Jo Ann Davis

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN 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.R. 1432.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston), my distinguished colleague.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1432 would designate the post office located at 3698 Inner Perimeter Road in Valdosta, Georgia, as the Major Lyn McIntosh Post Office Building. Lyn Davis McIntosh was born in Valdosta, Georgia, on October 11, 1946. He went to school in Valdosta, graduating from Valdosta State College in 1968. He taught mathematics at Valdosta Junior High School. He enlisted in the Air Force and served overseas in Thailand. After returning to the United States, he was stationed at Travis Air Force Base, California, serving as a National Security Officer. Major McIntosh returned to flying, joining the 8th Special Operations Squadron as an aircraft commander in 1979. On November 4, 1979, Iranians seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 66 Americans hostage. Major McIntosh volunteered for the rescue mission. This extremely dangerous and complex rescue attempt ended in disaster in an Iranian desert on April 25, 1980. Major McIntosh was among those who lost their lives during this rescue mission. In 1969, Major McIntosh married Ann Dixon and they had three sons, Scott, Mark and Stewart. Ann Dixon passed away on February 17, 2001. This bill is a fitting tribute to this American patriot. I commend the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop) and the other members of the Georgia delegation for sponsoring this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, having no other speakers, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage of H.R. 1432. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 292) to support the goals of the Year of the Rose.

Mrs. JO ANN 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 House Concurrent Resolution 292.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 292. This resolutions supports the goals of the Year of the Rose and it encourages the President to issue a proclamation asking Americans to observe the year with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I commend my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. McCrery) for his hard work to bring this resolution to the floor. The rose has been an important symbol of love in our society for centuries. Its sheer beauty illuminates thousands of flower gardens across our great land, from the East to the West Coast and from North to South. The rose is grown and cultivated in every state of the Union. Fossil studies have concluded that the rose has been a native wild flower in North America for some 35 million years. It is also referred to in passages of the Old and New Testaments in the Bible. One of our great public servants, the first President of the United States, George Washington, was a breeder of roses. In fact, one of his varieties, named after his mother, Mary Ball Washington, is still grown today. For many years the rose has captivated the affection of humankind and has been revered in art, music and literature. In 1986, the rose was designated as the national floral emblem of the United States. This is a distinct honor for a flower that has touched the hearts and lives of millions of Americans for many, many years. The American Rose Society has designated the year 2002 as the Year of the Rose. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this important resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. McCrery). (Mr. McCRERY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, having no other speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1714) to provide for the installation of a plaque to honor Dr. James Harvey Early in the Williamsburg, Kentucky, Post Office Building.

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

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3072) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 125 Main Street in Forest City, North Carolina, as the ``Vernon Tarlton Post Office Building''.

Mrs. JO ANN 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.R. 3072.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I again thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), the chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, and the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), the ranking member, along with the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Organization, and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), the ranking member, for expediting consideration of this measure. Again, I urge all Members to support this measure. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3379) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 375 Carlls Path in Deer Park, New York, as the ``Raymond M. Downey Post Office Building''.

Mrs. JO ANN 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.R. 3379.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3379 introduced, by my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel), is an important piece of legislation that designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 375 Carlls Path in Deer Park, New York, as the Raymond M. Downey Post Office Building. It carries the support of the entire New York congressional delegation. Mr. Speaker, we lost many heroes in New York on September 11, but the loss of Chief Downey was an especially difficult one. A New York firefighter for 35 years, Raymond Downey's long and distinguished career is worth noting. He served with ladder and engine companies and with rescue squad companies. He commanded Rescue Company 2 for 14 years. Chief Downey became a battalion chief in August 1994. Most recently, Chief Downey led the Special Operations Command, whose duties include rescue work, marine operations and the handling of dangerous materials. He was one of the Nation's leading experts on rescue operations at collapsed buildings. Furthermore, Raymond Downey led a New York Fire Department special unit to assist in recovery efforts at the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, directed rescue efforts at the 1993 attack at the World Trade Center, and assisted FEMA in forming a national network search and rescue team. Mr. Speaker, these remarkable accomplishments speak highly of Raymond Downey. Those who saw him work were awed by his abilities to bring order to even the most chaotic situations. Chief Downey achieved almost mythical status among his colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to say on a personal note, being married to a battalion chief in the Hampton Fire Department for 30 years, I know what these firefighters go through and I know what they are like, and I can just imagine what Mr. Downey did for his men that worked for him, and I know they are all very proud of him, as I am sure all of New York is. Since September 11, we have heard countless stories of heroic acts from members of New York's Fire Department. And yet, even in an organization filled with great men and women, Chief Raymond Downey stood out. That he would die in just the type of disaster for which he had received world acclaim was no surprise to those who knew him. For almost 40 years, he had been running into buildings as everyone else was running out. Raymond Downey was a cornerstone of the New York Fire Department. His commitment to public service and his fellow man will forever linger in the hearts and minds of New Yorkers and all Americans. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that we honor the memory of this great American hero by renaming the post office at 375 Carlls Path in Deer Park New York as the Raymond M. Downey Post Office Building. He is deserving of this great tribute. I urge all Members to support this important resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York (Mr. King).

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I commend the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel) for introducing this legislation and working so hard to ensure its passage. I again urge all Members to support this important resolution and to reflect upon this great American, Raymond Downey, for the tremendous devotion that he gave to all New Yorkers during his tenure with the New York Fire Department. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 308) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the establishment of a National Motivation and Inspiration Day, as amended.

Mrs. JO ANN 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 matter on House Resolution 308, as amended.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 308, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in support of the goals of a National Motivation and Inspiration Day. Furthermore, I commend my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Grucci), for introducing this important resolution. Mr. Speaker, motivation and inspiration have played important roles in the greatest achievements of civilized society, and are characteristics common to all great leaders. Both children and adults need motivation and inspiration in order to achieve success and happiness in their lives. Children and young adults need mentors to inspire them to achieve their goals, and to motivate them to direct their energies toward positive and constructive activities and goals. Furthermore, the adults who mentor the children and young adults become inspired and motivated themselves. Mr. Speaker, a renewed focus on motivation and inspiration is particularly important in the wake of September 11 tragedies. The inspiration to define goals at school, home, and work, and the motivation to achieve those goals is critical to achieving success and happiness in our current trying circumstances. Mr. Speaker, the beginning of the year is often a time of reflection, planning, and goal-setting. For that reason, prominent citizens of Long Island, New York, are attempting to establish January 2 as National Motivation and Inspiration Day. This would set a good example for the rest of our Nation, and provide all with the focus of maintaining motivation and inspiration in their lives. If successful, their efforts would provide an opportunity for the people of the United States to focus on the importance of maintaining motivation and inspiration in their lives. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this important resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Grucci).