Wm. Clay

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, at this time I now yield 3 minutes to the distinguished Chair of the full Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman).

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives and an original cosponsor of the Presidential Records Act Amendments of 2007, I strongly support H.R. 1255 and urge its passage by the House. It is appropriate that the House should consider H.R. 1255 during Sunshine Week, when we can call attention to the importance of transparency and open government. Introduced by Representative Waxman, this bipartisan bill is intended to promote the timely release of Presidential records under the Presidential Records Act of 1978, by rescinding Executive Order 13233. Issued by President Bush in November 2001, the executive order granted new authority to Presidents, former Presidents, their heirs and designees and Vice Presidents, allowing them to withhold information from public view unilaterally and indefinitely. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1255) to amend chapter 22 of title 44, United States Code, popularly known as the Presidential Records Act, to establish procedures for the consideration of claims of constitutionally based privilege against disclosure of Presidential records, as amended.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Connecticut for yielding and managing this bill. I want to also thank the gentleman from Tennessee for his leadership on this subject. I rise in strong support of H.R. 1254 and urge my colleagues to vote in favor of it. Mr. Speaker, Federal election laws limit the amount a single source can give to a political campaign. It requires that donations and donor information must be disclosed to the public. These requirements help to preserve the integrity of our democratic system by ensuring that campaign donors do not exercise undue influence over elected policy- makers. Similar requirements do not apply to Presidential library fund- raising campaigns, and this creates the potential for large donors to exert or appear to exert improper influence over a sitting President. The fact that private foundations are required to raise money to build and maintain Presidential libraries lowers the burden on taxpayers, but it also increases the incentive for sitting Presidents to pursue aggressive fund-raising for libraries that have become more and more expensive over the years. Under H.R. 1254, the Presidential Library Foundation would be required to report on a quarterly basis all donations of $200 or more. This requirement would apply to donations made to the foundation during the time that the President is in office and during the period before the Archives agrees to use the land or facility. In addition, the proposal calls on the Archivist to make all reports available to the public online through a searchable and downloadable database. In 2000, during the last days of the Clinton Presidency, the House passed similar legislation by an overwhelming bipartisan vote. A similar provision was included in legislation introduced last year by then-Minority Leader Pelosi but it did not move. Mr. Speaker, the time has passed for the Congress and the President to enact these requirements into law. This is not a partisan issue. It is an issue of concern to all Americans who care about government, integrity and transparency. I commend Mr. Waxman, my fellow original cosponsors, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Platts and Mr. Emanuel, for their leadership on this issue and urge all of my colleagues to support this important bipartisan bill.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, the St. Louis Post Dispatch recently published a series of articles to shed light on music education in the St. Louis Public Schools. The significant benefits conveyed by music education are immeasurable. Studies have found that education in the arts leads to success in society, school and life. I applaud the St. Louis Public Schools for recognizing the value of music education. I also commend Mr. Bob Dorries, the instrumental music teacher at McKinley Junior Classical Academy, a St. Louis magnet school, for his commitment to cultivating the gift of music in our children. I was especially impressed with the article's coverage of sixth-grader Sydney Everett's intense desire to master playing the clarinet. In reading Steve Giegerich's articles, it is obvious that Sydney is an exceptional student who is dedicated to conquering new objectives and realizing her full potential. Sydney's love for music was instilled by her parents Sean and Deirdre Everett. They have always made music a part of Sydney's life. Her father, having taught himself to play the trumpet, shared his love for music with his children. Sydney exhibits that same drive and frequently takes the initiative to teach herself lessons before the class covers them. Madam Speaker, it is with great privilege that I recognize Sydney Everett today before Congress. I encourage Sydney to continue her studies and remain committed to exploring new horizons. The two articles from the St. Louis Post Dispatch chronicling Sydney's journey to master playing the clarinet follow this tribute. [From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Sept. 30, 2006] Learning To Play: Will Sydney Make the Band? (By Steve Giegerich) It's no accident that a poster of Miles Davis is in the sight