Steven LaTourette

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 621 designates the Federal building in Van Nuys, California, as the James C. Corman Federal building. Congressman Corman was born in Galena, Kansas, and was a graduate of Belmont High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from UCLA, his juris doctor from USC, and his LLD from the University of San Fernando Valley School of Law. He was appointed to the California bar in 1949. Congressman Corman first served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Second World War and later as a colonel in the Marine Corps Reserves. In 1957, Congressman Corman was elected to the Los Angeles City Council. He served on the council until being elected to the 87th Congress in 1960 and was reelected to the House of Representatives for 10 succeeding terms. He served on the Committee on the Judiciary, where he was instrumental in fighting for the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and on the Committee on Ways and Means, where he was a leading advocate for the poor and the disadvantaged working on tax and welfare reform. Congressman Corman was also proud to serve on President Johnson's National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders to investigate the causes of multi-city rioting in 1967. As many of us are aware, former Congressman Corman passed away at the age of 80 last January. I support this bill, and I encourage my colleagues to support it as well. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 621) to designate the Federal building located at 6230 Van Nuys Boulevard in Van Nuys, California, as the ``James C. Corman Federal Building.''

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield another 5 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) for purposes of control.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey), the majority leader of the House.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce), a seatmate on the Committee on Rules with the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley).

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. King).

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, as I begin my remarks on H.R. 559, I want to thank and commend our colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) for one, not only bringing this matter before the attention of the House, but also for pushing for its expedited consideration. I was in my district in Ohio as all Members were earlier this week. They all were not in Ohio, they were all in their districts. And the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) was kind enough to call and indicate this was a bill that was not only deserving of the body's attention, but it was deserving of expedited attention. Madam Speaker, I also want to commend the leadership of the House for giving it every consideration. Madam Speaker, H.R. 559 designates the United States courthouse located at 1 Boston Way in Boston, Massachusetts as the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse. It is only fitting that the courthouse in Boston bear the name of our witty, compassionate and amiable colleague in the House. Mr. Moakley has been a staple in this body since his election to the House in 1972. Congressman Moakley was born, raised and lived most of his adult life in South Boston, something he is very proud of. He began his long distinguished career in public service at the age of 15 when he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the South Pacific during the Second World War. Upon returning from his service in World War II, he attended the University of Miami, and later received his law degree from Suffolk University Law School in Boston. At the age of 25, Congressman Moakley was elected to the Massachusetts State Legislature, serving in both the State House of Representatives and the State Senate for 18 years before being elected to the Boston City Council. In 1972, as I mentioned before, Congressman Moakley was elected to the United States House of Representatives. After his first term in the House, Congressman Moakley was appointed to the Committee on Rules. He later became chair of the Committee on Rules in 1989. He is now serving as the Committee on Rules ranking member. With his affable personality, he was able to give everyone a fair shake that came before his committee, even during some of the more than difficult political debates that we, from time to time, have in this Chamber. In addition to his work on the Committee on Rules and being an ardent supporter for South Boston's transportation infrastructure, Congressman Moakley continues to be dedicated to ending human rights violations around the world, particularly in Central America. This naming is a fitting tribute to our colleague. Madam Speaker, I support the bill and encourage my colleagues to join in support. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of Tuesday, February 13, 2001, I call up the bill (H.R. 559) to designate the United States courthouse located at 1 Courthouse Way in Boston, Massachusetts, as the ``John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, as we await the arrival of other speakers, we reserve the balance our time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Quinn).

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

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, many Members have come over to the floor today, Members that know Joe Moakley far better than I, and have shared their personal stories of his dedication and his compassion, his fierce competitiveness, his desire to be a good Democrat and serve well the constituents of South Boston and a lot of stories about his wit. I can only tell you, Mr. Speaker, that as a House we are united in our desire to honor our longtime colleague; and there is no honor more fitting than what we plan to do today and that is to name the United States courthouse in Boston after one of Boston's sons, John Joseph Moakley. I urge passage of the bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).

Mr. LaTOURETTE. 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 material on H.R. 559.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers).

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), chairman of the Committee on Rules, Mr. Moakley's counterpart; and Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take 5 minutes of my time and yield it to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) for him to control.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly), the author of the bill. (Mr. Gallegly asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, that is correct. In the spirit of bipartisanship that permeates the Chamber, it is my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall). (Mr. UDALL of New Mexico asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 93) to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that the mandatory separation age for Federal firefighters be made the same as the age that applies with respect to Federal law enforcement officers, as amended.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam 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. 93, as amended.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the House consider H.R. 93 this evening, important legislation introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly). This bipartisan legislation amends Federal civil service law relating to the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees Retirement System to provide the same mandatory separation age for Federal firefighters and Federal law enforcement officers who have 20 years of service. Currently, the mandatory separation age is 55 for firefighters and 57 for law enforcement officers. In both cases, an agency head may allow the employee to work until the age of 60 if that is required by the public interest. The Subcommittee on Civil Service has examined the legislative history of these mandatory separation ages and it has determined that there is no rationale for continuing to maintain the discrepancy that currently exists. If enacted, H.R. 93, this bill, will bolster our firefighting capabilities. Allowing these brave men and women the option of continuing their careers for an additional 2 years will make it easier to maintain more experienced firefighters in the field and in senior management positions. Madam Speaker, I encourage all of our Members to support this bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Hart), another new Member of the House of Representatives already making a difference.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis). One of the most devoted and hard-working Members of this House was Herb Bateman, and it really comes as no surprise to me that tonight, the Representative who has assumed his seat wants to make a contribution on the very first day and on the very first piece of legislation. (Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), one of the most respected Members of the House. (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I am happy to yield another 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones), so she has a full minute so we can hear what she has to say.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith).