Wm. Clay

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5395) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 11001 Dunklin Drive in St. Louis, Missouri, as the ``William 'Bill' Clay Post Office Building.''

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 yield myself such time as I may consume. Once again I stand as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 5395, which would rename the post office facility at 11001 Dunklin Drive in St. Louis, Missouri, after a true hero of mine: my beloved father, the Honorable William ``Bill'' Clay, Sr. The measure before us was first introduced by my friend and colleague Representative Russ Carnahan from my home State of Missouri on February 12, 2008. I am proud to say that the bill now enjoys the support and cosponsorship of nearly 60 Members of Congress, including the entire congressional delegation from the ``Show Me State'' of Missouri. H.R. 5395 was taken up by the House Oversight Committee on March 13, 2008, and reported out of the committee by voice vote that same day. Mr. Speaker, I'm sure you can imagine that in commemorating the achievements and accomplishments of my father, I could begin anywhere and probably go on endlessly. Throughout my lifetime I have been blessed to experience and witness firsthand my father's commitment to his community and his country. Congressman Clay served Missouri's First Congressional District for 32 years from 1968 to 2000. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Bill Clay served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. Prior to his service in the U.S. House of Representatives, my father held the position of alderman in St. Louis from 1959 to 1964. And prior to that, he held jobs as a real estate broker, a labor coordinator, and a union affiliate for the St. Louis City Employees Union from 1961 to 1964 and an education coordinator for the Steamfitters Union up until 1967. During his tenure in Congress, Bill Clay became an advocate for environmentalism, labor issues, and social justice. Co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, he chaired the House Committee on the Post Office and Civil Service from 1991 to 1995. His leadership in this policy arena serves as greater evidence for passing the measure at hand, which would name the Dunklin Drive post office in his honor. Upon retiring in 2000, I was fortunate and honored to pick up where my father left off representing Missouri's First Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, as we move to recognize the accomplishments of a great statesman, father, and to many of us friend, I ask that we pass the underlying bill without reservation and pay tribute to service and diligence rendered by Congressman Clay to this body over a 32-year period. I urge passage of H.R. 5395. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, let me thank my friend and colleague Mr. Carnahan from Missouri for those kind words and for his friendship to our family. We are both proud Missourians with political families, and I'm certainly honored to serve with him in this body and honored that he would recognize a great Missourian like he has. Let me also thank Mr. Marchant of Texas, too, for his indulgence and his support of this measure and thank the entire body for their support. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY

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

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of final passage of S. 2488, the Openness Promotes Effectiveness in Our National Government Act of 2007, or the OPEN Government Act. This bill is a companion measure to legislation that I introduced earlier this session, H.R. 1309, the Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 2007, which was passed by the House in March. After months of negotiations between both Chambers, S. 2488 provides a strong, reasonable and bipartisan approach to streamlining the FOIA process and increasing transparency in government. Two key provisions within the OPEN Government Act include expanding access to attorneys' fees for citizens who successfully challenge an agency's denial of information, along with the creation of a new FOIA tracking system for pending requests. In addition, the bill will require agencies to disclose the type of FOIA exemptions used to redact specific information sought after in many requests. Lastly, the bill will establish a government-wide ombudsman to help reduce the number of requests that are eventually resolved through costly and time-consuming litigation. S. 2488 provides actual access to government information to which the American people are entitled. I want to thank all of the Members and staff who have contributed to the development of this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support its passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me thank all of my colleagues too for the work that they did to craft this piece of legislation that I think goes a long way in improving FOIA. And S. 2488 provides a strong, reasonable, and bipartisan approach to streamlining the FOIA process and increasing transparency in our government. It also provides actual access to government information to which the American people are entitled. Again, let me thank all of my colleagues for their support and help and effort on this legislation. And I urge my colleagues to support its passage. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Virginia, the ranking member, for working with the majority on this important piece of legislation and getting this product to the floor. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank our esteemed chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Mr. Waxman, for his leadership on shepherding this bill through the Congress and would like to recognize the gentleman from California for such time as he may consume.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2488) to promote accessibility, accountability, and openness in Government by strengthening section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act), and for other purposes.

