Robert Brady

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office's Deputy Director of the Congressional Liaison Division, Anthony Ho. Anthony has served in that important office for more than 10 years. He has played a large role in promoting friendship between the people of our two great nations during his two tours here in Washington, DC. Anthony earned his B.A. at the National Taiwan University and his Master's degree in Public Administration at the Kennedy School of Harvard University. That education prepared him for the challenges he faces on behalf of one of America's most important allies. Mr. Speaker, Anthony impressed Members of the House of Representatives and Senate with his diligence, his honesty and his dedication to keeping the friendship between our countries strong. Deputy Director Ho has been a great help to me, by keeping me informed on issues relating to Taiwan and to the entire Pacific Rim. He will be greatly missed. I wish him, his wife Anne and his son, Anwell all the best. I also want to send a special goodbye to his eldest son Andrew, who did such an excellent job as an intern in my office. Washington's loss is Taipei's gain and I am sure that Anthony and his family will have a successful and happy time in their homeland. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in wishing the Ho family goodbye and good fortune.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor The Union League of Philadelphia and the 69th President of this patriotic organization, Hon. Gregory P. Montanaro. Founded in 1862, the Union League has been one of the leading supporters of our nation and of our Constitution. Its 3,600 members pledge ``support of the United States Constitution'', and are leaders in business, education, medicine and the arts. The Foundations of the Union League, three non-profit charities that provide constitutional and leadership education, college scholarships, and the opportunity to research and explore one of the most important Civil War collections in the United States. In December of 2014, the League elected my friend Gregory P. Montanaro as its 69th President. Mr. Montanaro embodies the qualities that the League stands for today: leadership, patriotism, service to the community, and a dedication to preserving the promise of liberty and freedom embodied in our constitution. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring The Union League of Philadelphia and its president Mr. Gregory P. Montanaro for its 153 years of service to the United States of America.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Fralinger String Band as it celebrates its 100th anniversary on December 18, 2014. The Fralinger String Band was founded on December 18, 1914 by a group of young men playing music on a street corner in South Philadelphia where physician Dr. John Fralinger operated a neighborhood drug store, in the heart of Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District. The doctor, known for his interest in promoting promising youth, would sponsor the band. The J.J. Fralinger String Band would make its debut in the New Year's Day Mummers Parade, a Philadelphia tradition, on January 1, 1915, just two weeks after its founding. The band has won an unmatched 16 first-place prizes in the Mummer's Parade in the last 50 years, and was the first string band to use the saxophone and the first to appear in a major motion picture. The band served as a goodwill ambassador for Philadelphia and traveled throughout both the United States and the world, in Miss America Pageant Parades, and the International Chinese New Year Parade in Hong Kong. Over its 100-year history, the Fralinger String Band has been led by the friends and family members of Dr. Fralinger and operates today as a non-profit corporation run entirely by volunteers. The band's clubhouse is still located in the heart of South Philadelphia, just feet from the original Fralinger Pharmacy. I invite you and all of my colleagues to join me in commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Fralinger String Band. May its commitment to performing for and entertaining people of all ages be an inspiration to all of us in the years to come.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Act of 2013, to rename the Philadelphia VA Medical Center in honor of Medal of Honor recipient and Philadelphia native Corporal Michael Crescenz. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful that we are able to bring this long overdue honor to a great Philadelphian and a worthy American hero. I have been working to accomplish this renaming since I first drafted legislation in 2012, and I am thankful that my colleagues Congressman Fattah and Senator Toomey, as well as the rest of the Pennsylvania delegation, have joined me in this important endeavor. Mr. Speaker, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz is the only Philadelphia- born recipient of the Medal of Honor, our nation's highest military honor, from the Vietnam War. Born on January 14, 1949 to Mary Ann and Charles Crescenz, Michael grew up in the West Oak Lane neighborhood of Philadelphia and went on to graduate from Cardinal Dougherty High School Class of 1966. He enlisted in the US Army in September 1968, the same month that his older brother Charles was discharged from active duty. According to his Medal of Honor citation, 19-year old Cpl. Crescenz's platoon came under attack on November 20, 1968, in Vietnam's Hiep Duc Valley. Rather than remain in the relative safety of his position, Cpl. Crescenz seized a nearby machine gun, charged toward the enemy's position, and silenced two bunkers. He then courageously advanced toward a third bunker, which he also silenced, clearing a route for his comrades. Shortly thereafter, gunfire emerged from a fourth, unseen bunker, and in order to protect his fellow soldiers, Cpl. Crescenz advanced on the position, firing with his machine gun. He was mortally wounded when he was just 5 meters away from the camouflaged bunker. His selfless actions allowed his company to maneuver freely to complete its mission, ultimately defeating the enemy. President Nixon posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to Cpl. Crescenz in April, 1970 for his gallantry and intrepidity in action. Now, 46 years after his heroic stand, we again humbly recognize the sacrifice of Cpl. Crescenz, along with the sacrifice of all those who paid the ultimate price in Vietnam and in all wars in defense of our nation.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Alan R. Parham as he receives the Labor Man of the Year Award from the Friends of Labor Committee of Laborers' Local 332. Mr. Parham is the Fund Administrator of the Laborer's International Union of North America Local 332, a local union representing thousands of construction workers in the Philadelphia area. Mr. Parham is responsible for the administration and operation of a variety of the Laborers' funds with assets in excess of $750 million for providing pension, health, and annuity benefits to over 12,000 people and their families. He has more than 25 years of experience working for the Benefit Fund, and been a member of the union for even longer, following in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather, who were both members of Local 332. In addition to managing the benefit portfolio, Mr. Parham has a passion for health awareness initiatives, serving on the executive board of the Delaware Valley Health Coalition. He has led several initiatives within the union with a focus on the health of union members and their families. Under his direction, the Benefit Fund is undertaking a program to educate and encourage 50% of eligible members to get tested for prostate cancer. I invite you and all of my colleagues to join me in commemorating Mr. Parham's accomplishment.