Brett Guthrie

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 374, recognizing the roles and contributions of America's teachers in building and enhancing our Nation's civic, cultural, and economic well- being, and supporting National Teacher Appreciation Week. Teachers make a lasting impression on America's young people and are key to the development of students in the classroom. I bet that almost every Member of this Chamber could name at least one teacher that had a profound impact on their lives and helped shape the person they are today. This resolution is important because it provides public recognition to those individuals who have dedicated their lives to helping educate our youth. National Teacher Appreciation Week, which took place May 3- 10, is an act of gratitude that reminds us how important teachers are and the integral role they play in our lives. It is important that we recognize teachers for the critical work they do in improving our Nation civically, culturally, and economically. Well-trained, dedicated, and skilled teachers are vitally important to the fabric of our country. This Chamber often discusses the importance of ensuring that our high school and college graduates are able to compete in the global marketplace. Having top-notch graduates who are able to think both creatively and analytically is vital as our country competes with other countries like China and India, who are also stepping up their efforts to produce high-quality graduates. We only get these types of graduates when we have in place a dedicated and skilled teacher workforce. Congress has placed an emphasis on these attributes which has led to an increased demand for high-quality, experienced teachers. In this vein, I am pleased to see the President's support of the Teacher Incentive Fund, which rewards principals and teachers for the hard work they do. Teachers today devote an extraordinary amount of time to teaching young people and also spend a lot of time on professional development, their own education, and on class preparation outside the classroom, oftentimes for salaries that average about $37,000 a year. The future of our Nation's children is dependent on the individuals that make these time, energy, and monetary commitments, and they deserve recognition for such. I stand in support of this resolution, recognizing the roles and contributions of America's teachers and recognizing National Teacher Appreciation Week, and I thank my colleague, Mr. Graves from Missouri, for introducing this resolution. I ask for my colleagues' support. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I do have one other speaker.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Christa Altman for her service to the students at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Academy in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. She was recognized with the Catholic Education Foundation's Teacher Award. Ms. Altman is devoted to making sure the students that pass through her classroom receive the best education possible. Her first-grade class consistently performs near the top on the school's annual test that measures student achievement. Ms. Altman's positive influence on her students is also evident outside of the classroom. She regularly volunteers for school activities and important causes, such as raising funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. By showing this spirit of volunteerism, Ms. Altman is inspiring future generations to make a difference in their communities. Ms. Altman's passion for making a difference in the lives of her students is an example for all Kentuckians to follow. I thank Ms. Altman for her commitment to the students in Shepherdsville.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Patty Nevitt for her service to the students at Bethlehem High School in Bardstown, Kentucky. She was recognized with the Catholic Education Foundation's Teacher Award. Ms. Nevitt primarily works with special needs students in the Marlona Ice Learning Center. She pushes her students to reach their maximum academic potential while providing the assistance the students need to be successful in the classroom. In addition to her full case load of students, Ms. Nevitt also works with teachers to develop instructional practices to ensure the success of all students. Her leadership and willingness to serve in whatever capacity she is most needed to make her a valuable asset to Bethlehem High School. Ms. Nevitt's passion for making a difference in the lives of her students and teachers is an example for all Kentuckians to follow. I thank Ms. Nevitt for her commitment to the students and teachers in Bardstown.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, as the author of House Resolution 214, I am proud that we're here today to recognize the efforts of countless volunteers who helped the Commonwealth of Kentucky recover from the ice storm of January 2009. Today I rise to recognize what went well following this terrible storm, and that is the volunteers who made a distinct difference in the lives of many Kentuckians. I traveled across the district in the days following the January 26 storm, and I was quickly reminded of how the people of Kentucky joined together in this time of need to serve each other and not themselves. This may have been the worst natural disaster in Kentucky's history, but it brought about the best of our people. The spirit of volunteerism was seen in county after county and town after town as we all united around a common purpose--to help the countless citizens affected by this devastating storm cope with the aftermath and begin with the recovery process. Kentucky State and local officials should be praised for their efforts to enlist the help of volunteer agencies, faith-based groups and community organizations that quickly realized the needs that resulted from the ice storm would far exceed what the government could provide. So they asked churches, nonprofit organizations, school groups and many others to help, and help they did. In the days following the storms, I watched with pride as volunteers provided