Steven LaTourette

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1959, as amended, designates the Federal building located at 643 East Durango Boulevard in San Antonio, Texas as the ``Adrian A. Spears Judicial Training Center.'' Adrian Spears was born in Darlington, South Carolina, on July 8, 1910. He attended local schools, graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1929, and the South Carolina School of Law in 1934. After practicing law in South Carolina for 2 years, he moved to San Antonio in 1937 and practiced law there until his appointment by President Kennedy to the Federal bench in 1961. The Senate confirmed his appointment in 1962, the same year that he became chief judge, a position that he held until 1979. He was the longest-serving chief judge and will hold that distinction indefinitely, since current law prohibits a judge from serving as chief judge for longer than 7 years. He assumed senior status in 1979 and retired from the Federal bench in 1982, when he became vice president of an oil company, a position that he held until his death in 1991. Judge Spears was a member in good standing of the Texas State bar, a member of the Judicial Conference Committee on the Administration of Criminal Law, served on the Federal Judicial Center Board, and was the recipient of the Rosewood Gavel Award, St. Mary's School of Law. This is a fitting honor to a dedicated public servant. I support this bill, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. 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. 1959) to designate the Federal building located at 743 East Durango Boulevard in San Antonio, Texas, as the ``Adrian A. Spears Judicial Training Center,'' as amended.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, a good bill deserves to be passed; I support it. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time, and I reserve the balance of our time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 809) to amend the Act of June 1, 1948, to provide for reform of the Federal Protective Service, as amended.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. I urge its passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time to close.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Hilleary), another member of the Tennessee delegation who represents many points of interest in Tennessee, but my most favorite, Lynchburg.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Bryant). (Mr. BRYANT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan), another great Member from the Volunteer State, and the chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation, who is making air traffic cheaper and safer all across the country.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4608) to designate the United States courthouse located at 220 West Depot Street in Greeneville, Tennessee, as the ``James H. Quillen United States Courthouse''.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4608 designates the new courthouse in Greeneville, Tennessee, as the James H. Quillen United States Courthouse. This is a good bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Jenkins), so that rather than me standing here and telling my colleagues about it, the bill's primary sponsor and Mr. Quillen's successor to the Congress may do so.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Jim Collins and his 50 years in journalism. While Jim has been a journalist for a half century, his interest and employment in newspapers actually dates back to 1941, when he began his career as a News-Herald delivery boy. Jim wasn't even a teenager yet, and the paper cost 6 cents for twice-weekly delivery. Jim went on to graduate from Willoughby Union High School and Kent State University, and returned to the News-Herald after receiving his degree in June 1950. By then, Jim had shed the title of delivery boy and begun his career as a cub reporter. Mr. Speaker, I certainly don't wish to draw undue attention to Jim's age, but I think it is worth noting other important milestones of 1950 so folks have some perspective about how long Jim has been a working journalist. The same year Jim became a reporter, Peanuts debuted, Alger Hiss was convicted, the first telephone answering machine was invented, Diner's Club became the first credit card, CBS began broadcasting in color, the first leak-proof ballpoint pen was introduced by PaperMate, Paul Harvey began broadcasting nationally on radio, and Silly Putty was introduced. Back then, it cost 3 cents to mail a letter, gas was 20 cents a gallon, and the average income was about $3,200 a year. My guess is Jim made less than this, however, as journalists certainly don't enter the field for generous paychecks. Jim stayed at the News-Herald until 1952, when he was drafted for a two-year tour of duty in the U.S. Army. After serving his country with honor, Jim returned to the field of journalism and eventually made it back to his home, the News-Herald. Jim has worked tirelessly since then and quickly ascended to the brass ring of newspaper management. He has been editor of the News-Herald since 1967, and has overseen its tremendous growth and development. Over the last 50 years, Jim has received many prestigious awards for his writing, and his weekly column is a must-read for anyone who cares about what's happening in the news. He also is about the most prolific commentary writer you're likely to find, and has made his mark by offering common-sense solutions to state, local and national problems. As great as Jim's accomplishments are in journalism, however, they pale in comparison to what he has done for our local communities. As editor of the News-Herald, Jim has had a constant presence in the communities the paper covers, and has always been actively involved in civic and philanthropic activities. He is respected by all who know him. Mr. Speaker, I feel honored to have known Jim Collins all the years I've been a public servant, and even a few before then. He is one of the most kind, fair, humble and caring men I've ever met. He is an exceptional journalist and an even better man. His word is his honor. On behalf of the 19th Congressional District of Ohio, I congratulate Jim Collins on his 50 years in journalism, and wish him well as he continues to devote his life to the profession he loves so dearly.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 277) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby, with a Senate amendment, and concur in the Senate amendment.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. 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 H.R. 3069, as amended, the measure just considered by the House.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3069 is a great idea. It is a good bill. I urge its passage. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First of all, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Chairman Burton) of the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight for his close cooperation in waiving jurisdiction over certain portions of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the following exchange of letters between the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Chairman Shuster) and the gentleman from Indiana (Chairman Burton) regarding this matter: House of Representatives, Committee on Government Reform, Washington, DC, April 13, 2000. Hon. Bud Shuster, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 3069, the ``Southeast Federal Center Public-Private Development Act of 2000.'' As you know, this bill contains certain provisions related to matters in the jurisdiction of the Committee on Government Reform. Specifically, Section 3 of the bill waives current law regarding the treatment of Federal property, which is under the Government Reform Committee's jurisdiction. In the interest of expediting Floor consideration of the bill, the Committee will not exercise its jurisdiction over H.R. 3069. This action should not, however, be construed as waiving the Committee's jurisdiction over future legislation of a similar nature. Thank you for your cooperation on this matter. Sincerely, Dan Burton, Chairman.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3069) to authorize the Administrator of General Services to provide for redevelopment of the Southeast Federal Center in the District of Columbia, as amended.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

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

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1729 designates the Federal facility in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the Federal Executive Institute's campus as the ``Pamela B. Gwin Hall.'' Dr. Gwin received her Ph.D. from Duke University. She was a member of the American Political Science Association, the Organization of American Historians, the Southern Historical Association, the American Society for Public Administration, and was especially active in the American Society for Training and Development and the Center for the Study of the Presidency. Pamela Gwin began her career at the Federal Executive Institute in 1983 as a faculty member teaching public policy. In 1987, she became Assistant Director of Academic Programs and instituted the design and implementation of the Leadership for a Democratic Society program. Pam gave tirelessly to her students and everyone at the Federal Executive Institute. She survived and still continued working for 2 years after receiving a heart transplant in 1996 and, sadly, passed away in 1998. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to join in doing the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.