Daniel Lungren

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 35) to establish the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies for the inauguration of the President-elect and Vice President-elect of the United States on January 21, 2013, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 36) to authorize the use of the rotunda and Emancipation Hall of the Capitol by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies in connection with the proceedings and ceremonies conducted for the inauguration of the President-elect and the Vice President- elect of the United States, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. At this time, it's my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia, the majority leader, Mr. Cantor.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri), a distinguished member of the Committees on Education and the Workforce and Transportation and Infrastructure.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, at this time it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence), a member of the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees. (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, although obviously the efforts in the civil rights movement were the culmination of efforts by people of all faiths, I find it instructive that this march takes place during the period of Lent, that in the Christian faith is a period of reflection and sacrifice as we prepare for Easter Sunday. Last Sunday, in my home parish out in California, I recall the readings at the first Sunday of Lent were about the temptations of Christ in the desert. And we received a remarkable sermon at our church in which the theme was expressed with the words ``the crown without the cross,'' that the essence of the temptation of Christ was whether He, as God-made man, was able to make the decision or was tempted to make the decision to accept the crown without accepting the cross, that is, to accept the kingship as Godhead without going through the demands, the terror, and the death of the cross. I'm reminded of that today because I think of that question that John Lewis and others had as they crossed that bridge, as they reached the crest and they saw the troopers at the other side: Do you turn back and do you not accept the cross that is coming in order to achieve that which needs to be done to redeem this country and its promise of equality of all as contained in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence? I would say that I was inspired as I was there with my wife and others on the march several years ago, Steny Hoyer leading those on the Democratic side and John Lewis, of course, being a regular Member. And he wrote to those of us who reflected on that period that perhaps the most magnificent piece of literature that came out of the civil rights movement, in my judgment, is the ``Letter From the Birmingham Jail'' by Dr. King. I would commend to my colleagues and to others who might hear our words that they go back and take time to read those words. Dr. King, sitting in jail, without access to any texts, wrote a magnificent epistle of his generation and our generation to the conscience of the American people. And he found no difficulty whatsoever in utilizing his heartfelt religious values and principles in extending the promise of that Christian message and the religious values that are found in our Judeo-Christian tradition to the underpinnings of our Constitution and challenged us to understand the difference between just and unjust laws and our responsibility to ``render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's.'' It is an inspiration to me now, and it has been an inspiration to me my entire life. I would say to anyone who wants to understand the civil rights movement, to understand the promise of America that was not fulfilled and will never perfectly be fulfilled but is certainly in a better state today than it was prior to the civil rights revolution, they should read those words of Dr. King and understand how that animated the civil rights movement and gave us heroes such as our colleague from Georgia, John Lewis. And with that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 562, which directs the Office of the Historian to compile and disseminate oral histories from current and former Members of the House of Representatives involved in the historic and annual Selma-to-Montgomery, Alabama, marches, as well as the civil rights movement in general. In March of 1965, a defining 3-week period of the civil rights movement culminated with a historic 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery. Led by the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., it was the last of three marches that resulted in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 recognizing the right of all Americans to participate in the electoral process. On March 7, 1965, our colleague from Georgia, Mr. John Lewis, and the Reverend Hosea Williams led 600 civil rights activists in the first march from Selma to Montgomery to protest the shooting of Jimmie Lee Jackson, killed just a few weeks earlier by State troopers while doing nothing more than registering African Americans to vote. The march lasted only six blocks before coming to a violent end on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. In what has become known as Bloody Sunday, troopers used tear gas and clubs to beat the protesters back from the bridge. The upsetting, horrifying images of peaceful marchers being brutally assaulted by authorities brought national attention to the plight of African Americans in the South and greater resolve to those seeking equality for all. Two days later, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., led a second symbolic march where 2,000 participants returned to the Edmund Pettus Bridge and proceeded to kneel and pray. On March 21, this time with protection from Federal authorities and the Alabama National Guard, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., led a 54-mile march to the State capitol building. Three days later, the group that started with 3,000 participants and grew to 25,000 strong, arrived in Montgomery, where Dr. King proclaimed: We are on the move now. Like an idea whose time has come, not even the marching of mighty armies can halt us. We are moving to the land of freedom. Mr. Speaker, the magnitude and importance of this historic event is undeniable, and its significance to American history must never be forgotten. To commemorate these marches, Congress in 1996 created the 54-mile- long Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail along the route of Dr. King's march, starting at the Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma and ending at the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery. Since 1998, Members of Congress have participated in an annual civil rights pilgrimage on the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail. In March of 2009, I had the privilege of participating with my wife in this event. We marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and we were inspired by those with firsthand experiences from the events of 1965. Documenting and sharing the experiences of Members who participated in historic and annual marches from Selma to Montgomery is critically important to the recognition and preservation of the achievements of the American civil rights movement. As I understand it, Mr. Lewis from Georgia and the majority leader whip, Mr. McCarthy, will lead the 2012 congressional civil rights pilgrimage starting tomorrow. It is fitting that we are here today with this resolution as another group of Members begin their journey. I want to thank my colleagues from Alabama, Ms. Sewell and Mrs. Roby, for introducing this important resolution. I strongly urge all of my colleagues not only to support the resolution but also to take part in the annual congressional Selma to Montgomery march. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of February 29, 2012, I call up House Resolution 562 directing the Office of the Historian to compile oral histories from current and former Members of the House of Representatives involved in the historic and annual Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, marches, as well as the civil rights movement in general, for the purposes of expanding or augmenting the historic record and for public dissemination and education, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from Alabama (Mrs. Roby), a member of the Committees on Armed Services, Agriculture, Education and the Workforce, and she cosponsored this resolution. (Mrs. ROBY asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. May I make an inquiry as to whether the gentleman on the other side, Mr. Lewis, has additional speakers?

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. And how much time do we have?

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I just want to echo the words of my friend, Mr. Lewis. Let us have all Members vote for this resolution. It is a recognition, a simple, straightforward, symbolic resolution recognizing the efforts of so many, as embodied in the gentleman, Mr. Lewis, and others who worked so hard to change this country for the better. I'm honored to be here on the floor with Mr. Lewis today. I appreciate the chance I had to be with him in this march several years ago. I encourage all Members to take part in that, either this year or in the future, and I ask all Members to support this. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of his retirement on March 2, we rise to thank Peter Shipman for his 32 years of outstanding service to the U.S. House of Representatives. Peter graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1976 with a degree in furniture design and subsequently worked for Gift Construction building decks. Peter came to the House November 1, 1979, when he was hired by the Cabinet Shop. His first task was to repair broken chairs from various House offices and over time he demonstrated his remarkable talent for constructing new House furniture. Over the next several years he artfully designed, built, and repaired numerous pieces of House furniture. By 1996, Peter had worked his way up to Assistant Foreman and eventually became Foreman. His list of accomplishments include the construction of the Speaker's chair for the House Floor, the construction of a beautiful hand-painted ``Hummingbird Desk'' for one particular Member, and two special display cabinets for another. He was also responsible for the design and supervision of the House Floor elevating lecterns, a sideboard for the Speaker, and a workstation for one of our House Officers. He has trained many employees over his tenure as a master cabinet maker teaching furniture design as well as construction and repair techniques. For the last four years, he has served as the Manager of the House Cabinet Shop where he passed on his wealth of knowledge and talent to his employees and mentored the staff. On a more personal note, he has always been interested in team sports and played with many of his co-workers on the House Rockers softball team during the 80s in the Congressional Softball League. After retirement, Peter plans to continue with his woodworking and spend more time with his family. On behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives, we personally congratulate Peter on his retirement and thank him for all he has done for this institution. We wish Peter the best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. I thank the gentleman for his remarks. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to share the last 9 minutes with the gentleman from New Jersey, the man I call the William Wilberforce of this Congress, Mr. Chris Smith.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. I thank the gentleman for his comments, and I thank him for his leadership on many, many issues of human rights, not only in the United States but around the world. I was astounded when I heard the comments of the leader of the minority party in the House of Representatives several days ago when she referred to those who were concerned about this decision by the President of the United States and the secretary of HHS as using religious liberty as an excuse. What an insult to those men and women of good faith who've expressed their concern about how this will require them to either violate their consciences or pay fines in tribute to the Federal Government. Interestingly enough, Alexis de Tocqueville said this about Catholics: The American Catholics are faithful to the observance of their religion. Nevertheless, they constitute the most Republican and most Democratic class of citizens which exists in the United States. Although this fact may surprise some observers at first, the causes by which it is occasioned may easily be discovered upon reflection. What he suggested was the consciences of Catholics who utilized their consciences to bring to the public debate did not undermine America, it fortified America. We've crossed this bridge before. Unfortunately there were those who claimed to be Republicans in the 1800s who led the fight against men and women of conscience who happened to be Catholic. This caused Abraham Lincoln to say these words in a letter to Joshua Speed in 1855: As a Nation, we began by declaring that all men are created equal. We now practically read it ``all men are created equal except Negroes.'' When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read ``all men are created equal except Negroes and foreigners and Catholics.'' What does it mean? The Know-Nothings feared that Catholics would bring their conscience and their values of faith to the public debate. We've been across this bridge before. We should not accept it. It's not just Catholics. It is men and women of all religious beliefs and even those of no religious beliefs who understand that a government that commands that you do something against your conscience is a government that can basically take anything away from you, and in this case, perhaps the most precious thing there is in you, your faith. We cannot let it stand. It is a question of the culture of America, the tradition of America, the first amendment to the Constitution of America. This is a serious debate because it questions whether anyone, anybody in government, can basically tell you that you must check your religious values at the door. Interestingly enough, just a week and a half ago, I was present when I heard the President speak at the National Prayer Breakfast and say he does not and we do not and we cannot check our religious values at the door. That's precisely what this edict--and that's what it is--this edict does. We ought to understand. We speak not just for Catholics, we speak not just for Christians, we speak not just for Jews, for Muslims, for Hindus, for people of faith, and for those who have no faith. We speak for all Americans in understanding that the First Amendment is not made up of mere words; it is made up of first principles. And we cannot allow first principles to be cast aside. That's why we must stand in unity against this rule, this unprincipled, this unlawful, this unconstitutional rule that has no basis in fact, has no basis in the Constitution, and has no basis in the culture of this country properly understood. I thank the gentleman for his contribution. I thank all for their contribution. General Leave

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. I would ask, Mr. Speaker, that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order this evening.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. I thank the gentleman for his comments. It is now a pleasure on my part to be able to recognize for his words the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg).

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. I thank the gentleman for his powerful words. At this time I would yield to the gentleman from Tennessee, Dr. Roe.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, might I make an inquiry as to how much time I have remaining.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. I thank the Speaker. At this time, I would recognize the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Nunnelee). We are trying to keep it to about 4 minutes apiece. And I'm not just saying that because you're ready to talk, but that's the time we have.

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. I thank the gentleman for his comments. It is now my pleasure to yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Stutzman).