shelter, meals and other valuable services to lend a hand to many of the people in my district and around Kentucky. I watched the members of the Kentucky National Guard, who were activated to help, and volunteer the use of their personal vehicles to rescue stranded victims. Many public service officers, police officers, first responders, firefighters, and many utility people were out 24 hours a day. And I watched 4-H and Homemakers Clubs plan to serve meals to 75 people but to find the extra resources to serve nearly 200 instead. While there are many efforts that should be praised today, I am reminded of the effort coordinated in Ohio County by Ms. Charlotte Whittaker who volunteered to organize her county's shelter. Within 48 hours of the storm, Ms. Whittaker opened the doors to a shelter at Southern Elementary School where nearly 400 people from 21 months old to 98 years old found relief in shelters in the days that followed. Nearly 450 volunteers, many young people in high school and college, operated the shelter for 12 days by serving meals, cleaning dirty laundry, sweeping floors, organizing donated clothing and doing whatever needed to be done to help. The volunteers came from many different States. I talked with a nurse from Alabama and a member of the Red Cross from Indiana and electrical crews from across the Southeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic. I appreciate all of them traveling to give their valuable time and talents. When I visited this shelter, I quickly realized that lives were saved because of Ms. Whittaker's efforts and the many others who volunteered to help in Ohio County. This is just one example of the many endeavors that took place across Kentucky. No matter the size of the volunteer efforts, they all made a difference in saving lives and helping the Commonwealth of Kentucky get back on its feet after this terrible storm. The volunteers played a key role and should be praised for giving up their valuable time and resources to offer support. They are a true testament to the American spirit. I want to thank my colleagues from Kentucky for being extremely supportive of this effort in recognizing the volunteers. I want to thank my colleague from our great City of Louisville for being here on the floor today. And I want to thank everybody who helped our Commonwealth recover from this terrible disaster we endured this year. I ask for my colleagues' support.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Superintendent Patrick Reed, the superintendent of Mammoth Cave National Park, for winning the Superintendent of the Year for Natural Resource Stewardship award from the National Park Service. Mr. Reed established a collaborative framework for science-informed decisionmaking. This includes disseminating scientific research to park staff, other areas overseen by the National Park Service, local citizens, academic and government partners, and people around the world. Mr. Reed's effort to develop local, national, and international partners exemplifies how creating a consortium can be a productive method to share information, techniques, and research to aid cave and karst areas around the world. His efforts have initiated sister-park relationships with cave and karst areas in China, Slovenia, and Spain. Mr. Reed's passion for Mammoth Cave National Park and commitment to better managing the park's world-class natural resources is an example for all to follow. I thank Mr. Reed for his commitment to the people of the Second District and one of our nation's greatest treasures.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, last year when I began deciding whether or not I wanted to serve in Congress or run for Congress, my wife and I were talking quite a bit about it, and our big concern was our children. I have a 15, 13, and 11-year-old girl/boy/girl, and our biggest concern was, what would campaigning and being in Washington and commuting do to our children? And as my wife and I began discussing that even further, it wasn't even what this was going to do to our children but what could our service or my service do here in Washington for our children and our children's generation. And that has been the concern as we go into this week, and we are beginning to look at the budget that's being proposed, the debt that we're going to put on our children. That's what drove me to run for office. And I was really concerned about the debt that was going to be moving forward, the debt that we had and here we are increasing and increasing the debt and the burden on our children. And that is a concern that I have. I have a great love for my children and their generation. I believe that we need to be very careful about any debt that we put on our children or their generation.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, while recent weeks have brought about serious challenges here at home, we must not allow them to distract our thoughts and prayers from the brave men and women fighting the war on terrorism around the world. These men and women are proudly serving our country, and are facing challenges far greater than most of us could ever imagine. I rise today to pay tribute to Sergeant Scott B. Stream, 39. Sergeant Stream was killed on February 24, 2009, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. I had the honor of attending the funeral for Sergeant Stream. As I walked in, they handed me a program of events for the funeral. Inside was an insert of an e-mail that Sergeant Stream had sent home to his family on December 31, 2008. As I sat there, waiting for the funeral to begin, I read it over and over, and I decided that I needed to share this with our grateful Nation because it says a lot about Sergeant Stream. Also, I think it says a lot about the men and women we have serving us overseas. I would like to read this e-mail and enter it into the Record. This is Sergeant Stream's e-mail: ``When I think about what surrounds me--the institutional corruption, the random violence, the fear and desperation--I feel the reasons why I'm here more and more sharply. ``As we grow in our soldier skills, surviving by finding