line of Bob Dorries' students as he stands at the blackboard to review scales, time signatures and other rudiments of music education at McKinley Classical Junior Academy. Dorries put it there as a constant reminder of the link between the East St. Louis jazz icon and the potential heirs to his legacy who pass through Dorries' classroom each day. The connection is pretty much lost on the majority of sixth-graders enrolled in the instrumental music program at the St. Louis magnet middle school. Most don't know Miles Davis from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The exception is an intense young girl in Dorries' seventh- period band class. Sydney Everett required no introduction to Davis, the man who provided much of the soundtrack for her childhood. As parents, Sean and Deirdre Everett's priorities were established far in advance of Sydney's arrival on March 30, 1995. ``Education has been the goal since her birth,'' said Deirdre. The motivation came in part by the failure to realize their own potential. Both Sean and Deirdre had left college without a degree. ``I always felt I didn't take full advantage of all I had,'' said Sean. ``Now I look at the way the world is going, and you have to have that degree.'' From the moment she was born, music danced on the periphery of Sydney's life. Her father had developed an eclectic taste in music as his family moved from one military base to another across the country. ``I listen to it all,'' he said. And the Everetts made sure their children did the same. Sydney and her brother, Sean Michael, their father said, ``have an open mind toward music and life, too. I want them to experience everything possible.'' Between the birth of his first and second children, Sean bought a used trumpet at a secondhand store. Though he'd dabbled with the guitar in high school, he'd never learned to read music. He still can't. But he taught himself to play that trumpet by emulating chords and riffs of the musician he admires above all others: Miles Davis. When Sean Everett's daughter took a seat in Dorries' band room a month ago, her own experience as a musician was limited to a month of piano lessons, family Karaoke sing- alongs at Christmastime and a class at Kennard Elementary School that taught the 12-tone musical scale. Over the summer, Sydney toyed with the idea of enrolling in McKinley's vocal music program, a notion she ultimately rejected. ``I knew I couldn't sing,'' she said. On the day she walked into Dorries' class for the first time, Sydney was just as sure she knew which instrument she wanted to play: the trumpet, like her dad. ``Just to hear music in the house will be nice,'' said Sean Everett. ``Music opens up so many horizons. She'll meet so many characters playing music, and it's such a release. Who knows? She could wind up joining an orchestra, seeing the world.'' Before that can happen, Sydney must learn an instrument. Learning the notes Impish and sarcastic, music teacher Dorries often plays the theme from ``Final Jeopardy!'' on the classroom synthesizer as students ponder a question. Dorries, 43, has a firm set of rules and little tolerance for those who break them. Rule No.1 for sixth-graders: Before receiving an instrument, they must score an 80 or above on a 60-question exam that tests their knowledge of the categories of band instruments, musical history and, critically, the l2-tone notation scale. The payoff for those who obey the rules, practice and stay the course is a chair in one of McKinley's four bands, which perform two concerts a year. The students get as many opportunities as necessary to pass the exam. Most need it. Rare is the student who hits the magic score of 80 the first time. Summoning lessons learned at elementary school, Sydney scored an 89. The following week, Dorries asked the students who had fallen short of a passing grade to review their tests and prepare to retake the exam. Then he summoned Sydney to his desk. ``Let's see what you can blow,'' the teacher said, producing an array of sanitized mouthpieces for brass and woodwinds. ``I come from the theory of music that every person's mouth determines what instrument they should play,'' he explained. ``It has nothing to do with intelligence, where you've come from, what school you attended or your ability. It's something you come to naturally. It's the shape of your mouth.'' The fourth generation in a family of musicians, Dorries' philosophy was born of personal experience, a childhood dream of playing the trumpet shattered by the inability to make a single sound through a cornet mouthpiece. It wasn't until his teacher handed him the mouthpiece for a saxophone that he achieved the desired result. He was 5 and has played the sax ever since. Dorries turned to Sydney: ``The lesson here is that what we think we want to play, nine times out of 10, is not the instrument we wind up with. And looking at your overbite, I'd say there's a real good chance you'll be good at a wind instrument.'' First, however, Sydney needed to learn the same lesson instilled in Dorries. She blew into a trombone mouthpiece. Nothing. Same with the mouthpiece for a cornet. All hope of following in the footsteps of her dad and Miles Davis vanished, she slumped a bit in her chair. Dorries handed her a mouthpiece and a clarinet reed and demonstrated how to moisten it. ``Blow,'' he instructed. A duck call broke the quiet of the room. ``It's called a squawk, that's