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, Bob W. Bogle, as he receives the Outstanding Community Leader Award from the Friends of Labor Committee of Laborers' Local 332. Bob is the chairman, president, and CEO of The Philadelphia Tribune. Bob is chairman of the Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia, and also serves as the Mayor of Philadelphia's appointee on the Independence Blue Cross Board. Bob is also chairman of the Council of Trustees at Cheyney University, his alma mater, and serves on a number of boards, including the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Additionally, he was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as member of the National Museum of African American History and Culture Commission. The Philadelphia Tribune is America's oldest and Greater Philadelphia's largest audited paper primarily serving the African- American community. Before assuming his present position, Bob held other high-level positions at the newspaper, including director of advertising, director of marketing, and executive vice president. The magazine has been honored at least five times by the National Newspaper Publisher's Association, a trade association of 205 Black-owned newspapers across the country. I invite you and all of my colleagues to join me in commemorating my friend Bob's accomplishment and his dedication to the city of Philadelphia, the birthplace of America.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Triumph Missionary Baptist Church as it celebrates its 45th church anniversary and Pastor James S. Hall, Jr.'s 63 years of preaching and teaching as its leader. Over the past forty-five years, Triumph Missionary Baptist Church has endured as the spiritual home for countless numbers of Philadelphia citizens. Strong leaders, like Pastor James S. Hall, allow institutions like Triumph Missionary Baptist Church to thrive and support the communities in which they reside. Since he was elected Pastor for Life in 1969, Pastor Hall's wisdom and years of experience preaching have allowed him to sustain the church, even in the face of adversity, and provide a venue for Christians in the North Philadelphia community to worship their Creator. Since its founding, the Church has had four homes in North Philadelphia. It has been in its current location since 2007 and has worked to uplift surrounding residents through numerous efforts, including the creation of a supermarket to serve the local underserved community. From the 63 members it began with, to the 5,400 Philadelphians who call this church home, Triumph Missionary Baptist Church has accomplished much in its forty-five years of existence. I invite you and all of my colleagues to join me in commemorating Triumph Missionary Baptist Church's 45th anniversary. May its success and commitment to helping the City of Philadelphia be an inspiration to all of us in the years to come.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Pennsylvania chapter of the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education (A.B.A.T.E) 34th Annual Motorcycle Toy Run. The Toy Run was formed by A.B.A.T.E in 1980 with a simple goal: to bring Christmas joy and smiles to the faces of underprivileged children throughout the Greater Philadelphia region, many of whom live in Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional district. The run began with 30 motorcyclists in its first year. Since then, it has grown tremendously, with an expected 10,000 motorcyclists expected to participate in this year's ride. The Toy Run is open to motorcyclists and spectators alike, all in support for the cause. The motorcyclists will depart from the Delaware River waterfront and head west through the city led by Santa Claus and Justice Seamus McCaffery, a Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. At the finish line, the procession will deliver toys to the United States Marine Corps for their ``Toys for Tots'' program. I invite you and all of my colleagues to join me in commemorating the 34th Annual Motorcycle Toy Run of the Pennsylvania chapter of A.B.A.T.E. May its philanthropy and dedication to bringing joy to the underprivileged children of the Philadelphia region be an inspiration to all of us in the years to come.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Philadelphia Office of Forensic Science. Forensic science is the application of a broad spectrum of sciences and technologies to investigate and establish facts of interest in relation to criminal or civil law. The word forensic comes from the Latin forensic, meaning ``before the forum.'' In modern usage, the word defines a category of legal evidence that may be presented in a legal courtroom setting. Forensic science is a vital public service and access to quality forensic analysis dramatically improves the investigation of criminal activity leading to the exoneration of the innocent and the prosecution of the guilty. Forensic science plays a critical role in public outreach and crime prevention and that role is evolving within the criminal justice community. Crime scene investigators, forensic examiners and forensic scientists provide unbiased, accurate and reliable analyses of evidence recovered from scenes across the nation. In the United States there are more than 12,000 forensic scientists active in the field. The dedicated and hardworking individuals that comprise the forensic science organizations are worthy of recognition for their commitment to proper scientific investigations to support the cause of justice. Through quality forensic services, accredited programs, validated scientific techniques and a commitment to scientific integrity, forensic scientists make a significant impact in our communities. From August 10-16, 2014, professional organizations across the country acknowledged the value of modern forensic science and the role of forensic examiners by hosting events to observe National Forensic Science Week. Activities were presented to encourage a better understanding of forensic science and educate local, state and federal policy makers to the current capabilities and future challenges facing this field. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in in expressing appreciation for the people, facilities, and technologies that make reliable forensic science possible for the betterment of our communities.