Chuck Fleischmann

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 1264 would designate the property between the United States Courthouse and the Ed Jones Building located at 109 South Highland Avenue in Jackson, Tennessee, as the M.D. Anderson Plaza and authorize the placement of historical markers on the grounds recognizing the achievements and philanthropy of M.D. Anderson. I want to thank the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Fincher) for introducing this legislation. Monroe Dunaway Anderson, also known as M.D. Anderson, was one of the United States' most successful agribusinessmen and philanthropists of the early 20th century. M.D. Anderson was born in 1873 in Jackson, Tennessee. He attended college in Memphis and came back to his hometown to work at the Peoples National Bank. In 1904 M.D. Anderson, his older brother Frank Anderson, and a businessman named Will Clayton established a partnership to buy and sell cotton in Jackson, Tennessee. By 1945 Fortune magazine called their company the largest buyer, seller, storer, and shipper of raw cotton in the world. Outside of his cotton business, M.D. Anderson contributed to numerous philanthropic causes, especially that of medical research. In 1936 he established the M.D. Anderson Foundation, which funded cancer research and education at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, which grew into the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas, one of the largest medical complexes in the world. I believe this legislation is appropriate in honoring M.D. Anderson's enduring legacy in his hometown as a successful American businessman and, more importantly, in honoring his contributions to vital medical research and philanthropy. The subcommittee worked closely with the bill sponsor to make improvements to the legislation, which are reflected in the amendments to the bill. The amendments ensure the legislation is in line with the Commemorative Works Act by requiring that the design of the statue be approved by the General Services Administration prior to its installation. I support the passage of this legislation, as amended, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. 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 materials on H.R. 1264.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1264) to designate the property between the United States Federal Courthouse and the Ed Jones Building located at 109 South Highland Avenue in Jackson, Tennessee, as the ``M.D. Anderson Plaza'' and to authorize the placement of a identification marker on the grounds recognizing the achievements and philanthropy of M.D. Anderson, as amended.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Fincher).

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

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize not only one of the greatest coaches of all time but also one of the greatest people of all time, the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach, Pat Summitt. Yesterday, Coach Summitt was named Sports Illustrated's Sportswoman of the Year, and there was no one more deserving than she. Not only is she the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history, having well over 1,000 wins, including 16 SEC titles and eight national championships, but she is also an exemplary role model for the students she coaches and is a shining ambassador for the university she represents. Earlier this year, Coach Summitt was diagnosed with early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type. While the news would be unbearable for many to take at such a young age, Coach Summitt has stayed on the sidelines and continues to coach the Lady Vols. She is, again, leading by example and is showing her players that, while life is full of obstacles, you can continue to achieve success through hard work and dedication. Thank you, Coach Summitt. I am glad you represent my alma mater. Go Big Orange.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake).

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Olson).

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on House Resolution 364.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Franks).

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, in closing, I wish to thank Congressman Schweikert and Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz for their coauthorship of this very, very important legislation honoring Gabe Zimmerman. I want to thank the entire Arizona delegation for all their tireless efforts in this regard. I also wish to urge all of my colleagues in this great House, the people's House, to support this bill later today. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Paulsen).

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Quayle).

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gosar).