what we're after,'' said Dorries. Sydney sat straighter, blew into the mouthpiece. Squawk. All eyes on their classmate, the rest of the students stopped studying. Dorries held Sydney's cheeks to prevent them from puffing out. ``Roll the mouthpiece over in your mouth,'' he said gently. Sydney blew. Squawk. Her classmates applauded and whooped. Sydney smiled. After auditioning two more mouthpieces, she ruled out the saxophone and flute and chose the instrument her mother had played, long ago, at O'Fallon Technical High. ``I want the clarinet,'' Sydney told her teacher. ``I like the way it sounds.'' ``I think that's a wise choice, either that or the flute,'' he responded. ``With your mouth structure, you belong on a wind instrument. You have lovely cheeks.'' Dorries excused himself and retreated to an adjoining supply room, emerging a moment later with a small black case. Eyes wide, Sydney watched as Dorries slowly revealed the contents of the black case: a coal-black Yamaha clarinet nestled unassembled on a bed of molded velvet. He handed her a form. The clarinet, he explained, belongs to the St. Louis Public Schools. After her parents gave written assurance that it would receive proper care, the instrument would be hers to take home. Sydney slipped the piece of paper into a notebook just as the bell rang. Hefting her books, she headed for the door, her next class and the next phase of the journey envisioned by Sean and Deirdre Everett, long before their daughter was born.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and National Archives, and lead sponsor of the Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 2007, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1309. H.R. 1309 champions the values of transparency and open government that we celebrate during Sunshine Week and that are embodied in the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, as it is referred to. Introduced with my colleagues Representative Waxman, chairman of the full Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Representative Platts, this bipartisan legislation is necessary to strengthen FOIA as a tool for enabling public access to government records. During a hearing in February, the subcommittee heard extensive testimony concerning long delays and bureaucratic obstacles experienced by requesters when trying to obtain government records under FOIA. According to testimony from GAO, most agencies throughout the government are failing to keep pace with the volume of requests they are receiving, the number of pending requests carried over from year to year has been steadily increasing, and the rate of increase is growing. A report released on Monday by the nonprofit National Security Archive further highlights the failure of agencies to make information available to the public in a timely way. According to the report, just 22 percent of agencies are complying with the 1996 ``e-FOIA law,'' which requires agencies to post frequently requested information on their Web sites. An insufficient level of resources available for FOIA processing is one reason requesters are being forced to wait long periods of time for responses from agency FOIA offices. Another factor is the current administration's policy of withholding government information that would have been released under previous administrations. Government secrecy has increased as the volume of requests has gone up dramatically. Building on the OPEN Government Act introduced in the last Congress by Senators Cornyn and Leahy and Representative Lamar Smith, H.R. 1309 contains 13 substantive provisions aimed at removing obstacles to complete and timely government responses to FOIA requests. The bill would re-establish the policy of the Clinton administration, under which agencies were directed to disclose requested information unless the disclosure would result in some harm. The current administration has encouraged agencies to be more aggressive in asserting statutory exemptions to deny FOIA requests. In addition, the bill proposes a government-wide ombudsman to mediate disputes between agencies and requesters. This would help to reduce the number of disputes resolved through costly and time consuming litigation. Other key provisions include: A requirement that agencies respond to FOIA requests within 20 business days or face meaningful administrative penalties; the establishment of a publicly accessible tracking system for pending FOIA requests; and new reporting requirements to allow Congress to evaluate agency compliance with FOIA laws and regulation. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1309 provides a strong, reasonable and bipartisan approach to streamlining the FOIA process and increasing transparency in government. It has the vigorous support of every major organization representing the media industry, journalists, historians, archivists and the public interest in government openness and accountability. We owe it to our constituents to pass this legislation and ensure that the Freedom of Information Act provides actual access to government information to which the American people are entitled. I urge all of my colleagues to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 4 minutes to my distinguished colleague from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In closing, I would like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for working together on this bill to open up our government to the people of the United States. And I also want to thank Mr. Smith, who has reservations about the bill, but I want to thank him for his leadership in championing the cause of freedom of information in this country. I want to also thank my friend from Wisconsin for agreeing with us that the bill was modified since it came out of committee, and that modification was in order to eliminate the costs associated with the bill. Let me say that H.R. 1309 champions the values of transparency and open government that we celebrate during Sunshine Week and that are embodied in the Freedom of Information Act. The bill does several things: It would reestablish the policy of previous administrations under which agencies were directed to disclose requested information unless the disclosure could result in harm. In addition, the bill proposes a government-wide ombudsman to mediate disputes between agencies and requesters. This would help to reduce the number of disputes resolved through costly and time-consuming litigation. It does several other things: There is a requirement that agencies respond to FOIA requests within 20 business days or face meaningful administrative penalties. It establishes a publicly accessible tracking system for pending FOIA requests. Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, H.R. 1309 provides a strong, reasonable, and bipartisan approach to streamlining FOIA and increasing transparency in government. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank my friend and colleague from Arizona for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the American people are unanimous in supporting the courageous men and women serving in our Armed Forces. In recent days, we were appalled to learn that our veterans are not receiving high- quality health care. We have been sickened by some of the stories and images of the patients at Walter Reed Hospital who have been neglected and left untreated. And we are beginning to understand that this is a nationwide crisis. We are all somewhat ashamed that we have failed to provide to those who have given the most to keep our Nation free and secure. With these recent events in mind, I want to address the legislation before us today. H.R. 1047 is a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the Soldiers' Memorial Military Museum in the city of St. Louis as a unit of the National Park System. This memorial is a shining landmark to those brave men and women who gave their lives in World War I. Today, as much as any time in our history, the American people feel a very special connection to our military forces, and the citizens of our Nation have a real need to visit shrines that honor our wartime heroes. The St. Louis Soldiers' Memorial is a valuable shrine where citizens can participate in the tradition of honoring our Nation's veterans. Initiated by the residents of St. Louis in the 1920s, after many years of fundraising, the land was acquired and the monument was constructed. On October 14, 1936, St. Louis Soldiers' Memorial Military Museum was officially dedicated by President Roosevelt. And St. Louis Soldiers' Memorial Military Museum also has a unique place in our Nation's history as it is the only structure in St. Louis that is known to have been dedicated by a sitting U.S. President. The Soldiers' Monument is a national treasure, and it is recognized as an architectural masterpiece. Designed by one of the 20th century's foremost art deco sculptors, Mr. Walter Hancock, the entrance to the memorial is flanked by four limestone sculptures which symbolize the most important virtues in a soldier's life: courage, loyalty, sacrifice and vision. The ceiling of the monument is decorated with mosaic tiles in the shape of large gold stars that are dedicated to our Nation's Gold Star Mothers. Today, the St. Louis Soldiers' Memorial is an important cultural resource and gathering place. It attracts about 48,000 visitors a year, and provides the setting for more than 20 ceremonies annually, including change-of-command and retirement ceremonies, and many other patriotic events hosted by veterans groups. It is also the center of an annual Veterans Day parade which is the largest of its kind in the Midwest, drawing participants from several States and hosting more than 100 marching units. In recent years, the city of St. Louis has relied upon the support and contributions of active military personnel and veterans to enable it to maintain this cherished monument. We all want to honor the veterans and citizens of our Nation. We should have Federal monuments to help us all remember those family members and friends who have given their lives for us in combat. It is the right time for the Federal Government to consider acquiring the St. Louis Soldiers' Memorial Military Museum in its inventory of national monuments. I believe that a study of the monument will show it is a historically important structure with a national significance. H.R. 1047 is strongly supported by veterans groups and other civic organizations. I hope the Members of this body will endorse this important effort to create a Federal monument to honor our Nation's veterans. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. CLAY. Sure, we had Democrats on this side supporting it. It didn't make it right. It certainly didn't make it right. We were given false information. This Congress and the country was given false information.