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Ryan Cepregi for his commendable and brave actions that saved his friend's life and earned him The Medal of Merit from the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Cepregi has acted in a manner that shows great concern for the well-being of others and will contribute greatly to our community in the future. We are proud to call Mr. Cepregi a resident of Pennsylvania's First Congressional District. Mr. Ryan Cepregi is only fourteen years of age, but this past June he saved his friend's life. Ryan received a text message from his friend stating that he had taken all of his depression medication in an attempt to take his own life. Ryan immediately contacted his friend's father and paramedics were able to save his life, partially as a result of Ryan's immediate and mature response. Ryan said, ``I was just being a friend. He has so many more years to live his life, he is too young to die.'' Ryan put the skills he was taught as a Boy Scout to use in order to save his friend's life. Ryan has been involved in the Boy Scouts of America since he was a Tiger Cub at the age of 7, and has been active in Troop 120 for many years now. For his use of these skills, Ryan is being awarded The Medal of Merit, which is given to a youth member or adult leader who has performed some outstanding act of service of a rare or exceptional character that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others. It is a privilege to recognize a person whose admirable actions have already impacted our community greatly and will likely continue to do so in the future. I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending Mr. Ryan Cepregi for his service and dedication to Pennsylvania's First Congressional District.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Tindley Temple United Methodist Church's celebration of Nelson Mandela on July 18, 2014. Nelson Mandela has inspired so many through his work as a revolutionary leader in the South-African anti-apartheid movement, and his later career as a politician and philanthropist left a lasting legacy. Mandela's leadership and participation in peaceful protests against the oppressive regime in South Africa led to his incarceration, and he became the face of the anti-apartheid movement. As the President of South Africa, he was the nation's first black chief executive, and the first elected in a truly democratic election. Under Nelson Mandela, the government worked tirelessly to break through the institutionalized racism, poverty, and inequality that had long plagued the nation. After he left office, he continued to work as a global advocate for human rights. On July 18, the Tindley Temple United Methodist Church will celebrate the legacy that Nelson Mandela created. The Tindley Temple United Methodist Church is well known in Philadelphia for being the birthplace of gospel music. Dr. Charles Albert Tindley, a pastor of the Church during the Depression, is renowned for composing more than 60 hymns, including ``Stand by Me'' and ``We'll Understand It Better By and By.'' They work in service to the community through their soup kitchen, and in their aid to the ill and underprivileged in the area. It is a privilege to recognize this celebration of a person whose leadership and commitment have inspired and supported so many around the globe. I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending the Tindley Temple United Methodist Church for honoring Nelson Mandela in their celebratory day.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lighthouse Field now celebrating 100 years of service to the community, set in motion when the Pennsylvania Railroad Company deeded over 15 acres of land to the Lighthouse on June 13, 1914. The history of Lighthouse Field dates back to June 13, 1910, when Charles Hamilton completed the first round trip airplane flight between two major cities, landing at Lighthouse Field and signaling the beginning of the commercial viability of airplane travel. At one time Lighthouse Field hosted the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. In 1938, half of the United States Olympic Soccer Team was from Philadelphia with most of those players learning the sport at Lighthouse Field. By 1940 the Lighthouse Boys Club soccer program was the largest single soccer organization in the world and the most famous goal in American soccer history was scored by Walter Bahr, a product of the Lighthouse Boys Club, while playing on the 1950 World Cup team. In 1952, in anticipation of the Manchester United Soccer Club playing an exhibition game at Lighthouse Field, which over 3,000 people attended, Manchester United paid for the installation of concrete bleachers that are still used at Lighthouse Field. Also in the 1940's the Philadelphia Phillies occasionally practiced at Lighthouse Field. In 1984 the Army National Guard began using Lighthouse Field to host training exercises. In 2012 the Lighthouse partnered with Teens 4 Good to open an Urban Farm Program at Lighthouse Field. The Boy Scouts of America have also used Lighthouse Field to host a weekend camping exhibition for 500 scouts complete with camp fires and bow and arrow exhibitions. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating Lighthouse Field for a century of serving as a safe haven for our city's children and for standing as a beacon of excellence and innovation for the evolving needs of our community.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the upcoming 75th birthday of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, formerly known as the Volunteer Reserve of the Coast Guard. Founded in June of 1939, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary has become one of the premier volunteer organizations in the country. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was formed by an act of Congress in June 1939 and has provided direct support and assistance to the Coast Guard since. Four of the first five Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotillas were formed in the Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey regions, and we are proud to be the birthplace of this organization. The Coast Guard Auxiliary provides two million hours of volunteer service to the Coast Guard and the boating public annually, saving hundreds of lives and providing aid to countless more. This June, the Coast Guard Auxiliary will celebrate its 75th birthday on the banks of the Delaware River, where the first Coast Guard began its service in 1790. I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary for this distinguished milestone in its already impressive history. May we all take this moment to thank the Coast Guard Auxiliary for its dedication and hard work in preserving the safety of our shores.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the accomplishments of Mr. Bob Lott. For over twenty years Bob Lott has documented and produced numerous videos that have been used to teach and inform African American people about their ancestral lineage to help combat the disproportionate ills they have suffered compared to other races. Mr. Bob Lott and then partner Walt Gavin pioneered a nationally syndicated black music show on commercial television with The Gavin & Lott Show. He then followed that effort with the breakthrough production of City Sounds. Over the years, Mr. Lott has worked with many legendary recording artists at Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records, including Teddy Pendergrass, McFadden & Whitehead, Patti LaBelle, Bunny Sigler, and The O'Jays. Moreover, Mr. Lott produced numerous documentaries shedding much needed light on important historical figures, including my friends Kenny Gamble and the great Representative David Richardson. Over the years, he has produced music videos, eleven nationally aired infomercials, television commercials, and promotional videos for countless corporations and non-profits. Mr. Lott will be honored by the Marian Anderson Historical Society on May 31, 2014 for his dedication to aiding African American people through film. It is a privilege to recognize a person whose leadership and commitment have inspired and supported so many in our region. I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending Mr. Bob Lott for his lifetime of service and dedication to Pennsylvania's First Congressional District.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the accomplishments of Ms. Dolores M. Bojazi. A graduate of Temple Law School, Ms. Bojazi began her career working to aid battered women and union workers, and she continues to advocate for important causes in her career as an attorney. Ms. Bojazi is an accomplished attorney who began her career as an advocacy coordinator at Women Against Abuse. While there, she trained the Philadelphia Police Force in legal response procedure and proposed an appeal procedure for emergency protection orders, which was adopted into law in 1988. She continued her advocacy work as a union organizer for the United Auto Workers, where she represented the union at the National Labor Relations Board. Ms. Bojazi then began working as a Public Defender in the Philadelphia Defender Association, and later worked in the Burlington and Camden Public Defenders Office. She has also worked at Freedman and Lorry and Mattleman, Weinroth, and Miller. Ms. Bojazi currently practices law in her own office where she focuses on criminal and family law. Ms. Bojazi will be honored by the Marian Anderson Historical Society on May 31, 2014. I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring Ms. Bojazi for her countless years of dedication to improving the lives of those in Pennsylvania's First District. She has and continues to work tirelessly in her advocacy to help others in Philadelphia.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the accomplishments of my friend, Ms. Audrey R. Johnson-Thornton. Ms. Johnson-Thornton is the president and founder of the American Women's Heritage Society, and was instrumental in turning the broken down Belmont Mansion into a museum to honor those who aided slaves in their flight to freedom. The Belmont Mansion was named as the most significant structure to be at risk in an assessment of ten historic structures in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. This finding was followed by a historical study and architectural analysis of the Belmont Mansion Historical Structures Report and then became the first major project of the Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust in 1994. The Underground Railroad Museum at Belmont Mansion is one of the first 2,000 recipients to receive funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and its partner the American Association for State and Local History. The American Women's Heritage Society still operates the now restored mansion as a historic site. Ms. Johnson-Thornton will be honored by the Marian Anderson Historical Society on May 31, 2014. It is a privilege to recognize a person whose leadership and commitment to preserving our city's history has enriched the lives of countless individuals. I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending Ms. Johnson-Thornton for her lifetime of service and dedication to Pennsylvania's First Congressional District.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the accomplishments of Ms. Patricia Jackson, whose energy and initiative has helped a number of people in the Philadelphia region through her corporation Alpha Security & Consulting Incorporated. After graduating from Perdue University, Ms. Jackson began working for General Mills in Human Resources and Labor relations, where she spearheaded a minority equality reform campaign for the corporation. She soon left to join Lever Brothers Company. There she worked tirelessly in its Training and Development Department to aid women climbing the corporate ladder. Ms. Jackson couldn't stay still for too long, soon beginning work at Conrail, which brought her to Philadelphia. Soon after, the University of Pennsylvania asked her to join their stag where she was the head of the Department of Affirmative Action for the University. As CEO and founder of Alpha Security & Consulting Incorporated, she worked with local construction companies to create nearly 600 jobs. She helped in building the New High School for Creative and Performing Arts, and as a result served as chairs of both the Ridgway Library and the Performing Arts Theater. Ms. Jackson extended Alpha to create a Culinary Arts Training Program for underprivileged youth. In 2005, Ms. Jackson took a position as the Director of Immigration Reform at the National Union of American Families. She now serves on the Board of Directors for the National Historical Marian Anderson Society and is an advisory director for a number of other boards and organizations. Ms. Jackson will be honored by the Marian Anderson Historical Society on May 31, 2014. It is a privilege to recognize a person whose leadership and initiative have aided so many in the Philadelphia region. I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending Ms. Jackson for her lifetime of service and dedication to Pennsylvania's First Congressional District.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the accomplishments of Ms. Enid Adler, whose tireless work for human rights has bettered the city of Philadelphia. A graduate of Temple University, Villanova University School of Law, and Dickinson University School of Law, Ms. Adler has had a lifelong career as a human rights advocate. Enid Adler operates her own practice, which focuses on asylum immigration, family reunification, and international human rights. Ms. Adler is the past chairwoman of the International Law Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association and, in 1997, formulated the only United States Twinning Program between the Philadelphia Bar and the Barreau de Lyon in France. In 2001, Ms. Adler was a founding member of the International Criminal Board and was crucial in creating its Code of Ethics. Ms. Adler is a member of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) and serves on the Coalition's Team on the Crime of Aggression negotiations. This team created an amendment to the criteria to give the court jurisdiction over the crime, and it was completed and passed in June 2010 at the International Criminal Court First Review Conference. She is a member of the CICC's teams for Women for Gender Justice, Legal Initiative, Victims Rights, Trust Fund for Victims, and serves on the Philadelphia Bar's International Business Initiative, Civil Rights, and other committees. In 2012, to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the International Criminal Court, Ms. Adler initiated a series of three celebratory symposiums in Philadelphia, which were attended by the President and Vice President Judges from The Hague. Ms. Adler will be honored by the Marian Anderson Historical Society on May 31, 2014. It is a privilege to recognize a person whose commitment to human rights advocacy has brought attention to this issue for the Philadelphia region. I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending Ms. Adler for her lifetime of service as a human rights attorney.