Stephen Lynch

Mr. LYNCH

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

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, for the purpose of a colloquy, I would like to engage with the chairman of the committee and the drafter of this legislation. I congratulate him on the great work he has done on this reform bill. Mr. Chairman, I want to call your attention to sections 726 and 765 of the bill. These two provisions require the CFTC and the SEC to conduct rulemakings to eliminate the conflicts of interest arising from the control of clearing and trading facilities by entities such as swap dealers and major swap participants. This problem arises because, right now, 95 percent of all of the clearinghouses in this country are owned by just five banks. So, while we are relying on the clearinghouses to reduce systemic risk, we have the banks now owning the clearinghouses. The question I have is regarding the intent of the conferees in retaining subsection B of these provisions. It could be loosely construed to leave it up to the agencies whether or not to adopt rules. Mr. Chairman, do you agree that my reading of sections 726 and 765 affirmatively require these agencies to adopt strong conflict of interest rules on control and governance of clearing and trading facilities?

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of David C. Saviano, born December 21, 1950, to Anthony and Bernadina Saviano, in South Medford, Massachusetts. Dave's family moved to Billerica when he was 13 years old. He graduated from Billerica Memorial High School in 1970, where his athletic abilities as a wrestler, baseball player, and football captain earned him Athlete of the Year honors his senior year. Dave's father, Tony, a retired member of Pipefitters Local 537's refrigeration division, inspired Dave to follow in his footsteps. Dave became a pipefitter apprentice in September 1971 and was initiated into Pipefitters Local 537 in March 1975. After working his way through the ranks, Dave ran for, and was elected in 1989, to the executive board of Pipefitters Local 537. Three years later, he was elected vice president of Pipefitters Local 537 and re-elected to that position again in 1995. Dave's leadership and experience earned him a hiatus from serving his Local 537 brothers and sisters in an elected capacity, as Dave ran one of the largest co-generation power plant construction jobs in the country from 1999 to 2002 in Everett, Massachusetts. But he came back to Local 537 politics, was elected and re-elected as business agent in 2002 and 2004; and in 2007 was elected assistant business manager. During his career with Pipefitters Local 537 Dave also served as an educational board trustee, attended United Association national conventions and New England Pipe Trade conventions. Dave is also dedicated to his community and for many years, has served on the Democratic Town Committee, attended the Democratic State Convention and has been an elected town meeting member. Most recently Dave won a seat on the Town Planning Board. Dave and his wife of more than 25 years, Rosemary, continue to live in Billerica. Their sons, David and Jeff, are now married, David to Gail and Jeff to Deb, and Dave and Rose are the proud new grandparents of David Philip Saviano, born to David and his wife, Gail, on May 21, 2010. An active member and leader of Pipefitters Local 537 for 39 years and a dedicated father and husband, Dave's commitment and hard work to his members and family earned him a new title at this stage in his life, retired grandfather. Madam Speaker, it is my distinct honor to take the Floor of the House today, to join with Dave's family, friends and contemporaries to recognize and thank him for a career dedicated to the men, women and families of Pipefitters Local 537. I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating David C. Saviano's distinguished career and wish him a happy and full retirement.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Stuart Rossman who stepped down on June 9, 2010 as President of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston. An honors graduate of the University of Michigan and Harvard Law School, Mr. Rossman has dedicated himself to working for social justice, ensuring the well-being of the State of Israel and building a strong Jewish community in the greater Boston area. As an adjunct faculty member at both the Northeastern University School of Law and at the Suffolk University Law School, he trains and educates the next generation of lawyers and legal scholars. Throughout his legal career, during which he served in the Massachusetts Attorney General's office and in his current post with the National Consumer Law Center, a national advocacy organization for low-income consumer justice, he has stood up for those whose voices are seldom heard. Mr. Rossman has brought together partners across ethnic and religious lines to speak out for what is right. Mr. Rossman has also been a strong supporter of Israel and of the Jewish community. During his term as Chairman of the United Jewish Appeal Young Leadership Cabinet from 1991 to 1992, he led a solidarity mission to Israel during the Persian Gulf War and led the 8th Annual UJA Young Leadership Conference in Washington, attended by the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and over 3,000 participants. In addition to his work with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, he has been actively involved in the Combined Jewish Philanthropies, where he has served on its Executive Committee and Board. He also served as President of the Bureau of Jewish Education, President of the Massachusetts Association of Jewish Federations and Chair of the