the hidden dangers, seeing the secret motives in the shifting politics, we grow a set of skills that is unique and powerful in this situation. ``We also see what you cannot see in the States. You are surrounded by the love of Christ and faith in freedom and humanity. Like a fish, you think water is a `puff of air' because it is always there. You do not notice it. We who are out of water look back and see the world we love surrounded by enemies, poison and envy, that wants to fall on you like a storm of ruin. We who joined with vague notions of protecting our country see how desperate the peril, how hungry the enemy and how frail the security we have for you. ``The more I love and long for home the more right I feel here on the front lines standing between you and the seething madness that wants to suck the life and love out of our land. Does that mean I cannot go home? I hope not, because I want this just to be the postponement of the joy of life, not the sacrifice of mine. If it costs me my life to protect our land and people then that is a small thing. I just hope that fate lets me return to the promised land and remind people just how great our land is. ``War is a young man's game, and I am getting an old man's head. It's a strange thing. I just hope that I am not changed so that I cannot take joy in the land inside the wire when I make it home. I want to be with you all again and let my gun sit in the rack and float on my back in a tube down a lazy river.'' Sergeant Stream didn't make it home, but he left behind a family. And I would like to read their names and let him know that we're all praying for him: His wife Rasa, his daughters Megan and Laura, his parents Sherman and Gayle Stream, his siblings and their mates, Shawn and Michelle Stream, and Shannon and Michael Pape and his grandmother Vera. When I read that e-mail, it so reminded me of the dedication and the love that these young men and women had for this country. Their willingness to fight, their willingness to sacrifice. And what struck me the most he says, ``If this cost me my life, that is a small gift.'' That is someone of maturity. That is someone of patriotism. And that is a hero.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I do not have any further speakers.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. We have worked with the majority to address pressing matters that impact students and families. This bill will ensure the smooth implementation of the bipartisan higher education reforms enacted last year. It will help student loan borrowers who have fallen behind to rebuild their damaged credit, and it will postpone a student loan auction that, whether or not it was a good idea 2\1/2\ years ago, simply does not make sense in the current economic climate. I thank the majority for working with us. I have particularly enjoyed working with my colleague, Mr. Hinojosa from Texas, and I appreciate him for working on these important matters and timely changes. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes.'' Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, and I yield to the gentleman from California as much time as he may consume.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Jiten Shah for his service to western Kentucky. He has effectively served as the Executive Director of the Green River Area Development District (GRADD) since 1987, where he has worked to create economic opportunity for this mostly rural region. Recently, Federal Computer Week recognized Mr. Shah as one of the magazine's Federal 100 of 2009. This award recognizes the top executives from government, industry, and academia who had the greatest impact on the government information systems community in 2008. Mr. Shah was the driving force for the creation of ConnectGRADD, Inc., a regional broadband internet network. This extraordinary enterprise brought affordable, high-speed wireless Internet to a rural seven county region, which is larger than the state of Delaware. Mr. Shah developed the plan and built the coalition of support to make this project a reality. By providing a united vision and strong advocacy, Mr. Shah helped level the playing field for the 212,000 residents of these seven counties. Now, this region is in a better position to spur economic development and entrepreneurship among its residents. Mr. Shah's outstanding effort is an example for all Kentuckians to follow. I thank Mr. Shah for his commitment to the people of western Kentucky.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This bill names the United States courthouse currently under construction in Rockford, Illinois as the Stanley J. Roszkowski United States Courthouse. Judge Roszkowski was raised in Royalton, Illinois, and during World War II he volunteered for the Army Air Corps and served as a nose gunner on a B-26 bomber, flying more than 35 missions in Italy and Germany. After the war, he earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois in 1949, and a law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1954. In 1955, he moved to Rockford, Illinois, and began his practice of law, until his appointment in 1977 by President Carter to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois. In 1991, Judge Roszkowski assumed senior status on the Federal bench, and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1998. Among his many accomplishments, Judge Roszkowski was a member of the Illinois, Florida, and American Bar Associations, and served on the board of directors of the Federal Judges Association. He also lectured extensively at seminars for various bar associations in U.S. courts, and participated in countless workshops and mediation courses sponsored by the Federal Judicial Center. Early in his career, he was elected a fellow with the American College of Trial Lawyers, and served as the chairman and member of the Rockford Fire and Police Commission. Naming this new courthouse in Rockford, Illinois seems appropriate in recognition of Judge Roszkowski's dedication to public service and the legal profession. I have no objections to the passage of this bill, and support its adoption.

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

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 210, expressing the sense of the House that providing breakfast in schools through the National School Breakfast Program has a positive impact on classroom performance. Created as a pilot program in 1966 and made permanent in 1975, the National School Breakfast Program helps schools serve breakfast to ``nutritionally needy'' children. The program focuses on those schools where assistance is needed to provide adequate nutrition for students. In fiscal year 2007, over 10.1 million children participated in the school breakfast program each day. Of those, 8.1 million received their meals for free or at a reduced price. Participation has steadily grown over the years from only half a million children in 1970. The School Breakfast Program is administered in nearly 84,000 schools and institutions by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service through State education agencies, in agreements with local school food authorities. Public or nonprofit private schools serving grades K-12 and public or nonprofit private residential child care institutions may participate in the school breakfast program. School districts and independent schools that choose to take part in the breakfast program receive cash subsidies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for each meal they serve. In return, they must serve breakfasts that meet Federal requirements, and they must offer free or reduced-price breakfasts to eligible children. Last week schools throughout the country celebrated National School Breakfast Week. During the week, school cafeterias nationwide encouraged students to begin their day with a healthful, nutritious school breakfast. While many States that have implemented school breakfast programs have seen encouraging outcomes, the problem of childhood hunger persists. The Federal child nutrition programs are helping to end childhood hunger and promote nutrition and wellness, especially in terms of assisting those most in need of beneficial nutrition. I stand in support of this resolution recognizing the importance of the National School Breakfast Program and the positive impact a nutritious breakfast can have on a child's ability to learn, grow, and develop to their fullest potential. I ask for my colleagues' support. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 222, which congratulates the National Assessment Governing Board on its 20th anniversary in measuring student academic achievement. Over the last two decades, the governing board, better known as NAGB, has served an important role in evaluating the condition and progress of the American public education system. The National Assessment Governing Board was created by Congress in 1988 to set policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, which is commonly known as the Nation's report card. It was established as an independent, bipartisan board so that the Nation's assessment system will be conducted independently and free from inappropriate influences and special interests. The governing board is currently made up of 26 members, including governors, State legislators, local and State school officials, educators, researchers, business representatives and members of the general public. In overseeing the Nation's report card, the governing board identifies subjects to be assessed, determines the content and achievement levels for each assessment, and approves all the assessment questions. It also works to inform the public about the Nation's report card by communicating results to a wide range of Americans, including elected officials and policymakers at the national, State and local levels, educators and the media. Because of this important work, the Nation's report card is one of the most widely respected assessment tools in the country. Federal, State and local officials rely on NAGB and NAEP to get an accurate picture of the academic achievement levels of the Nation's students. In 2002, Congress passed the Education Sciences Reform Act, which reauthorized the activities of the governing board and largely maintained its independent and bipartisan nature. While requiring States to take part every 2 years in its reading and mathematics assessments in grades 4 and 8 in an effort to measure student performance, the bill continues the long-standing practice that State participation in NAEP assessments are voluntary. All student who participate in NAEP do so on a voluntary basis, and NAEP is forbidden by law to maintain a report or report information on individual students or schools. House Resolution 222 congratulates the National Assessment Governing Board on its 20th anniversary in measuring student academic achievement and recognizes the past and present members of the governing board for their service to the Nation in improving elementary and secondary education. I want to thank my colleague from Delaware (Mr. Castle) for introducing this resolution. Mr. Castle served on the governing board when he was Governor of ``The First State,'' and I want to thank him for his service and for his strong support for ensuring that students have access to a high-quality education in this country. I am pleased to rise in support of this important resolution and ask all of my colleagues to support it. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle).

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

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Peggy Newton for her service to the students at Hodgenville Elementary School in Hodgenville, Kentucky. She has taught for more than 30 years and was recently recognized as the 2008-2009 ExCEL Award recipient for her school district. Ms. Newton's teaching philosophy is simple--everyone can learn. She is an outstanding educator who shows tireless devotion to her students. Ms. Newton shows her students how to believe in themselves and in their accomplishments by quietly and efficiently guiding them. Ms. Newton's compassion for students is her first priority. She treats her students as her own as she works to encourage, inspire, and educate. She never forgets to set high expectations in her classroom. When asked why Ms. Newton deserved this award, one of her colleagues wrote, ``Because Peggy has a passion for teaching, her students have a passion for learning. She exemplifies the essential fruits of teaching that have enabled her to be such a successful teacher.'' Ms. Newton's passion for making a difference in the lives of her students is an example for all Kentuckians to follow. I thank Ms. Newton for her commitment to the students in Hodgenville.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Holly Walker for her service to the students at Elizabethtown High School in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. She has taught as a special education teacher for the last 9 years and was recently recognized as the 2008-2009 ExCEL Award recipient for her school district. Ms. Walker's teaching philosophy is simple--everyone can learn and everyone counts. She is an outstanding educator who shows genuine concern for special needs students. Ms. Walker expects more of the students than they ever thought they could accomplish. Her patience and flexibility enable them to succeed and build confidence. Ms. Walker deeply cares for her students beyond the classroom. She takes food baskets to their homes at Christmas, drives them to decorate the homecoming float, and goes to school dances with them so they will not feel alone. Her students are her extended family. When asked why Ms. Walker deserved this award, one of her students wrote, ``She never gives up on her students. She makes us feel like family. I spend five hours a day in the classroom with Ms. Walker and wouldn't want to be anywhere else.'' Ms. Walker's passion for making a difference in the lives of her students is an example for all Kentuckians to follow. I thank Ms. Walker for her commitment to the students in Elizabethtown.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the bicentennial of President Lincoln's birth. Today, as we celebrate the 200th birthday of one of our greatest Presidents, I take great pride in representing the district where President Abraham Lincoln was born. From a one-room log cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky, Abraham Lincoln rose to the highest office in our land, where he worked diligently to heal our Nation from deep wounds. As the place of his most formative years, Kentucky played a primary role in forging the family and political life of President Abraham Lincoln. It was in the Bluegrass State that he began the path to the highest office in our Nation. It was in the Bluegrass State that the foundation for President Lincoln's ideals and beliefs were laid. It was from the Bluegrass State that President Lincoln met his closest friends and mentors. Often remembered for his physical height, measuring over 6 feet, 4 inches tall, Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday also reminds us of his height of character--a character that was formed on the banks of Knob Creek, Kentucky. A man of faith and wisdom who loved his country, President Lincoln's birth is clearly worthy of commemoration. I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to thank Tommy Turner, the County Judge/Executive of LaRue County, Dan Kelly, my former colleague in the State Senate, and the rest of the Kentucky Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission for their tireless work since 2004 to organize and coordinate the many events celebrating President Lincoln's birth. Judge Turner and Senator Kelly's roles to ensure that Kentucky played an essential part in the national celebration of Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday deserve recognition. I trust that my colleagues will join me in commemorating this historic day for Kentucky's Second Congressional District, the entire Commonwealth, and our nation.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, February 12 is going to be an interesting day in Kentucky. On February 12, at the birth place of Abraham Lincoln, we're going to have a ceremony celebrating the 200th birthday of our great President. And we had planned for it to be at the log cabin. The actual log cabin still exists on its site. Unfortunately, we had to move it because of the damage from the ice storm that we had the last couple of weeks. First, let me say that the citizens of Kentucky are very thankful to the outpouring of help that we received around this country. Today, as I was driving to the airport, there are still convoys of utility trucks heading into our State continuing to bring our people back onto power. I toured a shelter, and there was a nurse from Alabama, a volunteer from Indiana, and they're all over. And Saturday morning, I ran into a crew from North Carolina that came to help remove debris. But unfortunately, the great trees that surround the log cabin of our President, several of them have had damage. Therefore, they're having to move it to the LaRue County high school. It was actually in Hardin County where Abraham Lincoln was born, but it's now LaRue County. The high school will be hosting a celebration on February 12. And we understand that there's been a lot of talking about Abraham Lincoln and Illinois in the last few weeks and last few months, but Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky. He's a Kentuckian, and we're very proud what he has meant to our State, and we invite people throughout this country--as you look at the Lincoln heritage--we invite you to come to LaRue County. And you can go to Washington County where his mother and father were married. There is usually a reenactment during the summertime where you can go to the Tom and Ms. Hanks wedding, Tom Lincoln and Ms. Hanks wedding. I saw that re-enactment this summer. The Lincolns then moved to the spot in LaRue County where Abraham Lincoln was born. And the City of Hodgenville has a beautiful downtown square that's been remodeled for the State for the purposes of the bicentennial. And there is a beautiful statue of Abraham Lincoln as a young boy as he would have been when he lived in that area before he moved to Indiana and then on to Illinois. So I think it's extremely important that we do recognize the great decisions that were made by Abraham Lincoln. As we sit here today, and as I've been in the House for the last few weeks, I'm new at this, a freshman. I've been in this the last few weeks. The decisions that we've had to make. And you wonder what was going through--how Abraham Lincoln was able to withstand the pressure that he had for the decisions that he made that meant men and boys and the women that were sent, that were in harm's way, cities that were in harm's way and nothing--I did a dome tour when I first came here. And we went to the top of the Capitol dome, the great cast iron dome that we have. And it was built--a lot of people don't realize, but the dome to this building from which we speak was built during the Civil War. And people were asking why would you use cast iron and build a dome when we're at war when the iron could be used in the war effort. And Abraham Lincoln, our great 16th President, thought it was vitally important that we continue to build this building to show the union of this country. It was symbolic. And that was just a small decision, but a symbolic decision that he made. And Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to address this body.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I support this narrowly crafted legislation and urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes.'' I yield back the balance of my time.