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the accomplishments of Mr. Daniel J. Tann, Esquire, who was born and raised in Philadelphia and has continued to work tirelessly as an ``attorney for all generations.'' A graduate of LaSalle University and Drake University Law School, Mr. Tann has not only fulfilled his dream of founding his own law offices but has also worked as a tireless advocate for a number of social organizations in Philadelphia. Mr. Tann began his illustrious legal career at Drake University, where he was named President of the local chapter of the Black Law Students of America, and was recognized in ``Who's Who Among American Law Students.'' In 1985, he began practicing law in Philadelphia at Spear, Wilderman, Sigmond, Borish, Endy, and Silverstein, where he soon became the department manager of the general practice group. Later, he became the Senior Litigation Attorney with Gordon and Weinberg, P.C., and in January 2002, he fulfilled his personal dream when he founded the Law of Offices of Daniel J. Tan. He is involved in work with The National Bar Association, The Philadelphia Bar Association, The American Bar Association, The NAACP, Volunteers in Aid of Sickle Cell Anemia, the Gloucester County Minority Coalition, American Diabetes Foundation, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Philadelphia Boy Scouts of America, and the Fair Housing Council of Southern New Jersey. Mr. Tann will be honored by the Marian Anderson Historical Society on May 31, 2014. It is a privilege to recognize a person whose leadership and commitment have inspired and supported so many in our region. I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending Mr. Tann for his lifetime of service and dedication to Pennsylvania's First Congressional District.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the accomplishments of the great pianist Ms. Blanche Burton-Lyles, a native of South Philadelphia, whose dedication to music and service has left a lasting mark on Philadelphia. Ms. Burton-Lyles attended the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music, on the recommendation of her mentor Marian Anderson. There she studied under Madam Isabella Vengerova, one of the founders of the Curtis Institute, and Leo Ornstein, Sr., world renowned composer and pianist. Ms. Burton-Lyles also received a music degree from Temple University. She worked as a music educator in the Philadelphia Public School System for many years. A recipient of many performance awards and humanitarian honors, Ms. Burton-Lyles is the first African-American woman to perform in Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and played a number of times in the personal home of Marian Anderson. In January of 1998, she received Anderson's historical residences, which are now international attractions for visitors worldwide. Ms. Burton-Lyles is the Founder and President of the Marian Anderson Historical Society, Inc. and maintains the Marian Anderson residence and museum. Ms. Burton-Lyles will be honored by the Marian Anderson Historical Society on May 31, 2014. It is a privilege to recognize a person whose leadership and commitment have inspired and supported so many in our region. I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending Ms. Blanche Burton-Lyles for her lifetime of service and dedication to Pennsylvania's First Congressional District.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia, the oldest African American founded Baptist congregation in Pennsylvania. The First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia was established in 1809. Since then, it has helped establish many other churches and institutions, including the Downingtown Industrial School. The First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia has also played an integral role in helping to promote equality in Pennsylvania by establishing the first African American savings and loans bank and the first mortgage company for African Americans. Throughout its rich history, thirteen pastors have held the honor of leading its distinguished congregation. Currently, The Reverend Terrence D. Griffith serves as the church's pastor. At its centennial celebration in 1909, the church welcomed Booker T. Washington as its keynote speaker. In 2009, both Ed Rendell and Arlen Spector joined the church to celebrate its bicentennial anniversary. This year, the church will be celebrating its 205th anniversary, which I am personally attending. I invite you and all of my colleagues to join me in commemorating The First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia's 205th anniversary. May its success and commitment to helping the City of Philadelphia be an inspiration to all of us in the years to come.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 2014 inductees of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Hall of Fame. The inductions will be held on May 10, 2014 during the 67th Annual Hall of Fame Banquet. Dating back to 1947, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Hall of Fame recognizes the best of our region's soccer community. Through hard work and dedication, the inductees and award winners have achieved both on and off the field. The banquet is an opportunity to gather in celebration and recognition of the area's soccer community. This being the 67th banquet is a testament to the strength and standing of the Hall of Fame within the soccer community. As the world of soccer has evolved, so has this organization, ensuring that future generations will have the chance to participate in this great game. I congratulate and thank all of those honored for their important contributions. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Hall of Fame also deserves special recognition for their Coats for Chester event. Since 2010, the Hall of Fame along with many dedicated volunteers collected over 4,800 winter coats to donate to needy families in Chester, PA. I invite you and all of my colleagues to join in congratulating the Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Hall of Fame and those being honored at the 67th Hall of Fame Banquet.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Chair, earlier during debate colleagues criticized the production of secure credentials by the Government Printing Office for Federal agencies. Some of the statements, particularly the claim that this represents an ``overreach'' of the GPO's statutory authority and that the GPO has a ``monopoly on this issue'' are simply not true, and I want to correct the Record. At the request of then-Public Printer Robert Tapella, the Joint Committee on Printing, which I had the honor to chair during the 110th Congress, authorized GPO to perform this function. Since that time, every JCP chairman has overseen the GPO's production of secure credentials and approved the GPO's annual expenditures for this purpose. Far from an ``overreach,'' secure credential work is firmly within the GPO's statutory authority. GPO has a long history of secure credential work, such as with the manufacture of U.S. passport blanks since 1926. By definition, passports and all other forms of government credentials involve ``printing,'' the production of something in printed form. With secure credentials, intricate, multi-color modern printing embedded with anti-counterfeiting features is utterly indispensable to render a document immediately recognizable by handlers as the genuine article and thus inspire the confidence necessary to establish identity, facilitate border crossings and other purposes. While serving as Public Printer, Mr. Tapella once declared that the production of secure credentials for the Federal Government does not belong in the private sector. I happen to agree with him and believe Congress should direct as much secure credential business to GPO as possible. In my view, the production of Federal credentials is as inherently a government function as the production of United States currency, which is produced solely by the Treasury Department's Bureau of Engraving and Printing. But however much the former Public Printer and I may agree on this