Boston-Haifa Connection, a partnership that seeks to build economic and social bridges. He is also is a member of the Advisory Committees for the South Area Solomon Schechter Day School and the American Society for the University of Haifa New England Region. Madam Speaker, Stuart Rossman has spent a lifetime working for the betterment of his community and of Israel and the relationship between our two countries. It is my pleasure to join with Stuart's family, his wife Shelley and daughters Rina and Jessie, JCRC Executive Director Nancy K. Kaufman and their colleagues to recognize his achievements and to congratulate him as he concludes his tenure as President of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Stuart Rossman who will be stepping down on June 9, 2010 as President of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston. An honors graduate of the University of Michigan and Harvard Law School, Mr. Rossman has dedicated himself to working for social justice, ensuring the well-being of the State of Israel and building a strong Jewish community in the greater Boston area. As an adjunct faculty member at both the Northeastern University School of Law and at the Suffolk University Law School, he trains and educates the next generation of lawyers and legal scholars. Throughout his legal career, during which he served in the Massachusetts Attorney General's office and in his current post with the National Consumer Law Center, a national advocacy organization for low-income consumer justice, he has stood up for those whose voices are seldom heard. Mr. Rossman has brought together partners across ethnic and religious lines to speak out for what is right. Mr. Rossman has also been a strong supporter of Israel and of the Jewish community. During his term as Chairman of the United Jewish Appeal Young Leadership Cabinet from 1991 to 1992, he led a solidarity mission to Israel during the Persian Gulf War and led the 8th Annual UJA Young Leadership Conference in Washington, attended by the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and over 3,000 participants. In addition to his work with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, he has been actively involved in the Combined Jewish Philanthropies, where he has served on its Executive Committee and Board. He also served as President of the Bureau of Jewish Education, President of the Massachusetts Association of Jewish Federations and Chair of the Boston-Haifa Connection, a partnership that seeks to build economic and social bridges. He is also is a member of the Advisory Committees for the South Area Solomon Schechter Day School and the American Society for the University of Haifa New England Region. Madam Speaker, Stuart Rossman has spent a lifetime working for the betterment of his community and of Israel and the relationship between our two countries. It is my pleasure to join with Stuart's family, his wife Shelley and daughters Rina and Jessie, JCRC Executive Director Nancy K. Kaufman and their colleagues to recognize his achievements and to congratulate him as he concludes his tenure as President of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in support of the amendment offered by my friend and colleague, Mr. Sarbanes of Maryland. This amendment ensures due diligence on the part of Federal agencies by requiring cost comparisons before any work can be awarded to contractors at non-Department of Defense agencies. I just want to point out that this is what DOD is doing now, and those of us on the Oversight Committee, who saw the problems that were created by recklessly contracting out core government responsibilities in the Iraq reconstruction era, think this is a great idea. We think that this is an idea that will make sure that we do effective cost analysis and also measure the appropriateness of whether or not a core government's function should be contracted out to begin with.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. 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. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to add any extraneous materials.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to join with Mr. Honda and Mr. Cao and other Members in support of this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1316) celebrating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, as amended.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 2711) to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for the transportation of the dependents, remains, and effects of certain Federal employees who die while performing official duties or as a result of the performance of official duties.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present H.R. 2711, the Special Agent Samuel Hicks Families of Fallen Heroes Act, for consideration. This bipartisan legislation was introduced on June 4, 2009, by my colleague, Representative Mike Rogers of Michigan, as well as several members of the Oversight Committee, including Chairman Towns, and Representatives Bill Foster of Illinois, Elijah Cummings of Maryland, and Brian Bilbray of California. In addition, I am also pleased to be an original cosponsor. Moreover, H.R. 2711 was passed by the House of Representatives by a voice vote on December 8, 2009, and subsequently passed the United States Senate, with minor amendments, on May 14, 2010. H.R. 2711 is an important measure for the Federal law enforcement community. This bill authorizes the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to pay the relocation and moving expenses for families of agents who are killed in the line of duty. Law enforcement officers and their families are routinely moved by the government to take on