifies the valor, dedication, and professionalism of the men and women who serve on the U.S. Capitol Police force. As the resolution before us so eloquently states, ``those who guard the Capitol guard our freedom.'' I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of these two guardians of freedom and all of the officers of the U.S. Capitol Police. Although words are little solace, I hope their families and colleagues will take comfort in the admiration and respect of a grateful nation for these fallen heroes. May they rest in peace.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in favor of H.R. 4250. I am proud of this bill. Whereas the Democratic bill focuses on patient protections, our bill focuses on basically the same patient protections and additionally places great emphasis on expanding health coverage and access for the insured and the uninsured, but both are accomplished without imposing burdensome government mandates. Guaranteeing access to quality health care must always be a top priority. What good, in fact, are patient protections if access is not there? We do this through the creation of Health Marts and by broadening the role of the community health centers, so that for those who live in medically underserved areas it will be simpler to receive critical services. The proposal creates community health organizations, which are basically managed care plans controlled by community health centers. It encourages more competition to lower prices for health consumers. Community health centers will have more money because they will have more private-paying patients using their facilities. As a result, these health centers will be able to provide care to even more uninsured people. Of course, the bill before us includes important new patient protections. For months, people across the country have told Congress that they want to choose their own doctors. We listened to our constituents, and I am proud to say that through our bill, patients will now be guaranteed their choice of medical providers, contrary to what some others on the other side have said, and be better able to understand their health care policies. Mr. Speaker, is it a surprise in fact to anyone that the other party is attacking a Republican bill? I think not. But we have been able, I think, to accomplish and to do what they did not even attempt during their many years of control of the United States House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, I say to my colleagues: Help us pass a bill which will help people now.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, July 20, 1998, I requested and was granted a leave of absence from the House of Representatives due to personal illness. Had I been present, I would have voted in favor of adoption of the following amendments during consideration of H.R. 2183, the Bipartisan Campaign Integrity Act: The Wicker amendment to the Shays amendment in the nature of a substitute, debated on July 14, that prohibits the use of White House meals or accommodations for political fundraising (greed to by a recorded vote of 391 ayes to 4 noes, Roll No. 301); The Stearns amendment to the Shays amendment in the nature of a substitute, debated on July 14, that prohibits noncitizens from making contributions to candidates for Federal, state, or local elections (agreed to by a recorded vote of 267 ayes to 131 noes, Roll No. 302); The Smith of Michigan amendment to the Shays amendment in the nature of a substitute, as modified, that establishes a prison term for 10 years and a fine not to exceed $1 million as penalties for violation of the foreign contribution ban (agreed to by a voice vote); The DeLay amendment to the Shays amendment in the nature of a substitute that expresses the Sense of Congress that Federal law clearly demonstrates that ``controlling legal authority'' prohibits the use of Federal property to raise campaign funds (agreed to by a recorded vote of 360 ayes to 36 noes, Roll No. 304); The McInnis amendment to the Shays amendment in the nature of a substitute that prohibits acceptance or solicitation to obtain access to Air Force One, Marine One, Air Force Two, Marine Two, the White House or the Vice President's residence and institutes a fine or imprisonment for violation for up to one year (agreed to by a recorded vote of 391 ayes to 7 noes, Roll No. 305); The Hefley amendment to the Shays amendment in the nature of a substitute that requires the national parties to reimburse the Federal government for the use of Air Force One for political fundraising (agreed to by a recorded vote of 222 ayes to 177 noes, Roll No. 307); The Northup amendment to the Shays amendment in the nature of a substitute that prohibits campaign from providing currency to individuals for the purpose of encouraging turnout on the date of election (agreed to by a recorded vote of 284 ayes to 114 noes, Roll No. 308); The Snowbarger amendment that establishes mandatory imprisonment for not fewer than 1 year and not more than 10 years for criminal conduct (agreed to by a voice vote); and The Whitfield amendment that bans the coordination of soft money for issue advocacy by presidential candidates receiving public financing (agreed to by a voice vote).

