Tom Davis

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the remaining time. The world has changed. It might have been a decade ago where you looked at the Federal workforce being uninvolved and in a different light from our men and women in uniform somewhere else across the world. But, today, the battleground has shifted here to the Pentagon, to Oklahoma City, to Manhattan, to our embassies abroad, and it has seen in each instance Federal employees dying on the front lines, just performing their day-to-day duties as targets of terrorists. We see that the first individual killed in the Afghan war was a Federal civil servant. Every Federal employee now, as they go to work, is a potential target of a terrorist. In addition to that, OMB's opposition to this is nothing new. We saw this under the previous administration. That is traditionally the line they take. That is why Congress passed and President Bush won, signed the Federal Employee Pay Comparability Act in 1990, to try to have an independent body review what it would take to get pay comparability. Because the American taxpayer does not want an underfunded rocket scientist, a cancer researcher at NIH that we are not paying appropriately. We do not get top talent on the cheap, and that is not what they want. So the Federal Salary Council appointed by President Bush made the recommendation. They recommended a 25 percent increase; and the administration said, no, we want 1.1 percent. All we are saying today is comparability says this ought to be at 3.5 percent, the same as military, and how we spend that money we can decide through the process as we move forward in the appropriations process. This resolution does not even mandate it across the board. In fact, in some agencies, those have gone by the wayside as we formed the pay schedules there. This is an important issue for this Congress. It is an important issue to our Federal workforce and our military workforce, of which we have shown support to some of those groups as well. I urge my colleagues to vote for this. Let us send a message to our Federal employees and our military personnel that we honor what they do, we value what they do, and we are going to pay them appropriately. I ask for support of this resolution.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, no, I am not aware of that.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute, and then allow the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook) to respond and close, and then I will make a very brief closure. I think it is important to note again that this resolution does not mandate across the board. We took any language here that mandates that out. In fact, we have agencies right now where pay for performance is the rule. They are working under it at DHS. DOD passed a performance review last year. The IRS and FAA already have those provisions of pay for performance in there. Before this last Congress, GAO came and asked for it. They have it. These are agencies that our committee and other committees in the House, working together, are already working to pay for performance. But if we do not pass this legislation, there can be no pay for performance. There will be no pay for performance without pay comparability. Otherwise, they do not even get the 1.5 percent, Federal employees. So this is a natural precursor to get what the gentleman from Oklahoma, what the administration, and what we all want. This has got to be there first. So I think maybe we have a chicken-and-the-egg situation, but we have to have the money, I say to my friend from Oklahoma, before we can do the other kinds of things. And we took the mandatory, across-the-board language out of this resolution exactly for that purpose: to give us all an opportunity to work together, to give Federal employees pay comparability, but to do it in an appropriate fashion. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. I am happy to yield to the gentleman from Oklahoma.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the resolution now under consideration.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the issue today is of the utmost importance to our Federal employees, the Federal Government, and the American taxpayer. The Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act, FEPCA, of 1990, Public Law 101-509, sought to help achieve comparability through annual pay adjustments based upon the change in private sector wages and salaries. Despite our efforts, the Bureau of Labor Statistics currently estimates a 32 percent pay gap and a 10 percent gap between the military and the private sector. In order to deliver what was promised, the Federal Salary Council recommends a 25 percent locality pay for 2005. There is clearly much work to do to fulfill the intent of Congress, and the resolution here before us is a step in that direction. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), my colleague and coauthor of this resolution, along with the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) and myself.