assignments that enhance the security of our country. Under current law, the government is authorized to pay these expenses if an agent or employee is killed overseas, but it cannot do so for relocation if the death occurs within the United States. While we wish this legislation was not necessary, tragically there have been instances in which such authority was needed to support the families of agents or employees who have given their lives. I applaud the Senate, and especially Senators Lieberman, Collins, Akaka, and Voinovich for recognizing the importance of this bill and for sending the bill back to the House with minor changes. The bill, as amended by the Senate, would extend these family benefits to employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Senate amendment also makes several largely technical changes to the scope of available assistance. These improvements were made at the request of the Obama administration, which supports this measure. I do want to emphasize that the bill has strong support among the Federal law enforcement community, including the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and the FBI Agents Association. Lastly, I'd like to point out that the title of the bill pays tribute to the memory and service of Special Agent Samuel Hicks. Special Agent Hicks was assigned to the Pittsburgh FBI office and was fatally shot on November 19, 2008, at the age of 33 while executing a Federal search warrant associated with a drug distribution ring. Special Agent Hicks was a former police officer with the Baltimore Police Department. He and his family relocated to Pittsburgh when he became an agent. Unfortunately, after the loss of Special Agent Hicks, the Bureau was unable to assist the Hicks family in moving back to Baltimore due to the statutory limitations. This legislation would correct this problem and prevent future families from suffering additional grief and hardship. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2711. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present H.R. 2711, the Special Agent Samuel Hicks Families of Fallen Heroes Act, for consideration. This bipartisan legislation was introduced on June 4th, 2009 by my colleague, Representative Mike Rogers of Michigan, as well as several Members of the Oversight Committee, including Chairman Ed Towns and Representatives Bill Foster, Elijah Cummings, and Brian Bilbray. In addition, I am pleased to say that I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 2711. Moreover, H.R. 2711 was passed by the House of Representatives by voice vote on December 8th, 2009 and subsequently passed the United States Senate, with minor amendments, on May 14th, 2010. H.R. 2711 Is an important measure for the Federal law enforcement officer community. The bill authorizes the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to pay the relocation and moving expenses for families of agents who are killed in the line of duty. Law enforcement officers and their families are routinely moved by the government to take on assignments that enhance the security of the country. Under current law, the government is authorized to pay these expenses if an agent or employee is killed overseas but cannot pay for relocation if the death occurs in the U.S. While we wish this legislation was not necessary, tragically, there have been instances in the recent past where such authority was needed to support the families of agents or employees who gave their lives. I applaud the Senate, and specifically, Senators Lieberman, Collins, Akaka and Voinovich, for recognizing the importance of this bill and for sending the bill back to the House with minor changes. The bill, as amended by the Senate, would extend these family benefits to employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Senate amendment also makes several, largely technical changes to the scope of available benefits. These changes were made at the request of the Obama administration, which supports this measure. I want to emphasize that this bill has strong support from the Federal law enforcement community, including the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents Association. Lastly, I would like to point out that the title of this bill pays tribute to the memory and service of Special Agent Samuel Hicks. Special Agent Hicks was assigned to the Pittsburgh FBI office and was fatally shot on November 19, 2008, at the age of 33, while executing a Federal search warrant associated with a drug distribution ring. Special Agent Hicks was a former police officer with the Baltimore Police Department. He and his family relocated to Pittsburgh when he became an agent. Unfortunately, after the loss of Special Agent Hicks, the Bureau was unable to assist the Hicks family in moving back to Baltimore due to statutory limitations. This legislation would correct this problem and prevent future families from suffering additional unnecessary grief and hardship. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous materials.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his thoughtful remarks, and I just want to ask Members on both sides to join with Mr. Rogers of Michigan, also Mr. Foster of Illinois--and, Mr. Speaker, I know that you, as the Representative from Maryland's Seventh District, had a special interest in this bill on behalf of the Hicks family and all of those officers who are killed in the line of duty, so I want to thank you for your work as well. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous materials.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1189) commending Lance Mackey on winning a record 4th straight Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