issue, the GPO today--under the leadership of Public Printer Davita Vance-Cooks--has taken a far more reasonable approach and simply makes the GPO available to all Federal agencies who wish to use its services. GPO asserts no ``monopoly'' nor can it as a practical matter, as Federal agencies are able to seek the services of either the public or private sector to meet their secure credential needs. With respect to the product at issue here, the GPO produces blank border-crossing cards for the State Department's visa office, and the cards are subsequently personalized by the State Department's own contractor, MorphoTrust. Moreover, the State Department continues to employ MorphTrust to produce passport cards, another secure credential. As here, the State Department and a number of other agencies contract directly with private companies for many of their secure-credential needs. To say, therefore, that GPO has a ``monopoly'' on the work is silly. On December 4, 2013, the House Administration Committee, on which I serve as Ranking Minority Member, held an oversight hearing on the recent report by the National Academy of Public Administration entitled ``Rebooting the Government Printing Office: Keeping America Informed in the Digital Age.'' Congress ordered the study. Among other things, the Academy found that unlike with passports, ``the GPO is not the sole provider of smart cards [secure credentials]. Agencies may obtain smart cards from private sector vendors as well.'' The Academy's report endorsed GPO's work in that field. I urge my colleagues to read the Academy report, currently available on the Academy's web site. I also urge Members to review the response provided by the GPO to questions submitted for the record of the December 2013 hearing concerning secure credentials, reprinted below. Clearly the GPO does not deserve the criticisms lodged earlier and elsewhere. The men and women of the GPO perform a valuable and necessary service in providing secure credentials to support the missions of Federal agencies involved in securing our borders and other law enforcement tasks. Excerpted Questions for the Record Submitted to the Public Printer, Davita Vance-Cooks, Following the House Administration Committee Hearing Held December 4, 2013 Question 7. GPO produces the millions of passports and related documents provided to Americans every year by the U.S. Department of State. You also provided sizeable quantities of other so-called ``secure and intelligent documents'' to the Department of Homeland Security. Do you foresee this portion of your business expanding in the future? Could GPO also produce such documents for state and local governments, as suggested in the NAPA study's Recommendation #9? Response. In the wake of 9/11 and the introduction HSPD-12 and related Federal identification requirements, there has been an increase in the Government's need for secure credentials. With the approval of the Joint Committee on Printing, GPO implemented a capability in FY 2008 to help address this need. While GPO is far from the only provider of such requirements for Federal agencies, the volume of work processed by our capability has increased and is projected to increase in future years, as the report of the National Academy of Public Administration recently concluded. Regarding the production of secure credentials for state and local governments, GPO does not have the statutory authority to produce work that is not authorized by Federal law, nor are we equipped and staffed to handle secure credentials for all Federal agencies, much less for state and local governments. Question 8. It is my understanding that aside from printing passports, GPO has also undertaken the manufacture of Border Crossing Cards and trusted traveler cards. Government agencies have been procuring from the private sector and issuing to their employees and contractors secure ID documents for decades. When did GPO get into the business of creating and providing secure credentials, other than passports? Can you please provide rationale as to why GPO believes that it should do this work for government agencies as opposed to the private sector, which has invested heavily to develop these new technologies? Response. GPO provides a government-to-government solution to fulfill the requisitions of Federal agencies for secure credentials. Our program is staffed by cleared personnel and backed by a secure supply chain. The establishment of our secure credential capability was endorsed to GPO management by GPO's Inspector General in 2005. GPO's proposal to set up a secure card center with its Security and Intelligent Documents business unit subsequently was approved in FY 2008 by the Joint Committee on Printing, which since then has also approved--on a bipartisan basis-- all funding for this program in GPO's annual spending plans. In 2010, we became the only Federal agency certified by the General Services Administration to graphically personalize HSPD-12 credentials. In 2012 the Joint Committee on Printing approved the establishment of a COOP capability for our secure credential operations. GPO serves as a card integrator, working closely with private sector providers to obtain the products and services needed to fulfill requisitions submitted by Federal agencies. For several years we have been accepted member of the Secure Card Alliance, a consortium of private sector companies and Federal agencies including the National Institute for Standards and Technology, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, the Department of Transportation, and the General Services Administration (http://www.smartcardalliance.org/). We work with the private sector for consulting, fabrication, design, materials, and supplies, essentially incorporating the best that industry has to offer into solutions sought by Federal agencies that requisition the work from us. GPO's secure credentials capability serves as a valuable resource to a number of Federal agencies, including the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies and the U.S. Capitol Police, which relied on us to provide secure law enforcement credentials for the 2009 and 2013 Presidential inaugurations. In addition to satisfactorily fulfilling Federal agency requisitions for secure credentials, our card production program was endorsed in the recent report of the National Academy of Public Administration. GPO provides secure credential products and services on a reimbursable basis with no appropriated funds. Throughout the existence of GPO's secure credentials program, we have been open and transparent about its operation. As noted above, we are a well-known member of the Smart Card Alliance. We are subject to the oversight of the Joint Committee on Printing and our House and Senate legislative oversight and appropriations committees. Additionally, our program has been the subject of oversight by our Office of Inspector General (see for example http:// www.gpo.gov/pdfs/ig/audits/11-06_AuditReport(Issued_ March_31_2011).pdf); the IG's semiannual reports to Congress for several years routinely tracked oversight of the GPO's secure credentials program as a ``management challenge'' (see for example http://www.gpo.gov/pdfs/ig/semi-annual/11-30- 09.pdf). We have kept the public informed through press releases (see for example http://www.gpo.gov/pdfs/news-media/ press/09news19.pdf, http://www.gpo.gov/pdfs/news-media/press/ 10news39.pdf, and http://www.gpo.gov/pdfs/news-media/press/ 11news60.pdf), YouTube videos (see for example http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=levIY1qIPy0, http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ettaBOW4UEA, and http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=mQxH1EZA71I), GPO annual reports to Congress, and other media. Question 9. GPO's mission statement, articulated recently in your agency's strategic plan ``is to produce, protect, preserve, and distribute the official publications and information products of the Federal Government.'' Do you consider the production of secure credentials as fundamentally related to or falling under GPO's mission? Do you believe that the manufacture of secure credentials falls within the definition of ``printing'' under Section 501 of Title 44 U.S.C.? If so, has the GPO communicated this interpretation to federal agencies in any of its discussions with federal agencies? For ID cards and passports: what is the cost of the ink and graphics component per security card? What is the cost of the technological component per card? Response. Our ``produce, protect, preserve, and distribute the official publications and information products of the Federal Government'' mission statement appears in our strategic plan and elsewhere to describe the informing function that GPO carries out, a function that is traceable to Article I in the Constitution. However, the public printing statutes of Title 44, U.S.C., make it clear that the performance of printing for the Government extends to a broad variety of products and services, some of which do not necessarily relate to an informing function. Over the years GPO has produced or procured tax forms, census forms, Social Security cards, ration cards, letterheads, envelopes, passports, postal cards, and other printed products that are associated with the operations of the Government. These products are produced by printing processes, including the processes of composition, presswork, and binding, which are defmed in Title 44 as within GPO's authority to perform. The production of secure credentials for Federal agencies also involves printing processes, and so GPO is authorized to produce them (though as a practical matter, GPO is able and equipped to produce only a limited amount of secure credential work). As long as Federal agencies submit a requisition that complies with the relevant provisions of Title 44 (certifying that the products requested are authorized by law, necessary to the public business, and backed by the necessary funding), GPO will perform the work. Federal agencies who have contacted us to discuss our secure credential capabilities are aware of this fact. Regarding the cost of ink and graphics component per security card, ink is a very small percentage of the material cost for any of our products (less than 1%). The technological component of our card business (chip and antenna) is about 20-25%. Question 10. As you know, only about 16 percent of the GPO is appropriated by Congress. The rest of GPO's funding comes from ``operating profits.'' Did Congress appropriate the money for the Secure Credential Innovation Center--which is what I understand to be a new multi-million dollar GPO facility? Or was that facility funded through operating profits from ID card and other sales? Will the facility affect overhead costs? Response. There appears to be a misunderstanding about GPO's Secure Credential Innovation Center (SCIC). This is a small (529 sq ft) work space on the 5th floor of GPO's building C that is staffed by one FTE and equipped with a single opening laminator, laser cutter, CNC mill, plasma torch, UV epoxy curing station, and related equipment for the design and testing of security features requisitioned by Federal agencies for passports and other secure credentials. It is not a ``multi-million dollar'' facility. It was funded through the revolving fund, not appropriated funds. We also opened a secure card COOP capability at our Stennis, MS, facility in 2013, with the approval of the Joint Committee on Printing. The capital investment proposed for this project was $2.2 million dollars, including $1.5 million for a card printer and installation, $450,000 for the required IT infrastructure, $175,000 for necessary space renovations and security upgrades, and an estimated $75,000 in support and travel costs. All costs were funded through GPO's revolving fund, and the project came in on time and under budget. As costs of GPO's SID business unit, neither the Stennis facility nor the SCIC are included in overhead costs for the GPO as a whole. They are direct costs that are recovered through the rates charged for SID products. As noted earlier, none of the funds for GPO's secure card capability are appropriated by Congress. Concerning GPO's finances under section 309 of Title 44, U.S.C., GPO does not generate ``operating profits'' but is limited to recovering its costs. Part of these costs includes the ability to generate funds for investment in necessary equipment and plant improvements. Question 11. I've heard that GPO ``sales teams'' have been telling the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies that utilize ID card technologies for various programs--for example, to control access to our borders and to verify immigration status--that they are required by law to obtain their secure ID documents from the GPO, because the GPO is the government's printer. Do you believe that this is the case? Do you believe government- issued secure ID cards must be manufactured by and purchased from the GPO, rather than the private sector? If so . . . do you believe the GPO has the technological and security capabilities to produce these types of items? If not . . . are GPO sales teams in error if and when they state that federal agencies are required to purchase these items from the GPO by law? Response. In hearings before the House Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee for FY 2010, former Public Printer Robert C. Tapella said, ``I believe that Federal credentials belong in a Federally-owned, Federally-operated production environment and not in the private sector. And I think it is an inherently governmental activity'' (Hearings, Part II, April 28, 2009, p. 166). GPO management today does not endorse this position nor would it be practical. As a member organization of the Smart Card Alliance, we acknowledge the role of the private sector secure credentials industry in providing products and services to Federal agencies, and we work closely with them in the integration of card components to meet the requirements of products requisitioned from us. We do not compete against private sector companies for secure credential work. GPO provides a limited capability that is available for the use of Federal agencies seeking the provision of services in a govermnent- to-government setting, staffed by cleared personnel, and backed by a secure supply chain. As a postscript, GPO's SID business unit has one FTE (no sales teams) responsible for addressing inquiries for SID products and services that come from Federal agencies. Question 12. It is my understanding that GPO either will soon or has recently begun manufacturing the US Border Crossing Card. The GPO ``won'' that business away from a private sector vendor. Please explain the process by which GPO ``won'' the contract away from the private sector and the decision-making behind GPO taking over production of the Border Crossing Card. Response. We do not compete against private sector companies for secure credential work, and as a result we do