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I think the gentleman is aware that the Federal Employee Pay Comparability Act calls on the Federal Salary Council every year to make recommendations in terms of what the Federal employees would make. We could put a chart up here that would show that every year we have failed to come close to what the Federal Salary Council has recommended under the existing law of the land which is FEPCA, the Federal Employee Pay Comparability Act. This year, they have recommended a 25.73 locality rate for 2005. Congress has a long history on this issue. This resolution merely reiterates the sense of the House. Annual pay adjustments for civil employees and military members provided through the appropriations process have been identical in nearly every year over the last two decades. In addition, language to this end was included in the budget resolution for fiscal years 2002, 2003 and 2004. In 1999, the last time the Senate held a freestanding vote on this issue, the Senate voted 94-6 in favor of an amendment expressing the same sense of Congress that we do here today. I used to work for a billion-dollar company out in Fairfax, Virginia. Our greatest asset was not our building. It was not our computers. It was not the land. It was our employees. They walked out the door every night, and we did what we had to to make sure they came back the next day. In an information age, people are the number one asset of any organization. The same is true with the Federal Government. We are in danger of losing in the procurement force over 60 percent of our qualified workers over the next 5 years. These are people that can walk across the street to the private sector and make more money than they are making for the Federal Government and leave with their full retirement. These kind of minor incentives in a 3.5 percent pay raise that I do not think anybody except maybe the gentleman opposing this resolution would call a gargantuan pay raise or a huge pay raise, this is in line with what we are seeing in many cases in the private sector and in State and local governments and in my own counties that I represent in Congress. We have to be able to recruit and retain the best and the brightest to fulfill the policies that this Congress passes and sends on. To do that, pay comparability is important, and we continue to lag significantly in that respect. The Federal Government may never be able to compete with the private sector dollar for dollar, but we have to ensure that we do not fall further behind in the war for talent. While wages are not the only factor in our recruitment and retention efforts, what employer can hope to succeed in a labor market where it is offering salaries so far below the average? This is not a cost-of- living allowance as some have argued, saying it is too generous. The purpose is to assist the Federal Government in providing salaries comparable to those in the private sector. This is achieved through annual pay adjustments based on the change in private sector wages and salaries, not the cost of living. That is the fundamental precept behind the Federal Pay Comparability Act. This is achieved through our annual pay adjustments. The fact remains that Federal pay is not competitive. It is also important to note that providing a higher annual adjustment would not result in any budgetary increase. As they have over the last two decades, agencies pay for all their salaries, including these annual adjustments, with discretionary funds from their salaries and expense accounts. This does not score under CBO. I think we can all agree that both armed services and the Federal civilian workforce are integral to fulfilling the role of government in America and both must be compensated accordingly. In the coming fiscal year, parity and pay adjustments remain the vehicle to help achieve comparability between the public and the private sectors on the issue of pay so that the government can continue to perform. This resolution is integral to this effort. I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed to control 20 minutes, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) would control 20 minutes, and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook) would control 20 minutes.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I include in the Record a letter addressed to me from Steven Strobridge, who is a colonel, U.S. Air Force, retired, and director of Government Relations for the Military Officers Association of America, supporting this. Military Officers Association of America, Washington, DC, March 30, 2004. Hon. Tom Davis, Chairman, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: On behalf of the nearly 380,000 members of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), I am writing to express MOAA's support of the principle of pay raise parity for the federal civilian workforce. Pay comparability with private sector workers is a fundamental statutory requirement for both federal civilians and the uniformed services. To the extent such comparability is not sustained over time, our government will not be able to attract and retain the kinds and numbers of personnel it needs for a professional, highly qualified career work force. Improved military pay raises in recent years have been aimed at restoring long-term comparability with private sector pay after decades of military pay caps. Those in the federal civilian workforce also have had their raises capped below comparability for many years. Improved military pay raises in recent years have been aimed at restori8ng long-term comparability with private sector pay after decades of military pay caps. Those in the federal civilian workforce also have had their raises capped below comparability for many years. While MOAA would not presume to recommend a particular civilian pay standard for the long term, we believe the resolution you propose, along with Representatives Wolf and Hoyer, represents a reasonable step in the right direction, given the well-documented years of federal pay raise caps. Sincerely, Steven P. Strobridge, Colonel, USAF (Ret), Director, Government Relations. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole), a strong advocate for military and Federal employees.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2 minutes. Mr. Speaker, let me assure the gentleman, and maybe I can talk him into supporting this resolution when I ask him to read it here, the language of the resolution itself makes it clear this is not across the board. It says: ``Compensation for civilian employees and members of the uniform services must be sufficient to support our critical efforts to recruit, retain and reward quality people in government service, and to help achieve this objective, compensation for civilian employees should be adjusted at the same time and at the same proportion as our rates of compensation for members of the uniform services.'' Nothing in there mandates across-the-board. This language, in fact, was changed from previous years to accommodate some of OMB's concerns. But I have got to tell you, where I get the most concerned is that last year on this floor I put an amendment on this floor to add $500 million for a Human Capital Compensation Fund so we could give out bonuses and award people on the basis of merit, and the gentleman's subcommittee did not fund it.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. We have heard discussions about how the vast majority of Federal employees do not go in harm's way. Let me make a comparison. The gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) has just raised an important point, and that is in the war on terrorism and protecting the homeland we are relying on our Federal employee workforce, and many of these people were drafted into this. We look at the Oklahoma City bombings in my friend's home State, over 100 Federal employees died just for being Federal employees and for being there as a symbol of this government, their lives involuntarily on the line, dying for this country. Officer Johnny Spann was killed in an Afghan prison uprising on November 25, 2001, the first American combat death in Afghanistan, a Federal civilian employee, a CIA employee. Inspector Tom Murray, a 31-year veteran of the Customs Service, died from toxic fume inhalation during an inspection of the hold of a vessel at the Port of Gramercy in Louisiana in October of 2001. Twenty-three firefighters died in wildland fire-fighting incidents in 2002, primarily in California and Colorado, where the fire season was especially severe. These account for almost a quarter of the on-duty deaths of firefighters in 2002, Federal employees. Who are our Federal employees? Hundreds of Federal firefighters spent weeks without pause, working day and night to quell the multiple wildfires that consumed much of Southern California. Coast Guard Chief Kevin Concepcion directed the safe and orderly seaborne evacuation of 70,000 confused and frightened people from Lower Manhattan amidst the chaos of the September 11 attacks. FBI agents William Fleming and Ben Herren brought to justice two of the men responsible for the infamous 1963 bombing of an African American church in Birmingham, Alabama, 40 years after they committed the crime. Dozens of foreign service officers have returned to the embassies in Nairobi and Kenya after bombs demolished the embassy buildings in 1998, killing and wounding dozens of embassy officials. Employees from the Federal Highway Administration, the Social Security Administration, HUD, DEA, Agriculture, Secret Service, all of these died in the Oklahoma City bombings in April of 1995. Three-and-one-half percent. Over 20 percent under what the Federal Salary Council recommended to the President Federal employees ought to get this year. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 328 and urge my colleagues to do so as well. Throughout the course of American history, nearly 48 million men and women have dedicated their lives to the defense of our land, our people and our principles as members of the Armed Forces. The strength of the United States is a direct result of their courageous, patriotic and dedicated service. Last year, I introduced this important resolution to recognize and honor both those who have served throughout our history and those serving around the world today, and to support the goals and objectives of National Military Appreciation Month. This resolution is a follow-on effort to Senate Resolution 33, introduced by Senator McCain in the 106th Congress and unanimously passed by the Senate on April 30, 1999. While we always appreciate the men and women of the military, it is fitting that we set aside time to do so publicly. National Military Appreciation Month seeks to coordinate and provide a framework to do so by capitalizing on the various observations throughout the month of May, including Loyalty Day, the National day of Prayer, Military Spouses Day, Victory in Europe Day, Armed Forces Day, and Memorial Day. Many groups are already supporting these efforts through various means, and they should be applauded. With passage of this resolution we call on federal, state and local entities, civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, the media and all Americans to commemorate and celebrate the men and women of our Armed Forces. It is exactly what a grateful nation should do. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this important resolution.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Central Springfield Little League. In 1954, a small group of fathers headed by Harry Wood, Vic Aldridge, Bill Abrams, Jim Owens, Kent Browning, Ray Ramsey, and Frank Ralston first introduced little league baseball to the boys of Springfield, Virginia. These fathers organized and equipped 60 boys to play in a nearby league in Annandale, Virginia. The following year, franchised Little League granted Springfield its own league which gained tremendous popularity throughout what now is considered Springfield proper. As program popularity and area population rapidly increased, the program was divided into several leagues first in 1962, then in 1971, and again in 1972, creating the North Springfield Little League, the West Springfield Little League, and the Central Springfield Little League (CSLL). Since 1972, the CSLL has made every effort to maximize baseball development, participation, and enjoyment in Central Springfield. CSLL improvements include measures such as offering baseball clinics, using pitching machines, and creating a T-Ball program to introduce baseball to five and six year old children. The CSLL has also successfully implemented an ``Adopt-A-Field'' program that allows them to perform all necessary maintenance and repairs on the fields provided to the CSLL by the Fairfax County Park Authority and Franconia Park. Since 1975, with the lifting of the ``boys only'' policy by Little League, Baseball, Inc. girls have become an integral part of CSLL at all levels. Later in 1993 in conjunction with the West Springfield Little League, the CSLL first fielded a Challenger Team for children with physical and mental challenges, which since has grown to the largest in the world. For the past 50 years, CSLL has provided an invaluable service to the Springfield community. Thanks to the support of countless individuals and businesses in the greater Springfield community, the CSLL has grown into a thriving baseball league, one of the best youth baseball programs in the area. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to congratulate the CSLL on 50 years of success. I call upon my colleagues to join me in applauding the league's efforts on behalf of Springfield and in wishing the CSLL the best of luck in the many years to come.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, each year, the Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce honors individuals for courageous, selfless dedication to public safety. These remarkable men and women have played an important role in the protection and betterment of their community. Their tremendous efforts on behalf of Prince William County have earned them one of the highest honors bestowed upon county public safety officials--the Valor Award. It is with great honor that I recognize the Prince William County Gold, Silver, Bronze, Merit, Lifesaving, Hilary Robinette, and Special Department Valor Award recipients: Gold.--Officer A.S. Robinson, Prince William County Police Department; Officer M.J. Harman, Prince William County Police Department. Silver.--Detective J. Lanzafama, Prince William County Police Department; Officer K.K Kane, Prince William County Police Department; Officer R. W. Kovach, Prince William County Police Department; Officer M.T. Sullivan, Prince William County Police Department; Officer W.F. VanAntwerp, Jr., Prince William County Police Department; Officer W.G. Ward, Prince William County Police Department; Officer M.L. West, Prince William County Police Department; Officer E.J. Barhart, Prince William County Police Department; Officer B.M. Carter, Prince William County Police Department; Officer M.J. Headrick, Prince William County Police Department; Officer C.A. Meurer, Prince William County Police Department, Vehicle Fire; Deputy Animal Control Officer L.A. Thompson, Prince William County Police Department; Deputy Animal Control Officer C.D. Firebaugh, Prince William County Police Department. Bronze.--Police Officer First Class Esteban Jordan, City of Manassas Police Department; Deputy Kim El-bisi, Prince William County Sheriff's Office; Officer G.D. VanDyke, Prince William County Police Department; Officer S.M. Peak, Prince William County Police Department; Lieutenant Michael Nazionale, OWL Volunteer Fire Department; Technician lI Brett Hamby, Prince William County Fire and Rescue; Technician II Jeff Howdyshell, Prince William County Fire and Rescue. Merit.--Deputy Ricki Booth, Prince William County Sheriff's Office; Sergeant G.H. Howard, Prince William County Police Department; Officer R.A. Arce, Prince William County Police Department; Officer C.M. Begley, Prince William County Police Department; Officer M.J. McCauley, Prince William County Police Department; Officer J.G. Medawar, Prince William County Police Department; Officer R.W. Minnick, Prince William County Police Department, River Run Fire, Shell Station Fire; Officer S.C Mercer, Prince William County Police Department; Officer C.A. Meurer, Prince William County Police Department, Shell Station Fire; Lieutenant B.L. Finn, Prince William County Police Department; Sergeant R.D. Larkin, Prince William County Police Department; Captain David Halman, OWL Volunteer Fire Department; Sergeant Eric Craven, OWL Volunteer Fire Department; Technician II Scott Richardson, Prince William County Department Fire and Rescue. Lifesaving.