Mr. CLAY. I thank the gentleman from American Samoa for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise to declare my absolute and unwavering opposition to the President's plan to escalate this tragic and unnecessary war. Four years ago, I stood on the floor of this House to oppose the original force authorization resolution. At the time, some of my colleagues cautioned me that I was taking a risk by opposing the President and failing to support the war against terrorism. But I took that position because I believed then and still believe today that great nations do not start wars as a matter of policy, they exercise diplomacy and negotiation to avert threats and achieve security. The evidence that the administration presented did not clearly establish any imminent threat to our national security. I was convinced that invading Iraq, without international support and without unequivocal evidence that Iraq was involved in 9/11, would dangerously drain our military strength, distract us from fighting the very real terrorist threat, and ultimately weaken our credibility around the world. Now we can see that the world in Iraq has emboldened our enemies and provoked the scorn of our allies. Madam Speaker, standing here 4 years later, I can only wish that my assumptions were wrong, that invading Iraq was somehow vital to our national security. We were told that there were weapons of mass destruction, and now we know there were no WMDs. We were told that Iraqi oil revenue would pay for this war, and now we know that that was only a pipe dream that has cost American taxpayers over $400 billion. We were told that our troops would be greeted as liberators, and now we know that was only wishful thinking based on neocon fantasies and not the facts. Today, American troops are embroiled in a bloody quagmire that has already resulted in over 26,000 American casualties. And now, just this past week, the Defense Department Inspector General reported that senior administration officials engaged in a deliberate misinformation campaign about al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein. Now we have learned that officials in our government deliberately distributed altered intelligence assessments. Such a misinformation campaign is unconscionable and a greater threat to our national security than any act of terrorism. We are all familiar with the historian's observation that great nations are not conquered by outside forces until the nation has destroyed itself from within. I implore my colleagues to heed the lessons of history. Do not allow the politics of deception to distort reality. This administration is denying the facts. It has repeatedly misled the Congress and the American people and undermined our Nation's integrity throughout the world. Now the President is asking Congress to register more support for a policy failure. Escalating the military violence in Iraq by injecting 21,000 more U.S. troops into a civil war reflects nothing more than this administration's obstinate refusal to face present realities. A vast majority of Americans want a responsible end to this war as soon as possible. They want our troops redeployed, they want us to alleviate the suffering of innocent Iraqis, and they want us to finally tell the Iraqi people that they must be engaged in their country's destiny. The future of Iraq must ultimately be determined by them, not by us. I want to conclude by quoting a good friend of mine and a fellow colleague, the distinguished chairman of the Armed Forces Committee, Ike Skelton. In a recent statement he said, ``Only the Iraqis can change the situation there and bring lasting security to their nation. I remain convinced that a gradual and responsible redeployment of U.S. forces is the best way to help the Iraqis take responsibility for their security and to restore the full strength of our military.''