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Schweikert), who coauthored this important resolution.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. House Resolution 364 would designate room HVC 215 of the Capitol Visitors Center as the Gabriel Zimmerman Meeting Room. This resolution has broad bipartisan support, with 367 cosponsors. On January 8, 2011, our Nation, and this Chamber in particular, suffered a horrendous tragedy. On that day, one of our distinguished colleagues, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, was hosting one of her many Congress on the Corner gatherings at a local supermarket, where she routinely met and conversed directly with her constituents. During that event, a gunman shot and killed six people, while critically wounding 13 others, including Congresswoman Giffords. I am heartened to hear of the amazing progress the Congresswoman is making in her recovery, and our prayers go out to her and her family. Sadly, on that day, six people lost their lives. Among the dead were a 6-year-old girl, Chief Judge John Roll of the United States District Court of Arizona, and Congresswoman Giffords' director of community outreach, Gabriel Zimmerman. Earlier this year, we honored Chief Judge Roll in naming a courthouse after him. Today we honor Congresswoman Giffords' staffer Gabriel Zimmerman. Gabe Zimmerman was only 30 years old and engaged to be married when he was killed. He graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 2002, and in 2006 received a master's degree in social work from Arizona State University. Prior to joining Congresswoman Giffords' staff, he worked as a social worker assisting troubled youth. Gabe Zimmerman began his congressional career in 2007 as a Constituent Service Supervisor for then newly elected Congresswoman Giffords. In that role, he supervised her constituent services operation and worked directly with the people of Arizona's Eighth Congressional District. He was later promoted to the Director of Community Outreach, where he organized hundreds of events to coordinate outreach to constituents. As the first congressional staffer to be murdered in the performance of his official duties, this resolution seeks to honor Gabe Zimmerman's ultimate sacrifice to the citizens of Arizona. This is also a gesture of sincerest gratitude from the Members of this Chamber who rely on their dedicated staff to help them serve the citizens of this Nation. I support the passage of this resolution and urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 364) designating room HVC 215 of the Capitol Visitor Center as the ``Gabriel Zimmerman Meeting Room''.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a balanced budget amendment to our Constitution. For 24 years, I ran my own small business with my wife. We had to balance our budget every month and every year. I've also raised three boys with my wife, and we've had to balance our budget as a family in order to live within our means. I believe the United States Constitution is one of the greatest documents ever written, and I don't take amending it lightly. However, we must curb the voracious appetite of the Federal Government and get our fiscal House in order. We passed the $15 trillion mark in our national debt yesterday, and we are seeing other countries around the world succumb to their debt. We must fix our debt crisis before it's too late. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this balanced budget amendment to our Constitution, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of House Joint Resolution 2. Our kids and grandkids are depending on it.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to talk about a successful business in Tennessee's Third District, Oak Ridge Office Supply. For almost 15 years, they have grown their business, weathered through tough times, and brought jobs to Anderson County. With 17 employees now, they are a great example of what hard work and the American free enterprise system can do. I ran a business with my wife for 24 years, and I know how tough it is. The free enterprise system has helped make this country the greatest Nation the world has ever known. It is those people who risk everything to start their own businesses and pursue their dreams that drive our economy. I was glad to give Oak Ridge Office Supply my very first Economic Excellence Award last week, and I will continue to hand out these awards as I recognize businesses in east Tennessee that embody the idea of hard work and success.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the elevation of the Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to the status of Minor Basilica on October 22. This church sits in my hometown, and it's where I attend services. Sts. Peter and Paul Parish was founded in 1852, when Father Henry V. Brown became the first pastor. Upon his appointment to pastor in 1887, Father William Walsh immediately began plans for a new church. Ground was broken on February 1, 1888, and on June 29, 1890, Sts. Peter and Paul Church was dedicated. Due to the inspired leadership of Bishop Richard F. Stika and Monsignor George Schmidt, the church of Sts. Peter and Paul is the first church in Tennessee to be honored as a Minor Basilica by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. Monsignor Schmidt, the rector, will continue to lead the faithful in worship at the basilica and will celebrate Mass along with Father Bertin Glennon. I look forward to continuing to attend services, and I congratulate the church on this great honor.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, today I will introduce my first piece of legislation since taking office, and I am proud that it saves the taxpayers of my home State of Tennessee an estimated $50 million. The unfunded mandate put in place by the new standards of the Federal Highway Administration is an undue burden on States when they can least afford it. That is why I am joining Congressman DesJarlais and Senators Alexander and Corker to allow local governments to meet these new standards at the end of a road sign's natural lifecycle, and not on the accelerated timetable put forth by the Federal Highway Administration. While this administration and their departments might have the mindset of tax, borrow, and spend, local governments cannot do the same. At a time when we are working to be fiscally responsible and balance our budgets, the Federal Government is telling them to spend money they don't have. Washington politicians should take a clue from their local and State officials and get to work on balancing the budget instead of telling States how to spend their money.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. If enacted, this bill will open up areas of the Outer Continental Shelf where there are the greatest known oil and gas reserves that contain billions of barrels of oil. With resources like these, it is a wonder that we continue to rely on other countries for most of our energy. While the administration is encouraging other countries to produce oil, Americans are unable to access large areas of our own energy supply here. H.R. 1231 will hold the administration accountable by setting production goals to make sure that we provide enough energy for our country while reducing the dependence on foreign oil. Gas prices have increased by 12.9 cents per gallon in my hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee, during the last month alone. Plain and simply, we know that increased oil and natural gas production will drive down gas prices. We should have the ability to access our vast resources at home. Mr. Chairman, we have the means to provide relief for our growing energy deficit, and passage of this bill will be a step towards providing these means for our country.