Tom Davis

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind).

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee).

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin).

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. I yield to the gentlewoman from California.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Let me join my friend from Texas in also honoring George Gekas and his 20 years of service to this body. I think the crowning achievement this evening was an overwhelming vote for this bankruptcy bill. The objectionable parts of this bill were not inserts that he put in there as part of the political sausage-making that goes on between the House and the Senate; but the overwhelming 244-116 vote I think speaks well for the kind of bill that he worked with his colleagues across party lines to put together. A graduate of Dickinson from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, he was very underspoken, not just soft-spoken, but understated, was someone who was not always out there getting the credit, issuing press releases, but he was here. He had one of the best attendance records in the House, often driving between Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., between sessions, getting back to his district as often as possible. He was an impeachment manager as the majority whip noted and had a distinguished career in the Committee on the Judiciary where he was involved in the intricacies of many bills that came out of there. His 20 years of service here I think are a reflection of the dedication that he put into public service which preceded his election to Congress. He will be missed from this body. I will miss him. Again, I congratulate him for this crowning achievement, the passage of this bankruptcy bill tonight.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill and to commend my good friend, Majority Leader Armey for his efforts in putting together this bipartisan package. This legislation will allow us to have a coordinated response to any future terrorist threat. H.R. 5710 includes many critical provisions I authored that will allow us to work closely with the private sector to deploy the latest technology solutions, address ongoing information security weaknesses within the federal government, and facilitate necessary information sharing among our critical infrastructures. The events of September 11th and the ensuing war on terrorism have raised an unprecedented awareness of the vulnerabilities we face. This has naturally focused more attention on security issues, particularly with respect to information security. From my work in the Government Reform Committee, it is clear that the state of federal information security suffers from a lack of coordinated, uniform management. Federal information systems continue to be woefully unprotected from both malevolent attacks and benign interruptions. Poor information security management has persisted in both the public and private sectors long before IT became the ubiquitous engine driving governmental, business, and even home activities. As our reliance on technology and our desire for interconnectivity have grown, our vulnerability to attacks on Federal information systems has grown exponentially. The high degree of interdependence between information systems, both internally and externally, exposes the Federal government's computer networks to potentially serious disruptions. Title X of H.R. 5710, the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), will require that agencies utilize information security best practices that will ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of Federal information systems. It builds on the foundation laid by the Government Information Security Reform Act (GISRA), which requires every Federal agency to develop and implement security policies that include risk assessment, risk-based policies, security awareness training, and periodic reviews. FISMA will achieve several objectives vital to Federal information security. Specifically, it will: 1. Remove GISRA's sunset clause and permanently require a Federal agency-wide risk-based approach to information security management with annual independent evaluations of agency information security practices; 2. Require all agencies to implement a risk-based management approach to developing and implementing information security measures for all information and information systems; 3. Streamline and make technical corrections to GISRA to clarify and simplify its requirements; 4. Strengthen the role of NIST in the standards-setting process; and 5. Require OMB to implement minimum and mandatory standards for Federal information and information systems, and to consult with the Department of Homeland Security regarding the promulgation of these standards. At a time when uncertainty threatens confidence in our nation's preparedness, the Federal government must make information security a priority. We demand that in our networked era, where technology is the driver, every Federal information system must be managed in a way that minimizes both the risk that breach or disruption will occur and the harm that would result should such a disruption take place. Chairman Armey understands this and has shown tremendous leadership by this including this critical language in this legislation. Additionally, the bill includes the Critical Infrastructure Protective Act, which I developed after reviewing Presidential Decision Directive (PDD) 63 that identified the ongoing statutory barriers to information sharing. This important bill includes a FOIA exemption for critical infrastructure information along with recognition for private sector information sharing organizations (ISOs). It also includes a use protection for information shared with the government and a process based on the Defense Production Act of 1959 to address potential antitrust concerns. In Presidential Decision Directive 63 issued by the previous Administration, concerns about the Freedom of Information Act, antitrust, and liability were identified as primary barriers to facilitating information sharing with the private sector. The critical infrastructure of the United States is largely owned and operated by the private sector. Critical infrastructures are those systems that are essential to the minimum operations of the economy and government. Traditionally, these sectors operated largely independently