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.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4009) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 567 West Nepessing Street in Lapeer, Michigan, as the ``Turrill Post Office Building''.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to urge my colleagues to adopt H.R. 4009, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleague from California in the consideration of H.R. 4009, which names a postal facility in Lapeer, Michigan, after the Turrill family. H.R. 4009, which was introduced by Representative Candice Miller on October 30, 2007, was reported from the oversight committee on November 11, 2007, by voice vote. This measure, which has been cosponsored by 14 Members, has the support of the entire Michigan congressional delegation. The Turrill family dates back to the earliest settlers in the Lapeer area. They are a strong representation of what Lapeer is founded upon and are remembered as honest, hardworking farmers and leaders within the community. Dr. Miner Turrill arrived in Lapeer in 1832 and was the first postmaster of the county. When Lapeer was incorporated as a city in 1869, James Turrill was the first mayor. The City of Lapeer is historically touched by the efforts made by the Turrill family and their dedication as public servants. Mr. Speaker, I urge swift passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 785) recognizing the 100th Anniversary of Robstown, Texas.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join with the pride of Robstown, Texas (Mr. Ortiz) and pass H. Res. 785. Mr. Speaker, I yield back 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, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H. Res. 785, which recognizes the 100th anniversary of Robstown, Texas. H. Res. 785, which was introduced by Representative Solomon P. Ortiz on October 30, 2007, was reported from the oversight committee on November 8, 2007, by a voice vote. This measure has been cosponsored by 53 Members. Known as the ``Biggest Little Town in Texas,'' Robstown is known for its international trade, oil and involvement in the agriculture and cotton industries. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for the recognition of the 100th anniversary of this historic town, and I urge the swift passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time to my friend from Texas (Mr. Ortiz) as he would like to consume.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for yielding the time and for his leadership on the subcommittee with this piece of legislation. S. 597, as amended, ensures greater accountability by requiring that the NIH and DOD issue annual reports to Congress detailing how proceeds from the breast cancer research stamp are allocated. In addition, the bill extends reauthorization of the breast cancer research stamp until 2011. I am grateful to Senator Feinstein for agreeing to this change. Now the Senate version of the breast cancer semipostal will be identical to the measure I sponsored, H.R. 1236, which was unanimously passed by the House on October 30, 2007. Unlike many programs that are not reauthorized timely but continue to operate, the breast cancer research stamp must be reauthorized or the U.S. Postal Service will discontinue selling the stamp. In fact, the Postal Service was forced to take this stamp off sale for 26 days in 2004 because the Senate did not act in time. Amid constituent concerns of stamp sales being halted, I contacted the Postmaster General of the U.S. Postal Service to ensure that sales would continue. I was assured that the stamp would not be removed from shelves; however, the Senate must pass this bill by December 31. Mr. Speaker, let me again thank all of the breast cancer organizations, the Postal Service, and my colleagues in the House and Senate for their support. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting swift passage of S. 597, as amended.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Samuel J. Cornelius. His longstanding commitment to the citizens of Missouri has earned his place among the ranks of past inductees into the Missouri Walk of Fame. Mr. Cornelius has been passionately devoted to promoting minority businesses and being engaged in the political process. A graduate of Anderson University, Mr. Cornelius got his start in business when he organized the Sacramento Street Businessmen's Association in Berkeley, California. During his time with the Businessmen's Association, he developed cooperative buying, promotion, and advertising programs for minority business owners. Mr. Cornelius has been remarkably persistent in developing minority business leaders. After taking leave from his privately-owned business, he implemented the Economic Development Assistance Center for Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America. There he administered three national programs: The Anti-Poverty Program, the Minority Business Program, and the $16.5 Billion Feeding Program. Mr. Cornelius has served as Vice-President of the NAACP Board of Directors and a member of the United Way, the United Black Fund and the Boys and Girls Club of America. In addition, he is listed in Who's Who in Black America. He is married, a proud father of four and a Veteran of the United States Navy. Madam Speaker, it is with great privilege that I recognize Samuel J. Cornelius today before Congress. His life and his career are steeped with dedication to the well-being, of not just Missouri residents, but to the entire nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Samuel J. Cornelius.

Mr. CLAY

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3307) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 570 Broadway in Bayonne, New Jersey, as the ``Dennis P. Collins Post Office Building''.

Mr. CLAY

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

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman).

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H. Res. 759, a bill that recognizes the 40th Anniversary of the Mass Movement for Soviet Jewish Freedom and the 20th Anniversary of the Freedom Sunday Rally for Soviet Jewry on the Mall in Washington, D.C. H. Res. 759, which has 57 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Henry Waxman on October 18, 2007. House Resolution 759 was reported from the Oversight Committee on October 23, 2007, by voice vote. Mr. Speaker, the former Soviet Union today has the third-largest Jewish community in the world. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Russian Empire was home to the world's largest Jewish community. In the late 19th century, over 5 million Jews lived as a persecuted minority in Czarist Russia. This indifference towards Jews continued throughout the 20th century under the leadership of Secretary General Joseph Stalin and Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev of the Soviet Union. In the mid-1960s, Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin was reported to have said ``the road is open and no problem exists'' for Soviet Jews who might want to leave for Israel. This remark sparked an increase in the efforts of Jews to leave the Soviet Union and helped initiate international efforts to facilitate their mass movement from Soviet Russia. In 1967, in response to earlier Soviet Jewry advocacy efforts, Russian authorities allowed some Jewish citizens to leave for family reunification in Israel. Due to the lack of diplomatic relations between Israel and the Soviet Union, most emigres traveled to Vienna where Israeli authorities flew them to Israel. By March 1976, the majority of emigres who left on visas for Israel chose to resettle in the United States and other Western countries. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Waxman for seeking to recognize the 40th Anniversary of the Mass Movement for Soviet Jewish Freedom and the 20th Anniversary of the Freedom Sunday Rally for Soviet Jewry on the Mall in Washington, D.C., and urge the swift passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.