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on July 20, 1998, I requested and was granted a leave of absence from the House of Representatives due to personal illness. Consequently, I missed the roll call vote on H. Con. Res. 301, which reaffirms our longstanding commitment to Taiwan. Had I been present, I would have voted in favor of H. Con. Res. 301. Taiwan has been one of our oldest and closest friends in Asia since 1949. The people of Taiwan live in a free, democratic society. I was extremely disappointed by President Clinton's recent endorsement of mainland China's views on Taiwan. Before the President left for China, the House unanimously passed H. Con. 270, urging him to seek a public renunciation by the People's Republic of China of any use of force, or threat of use of force, against Taiwan. In light of the President's actions, Congress must send a strong message to the People's Republic of China and the world that we intend to stand by our friends and allies. The United States must dispel any notion on the part of China's leaders that we will tolerate the use of force in determining the future of Taiwan. The people of Taiwan must be responsible for determining their own future in a peaceful and democratic fashion. H. Con. Res. 301 reaffirms the importance of the Taiwan Relations Act and reaffirms our commitment to the people of Taiwan.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for H.R. 3874, the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Amendments of 1998. I have always been a strong supporter of WIC because it gives women and young children access to the foods necessary for healthy development. WIC provides specific nutritious foods to at-risk, income- eligible, pregnant, postpartum and breast feeding women, infants and children up to five years of age. WIC gives women and young children the means to obtain highly nutritious foods like iron-fortified infant formula, calcium-rich milk, eggs, juice, and cereal. During pregnancy, one of the most fragile periods in a woman's life, WIC enhances dietary intake, which improves weight gain and the likelihood of a successful pregnancy. After birth, WIC continues to promote the health of infants and is responsible for reducing low birth weight and infant mortality. Children who participate in WIC receive immunizations against childhood diseases at a higher rate than children who are not WIC participants. WIC also helps to reduce anemia among children. As we know, children receiving nutritious meals are in a better position to focus on their daily studies. Proper nutrition is an integral part of our children's educational experience. In fact, WIC has been linked to improved cognitive development among children. WIC children are more prepared to learn compared to those children who lack proper nutritionally balanced diets. In short, WIC is supported by many people and continues to be a popular program. It yields tremendous returns on our investments and improves the health and well being of pregnant women, infants and children. I urge my colleagues to show their support for the WIC Program by voting in favor of H.R. 3874.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, one of the most defining events in world history. Tomorrow marks the 50th anniversary of the first American flight carrying food and supplies to the communist encircled City of Berlin. Two days earlier, the Soviet Union announced its intention to completely prohibit transportation in and out of the western sectors of Berlin. Throughout the course of the mission, approximately 600 flights a day brought provisions to a city isolated from the world by the Soviet military. By its conclusion, more than a year later, 2.3 million tons of food and coal for fuel had been delivered to Berlin. ``Operation Vittles,'' as it was called, consisted of nearly 278,000 flights by American, British, and French aircraft. The Soviets eventually submitted to American determination and reopened ground routes into Berlin. The historical significance of the airlift is that it signaled the United States' resolve to reject communist oppression. In addition, the Berlin Airlift sent a clear message to the world that the United States would not abandon an ally in its time of need. As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, we are reminded that as Americans we must stand up for democracy when it is challenged. Time and time again, history has taught us that we defend freedom when it is threatened. However, our responsibility carries with it a tremendous price, both in monetary terms and in human life. The Berlin Airlift costs an estimated $200 million, and even more important, it took the lives of 79 individuals, including 31 American servicemen. Although the airlift occurred between 1948 and 1949, its legacy lives today in the hearts of people around the world. The courage displayed by its participants still serves as a shining example of freedom's triumph over tyranny. Our refusal to submit to Soviet aggression 50 years ago led the groundwork for lifting the Iron Curtain of communist oppression and tearing down the Berlin Wall. Mr. Speaker, let us perpetuate the legacy of the Berlin Airlift. Congress must honor those whose tremendous acts of courage during the airlift promoted freedom and democracy. As Americans, we must continue to ensure that these principles are cherished throughout the world.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember a young man, an American citizen, who was murdered during a brutal Turkish invasion of Cyprus during the summer of 1974. Since the 1974 Cyprus invasion, 1,619 people have been missing, including five American citizens. The administration recently submitted the ``President's Report to Congress on the Investigation of the Whereabouts of the U.S. Citizens Missing from Cyprus Since 1974.'' It concludes that four of the missing Americans were probably killed during the violent events of 1974. It also confirms the belief that one American, Andrew Kassapis, was killed by Turkish-Cypriot militiamen and was buried in a field in Northern Cyprus. The report states that Andrew ``died from physical hardship stemming from captivity.'' His remains are being laid to rest tomorrow, Wednesday, June 24, in Detroit, Michigan. Twenty-four years after Andrew's death, Cyprus still remains illegally occupied and tensions continue to escalate in a region that is more often marked by strife than accord. The United States has signaled its commitment to work for a fair solution to the illegal occupation of Cyprus. Unfortunately, our efforts have produced few results due to the reluctance of Turkish leaders to resolve the illegal occupation of Cyprus. Rauf Denktash, the Turkish-Cypriot leader of the illegally occupied area of Northern Cyprus, has set two preconditions for a Cyprus solution. First, he has demanded that his entity be recognized. The international community only recognizes the legitimate Republic of Cyprus and its leader, President Glafcos Clerides. Second, he said Cyprus's European Union accession talks must be halted before negotiations on Cyprus can resume. The United States and the international community have emphasized that both demands are unacceptable. Mr. Speaker, as we lay Andrew Kassapis to rest, it is disheartening that a Cyprus solution is as remote as ever. If we can broker peace in Northern Ireland, we can surely promote a solution in Cyprus. The consequences of our failure and of continued hostilities between Greece and Turkey over Cyprus could result in a weakening of the NATO alliance and the outbreak of military conflict between these two American allies. We owe it to Andrew and the other missing Americans to support the Cypriot Republic and demand that Turkey respect international law. His death should not be in vain and the solution of Cyprus must be forthcoming.