not ``win business away'' from them. The Department of State submitted an SF-1 requisition to GPO for the production of the border crossing card. The decision to come to GPO for the production of this card was made by the Department, and the Department's requisition to us fulfilled all lawful requirements. GPO cannot participate in Federal agency RFPs where the private sector is involved. We are required by law to respond to requisitions for printing services from Federal agencies. Question 13. Are you aware of testimony before the House Government Reform and Oversight Subcommittee on National Security that said that over 30,000 counterfeit US Border Crossing Cards have been found at our US borders? Now that GPO will be producing Border Crossing Cards, could you please explain to the Committee how you will ensure that these cards have the anti-counterfeit technologies required to make these cards truly secure? Do you feel that GPO has the technical expertise and capability to ensure that these cards are equipped with anti-counterfeit technologies? Response. We are familiar with this testimony, which is posted online by the Subcommittee. (In reviewing the testimony provided at the hearing, we noted that the number of Border Crossing Cards identified as fraudulent rather than counterfeit by Chairman Chaffetz was 13,000, and that this number was identified in FY 2009, at http:// oversighthouse.gov/hearing/border-security-oversight-part- iii-border-crossingcards-b1b2-visas/, 2:04:15). GPO received the requisition from the Department of State to begin producing the Border Crossing Card in 2013. We also noted that in the hearing the value of the Nexus card, which used to cross the border with Canada, was described very positively. GPO produces the Nexus card for the Department of Homeland Security. Concerning GPO's ability to produce cards with anti- counterfeit technologies, GPO has significant expertise in the field of secure document design based on our work with passports. We have designed Government credentials with advanced security features. We work closely with the Department of Homeland Security's fraudulent document lab experts to validate credential designs and utilize both Government and commercial laboratories to test and evaluate our credential performances. For the Border Crossing Card, GPO worked with forensic document examiners at the Department of Homeland Security and with Department of State personnel to develop a product designed to withstand attempts at counterfeiting. We have the expertise and capability to ensure that these cards are equipped with anti-counterfeit technologies. Question 14. I have heard that one of the ``selling points'' GPO uses with executive branch agencies is that the GPO can manufacture cards for them while also avoiding the competitive bidding requirements under Federal Acquisition Regulations. Do you believe that the GPO is required to follow the Federal Acquisition Regulations when it buys microchips, antennae, software, laminating materials, substantive expertise and training for its employees? Do all of those items need to be competitively bid to the private sector? Or can GPO buy essentially whatever it wants from whoever it wants, because it is doing so with money from operating profits rather than congressionally appropriated funds? Do you believe that following Federal Acquisition regulations would save the GPO money? Response. GPO's Materials Management Acquisition Regulation (MMAR) is based on the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and is used as the authority for all procurements we make. Under the MMAR, GPO competitively bids for the acquisition of products and services used in GPO operations, including those required for the production of secure credentials. GPO's utilization of sole source procurement authority follows the same provisions established in the FAR for other Federal agencies. As noted earlier, under the law GPO does not generate ``operating profits'' but is limited to recovering its costs. Part of these costs includes the ability to generate funds for investment in necessary equipment and plant improvements.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia, the oldest African American founded Baptist congregation in Pennsylvania. The First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia was established in 1809. Since then, it has helped establish many other churches and institutions, including the Downingtown Industrial School. The First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia has also played an integral role in helping to promote equality in Pennsylvania by establishing the first African American savings and loans bank and the first mortgage company for African Americans. Throughout its rich history, thirteen pastors have held the honor of leading its distinguished congregation. Currently, The Reverend Terrence D. Griffith serves as the church's pastor. At its centennial celebration in 1909, the church welcomed Booker T. Washington as its keynote speaker. In 2009, both Ed Rendell and Arlen Specter joined the church to celebrate its bicentennial anniversary. This year, the church will be celebrating its 205th anniversary, which I am personally attending. I invite you and all of my colleagues to join me in commemorating The First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia's 205th anniversary. May its success and commitment to helping the City of Philadelphia be an inspiration to all of us in the years to come.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 863, a bill to establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Women's History Museum, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney of New York. While Natural Resources is the primary committee, the legislation was referred to the Committee on House Administration as an additional referral because H.R. 863 suggests that the Commission study whether or not such a museum, if created, should be part of the Smithsonian Institution. Our committee discussed that issue at a hearing before we filed our report in the House. I want to draw attention to an issue which was not addressed in amendments to this legislation by either committee--the proper structure of the Commission. The bill would create an 8-member commission, but previous commissions of this type to study whether museums should become part of the Smithsonian proposed a larger group, 23 members. The larger number seems more practical for ensuring a variety of opinions and providing sufficient personnel to be available to do the Commission's work. There is likely to be significant interest by well-qualified persons to serve on the commission. Additionally, the bill only provides for appointments by the bipartisan, bicameral congressional leadership of each chamber of Congress, but not by the president. The recent commissions to study the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which is now under construction on the Mall, and the National Museum of the American Latino, which is now awaiting a hearing in the House Administration Committee, had presidential appointees. I believe this is a prerequisite for creating a truly national museum. When this legislation reaches the Senate, I hope that the other body will make appropriate adjustments to achieve this goal. I include the Additional Views submitted by the Democratic members of the Committee on House Administration as part of our committee report, H. Rept. 113 09411, Part 1, filed in the House on April 10, 2014: