Jo Ann Davis

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Scott Thomas Coleman, Liam Colhoun, Robert D. Colin, Jean M. Colin, Robert Joseph Coll, Thomas J. Collins, John Collins, Michael Collins, Jeffrey Collman, Patricia M. Colodner, Linda M. Colon, Sol E. Colon, Ronald Comer, Jaime Concepcion, Albert Conde, Robert Condon, Denease Conley, Susan Clancy Conlon, Margaret Mary Conner, John E. Connolly, Jr., Cynthia L. Connolly, James Lee Connor, Jonathan ``J.C.'' Connors, Kevin P. Connors, Kevin F. Conroy, Brenda E. Conway, Dennis Michael Cook, Helen Garcia Cook, Kevin Cook, Jeffrey Coombs, Julian Cooper, Zandra Cooper, John Cooper, James L. Cooper, Joseph J. Coppo, Jr.; Gerard J. Coppola, Joseph A. Corbett, John ``Jay'' Corcoran, Robert Cordice, David Vargas Cordoba, Ruben D. Correa, Daniel A. Correa-Gutierrez, Georgine Rose Corrigan, James Corrigan, Carlos Cortes, Adianes Cortes-Oyolla, Kevin M. Cosgrove, Dolores Marie Costa, Digna A. Costanza, Charles G. Costello, Michael Costello, Asia Cottom, Conrod K.H. Cottoy, Sr.; Martin Coughlan, Timothy John Coughlin, John Coughlin, James Cove, Frederick John Cox, Andre Cox, James Raymond Coyle, Michelle Coyle-Eulau, Christopher S. Cramer, Anne Martino Cramer.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Michael R. Canty, Louis A. Caporicci, Jonathan Neff Cappello, James Christopher Cappers, Richard Caproni, David Cardinale, Jose Cardona, Dennis Carey, Edward Carlino, Michael Carlo, David G. Carlone, Rosemarie C. Carlson, Mark Stephen Carney, Joyce Carpeneto, Ivhan Carpio, Alicia Acevedo Carranza, Jeremy M. Carrington, Peter J. Carroll, Michael Carroll, James J. Carson, Jr.; Christoffer Carstanjen, Angelene C. Carter, James Cartier, Joel Cartridge, Sharon Carver, Vivian Casalduc, John F. Casazza, Paul Reegan Cascio, Neilie Anne Heffernan Casey, William Cashman, Margarito Casillas, Thomas Anthony Casoria, William Otto Caspar, Alejandro Castano, Arcelia ``Chela'' Castillo, Leonard Castrianno, Jose Raymond Castro, William E. Caswell, Richard G. Catarelli, Sean Caton, Robert J. Caufield, Mary Teresa Caulfield, Judson Cavalier, Michael Joseph Cawley, Jason D. Cayne, Juan Armando Ceballos, Marcia G. Cicil-Carter, Jason Cefalu, Thomas J. Celic, Ana M. Centeno, John J. Chada, Jeffrey M. Chairnoff, Swarna Chalasani, William Chalcoff, Eli Chalouh, Valerie Chambers, Charles ``Chip'' Chan, Linda Chang, Mandy Chang, Rosa Maria ``Rosemary'' Chapa, Mark L. Charette, David M. Charlebois, Gregorio Manuel Chavez.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Tatyana Bakalinskaya, Anthony Daniel Baker, Michael S. Baksh, Julio Minto Balanca, Sharon Balkcom, Michael Andrew Bane, Kathy Bantis, Gerard Baptiste, Guy Bar-Zvi, Walter Baran, Gerard A. Barbara, Paul V. Babaro, James W. Barbella, Ivan Kiryllos Fairbanks Barbosa, Victor Daniel Barbosa, Christine Barbuto, Geraldo Barcene, Colleen Ann (Meehan) Barkow, David Michael Barkway, Sheila P. Barnes, Melissa Rose Barnes, Matthew Barnes, Evan J. Baron, Renee Barrett-Arjune, Arthur T. Barry, Maurice ``Moe'' Vincent Barry, Diane Barry, Scott D. Bart, Carlton W. Bartels, Inna Basina, Alysia Basmajian, Kenneth W. Basnicki, Steven Bates, Paul James Battaglia, W. David Bauer, Marlyn Bautista, Ivhan Luis Carpio Bautista, Mark Bavis, Jasper Baxter, Lorraine G. Bay, Michelle Beale, Todd Beamer, Paul F. Beatini, Jane S. Beatty, Alan Beaven, Larry Beck, Manette Marie Beckles, Carl Bedigian, Michael E. Beekman, Marla Asuncion Behr, Max Beilke, Helen Belilovsky, Nina Patrice Bell, Stephen Belson, Paul Benedetti, Denise Lenore Benedetto, Eric Bennett, Bryan Craig Bennett, Judith Bennett, Oliver Bennett, Margaret L. Benson, Dominick J. Berardi, James Patrick Berger. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Gordon McCannel Aamoth, Maria Rose Abad, Edelmiro Abad, Andrew Anthony Abate, Vincent Abate, Laurence Abel, William Abrahamson, Richard Anthony Aceto, Heinrich B. Ackermann, Paul Andrew Acquaviva, Christian Adams, Stephen George Adams, Donald Leroy Adams, Shannon Lewis Adams, Patrick Adams, Ignatius Adanga, Christy A. Addamo, Terence E. Adderley, Jr., Sophia Buruwa Addo, Lee Adler, Daniel T. Afflitto, Emmanuel Afuakwah, Alok Agarwal, Mukul Agarwala, Joseph Agnello, David S. Agnes, Joao A.D. Aguiar, Jr., Brian G. Ahearn, Joanne Ahladiotis, Shabbir Ahmed, Terrance Aiken, Godwin Ajala, Nana Akwasi-Mienkah, Boutros al-Hashim, Gertrude ``Trudi'' M. Alagero, Andrew Alameno, Manuel A. Alarcon, Margaret ``Peggy'' Jezycki Alario, Gary Albero, Jon L. Albert, Peter Craig Alderman, Jacquelyn D. Aldridge, Grace Alegre-Cua, David Dewey Alger, Ernest Alikakos, Edward L. Allegretto, Eric Allen, Samantha Lightbourn Allen, Richard L. Allen, Joseph Ryan Allen, Richard Allen, Christopher E. Allingham, Anna Williams Allison, Janet Alonso, Anthony Alvarado, Antonio Javier Alvarez, Telmo Alvear, Cesar A. Alviar, Tariq Amanullah, Angelo Amaranto, James M. Amato, and Joseph Amatuccio. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus).

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I have before me a growing list of over 3,000 individuals who perished on September 11, 2001. This list, provided by the Congressional Research Service, includes the names of many of the victims of the recent horrific attacks on our great Nation. I stand before the House to pay my respects to our fallen brothers and sisters, and I encourage my colleagues to join me today, and for as many days as it takes, in honoring those individuals who lost their lives or are still missing. We have all heard the numbers, the devastation, the pain of the families and our Nation's anguish. What we have not heard in Washington are these names. These individuals all represented a life, a family, an employer, a country, a way of life. I hope to in some small way honor these individuals by reading their names aloud for all to hear of America's and our world's tremendous pain and loss. These individuals will not be soon forgotten. By reading their names, we do not bring them back or even ease the pain of families and friends, but again we show that this House and our Nation honor our fallen brothers and sisters. As the wife of a retired professional firefighter of 30 years, this tragedy hit especially close to home. Hundreds of firefighters and police officers were killed and injured on September 11, 2001, because of their brave attempts to save victims of the brutal attacks, and left families, friends, and countrymen grieving the loss of these courageous souls. These dedicated professionals are in my thoughts and prayers. I, like many of my colleagues, lost constituents in this awful attack. I ask for God's blessing on Virginia's First District residents Teresa Martin, Marian Serva, Martha Reszke, Allen Boyle and Brenda Gibson. Please forgive me in advance for any mispronunciations of names. Additionally, I ask for God's blessings on the following:

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Canfield D. Boone, Mary Jane ``M.J.'' Booth, Juan Jose Borda Leyva, Sherry Bordeaux, Krystine C. Bordenabe, Martin Boryczewski, Richard E. Bosco, Klaus Bothe, Carol Bouchard, J. Howard Boulton, Jr., Francisco Bourdier, Thomas H. Bowden, Jr., Donna Bowen, Kimberly S. Bowers, Veronique Nicole Bowers, Shawn Edward Bowman, Jr., Larry Bowman, Kevin L. Bowser, Gary Box, Gennady Boyarsky, Michael Boyce, Pamela Boyce, Michael Boyle, Allen Boyle, Alfred J. Braca, Sandra Conaty Brace, Kevin Bracken, Sandra W. Bradshaw, David Brian Brady, Alexander Braginsky, Nicholas Brandemarti, David Brandhorst, Daniel Brandhorst, Michelle Renee Bratton, Patrice Braut, Lydia E. Bravo, Ronald Breitweiser, Peter Brennan, Thomas M. Brennan, Michael Emmett Brennan, Edward A. ``Ted'' Brennan, III, Frank Brennan. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Gary Geidel, Paul Hamilton Geier, Julie Geis, Peter Gelinas, Steven Paul Geller, Howard G. Gelling, Jr, Peter Victor Genco, Steven Gregory Genovese, Alayne F. Gentul, Linda George, Michael George, Edward F. Geraghty, Suzanne Geraty, Ralph Gerhardt, Robert J. Gerlich, Denis Germain, Marina R. Gertsberg, Susan M. Getzendanner, Lawrence Daniel Getzfred, James ``Jimmy'' Gerald Geyer, Cortz Ghee, Joseph M. Giaconne, Vincent F. Giammona, Vince Giamonna, Debra L. Gibbon, James Giberson, Brenda Gibson, Craig Neil Gibson, Ronnie E. Gies, Laura Giglio Marchese, Timothy Paul Gilbert, Andrew Clive Gilbert, Paul Stuart Gilbey, Paul J. Gill, Mark Y. Gilles, Evan Gillette, Ronald Gilligan, Rodney Gillis, Laura Gilly, John Ginley, Jeffrey Giordano, John J. Giordano, Donna Marie Giordano, Steven A. Giorgetti, Martin Giovinazzo, Jr., Jinny Lady Giraldo, Kum- Kum Girolamo, Salvatore Gitto, Cynthia Giugliano, Mon Gjonbalaj, Dianne Gladstone, Keith Glascoe, Thomas I. Glasser, Edmund Glazer, Harry Glenn, Jeremy Glick, Barry H. Glick, Steven Lawrence Glick, John Gnazzo, William ``Bill'' R. Godshalk, Michael Gogliormella, Brian Frederic Goldberg, Jeffrey Grant Goldflan. I yield to the gentleman.