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton). (Mr. UPTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I gladly yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bill Young), my friend, neighbor, and colleague. (Mr. YOUNG of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 2202 and to insert extraneous material on the bill.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted this afternoon, truly delighted, to ask my colleagues in the House to support H.R. 2202, the National Bone Marrow Registry Reauthorization Act of 1998. I would acknowledge the hard work of Mr. Marc Wheat of the Majority staff, Mr. John Ford of the Minority staff, and other staffers from Mr. Young's office and staffers in the Senate in the process of working out this legislation. I know that many of my colleagues in the House have heard from individuals whose lives were saved by this program, but many Members may not know that this legislation has been championed by a man whose own daughter was saved by the program. Coincidentally, if that is a proper word, he decided to go forward with this program quite a few years ago, and it was after he decided to go through with this program and put it into effect that his daughter was saved by the program. That, of course, I am referring to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bill Young). The gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) secured the original appropriation which established this important program in early 1987 through a grant to the Department of the Navy. In this Congress he has worked tirelessly to secure reauthorization of the program, and I was pleased to support his effort as a cosponsor of H.R. 2202. In 1997 the National Marrow Donor Program was responsible for facilitating 1,280 unrelated marrow transplants, men and women who never met each other but knew that through the simple procedure of marrow donation a life would be saved. There are approximately 5,000 to 7,000 Americans who could benefit from potentially lifesaving unrelated donor transplants, and yet for many, matches cannot be found yet. But thanks to the great work of the men and women in this program, over 3 million Americans have volunteered to be listed confidentially in a registry of the national marrow donor program. Through innovative cooperation with programs in other countries, including Germany, France, Israel, South Africa, Greece, among others, patients can search for their tissue type through a worldwide network of 37 registries in 29 countries. Through this network the National Marrow Donor Program has direct access to over 4 million volunteer donors worldwide. The language in the bill under consideration today is identical to an amendment approved by voice vote in the Subcommittee on Health and Environment which I chair. My substitute amendment represented a consensus position developed through long negotiations between the majority and minority of the Committee on Commerce and the Committee on Labor and Human Resources in the other body, the Department of Health and Human Resources, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the National Bone Marrow Donor Program itself, and many associations and interested parties who want to see this authorization pass this year. Mr. Speaker, I want to again express my great appreciation on behalf of all of us, and on behalf of the many people out there who have benefited from this program and who will continue to benefit, and to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) for his efforts to secure this reauthorization. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in expressing their strong support for passage of this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2202) to amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend the bone marrow donor program, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I, too, rise in strong support of H.R. 1023. First and foremost, I want to commend my colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Goss), for his tireless efforts to secure passage of this important measure. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Health and Environment of the Committee on Commerce, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of the bill. As my colleagues have already noted, H.R. 1023 provides compassionate payments to individuals with blood-clotting disorders who contracted HIV due to contaminated blood products. The National Hemophilia Foundation estimates that nearly 8,000 individuals with hemophilia contracted HIV from the Nation's blood supply which became contaminated before the identification of and development of tests to detect its presence. These individuals and their families were already burdened by the medical costs of treating their blood-clotting disorders, and many have been financially devastated by the costs associated with HIV infection. This is a tragedy, and I share the Foundation's view that passage of this bill will serve to rebuild trust in the Federal Government in its essential role of protecting the U.S. blood supply and blood products. A number of my constituents, including Margie and Johnny Kellar of Palm Harbor, have contacted me to urge enactment of this critical legislation. I share the desire to secure prompt passage of the bill, and I am pleased that the House is considering it today under a suspension of the rules. As Members know, provisions of H.R. 1023 which fall within the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Commerce were enacted last year as part of the balanced budget law. Those provisions exempted the private settlement funds from the calculation of income for the purposes of determining Medicaid eligibility. This language was designed to ensure that those who accepted the private settlement would not lose their eligibility under the Medicaid program. My Subcommittee on Health and Environment has jurisdiction over the Medicaid provisions, and I was pleased to secure their enactment as part of the 1997 balanced budget law. The measure before us today extends similar protections to recipients of Supplemental Security Income benefits. Again, I want to commend the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Goss) for his leadership on this issue and his diligent efforts in bringing H.R. 1023 to the floor. I urge all of my colleagues to lend their wholehearted support to passage of this important bill.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge committee staffers John Ford and Marc Wheat. Having done that, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to approve H. Con. Res. 171 introduced by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goode), which designates the city of Roanoke, Virginia, to be the official site of the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Service. H. Con. Res. 171, Mr. Speaker, does honor to the memory of 119 emergency medical services personnel in 35 States who laid down their lives for their fellow Americans in the line of duty. I urge my colleagues to support this measure to bring greater public acclaim to the many men and women who have sacrificed their time, and even their lives, for the health and safety of others. Mr. Speaker, I would communicate to my fellow Members that this passed through our subcommittee and full committee on a voice vote unanimously. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 171, the resolution now being considered.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 171) declaring the memorial service sponsored by the National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Memorial Service Board of Directors to honor emergency medical services personnel to be the ``National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Service,'' as amended.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member of our subcommittee, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), for his great cooperation and the work done by both staffs, majority and minority. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte).