Wm. Clay

Mr. CLAY

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

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

Mr. CLAY. I yield an additional minute to the gentlewoman.

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

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of this important legislation. This bill renews the authorization of the Public Interest Declassification Board. The PIDB is an advisory committee whose purpose is to promote the fullest possible public access to significant national security decisions and activities. The PIDB advises the President on policies related to classification and declassification of national security information. The Board also advises the President on the declassification and release of classified records with historical value. The authorization for the PIDB is set to expire at the end of this month. It is important that we reauthorize the authority for this panel so that their important work is not jeopardized. Just last month, the PIDB issued a report to the President, titled ``Transforming the Security Classification System.'' The report made a number of recommendations for improving the classification system. The report criticized our current system. It stated: We believe the current classification and declassification systems are outdated and incapable of dealing adequately with the large volumes of classified information generated in an era of digital communication and information systems. Overcoming the entrenched practices that no longer serve the purpose of protecting our national security will prove difficult. Transparency and access to information are essential tools for effective oversight of the executive branch. Outdated systems for managing classified information must be modernized to provide greater public access to information about the Federal Government's policies and activities. Reauthorizing the PIDB is critical to that effort, and I support this bill. I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank the majority for working with us to make additional improvements to H.R. 6016, the Government Employee Accountability Act, as amended. I thank the gentleman, Mr. Kelly from Pennsylvania, who introduced this bill to address an unfortunate instance where a few Senior Executive Service officials at the GSA received a lot of attention regarding their extravagant spending on a Las Vegas conference. While I fully support the purpose and intent of this legislation to prevent misappropriation and misuse of taxpayer dollars, we need to be careful not to allow the bad actions of a few government employees to take away from the good work that our Federal workers do every day. I have the greatest respect and appreciation for our Federal workers, and I think we all need to be reminded that these men and women devote their professional lives to serving all Americans. This is especially important to note given all the recent legislation attacking these middle class Federal workers' pay and benefits. I believe in the importance of safeguarding taxpayer dollars and holding our public servants accountable. For this reason, I support this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY. I continue to reserve.

Mr. CLAY. At this time I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 4062, to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 1444 Main Street in Ramona, California as the Nelson ``Mac'' MacWilliams Post Office Building. The bill before us was introduced by Representative Duncan Hunter. Nelson MacWilliams graduated from Calverton High School in Huntington, Maryland. Nelson MacWilliams would attend Salisbury State University in Salisbury, Maryland, before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1977. Upon his retirement from the Navy, he would begin serving his community in California. His work with the Ramona Chamber of Commerce would establish him as a respected member within the community. He was called on by Representative Hunter to help small businesses within the community. His tireless efforts would help local small businesses succeed in cutting bureaucratic red tape. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the underlying measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I urge my colleagues to join the entire House in honoring this great American, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I'm pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 6587, to designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 225 Simi Valley Drive in Simi Valley, California, as the Postal Inspector Terry Asbury Post Office Building. I want to thank Representative Gallegly, on November 13, 2012, for introducing this bill. Inspector Asbury diligently served the U.S. Postal Service as postal inspector for 4 years when he was tragically killed while conducting an investigation. In remembrance of Inspector Asbury for his tireless work and dedication to service, I urge my colleagues to pass this bill. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, so I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to join with my colleague from Arizona in consideration of H.R. 2338, to name the post office in Cocoa, Florida, after Harry T. and Harriette Moore. In accordance with committee requirements, H.R. 2338 is cosponsored by all members of the Florida delegation and was reported out of the Oversight Committee by unanimous consent. It honors the legacy of Harry T. and Harriette Moore, who both fought tirelessly for civil rights and against voter discrimination. In 1934, Harry and Harriette organized the first NAACP branch, as was mentioned, in Brevard County. In the face of discrimination, the Moores succeeded in establishing additional NAACP branches throughout Florida. In addition, the Moores worked with the Progressive Voters League to register over 100,000 African Americans in the State. Harry's hard work and determination led him to become the president of the Florida State Conference of NAACP branches. Tragically, as was mentioned, in 1951, Harry and Harriette Moore were fatally injured when a bomb planted underneath their house exploded. The Moores were survived by their only daughter, Juanita. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this bill to commemorate the legacy of Harry T. and Harriette Moore, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, let me thank and congratulate my good friend from Florida (Mr. Posey) for bringing to this House, bringing to our attention these two great Americans and the legacy that they left this country. Thank you for doing that. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield as much time as my colleague would like to consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop), who is the sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I also urge my colleagues to pass this bill to continue to promote the legacy of Brigadier General Nathaniel Woodhull, and having no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to join my colleagues in support of H.R. 5954. And at this time, I would like to yield such time as he may consume to my friend and colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire).

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I also urge the passage of H.R. 5954 and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, having no further requests for time, let me again urge my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 5954, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Let me thank my friend from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski) for yielding. Let me say, Mr. Speaker, that I rise today to honor my great friend and colleague, the distinguished senior Member from Illinois (Mr. Costello). Let me also mention that Mr. Costello served in previous Congresses with my father, so he was here when I got here. And our districts are just across the river from each other. He represents southern Illinois, and I represent the city of St. Louis, the Gateway to the West. As he prepares to retire at the conclusion of the 112th Congress, Congressman Costello has been a trusted friend and mentor to me for the last 12 years. When I first arrived as a freshman Member of Congress in 2001, Congressman Costello was here to greet me and guide me along the right path, and over the years I have continued to rely on his good advice and wise counsel. His departure is a great loss for the State of Illinois, the citizens of the 12th District, and the St. Louis regional delegation. For the last 24 years, Mr. Costello has been a tireless advocate for southern Illinois and Metro East. He has been a champion for rebuilding and enhancing our transportation infrastructure. The magnificent new Mississippi River bridge that is currently under construction will be a powerful symbol of his legacy of leadership. Congressman Costello has also been the patron saint of Scott Air Force Base, the largest employer in southern Illinois. Our region, and indeed our Nation, are stronger because of his continuous efforts to preserve and expand this vital national defense asset. Mr. Speaker, I consider it a great blessing to have had the opportunity to serve with Congressman Costello and to call him my good friend. I honor him for his service to his State, the St. Louis region, and our Nation, and I salute him on a remarkable congressional career.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my great friend and colleague, the distinguished senior member from Illinois, Mr. Costello, as he prepares to retire at the conclusion of the 112th Congress. Congressman Costello has been a trusted friend and mentor to me for the last twelve years. When I first arrived as a freshman Member of Congress in 2001, Congressman Costello was here to greet me and guide me along the right path. And over the years, I have continued to rely on his good advice and wise counsel. His departure is a great loss for the State of Illinois, the citizens of the 12th district, and the St. Louis regional delegation. For the last twenty-four years, Mr. Costello has been a tireless advocate for southern Illinois and metro east. He has been a champion for rebuilding and enhancing our transportation infrastructure. The magnificent new Mississippi River Bridge that is currently under construction will be a powerful symbol of his legacy of leadership. Congressman Costello has also been the patron saint of Scott Air Force Base--the largest employer in southern Illinois. Our region, and indeed, our nation are stronger because of his continuous efforts to preserve and expand this vital national defense asset. Mr. Speaker, I consider it a great blessing to have had the opportunity to serve with Congressman Costello and to call him my good friend. I honor him for his service to his state, the St. Louis region and our nation. And I salute him on a remarkable congressional career.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I also urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 4631, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4631, the Government Spending Accountability Act, as amended. This legislation will improve congressional oversight of Federal Government spending on meetings and conferences. It is modeled on similar reporting requirements contained in the DATA Act, which passed the House of Representatives earlier this year with bipartisan support. This legislation will help rein in the type of wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars that we have witnessed over the past several months. In April, the committee held a hearing to examine the GSA's expenditure of $800,000 on a single conference in Las Vegas in 2010. The gross abuse of Federal funds must not be repeated, and one way to avoid that is to monitor more closely how Federal agencies use their funds on such activities. We are all aware that conferences are an important part of staff development and can help improve the quality of Federal Government work; however, we must make sure that they do not turn into resort vacations funded by taxpayers, many of whom are continuing to struggle to make ends meet. Madam Speaker, the GSA incident tarnished the reputation of government workers who dedicate their lives to public service, which I believe is unfair. This legislation, as amended, would prevent a few reckless and selfish individuals from engaging in activities that discredit the entire Federal workforce. Madam Speaker, I urge support for this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 538, the Government Customer Service Improvement Act. This is a good-government bill that will improve the way Federal agencies interact with the people they serve. I yield 5 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Texas, the author of the bill, Mr. Cuellar.

Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, again, I urge the House to adopt H.R. 538, and I yield back the balance of my time.