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.J. Res. 20, providing further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2007. I commend the Appropriations Committee for working in a bipartisan manner to construct a resolution that continues to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year. As Chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives, I am especially pleased to note that H.J. Res. 20 restores funding that is absolutely vital to conducting an accurate and cost-efficient 2010 census. The funding in this bill will enable the Census Bureau to move forward with plans for the first-ever automated census in 2010. In addition to saving time and money, utilizing hand-held computers will improve accuracy and ensure the most precise enumeration possible of the American people. According to Preston Jay Waite, Associate Director for the Decennial Census, field trials have resulted in a 91 percent accuracy rate. As preparations for the 2010 Census proceed, active oversight will be important to ensure that all Americans are counted fairly. In 2000, the national census missed at least three million people--mostly the poor and minorities. I look forward to working with Ranking Member Michael Turner of Ohio and my other Subcommittee colleagues to conduct essential oversight needed to see that this never happens again. Mr. Speaker, the action we have taken today will guarantee that we don't retreat from the goal of using technology to improve the way we keep track of changes in our population. I thank my colleagues for passing this continuing resolution and will support efforts in the Senate to pass this legislation with the same commitment to adequately funding the 2010 Census.,

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Orthodontists everywhere by introducing a Resolution to establish a National Orthodontic Health Month. Since the early 1900s, the specialty of orthodontics has been a growing part of our Nation's dental health system. This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that U.S. citizens should observe a National Orthodontic Health Month to recognize the advancing art and science of orthodontics. In addition, this Resolution aims to encourage Americans to learn more about the benefit of quality orthodontic care. Over 5 million citizens of all ages are currently undergoing orthodontic treatment. An attractive smile contributes to self-esteem and self-image, improving a person's self-confidence and contributing to both social and career success. An attractive smile simply makes people more comfortable and more willing to open up to the world around them. I have been impressed by the impact that orthodontists have not only on their patients, but also the communities in which they serve. Orthodontists are truly dental specialists, undergoing years of training to learn how to safely and effectively correct misaligned jaws and teeth. In addition, orthodontists donate over 62 million dollars worth of pro-bono dental services each year. The American Association of Orthodontists is the leading voice for orthodontists in this country. The organization represents almost 95 percent of American orthodontists and is dedicated to maintaining the high quality of orthodontic care and promoting advances in orthodontic treatment and technology. I am proud that the American Association of Orthodontists is headquartered within my district in St. Louis, Missouri and I wholeheartedly support efforts to publicize the benefits of orthodontic treatment and the practice of orthodontics. Madam Speaker, it is with great privilege that I recognize orthodontists today before Congress and I urge my colleagues to join me in working to establish a National Orthodontic Health Month. I myself can attest to the positive benefits of orthodontic care, as I have become one of the millions of adults who use braces to improve my oral health. By establishing a National Orthodontic Health Month we are taking a big first step towards educating people about the importance of orthodontic care as part of their overall oral health.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the bill, H.R. 390.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of this legislation, Representative Lantos.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 390, which authorizes the National Archives to preserve historical documents relating to servitude, emancipation, and post-Civil War reconstruction. Introduced by my friend, Representative Lantos of California, the bill calls on the Archives to place these documents in a searchable electronic database for use in historical and genealogical research. As a cosponsor of H.R. 390 and chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives, I am pleased to see the measure presented for consideration by the House today. Under this legislation, grants will be made available to States, colleges and universities, and genealogical associations to preserve similar records in their possession and make them available electronically. The bill will for the first time make a wide range of historical documents relating to servitude, emancipation, and post-Civil War reconstruction easily accessible and searchable. This will vastly improve the ability of African Americans to research their lineage. It will also facilitate the efforts of historians performing research into this period of American history. An identical version of this bill was approved unanimously by the Committee on Government Reform last year. And as someone with a deep appreciation of African American and American history, I am honored to support its passage today. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 390) to require the establishment of a national database in the National Archives to preserve records of servitude, emancipation, and post-Civil War reconstruction and to provide grants to State and local entities to establish similar local databases.