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

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman for his thoughtful remarks and ask Members on both sides of the aisle to support Mr. Young in his resolution. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present House Resolution 1189 for consideration. This resolution honors Lance Mackey for his record of four consecutive wins at the Iditarod. House Resolution 1189 was introduced by my colleague, the gentleman from Alaska, Representative Don Young, on March 17, 2010. The measure was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered the measure reported by unanimous consent on April 14, 2010. Notably, House Resolution 1189 enjoys the support of over 80 Members of Congress. Mr. Speaker, Lance Mackey's ability to win a record fourth consecutive Iditarod can truly be characterized as a remarkable achievement. As the residents of Alaska well know, the Iditarod takes place on 1,150 miles of grueling landscape across the State. Competitors race over mountain ranges, through tundra and spruce forests and across frozen rivers. Mr. Mackey completed this year's race from a start in Anchorage to the finish line in Nome in just 8 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes and 9 seconds, the second-fastest finish in the history of this race. In addition, he is the only person ever to be crowned Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champion four times in a row and the only person to win both the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod race in the same year, a feat that he accomplished in both 2007 and 2008. Mr. Mackey's accomplishments have also served as an inspiration to the cancer community. In 2001, Mr. Mackey was diagnosed with throat cancer. He took a year off from racing in order to battle the disease. Thankfully, Mr. Mackey is now considered cancer-free and often speaks to a variety of cancer patient groups about his fight and his recovery. Mr. Speaker, let us now take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Mackey on his historic victory. I thank the gentleman from Alaska for introducing House Resolution 1189. I would also like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) for his support of this measure. I urge my colleagues to support the House Resolution 1189. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous materials.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1172) recognizing the life and achievements of Will Keith Kellogg.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. On behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present House Resolution 1172 for consideration. This legislation recognizes the life and achievements of a renowned American industrialist and philanthropist, Mr. Will Keith Kellogg. Introduced by my colleague and friend, Representative Mark Schauer of Michigan, on March 11, 2010, House Resolution 1172 was favorably reported out of the Oversight Committee on May 20, 2010, by unanimous consent. And, additionally, this legislation enjoys the support of over 50 Members of Congress. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present House Resolution 1172 for consideration. This legislation recognizes the life and achievements of a renowned American industrialist and philanthropist, Mr. Will Keith Kellogg. Introduced by my colleague, Representative Mark Schauer of Michigan, on March 11th, 2010, House Resolution 1172 was favorably reported out of the Oversight Committee on May 20th, 2010 by unanimous consent. Additionally, this legislation enjoys the support of over fifty members of Congress. A longtime resident of the city of Battle Creek, Michigan, W.K. Kellogg, the founder of the famed Kellogg Company, was born on April 7th, 1860. While Mr. Kellogg lacked a formal education beyond the 6th grade, he was always an aspiring businessman and at the age of 14, began his business career selling brooms for a living. At the age of 20, Mr. Kellogg moved to Battle Creek to work at the Battle Creek Sanitarium, where his brother, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, served as physician-in-chief. It was at the sanitarium where Mr. Kellogg and his brother first began experimenting with grains in order to improve the vegetarian diet of the hospital's patients. The Kellogg brothers' efforts proved groundbreaking, as the year 1894 marked W.K. Kellogg's discovery of a process for making flaked cereal. The new cereal was an instant favorite among the sanitarium's patients and soon became available through mail order to accommodate the requests of hundreds of hospital guests. In 1906, Mr. Kellogg officially entered the cereal business and founded the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company--which later became the Kellogg Company. Notably, the Kellogg Company product line reflected Mr. Kellogg's belief that the entire populace--and not just those on special diets--would be interested in healthy cereal foods. Accordingly, Mr. Kellogg continually sought to improve his breakfast cereals--eventually discovering that a better flake was produced by using only the corn grit or ``sweet heart of the corn''--and the Kellogg Company quickly became an industry leader in terms of innovative packing and nutritional labeling. As Mr. Kellogg's company quickly expanded its operations to locations such as Australia and England, the Kellogg Company continued to play a key economic role in Battle Creek and across the United States. During the Great Depression, Mr. Kellogg, who famously announced that he would invest his money in his people, expanded his facilities in Battle Creek--thereby bringing much-needed jobs to his hometown. Similarly, he directed his Battle Creek plant to offer four work shifts of six hours each, so as to spread the payroll among more workers. The Kellogg Company also played an instrumental role during World War II, as the company provided packaged rations for the United States armed forces. In addition, Kellogg Company engineering personnel made use of the company's production facilities in support of United States armed forces engineering efforts. And in recognition of the company's contribution to the American war effort, Mr. Kellogg received the Army- Navy ``E'' Flag for excellence. In addition to his pioneering contributions to the food industry and his devotion to promoting healthy living around the world, Mr. Kellogg is also remembered as a dedicated philanthropist. Notably, in 1930, President Herbert Hoover named Mr. Kellogg to serve as a delegate to the White House Conference on Child Health and Protection, and in his continued efforts to assist young people, Mr. Kellogg subsequently established the W.K. Kellogg Child Welfare Foundation. The foundation, now known as the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, serves to provide a variety of educational, healthcare, and other opportunities to vulnerable children. Moreover, Mr. Kellogg donated millions of dollars to a variety of hometown causes throughout his life, including the establishment of the Ann J. Kellogg School for Handicapped Children and the construction of a civic auditorium, a junior high school, and a youth recreation center in Battle Creek. Mr. Speaker, after a lifetime of remarkable achievements in the world of business and a dedicated commitment to public service, W.K. Kellogg passed away on October 6th, 1951, at the age of 91. It is my hope that we honor the life and achievements of Mr. Kellogg through the passage of House Resolution 1172. Notably, this legislation is as timely as it is fitting, as this past April marked the 150th Anniversary of Mr. Kellogg's birth. At this time I yield 5 minutes to the lead sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Schauer).

Mr. LYNCH. 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.