--Sergeant R.D. Grinnell, Prince William County Police Department. Hilary Robinette.--First Sergeant R.A. Cantarella, Prince William County Police Department, Excellence and Integrity for Investigative Work. Special Department.--Dale City Volunteer Fire Department for Exceptional Firefighting and Lifesaving, February 8, 2003, River Run Senior Apartments; Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department for Exceptional Firefighting and Lifesaving, February 8, 2003, River Run Senior Apartments. All of these individuals have provided invaluable community service, truly deserving these prestigious awards. I congratulate and commend them. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank all the men and women who serve Prince William County. These strong, brave, determined individuals make sacrifices daily to preserve our safety. Their countless acts of heroism merit our highest praise. I ask that my colleagues join me in applauding these outstanding individuals.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on that, I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), the distinguished sponsor of this resolution. (Mr. THOMAS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 519, introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), honors the victims and affected residents of the earthquake that occurred in San Luis Obispo, California, on December 22, 2003. The earthquake registered a 6.5 on the Richter scale, and it killed two people and injured 50 others. This was the largest quake to hit the counties of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara since 1994. The historic town of Paso Robles was hit the hardest. Many of the buildings in that area were unreinforced masonry structures built over a century ago, and they were unfortunately no match for the earthquake's power. The two deaths occurred in Paso Robles. In addition, the earthquake's tremors were felt in San Francisco to Los Angeles, and more than 30 aftershocks were reported in the following hours. The quake knocked out power to approximately 75,000 residents, and many others were forced to evacuate. This resolution remembers the victims and those who were injured and underscores the heroic sacrifices made by countless disaster relief workers and emergency personnel after the earthquake. Following the wildfires that scorched hundreds of thousands of acres in October, the December 22 earthquake concluded a difficult fall season for so many California residents. Therefore, I thank the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) for introducing this resolution. It helps us all remember the victims of this disaster. The resolution also appropriately recognizes the public safety officials and emergency response personnel who helped limit the earthquake's effects on the region. Many individuals, businesses, and organizations in surrounding areas provided much-needed assistance to victims in the days and the weeks following the tragedy. I commend the gentleman from California for the resolution's important focus in commending these charitable groups as well. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge all Members to support House Resolution 519. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 519) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the earthquake that occurred in San Luis Obispo County, California, on December 22, 2003.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Moran, Mr. Wolf, and I rise today to recognize an extraordinary group of men and women in Northern Virginia. Each year, the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce recognizes individuals who courageously have demonstrated selfless dedication to public safety. The hard work, dedication, and perseverance of the Fairfax County Police Department have earned several of its members the highest honor that Fairfax County bestows upon its public safety officials--The Valor Award. There are several types of Valor Awards awarded to a public safety officer: The Lifesaving Award, the Certificate of Valor, or the Gold, Silver, or Bronze Medal of Valor. During the 26th Annual Awards Ceremony, 53 men and women from the Office of the Sheriff, Fire and Rescue Department, and the Police Department received one of the aforementioned honors for their bravery and heroism. It is with great honor that we enter into the record the names of the recipients of the 2004 Valor Awards in the Fairfax County Police Department. Receiving the Lifesaving Award: PSCC Assistant Supervisor Jackie A. Ahrens, Police Officer First Class Garrett G. Broderick, Public Safety Communicator Gail M. Gibson, Police Officer First Class Daniel V. Johnson, Detective Thomas P. Lawn, Sergeant Shawn C. Martin, Police Officer First Class Weiss Rasool, Officer Stacy L. Sassano, Police Officer First Class Donna E. Shaw, and Detective James N. Sparks, III; the Certificate of Valor: Police Officer First Class William G. Brett, Senior Police Officer Robert A. Galpin Jr., Detective Matthew G. Payne, Detective