of one another and coordinated with government to protect themselves against threats posed by traditional warfare. Today, these sectors must learn how to protect themselves against unconventional threats such as terrorist attacks, and cyber intrusions. We must, as a nation, prepare both our public and private sectors to protect ourselves against such efforts. As we discovered when we went to the caves in Afghanistan, the Al Qaeda groups had copies of GAO reports and other government information obtained through FOIA. While we work to protect our nation's assets in this war against terrorism, we also need to ensure that we are not arming terrorists. Today, the private sector has established many information sharing organizations (ISOs) for the different sectors of our nation's critical infrastructure. Information regarding potential physical or cyber vulnerabilities is now shared within some industries, but it is not shared with the government, and it is not shared across industries. The private sector stands ready to expand this model but has also expressed concerns about voluntarily sharing information with the government and the unintended consequences it could face for acting in good faith. Specifically, there has been concern that industry could potentially face antitrust violations for sharing information with other industry partners, have their shared information be subject to the Freedom of Information Act, or face potential liability concerns for information shared in good faith. Additionally, this FOIA exemption extends the protection for FOIA to information shared at the state and local government level. Also, this bill gives the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority to share information protected under this FOIA exemption to share it with other impacted federal agencies while continuing to enjoy the protection. My language included in H.R. 5005 will address all three of these concerns. Additionally, consumers and operators will have the confidence they need to know that information will be handled accurately, confidentially, and reliably. The Critical Infrastructure Information Act procedures are closely modeled after the successful Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act by providing a limited FOIA exemption, civil litigation protection for shared information, and a new process for resolving potential antitrust concerns for information, shared among private sector companies for the purpose of correcting, avoiding, communicating or disclosing information about a critical infrastructure threat or vulnerability. This legislation will enable the private sector, including ISOs, to move forward without fear from government, so that government and industry may enjoy a mutually cooperative partnership. This will also allow us to get a timely and accurate assessment of the vulnerabilities of each sector to physical and cyber attacks and allow for the formulation of proposals to eliminate these vulnerabilities without increasing government regulation, or expanding unfunded federal mandates on the private sector. Also, H.R. 5710 includes language that I developed to allow for reaching out to new technology companies that may not being doing business with the government. We all know that the Federal, State and local governments will spend billions and billions of dollars to fight the war against terror. Contentious floor debates aside, we all support these efforts. But to me, the question isn't simply how much we spend, but how well we spend it. Since the tragic events of 9/11 the Government, in general, and the Office of Homeland Security, in particular has been overwhelmed by a flood of industry proposals offering various solutions to our homeland security challenges. Because of a lack of staffing expertise, many of these proposals have been sitting unevaluated, perhaps denying the government breakthrough technology. In February, I held a hearing in my Subcommittee on Technology and Procurement Policy on homeland security challenges facing the government. One theme that was expressed unanimously by industry was the need for an organized, cohesive, comprehensive process within the Government to evaluate private-sector solutions to homeland security problems. Now we have part of the solution, with the creation of the new Department of Homeland Security in the bill on the floor today. Section 313 of this bill will close the loop and provide a vehicle to get these solutions into government and to the front lines in the war against terror. Section 313 of the Homeland Security Act establishes within the Department a program to meet the current challenge faced by the Federal government, as well as by state and local entities, in leveraging private sector innovation in the fight against terror. The section would establish a focused effort by: Creating a centralized Federal clearinghouse in the new Department for information relating to terror-fighting technologies for dissemination to Federal, State, local and private sector entities and to issue announcements to industry seeking unique and innovative anti- terror solutions. Establishing a technical assistance team to assist in screening proposals for terror-fighting technology to assess their feasibility, scientific and technical merit and cost. Providing for the new Department to offer guidance, recommendations and technical assistance to Federal, State, local and private efforts to evaluate and use anti-terror technologies and provide information relating to Federal funding, regulation, or acquisition regarding these technologies. Since September 11, we have all been struggling to understand what changes will occur in our daily lives, in our economy, and within the Government. We now will establish a new Department of Homeland Security to focus and coordinate the war against terror. The new section 313 in this landmark legislation will give the new Department the framework it needs to examine and act on the best innovations the private sector has to offer. I am pleased to also have authored section 834 at the request of the Select Committee to allow federal agencies government-wide to accept unsolicited proposals. The language directs the FAR Council to amend FAR Part 15 to ensure that a proposal has not been submitted in relation to a previously published proposal. This ensures that contracting officials are not improperly avoiding a full and open competition. Existing ambiguity in the FAR language made government contracting officials hesitant to review and accept unsolicited proposals. The change recognizes the longstanding procurement reform goal of allowing contracting officials to include ``best value'' factors when reviewing such a proposal, and adds ``technical merit'' as a new criteria, which allows officials to review a proposal for potential future benefit. This language is critical as federal agencies attempt to update their information technology systems to better integrate information and serve the taxpayer. This is another step forward in moving the Federal government to a more commercial acquisition environment. This change in the FAR will allow federal agencies to rapidly acquire new products and services to assist them in winning the war on terrorism. In ordinary times, primarily because of recent acquisition reforms, the current acquisition system will enable the new Department of Homeland Security to buy what it needs with reasonable efficiency. While we all hope that it will never be needed, we also know that in an emergency the new Department may have to quickly and efficiently acquire the high tech and sophisticated products and services needed for its critical mission. The provisions in H.R. 5710 would permit the Department to quickly acquire the emergency goods and services it needs while maintaining safeguards against wasteful spending. This authority is easily accessed by Department of Homeland Security officials through a written determination. The acquisition provisions build on contracting authorities currently place; in fact, the procedures appear in Part 13 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and provide for an extension of these authorities only upon a determination of the Secretary of Homeland Security or one of his Senatorially confirmed officials that the terror fighting mission of the new Department would be seriously impaired without their use. The new authorities would sunset at the end of fiscal year 2007. The GAO would be required to report to the Committee on Government Reform assessing the extent to which the authorities contributed to the mission of the Department, the extent to which the prices paid reflect best value, and the effectiveness of the safeguards put in place to monitor the use of the new authorities. The current government-wide procurement laws will govern the Department's ``normal'' purchases. Specifically, the provisions would raise the current micro-purchase threshold from $2,500 to $7,500. It would raise the current $100,000 threshold for simplified acquisition procedures to $200,000 for use within the United States and $300,000 for overseas missions, and permit the application of the current streamlined commercial acquisition procedures and statutory waivers to noncommercial goods and services and increase the current $5,000,000 ceiling on the use of streamlined commercial procedures to $7,500,000 for these goods and services. How could these new authorities be used? Well, for example, the increase in the micro-purchase threshold could be used in the event of a terror attack, to permit a Department of Homeland Security official at the scene to rent several floors of a nearby hotel to house rescue workers by simply presenting his Government credit card. The increase in the simplified acquisition threshold would permit a Department official to quickly enter into a $200,000 contract for specialized medical services for rescue workers responding to a terror attack. The application of streamlined commercial acquisition procedures would permit the Department to conduct a limited competition among high technology firms for a specialized advisory and assistance services contract valued at $7,500,000 to fight a cyber-attack. Moreover, I am pleased that the House accepted the Senate Federal Emergency Procurement Flexibility Act. This basically extends the same emergency procedures given to the new Department to all Federal agencies to use to prepare for, or in response to a nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack or an act of terrorism for the next fiscal year. This is based on legislation that I had introduced with my colleague and Chairman, Dan Burton and with Senators John Warner and Fred Thompson at the request of Governor Tom Ridge. While this authority is not as accessible as it is for the Department of Homeland Security, it will certainly go a long way to giving all federal agencies additional help in winning the war on terrorism. H.R. 5710 gives the Administration the necessary management flexibilities it will need to set up the new Department while maintaining longstanding statutory protections for the American taxpayer and for federal employees. In the civil service area, we struck the proper balance between needed flexibility and important employee protections. Dedicated federal employees, by virtue of the bill's new 30-day mediation period, have received the assurances they asked for, while the American people will have the benefit of a flexible, modern-day workforce that can respond to ever-evolving threats. I worked hard to make sure aspects of Senator Voinovich's human capital management legislation were included in the legislation; for example, having Human Capital Officers within each agency ensures that the Department's employees will be given the tools they need to prosper and develop professionally. And the demonstration project authority, which includes a pay-for-performance component, is a critical step that will help give the new department the ability to attract and retain the very best employees. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would again like to thank Majority Leader Armey for his outstanding leadership on this vital piece of legislation. Today, we are giving President Bush legislation that he has deemed critical to winning the war on terrorism. Majority Leader Armey and his talented staff worked tirelessly to ensure that we would get this legislation done this year. I am proud to have worked with my House colleagues and the Select Committee on H.R. 5710.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4757, bipartisan legislation which promises to greatly improve the Instant Check by encouraging states to automate and share disqualifying records with the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background System, NICS, database. H.R. 4757 is a model of sensible, common-sense public safety legislation. It represents what we can achieve when we leave the rhetoric behind and concentrate on how to best keep guns out of the hands of criminals. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4757 manages to be both pro-gun owner and pro-law enforcement--stopping criminals in their tracks while permitting law- abiding citizens to be approved for purchases in minutes, not days or weeks. And it does so by focusing on enforcement of existing laws, on strengthening them. Mr. Speaker, instant background checks serve little purpose if they are based on incomplete or inaccurate criminal history records. Today, we strive for accuracy, for completeness. H.R. 4757 goes a long way toward making the NICS system work the way we intended it to work, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Vernon Smith, the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. A professor at George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia, Dr. Smith has laid the foundation for the field of experimental economics by pioneering the use of laboratory experiments in evaluating the performance and function of markets. He has demonstrated the importance of alternative market institutions, such as how the revenue expected by a seller depends on the choice of auction method. Smith has also spearheaded ``wind-tunnel tests'', where trials of alternative market designs, when deregulating electricity markets, are carried out in the lab before being implemented in practice. As a result of Dr. Smith's compelling research, experimental techniques have been applied by economic scholars worldwide. They have given economists a deeper understanding of the actual workings of the real-world markets and institutions and have helped guide public policy in electric power, water markets and in the design and testing of a pollution permit trading system. His ability to test economic theory has shed new insight into how goods are bought and sold, how airlines price their tickets, how pollution could be reduced, how stock trading could be less volatile, how state and federal regulations are developed, how states structure electric power industries, and how companies manage their employees. Dr. Smith is a faculty member at the George Mason University School of Law and the Department of Economics, and leads a team of economists at the Interdisciplinary Center for Economic Science. He came to George Mason thanks in part to a $3 million grant from the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation. Dr. Smith is the second George Mason scholar to receive the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences; economics professor James Buchanan received the award in 1986 for his groundbreaking work on public choice theory. Mr. Speaker, in closing, it gives me great pleasure to extend my warmest congratulations to Dr. Smith on his 2002 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. His achievements and contribution to the field will be priceless to Virginia and the world as a whole. Virginia is proud to have such a distinguished citizen in its professional and social community. Once again, Mr. Speaker, Northern Virginia has proven to be a hotbed of cutting-edge, influential scientific process. I call upon my colleagues to join me in applauding this remarkable achievement.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, if there is anything that 9-11 and the events of that day taught us, it is that our policy of containment and deterrence does not work against terrorists who are willing to blow themselves up and, at the same time, innocent civilians. I rise in support of this historic resolution, fully aware that this may be one of the most important votes this body casts. We all hope that we can disarm Iraq without bloodshed. That is our goal. We all hope and pray that risking the lives of the women and men of our Armed Forces will prove unnecessary. We hold out hope that this time, against the recent tide of history, Saddam will allow U.N. inspectors full access, free of deception and delay. But if the events of 9-11 and ongoing intelligence-gathering have shown us anything, Mr. Speaker, it is that we must remain ever vigilant against the new and growing threat to the American way of life. Terrorists who are willing to commit suicide to murder thousands of innocents will not be halted by the conventional means and policies of deterrence we have deployed. The greatest danger we face is in not acting, in assuming the terrorists who are committed to destroying our Nation will remain unarmed by Saddam. The first strike could be the last strike for too many Americans. Mr. Speaker, we know enough at this point about the specific dangers posed by Iraq to make this resolution unavoidable: large stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, an advanced and still-evolving nuclear weapons production program, support for and the harboring of terrorist organizations, the brutal repression and murder of its own civilian population, and the utter disregard for U.N. resolutions and dictates. Mr. Speaker, we know enough. We all applaud and support the President's commitment to working with the U.N. Security Council to deal with the threat that Iraq poses to the United States and our allies. I continue to hope and pray for a peaceful, internationally driven resolution to this crisis, but I believe that passing this resolution strengthens the President's hand to bring this about. But with the events of September 11 still fresh in our minds and in our hearts, we cannot rest our hopes on the possibility that Iraq will comply with U.N. resolutions. Iraq has defied the United Nations openly for over a decade. Today we are being asked to fulfill our responsibilities to our families, our constituents, and our Constitution; and I think we have to give the President the appropriate tools to proceed if Saddam does not cooperate with the arms inspectors and comply with existing U.N. resolutions. While we should seek the active support of other nations, we must first and foremost protect our homeland, our people, and our way of life. Mr. Speaker, I pray for the best as we prepare for the worst. Today, we recognize that there may come a time in a moment when we realize that we are involved in a profound global struggle in which Saddam's regime is clearly at the epicenter on the side of evil; when it becomes clear there are times when evil cannot be appeased, ignored, or simply forgotten; when confrontation remains the only option. There are moments in history when conscience matters, in fact, when conscience is the only thing that matters. I urge my colleagues to vote their conscience and acknowledge the danger confronting us, by not entrusting our fate to others, by demonstrating our resolve to rid the world of this menace. I urge this with a heavy heart, but a heart convinced that if confrontation should be required, we are ready for the task.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to John Jenkins, who has dedicated 20 years of his life to Dale City and Prince William County as Neabsco District Supervisor. John Jenkins began serving on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors in 1982 as the representative of the Neabsco Magisterial District. He has served two terms as Chairman of the Northern Virginia Planning District Commission, two terms as State President of the Virginia Association of Planning District Commission, and one term as State President of the Virginia Association of Counties. Additionally, he has taken on a wide variety of Board assignments, including but not limited to the following: member of the Environmental Quality Policy Committee, Telecommunications and Utilities Committee, and the Northern Virginia Transportation Coordinating Committee. Beyond the sterling example he sets for his three children and fourteen grandchildren, Supervisor Jenkins is no stranger to community service. As a participant in numerous civic organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Dale City Civic Association, Board of Directors Prince William County Boys and Girls Club, Chamber of Commerce, Dale City Lions Club, Salvation Army Advisory Board and numerous other community groups, he has displayed his commitment to enhancing quality of life in our communities. While coming from different sides of the aisle, John and I shared a healthy and respectful working relationship during my tenure on the neighboring Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. We worked together on intercounty associations such as the Virginia Association of Counties, VACO, to promote the good of our constituents and our respective counties. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I wish the very best to Mr. Jenkins as he is recognized for service to his community, his county, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Over the past 20 years, he has earned this evening of recognition, and I call upon all of my colleagues to join me in applauding his tenure and the work he will do in the years to come.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Mr. Michael G. Anzilotti for receiving the 2002 Gala & Community Leadership Award. Mr. Anzilotti deserves praise for his long-time commitment, and the ongoing involvement of his firm, to community service. He graduated in 1971 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in marketing. In addition he has received a Masters's Degree in Business Administration from George Mason University and is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. In 1971, Mr. Anzilotti joined First Virginia Bank as a management trainee in the accounting department. In recognition of his superior work, he was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 1982. The following year, he was promoted as President of Northern Operations Center, Inc. Then, in 1986, he was promoted to the post of Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. Finally, in 1995, he was promoted to his current position, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Anzilotti is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of George Mason University Foundations, Inc. He is a member of the Boards of the Fairfax County School Superintendent's Business/Industry Advisory Council (BIAC), The Virginia Business Higher Educational Council, the Northern Virginia Business Roundtable, the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance, and is chairman of the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce. He is also Past Chairman of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Northern Virginia Community College Educational Foundation, Inc., and Past Chairman of the Arts Council of Fairfax County. All of these impressive accomplishments and titles, however, pale in comparison to his work to improve our schools, better our communities, and enhance the quality of life for all Virginians. Mr. Anzilotti resides in Chantilly, Virginia with his wonderful wife, Jane Anzilotti. Together, they have raised two children, who are now fully grown. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I wish the very best to Mr. Anzilotti as he is recognized for his years of service to the First Virginia Bank. He certainly has earned this recognition, and I call upon all of my colleagues to join me in applauding his remarkable service to our community.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honor the anniversary of the historic Brentsville Courthouse in Brentsville, Virginia. On Saturday, September 28, 2002, the first annual ``Brentsville Court Day'' will commemorate the national significance of this courthouse and the prominent position it held in Prince William County during the 19th Century. The day will be filled with activities designed to entertain and educate citizens of all ages on the key role this courthouse played 180 years ago. When the Brentsville Courthouse was first in use, Washington City had been the Nation's Capital for only twenty-two years and the U.S. Constitution had been in place for a mere thirty-four. It is believed that the first Fourth of July in Prince William County was celebrated on the front steps of the Brentsville Courthouse, with a speech given by Dr. Thomas Ewell, a noted surgeon of that time. Recapturing the patriotic spirit of the American Revolution was of growing importance at that time, as the war generation was aging and memories of their sacrifices were fading. As a result, speeches honoring these patriots became the norm. Yet research undertaken by local historians indicates the speech given by Dr. Ewell that day was extraordinary. The research uncovered twenty-five letters spanning twenty years of correspondence between Dr. Ewell and Thomas Jefferson. In his letter responding to Dr. Ewell's July 4th oration, Jefferson recognized Ewell's July 4, 1823 speech--on the 50th anniversary of the United States--as a reflection of ``the true spirit of '76.'' The 180th anniversary celebration will occur, Mr. Speaker, in a town new to the 11th Congressional district of Virginia, but rich in American history. Mr. Speaker, in closing, given the historical significance and roots of Brentsville Courthouse, we have great reason to celebrate today. Accordingly, I extend my warmest congratulations on its 180th Anniversary. The Courthouse is a national treasure and a source of pride for both my constituents and me. I call upon my colleagues to join me in applauding 180 years of excellence and American spirit.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 458) recognizing and commending Mary Baker Eddy's achievements and the Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the House consider House Concurrent Resolution 458, introduced by my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith). This resolution recognizes and commends the achievements of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the Church of Christ, Scientist, and the opening of the Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, on September 29, 2002, the Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of humanity will officially open in Boston. The opening of this library will allow the public access to the Mary Baker Eddy collections, one of the largest collections of primary-source material by and about an extraordinary American woman. Born in 1821, Mary Baker Eddy was a reformer and a woman who introduced bold new concepts to 19th century society and beyond. Mrs. Eddy achieved international prominence as the founder of Christian Science. She has the distinction of being the first woman in the United States to found and lead a religion that became an international movement. The Church of Christ, Scientist, has members in 139 countries. In an era when women faced severe limits, Mary Baker Eddy rose from obscurity, poverty, and illness to become a renowned author, healer, thinker, religious leader, and publisher. In 1866, she was healed of a serious injury as she read the account of one of Jesus' healings in the New Testament. This led her to discover what she came to understand as the science of Christianity, which she named Christian Science. In 1875, she wrote and published ``Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures.'' It is published in 17 languages and Braille, and in audiocassette, CD, and computerized form. Over 9 million copies have been sold, and it remains a bestseller each year. In 1879, Mrs. Eddy established the Church of Christ, Scientist. In 1895, she published the first edition of the ``Manual of the Mother Church.'' One of her last and greatest accomplishments was founding the Christian Science Monitor in 1908. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution, and I commend the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) for introducing this important resolution. Mary Baker Eddy had a profound impact on American life and religion. Her life as healer, thinker, and reformer is remarkable. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith).

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 on H. Con. Res. 458.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 297 recognizes the contributions of Korean Americans during the past 100 years, and it asks the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States and interested organizations to observe this anniversary. I commend the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) for introducing this important resolution. January 2003 will mark the 100th anniversary of the arrival of 56 men, 21 women and 25 children from the Korean Peninsula to Honolulu, Hawaii. These brave people left Korea and traveled across the Pacific Ocean on the SS Gaelic on January 13, 1903. This trip initiated a century of Korean immigration to the United States, and America has benefited tremendously from the hard work and loyalty of Korean immigrants and their sons and daughters. Korean Americans have served in the United States Armed Forces with distinction during World War I, World War II, and the Korean conflict in the early 1950s. In particular, the U.S. and South Korea worked together to keep communism from covering the Korean peninsula during those difficult times. Korean Americans have made many contributions to the United States and have had a lasting impact on their communities. Hard work, strong families and cultural influence are just a few of the qualities that Korean Americans are known for and continue to thrive today. Korean Americans have played a crucial role in advancing the United States- Korea partnership, which helps provide peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region. Among the many contributions of Korean Americans are the first beating heart operation for coronary artery disease, the development of several varieties of the nectarine, and achievements in engineering, architecture, medicine, acting, singing, sculpture and writing. According to the 2000 census, over 135,000 American businesses are owned and operated by Korean Americans across the country, with gross sales and receipts of $46 billion. These businesses employ over 330,000 individuals. Mr. Speaker, the Korean community is alive and well in my Congressional District out in Northern Virginia, at Bailey's Crossroads, Annandale, Fairfax and Woodbridge. These immigrants have chosen America for the freedom and opportunity this country offers, and they are making lasting contributions to our community and communities across the country. Mr. Speaker, I ask for adoption of the resolution. 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 concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 297) recognizing the historical significance of 100 years of Korean immigration to the United States.

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

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 on H. Con. Res. 297.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra).

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this resolution appropriately recognizes Korean- Americans and their contributions to this country. It seeks to celebrate 100 years of immigration by supporting events and ceremonies by marking this important date in 2003, and I am proud to support this resolution.