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Angela R. Kyte, Kathryn L. LaBorie, Amarnauth Lachhman, Andrew LaCorte, Ganesh Ladkat, James Patrick Ladley, Joseph Lafalce, Jeanette LaFond-Menichino, David LaForge, Michael Patrick LaForte, Alan Lafranco, Juan Lafuente, Neil K. Lai, Vincent A. Laieta, William David Lake, Franco Lalama, Chow Kwan Lam, Michael Scott Lamana, Steven LaMantia, Amy Lamonsoff, Robert T. Lane, Brendan Lane, Rosanne P. Lane, Vanessa Langer, Mary Lou Langley, Peter Langone, Thomas Langone, Michelle Lanza, Ruth S. Lapin, Carol LaPlant, Carol Ann LaPlante, Ingeborg Astrid Desiree Lariby, Robert Blair Larkey, Judy Larocque, Christopher Randall Larrabee, Hamidou S. Larry, Scott Larsen, Jude Larson, Natalie Larson, John Adam Larson, N. Janis Lasden, Gary E. Lasko, Nicholas C. Lassman, Paul Laszczynski, Amarnath Latchman, Jeffrey Latouche, Charles Laurencia, Stephen James Lauria, Maria LaVache, Dennis F. Lavelle, Jeannine Laverde, Anna A. Laverty, Robert A. Lawrence, Nathaniel Lawson, David W. Laychak, Eugene Lazar, James Leahy, Joseph Gerard Leavey, Neil Leavy, Robert LeBlanc, Leon Lebor, Kenneth Charles Ledee, Alan J. Lederman. Mr. Speaker, today we have completed only a partial list of those who perished or are missing from the tragedy on September 11, but we will continue the reading of these names for the Congressional Record each day until we are finished, and it may take us into next year. I thank my colleagues from Illinois and Minnesota for helping me in this undertaking.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to request the participation of Members in honoring those individuals who lost their lives or are still missing as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks. We have all heard the numbers, the devastations, the pain of the families and our Nation's anguish. What we have not heard in Washington is the names of the individuals, and that is why I will begin today during Special Orders to read on the House floor from the list of the dead and missing. I will begin to read from the official list of casualties, and I encourage my colleagues to join me until the roughly 4,000 missing or dead are named and entered in the Congressional Record. I have compiled this alphabetical list in a leather bound book that I would request all Members utilize for this effort. Mr. Speaker, Members are requested to contact my office to coordinate dates and times so we can arrange for the book to be on the floor. I appreciate the assistance of Members in this important undertaking, and again encourage participation.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our military's ongoing efforts in the war against terrorism. In the last 25 days, the military campaign has succeeded in weakening the power, influence, and warfighting capability of the Taliban regime and the al-Qaeda network. Now, as the hardest of Afghanistan's winter months set in, we are provided with an excellent opportunity to increase the pressure on the Taliban through the continuation of our military campaign. Mr. Speaker, we stood before the American people and the international community and declared the war on terrorism to be a war with many fronts. It is imperative that this war's military front continue to be fought without interruption. Mr. Speaker, the decision to postpone military action under any circumstance plays directly into the hands of those who seek to destroy us. Despite the intentions of our decision, each day we remain idle is a day for the Taliban and al-Qaeda to resupply and disperse assets at a time when the radical Islamic militia could be most vulnerable.

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 the bill, H.R. 2910.

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 H.R. 2910. I commend my good friend and fellow Virginian, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes), for introducing this measure to honor his distinguished predecessor, the late Congressman Norman Sisisky. H.R. 2910 honors Norman Sisisky's service to his district, his State and his country by designating the post office located at 3131 South Crater Road in Petersburg, Virginia as the ``Norman Sisisky Post Office Building.'' This bill has the strong support of all Members of the Virginia delegation. Although born in Baltimore, Maryland, Norman Sisisky grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1949. Following a brief stint in the Navy, he became president of the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Petersburg, Virginia. Under his leadership, that company became one of the largest soft drink bottling operations in the South. From 1973 to 1982, Norman served in the Virginia House of Delegates. In 1982, he was elected to the House of Representatives where he served until his untimely death in March of this year. During his 18 years on Capitol Hill, Norman Sisisky compiled a moderate voting record. In fact, he was one of the first members of the conservative Blue Dog Coalition. He often worked across the aisle to achieve what he believed best for the American people. Few were more effective, especially in matters of national defense. He was the second ranking Democrat on the Committee on Armed Services and was widely praised for his devotion to military and defense issues. Among the other numerous highlights of his distinguished career was the passage of a balanced budget. Mr. Speaker, Norman Sisisky left many friends and admirers in this House. He has been rightly remembered as a bridge between the parties and for his sense of humor. I urge all Member to support this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the distinguished sponsor of this bill, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes), and I ask unanimous consent that he be permitted to control that time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2910) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3131 South Crater Road in Petersburg, Virginia, as the ``Norman Sisisky Post Office Building''.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I commend the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Borski) for introducing H.R. 2362. H.R. 2362 establishes a Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission. This 15-member Commission will be charged with studying and recommending to Congress activities it considers most fitting and proper to honor Benjamin Franklin. The Commission will also recommend the entity or entities in the Federal Government the Commission believes most appropriate to carry out those activities. It will coordinate and facilitate such activities. The Commission will terminate in 2007. The bill authorizes appropriations for $500,000 over the life of the Commission. January 17, 2006, is the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's birth. As the bill's findings observe, Franklin was one of the most extraordinary men of the extraordinary generation that founded the United States. Both here and abroad, he remains one of the best-known Americans who ever lived. Mr. Speaker, it is impossible in the short time allotted for debate on this bill to fully recount Benjamin Franklin's achievements and his contributions to our Nation. The tenth son, and the fifteenth of the 17 children fathered by Josiah Franklin, a Boston soap and candlemaker, Benjamin Franklin became one of the most illustrious men of his age. He was the only American to sign all five enabling documents of the United States. The achievements of this largely self-educated man included his literary work; his creation of philanthropic and educational institutions, including what became the University of Pennsylvania; his scientific explorations; and his service to the Nation as a statesman and diplomat. Almost all Americans are familiar with Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack, and such pithy sayings as ``A penny saved is a penny earned.'' We all know about his famous kite-flying experiment. But Benjamin Franklin was also a prolific inventor. He invented bifocals; a catheter; the Franklin stove; a musical instrument, the glass harmonica; the lightning rod; and the odometer. Franklin also founded the first fire department, and he established the first fire insurance company. Franklin's political contributions to the Nation were also invaluable. To take just a few, Mr. Speaker, Franklin participated in drafting the Declaration of Independence. The Articles of Confederation in Perpetual Union that he submitted to the Second Continental Congress eventually served as a model for our first Constitution, the Articles of Confederation. The secret committee that Franklin established at the request of the Second Congress to gain foreign support for America's fight for independence eventually evolved into the State Department. During the Revolutionary War, Benjamin Franklin himself represented the fledgling Nation in France. In recognition of Franklin's diplomatic work both before and during the Revolutionary War, this bill permits the President to invite the President of France and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to serve as honorary nonvoting members of the Commission. Mr. Speaker, everyone in the United States can benefit from studying the remarkable life of Benjamin Franklin and gaining a deeper appreciation of his legacy to the Nation. For this reason, Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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. 2362, as amended.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2362) to establish the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission, as amended.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I again commend the distinguished gentlewoman and the gentleman from California for introducing the resolution to recognized Barry Bonds' achievements and working so hard to assure passage. I 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, and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), the chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Organization, for expediting consideration by the House. I might add that the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) wanted it known that he was personally very pleased that Mr. Bonds hit number 73. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I commend my distinguished colleagues, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the author of this resolution; and the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose), who sponsored a similar resolution, House Resolution 262, for introducing these measures. This resolution congratulates Barry Bonds for his spectacular record- breaking season in 2001 and his outstanding career, wishes him continued success, and thanks him for his contributions to baseball and his community. Mr. Speaker, no player has hit as many home runs, 73, in a single season, as San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds did during this baseball season; but he also accomplished much more than just setting this record. To fully appreciate the remarkable season that Barry Bonds had this year, we must also consider these other achievements. During this season, Barry Bonds had the highest slugging percentage in a single season at .863. He joined the immortal Babe Ruth as the only hitter to finish a season with a slugging percentage over .800. Furthermore, Barry Bonds had an on-base percentage of .515 in the past 100 years, only four other players finished a season above the .500 mark. Barry Bonds is the first to do so since 1957. He also broke the single-season record for walks with 177. These accomplishments further adorn a career noted for excellence. Barry Bonds has received three Most Valuable Player awards, eight Gold Gloves, and was named Player of the Decade for the 1990s by the Sporting News. Mr. Speaker, Barry Bonds's roots in California run deep. He was born in Riverside, California. He graduated from Sierra High School in San Mateo. After attending college at Arizona State, he now both plays professional baseball and resides in California. His community activity has included generous support of the United Way's Link & Learn Program and many other San Francisco Bay Charities. He also donated around $100,000 to the September 11 fund to aid the victims of the terrorist attacks. Barry Bonds has been a beacon of quiet resolve and hard work and an inspiration to his teammates and to all Americans. I urge all Members to recognize Barry Bonds's extraordinary athletic achievements and his community spirit by supporting this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose).

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose).

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.Res. 266.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 266) congratulating Barry Bonds on his spectacular, record-breaking season for the San Francisco Giants and Major League Baseball.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

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 H.R. 2559. Last year, Congress enacted the Long-Term Care Security Act. That bill established a program to permit the Federal Government to offer private long-term care insurance at a group discount as an employment benefit. Beginning in October of 2002, Federal employees, civilian retirees and active and retired members of the military will be eligible to purchase long-term care insurance through this new program. H.R. 2559 will improve that program. This bill expands the population served by the Federal Government's long-term care program. Mr. Speaker, many individuals leave Federal employment before they are entitled to an immediate annuity, even though they worked long enough to earn retirement at a later date. Currently they are not eligible to participate in the long-term care insurance program. H.R. 2559 will rectify this situation. Such individuals will be eligible to buy long-term care insurance through the program when they file for their deferred annuity. In order to hold down premium costs, the bill also exempts policies issued under the program from premium taxes imposed by States, local governments, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Similar exemptions already exist for premiums paid under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program. Exempting premiums from these taxes will reduce premiums in two ways. First, of course, the cost of long-term care insurance will be lower simply because the premiums will not have to build in the amount of the taxes. Second, the carriers will not have to incur the cost of complying with the wide array of premium tax laws that differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Lower costs mean lower premiums. The Office of Personnel Management estimates that the exemption will shave long-term care premiums by 2.5 percent. This is important because potential consumers of long-term care insurance are very sensitive to price. I would also note, Mr. Speaker, that the Long-Term Care Security Act intends that the Office of Personnel Management will perform many of the consumer protection functions traditionally conducted by State insurance commissioners. These changes will be effective as if enacted in the Long-Term Care Security Act and will substantially improve the Federal Government's long-term care insurance program. I encourage all Members to support H.R. 2559. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2559) to amend chapter 90 of title 5, United States Code, relating to Federal long-term care insurance.