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, in closing I want to thank my good friend from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) for his leadership on this issue. We appreciate it. I want to commend my good friend from California (Mr. Lantos) for sponsoring this bill that will catalog and preserve these records from a time long ago. Being a history enthusiast, I believe the adage that a people who don't know their history are doomed to repeat it, and I urge the House to pass the bill.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4, the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007. I commend Congress for doing everything possible to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible to Medicare beneficiaries. I wish to congratulate my dear friend and colleague from Missouri, Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson, for working tirelessly in a truly bi-partisan fashion to enable the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower drug prices for seniors. My support for this bill is unwavering and it is my sincere hope that the conference report assures patient's access to all life saving medicines. My constituents deserve nothing less than the best coverage available at the lowest price. I am dedicated to improving the Medicare prescription drug program and will continue working to advance the critical goal of decreasing out of pocket costs for seniors. Mr. Speaker, I commend you along with my colleagues Representatives Rangel and Dingell for your leadership in helping seniors gain access to affordable medicines.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my hometown St. Louis Cardinals on winning the 2006 World Series. Rather than chase individual glory, the sole goal of all 25 players on the playoff squad was winning the World Series. While many of these players have been awarded a variety of honors, including the Most Valuable Player Award, the Cy Young Award, the Gold Glove Award, the Silver Slugger Award and the Rookie of the Year Award, and the opportunity to appear in All-Star games, I congratulate this year's World Series MVP, David Eckstein, along with two Gold Glove winners, Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen. St. Louis has a wonderful baseball tradition, because Cardinal fans have always faithfully supported their team. The St. Louis Cardinals have a history of great players, including Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith, Curt Flood, Willie McGee and Stan Musial. Against all odds, the extraordinary win marks the 10th World Series title for the Cardinals. I commend General Manager Walt Jocketty and owner Fred Hanser for assembling and leading a great organization. In addition, Manager Tony LaRussa and the coaching staff have done a remarkable job of guiding this team to victory. I would also like to commend the San Diego Padres, the New York Mets and the Detroit Tigers for proving worthy and honorable opponents during the post-season. Mr. Speaker, it is with great privilege that I pay tribute to the players, coaches, management and all other personnel of the St. Louis Cardinals, as well as the fans, who, I may note, have never had a riot after the celebration starts for a World Series title. On this great victory today, before Congress, I ask for approval of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida, as well as my friend and chairman, Chairman Shuster of Pennsylvania. I thank them both for their support of this bill. I rise in support of H.R. 1556, a bill to designate a park in the City of St. Louis in honor of the late Judge Clyde S. Cahill. Judge Cahill served on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri for more than two decades, appointed by President Jimmy Carter in 1980. Judge Cahill was the first African American to serve in the eighth circuit court. The Honorable Clyde S. Cahill, Jr., was a native St. Louisian. He graduated from Vashon High School and served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He went on to graduate from St. Louis University and St. Louis University School of Law. Early in his legal career, Mr. Cahill served as chief legal adviser to the Missouri office of the NAACP and filed the first lawsuit in the State of Missouri calling for enforcement of the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. The Board of Education. Throughout his career, Clyde Cahill demonstrated a deep commitment to improving the quality of life in the African American community. He was a leader in the struggle for civil rights, and he was active in many domestic programs to help the poor and disadvantaged. In 1966, he joined the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity, and later he went to work for the St. Louis Human Development Corporation. He also served as executive director and general counsel for the Legal Society of St. Louis, where he played a pivotal role in expanding legal aid services throughout eastern Missouri. Judge Cahill was truly a dedicated public servant who spent his life pursuing justice and equality for others. Today, throughout St. Louis, Judge Cahill is fondly remembered for his courteous style and his compassionate heart. He was a hardworking man with a generous spirit who helped to improve the lives of countless citizens, some who knew him well and others who never even met him. Judge Cahill's contributions will benefit generations, and St. Louisians will forever cherish his memory. I also want to add, Mr. Speaker, that I grew up knowing Judge Cahill going to school with his children. We are friends to this day. I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 1556, a bill to designate a site at the Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse as the Clyde S. Cahill Memorial Park.