Steven T. Pihonak, and Detective Gene M. Taitano; the Silver Medal of Honor: Police Officer First Class Timothy W. Cook; the Bronze Medal of Honor: Master Police Officer Bryan K. Cooke, Second Lieutenant Scott C. Durham, Master Police Officer Charles M. Haugan, Second Lieutenant Daniel P. Janickey, Police Officer First Class Ryan W. Morgan, Senior Sergeant John W. Orpin, Private First- Class David B. Patterson, Officer Randolph G. Philp, and Officer Frederick W. Von Meister. Mr. Speaker, in closing, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all men and women who serve the Fairfax County Police Department. The events of September 11th serve as a reminder of the sacrifices our emergency service workers make for us each day. These individuals' continuous efforts on behalf of Fairfax County citizens are paramount to preserving security, law, and order throughout our community. Their selfless acts of heroism truly merit our highest praise. We ask our colleagues to join us in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Moran, Mr. Wolf and I rise today to recognize an extraordinary group of men and women in Northern Virginia. Each year, the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce recognizes individuals who courageously have demonstrated selfless dedication to public safety. The hard work, dedication, and perseverance of the Fairfax County Office of the Sheriff have earned several of its members the highest honor that Fairfax County bestows upon its public safety officials--The Valor Award. There are several types of Valor Awards awarded to a public safety officer: The Lifesaving Award, the Certificate of Valor, or the Gold, Silver, or Bronze Medal of Valor. During the 26th Annual Awards Ceremony, 53 men and women from the Office of the Sheriff, Fire and Rescue Department, and the Police Department received one of the aforementioned honors for their bravery and heroism. It is with great honor that we enter into the record the names of the recipients of the 2004 Valor Awards in the Fairfax County Office of the Sheriff. Receiving the Lifesaving Award: Second Lieutenant Steve J. Elbert, Sergeant William E. Friedman, Private First Class Morris F. Hood Jr., Private First Class Dena M. Hubbard, Private First Class Steven P. Queen, Master Deputy Sheriff Juan L. Romero, Sergeant Mark W. Sites, Second Lieutenant Elaine M. Stanley, Private First Class Zachary D. Taylor, Private First Class Huihao Wang, Private First Class Kenneth W. Wing, Jr.; the Certificate of Valor: Private First Class Peter J. Fox; the Bronze Medal of Honor: Deputy William L. Bishop, Second Lieutenant Gregory A. Merck, Sergeant Eli G. Rejeili. Mr. Speaker, in closing, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all men and women who serve the Fairfax County Office of the Sheriff. The events of September 11th serve as a reminder of the sacrifices our emergency service workers make for us each day. These individuals' continuous efforts on behalf of Fairfax County citizens are paramount to preserving security, law, and order throughout our community. Their selfless acts of heroism truly merit our highest praise. We ask our colleagues to join us in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Moran, Mr. Wolf and I rise today to recognize an extraordinary group of men and women in Northern Virginia. Each year, the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce recognizes individuals who courageously have demonstrated selfless dedication to public safety. The hard work, dedication, and perseverance of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department have earned several of its members the highest honor that Fairfax County bestows upon its public safety officials--The Valor Award. There are several types of Valor Awards awarded to a public safety officer: The Lifesaving Award, the Certificate of Valor, or the Gold, Silver, or Bronze Medal of Valor. During the 26th Annual Awards Ceremony, 53 men and women from the Office of the Sheriff, Fire and Rescue Department, and the Police Department received one of the aforementioned honors for their bravery and heroism. It is with great honor that we enter into the Record the names of the recipients of the 2004 Valor Awards in the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Receiving the Lifesaving Award: Technician Brent M. Schnupp; the Certificate of Valor: Master Technician John L. Capps, Master Technician Even J. Lewis, EMS Captain Gary D. Pemberton; the Silver Medal of Honor: Firefighter Michael V. Allen, Lieutenant Edward D. Bowman, Haz-Mat Technician Thomas L. Flint, Captain Samuel L. Gray, Firefighter Richard D. Riley, Master Technician Timothy A. Sparrow, Lieutenant Daniel T. Young; the Bronze Medal of Honor: Master Technician Anthony E. Doran, Firefighter Clayton Thompson Ill. Mr. Speaker, in closing, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all men and women who serve the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. The events of September 11th serve as a reminder of the sacrifices our emergency service workers make for us each day. These individuals' continuous efforts on behalf of Fairfax County citizens are paramount to preserving security, law, and order throughout our community. Their selfless acts of heroism truly merit our highest praise. We ask our colleagues to join us in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.