Judy Chu

Ms. CHU

Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3196) to amend the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 to provide that certain transition services shall be available to eligible candidates before the general election.

Ms. CHU

Ms. CHU. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 3243, legislation to promote flexibility in work arrangements and scheduling for Federal firefighters. H.R. 3243 was introduced by Representative John Sarbanes, the gentleman from Maryland, on July 16, 2009. The bill was reported favorably by the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on September 23, 2010. H.R. 3243 allows federal firefighters to trade shifts without triggering mandatory overtime payments and added costs for their agency. The bill simply allows traded time to be excluded from the calculation of overtime. This grants more leave flexibility to these workers, without costing the government any money. The change is consistent with the workplace practices of state and municipal fire departments across the country. Under the bill, any decision to approve the workers' request to switch shifts would remain at the discretion of the employing agency. Trade time will boost federal agencies' ability to recruit and retain trained firefighters. The bill is strongly supported by the International Association of Firefighters. I thank Mr. Sarbanes for his work on this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3243) to amend section 5542 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that any hours worked by Federal firefighters under a qualified trade-of-time arrangement shall be excluded for purposes of determinations relating to overtime pay.

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

Ms. CHU

Ms. CHU. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1603) expressing support for designation of September 2010 as National Craniofacial Acceptance Month.

Ms. CHU

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

Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1617, a measure supporting the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day, observed each September in remembrance of the supreme sacrifice made by mothers who lose a son or a daughter serving in the Armed Forces. H. Res. 1617 was introduced by our colleague gentleman from California, Representative Peter Roskam on September 14, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on September 23, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of over 50 members of the House. We here in the House of Representatives regularly take time to honor our brave men and women serving in the armed services, particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. With so many putting themselves in harm's way, I'm very pleased that we can make it a priority to keep them and their families in our thoughts and prayers. The American Gold Star Mothers are a group of women who have all lost a son or daughter serving in the Armed Forces, and today we honor their sacrifice. The Gold Star Mothers provide services and comfort to their members, assist veterans in presenting claims to the VA, and host a number of events throughout the year to show support for our military. We thank them for all they do for our troops and our veterans. Mr. Speaker, the sacrifices of the Gold Star Mothers should never be far from our thoughts and prayers, and so I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Gold Star Mothers through the passage of H. Res. 1617. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1617) supporting the goals and purpose of Gold Star Mothers Day, which is observed on the last Sunday in September of each year in remembrance of the supreme sacrifice made by mothers who lose a son or daughter serving in the Armed Forces.

Ms. CHU

Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. On behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present House Resolution 1546 for consideration. This measure congratulates the Washington Stealth for winning the National Lacrosse League championship. Mr. Speaker, lacrosse is among the Nation's fastest-growing sports, and its origins on this continent are centuries old. I am, therefore, very glad that we can congratulate the Washington Stealth on their victory in the National Lacrosse League championship earlier this year. House Resolution 1546 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Washington, Representative Jay Inslee, on July 21, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on July 28, 2010. It enjoys the support of over 50 Members of the House. Mr. Speaker, let us now take time to congratulate the Washington Stealth and the entire team organization on a historic championship through the passage of House Resolution 1546. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. CHU. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1546) congratulating the Washington Stealth for winning the National Lacrosse League Championship, as amended.

Ms. CHU

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

Ms. CHU. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of House Resolution 1479, a bill supporting the United States Paralympics. A division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, the United States Paralympics organizes elite athletes with physical disabilities to compete internationally in the summer and winter Paralympic Games. House Resolution 1479 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey, Representative Leonard Lance, on June 25, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on July 28, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of over 50 cosponsors. I would like to thank the gentleman from New Jersey for introducing this measure, and I would also like to enter into the Record an exchange of letters between our committee, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, which expresses Chairman Berman's and the Foreign Affairs Committee's support of House Resolution 1479 and waives their jurisdictional interest in this bill. Mr. Speaker, the Olympic Games promote ideals of fair sportsmanship, fair play, physical fitness, and peace through sport. The Paralympics ensures that athletes with physical disabilities can take part in these games, representing our Nation on the world stage. There are over 21 million Americans with a physical disability, including thousands of men and women who sustained serious injuries while serving in the military. I am glad that they have the opportunity to represent our country by taking part in these games. Let us now honor these athletes and recognize their achievements through the passage of House Resolution 1479, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it. House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC, September 21, 2010. Hon. Edolphus Towns, Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Towns: I am writing to you concerning H. Res. 1479, a resolution ``Supporting the United States Paralympics, honoring the Paralympic athletes, and for other purposes,'' introduced by Congressman Leonard Lance on July 28, 2010. As you know, this measure was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and, in addition, to the Committee on Foreign Affairs for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. This bill contains provisions within the rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. In the interest of permitting your Committee to proceed expeditiously to floor consideration of this important bill, I am willing to waive this Committee's right to mark up this bill. I do so with the understanding that by waiving consideration of the bill, the Committee on Foreign Affairs does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bill which fall within its rule X jurisdiction. Please include a copy of this letter and your response in the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Sincerely, Howard L. Berman, Chairman.

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

Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1479) supporting the United States Paralympics, honoring the Paralympic athletes, and for other purposes.

Ms. CHU

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

Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to present H.R. 6118 for consideration. This measure designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE in Washington, D.C. as the ``Dorothy I. Height Post Office.'' H.R. 6118 was introduced by our colleague, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia, Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, on September 14, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on September 23, 2010. Mr. Speaker, this chamber mourned the loss of one of America's most celebrated civil rights leaders, Dr. Dorothy I. Height, earlier this year. Today, we have the opportunity to continue to honor her life and achievements by giving her name to the post office in Washington, DC's historic Postal Square Building. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6118) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., in Washington, D.C., as the ``Dorothy I. Height Post Office Building,'' as amended.

Ms. CHU

Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, today's high schools don't work for many young people. Students often feel bored and unchallenged. Almost one-third of the ninth-graders in my home State of California drop out without graduating. That is why today I introduced The Linked Learning Pathways Affording College and Career Success Act. It combines college preparation with real-world learning opportunities for students across the country. Like Ana Sical in San Diego. Ana once had problems with truancy, and says she never even considered college. But Ana's life changed with Linked Learning. There, she partnered with engineers who taught her their trades and pushed her to succeed. Today, Ana is studying at San Diego State's School of Engineering, the first in her family to attend college. America's future depends on preparing today's students to enter tomorrow's workforce. My bill does that, and I encourage my colleagues to support it.