Stephen Lynch

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, whenever a former member of the Red Sox is recognized, I have to join in those accolades, and I am very pleased to support the resolution offered by my friend Mr. Berry from Arkansas. George Clyde Kell distinguished himself as an exceptional professional baseball player over the course of 15 major league seasons and in his later life, as has been mentioned, as a beloved broadcaster for the Detroit Tigers. Mr. Kell made his major league debut with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1943, playing in one game, and became a consistent starter over the following two seasons. Notably, Mr. Kell was traded to the Detroit Tigers early in the 1946 season, which he finished with a .322 batting average and thereby began establishing himself as a Hall of Fame- caliber third baseman. Over the course of his distinguished professional baseball career, Mr. Kell was selected as an All-Star 10 times, as has been mentioned, and hit at least .300 in nine major league seasons and led the American League's third basemen in fielding percentage seven times. Mr. Kell's finest season came in 1950 when he led the American League with 218 hits, 56 doubles, and set a career high with 101 runs batted in and 114 runs scored. In addition, Mr. Kell holds the distinction of winning the closest batting crown race in Major League Baseball history. Mr. Kell captured the American League batting crown in 1949 on the final day of the regular season during which he went two for three against future Hall of Famer Bob Lemon of the Cleveland Indians and succeeded in edging out Boston Red Sox legend Ted Williams for the batting title by two- thousandths of a point. After hitting for a .319 batting average in 1951, Mr. Kell was traded to my own Boston Red Sox in 1952 in a multiplayer deal, and the next season set a career high in home runs. Following his stint with the Red Sox, Mr. Kell played for the Chicago White Sox and concluded his playing career in 1957 with the Baltimore Orioles. During his two seasons with the Orioles, Mr. Kell helped to groom his successor at third base, fellow Arkansas native Brooks Robinson, who would later join Mr. Kell as an inductee into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983. It was during their Cooperstown induction ceremony that Mr. Kell noted how incredible it was that two Arkansas natives had traveled the same path to the same place. Although Mr. Kell ended his playing career in 1957, he never truly left the game, as has been noted here. In 1958, he began broadcasting on CBS's Game of the Week and the following year joined the Detroit Tigers' broadcast crew, teaming with Van Patrick and Ernie Harwell, and later, Tigers' Hall of Fame outfielder Al Kaline. Mr. Kell continued to cover the Tigers until retiring after the 1996 season. Mr. Speaker, regrettably, George Kell passed away in his hometown of Swifton, Arkansas, on March 24 of this year at the age of 86. And although he is no longer with us, Mr. Kell's memory will live on through his beloved family, including his wife, Carolyn, and his brother, former major leaguer Everett ``Skeeter'' Kell, as well as the countless baseball fans that he entertained as both a player and a broadcaster. Let us honor Mr. Kell by designating the postal facility in his hometown of Swifton, Arkansas, as the ``George Kell Post Office,'' and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us and join Mr. Berry in sponsoring and supporting his resolution.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. I thank the gentleman from Utah for his kind remarks, and I want to thank both the gentlemen from Connecticut, Mr. Courtney and Mr. Murphy, and also the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop) for their wonderful work and leadership on this resolution.

Mr. LYNCH. At this time I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, the measure before us, as eloquently reported by the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) and also cosponsored by Chris Murphy, honors Francis ``Frank'' McCourt who was born on August 19, 1930, in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn where his Irish immigrant parents had hoped to make a better life. In the midst of the Great Depression, Mr. McCourt and his family relocated to Limerick, Ireland, when he was 4 years old, only to sink deeper into poverty. As noted by Mr. McCourt, his family's circumstances were so dire that he often dreamed of becoming a prison inmate so that he would be guaranteed three meals a day and a warm bed. The death of three of Mr. McCourt's six siblings in early childhood, his father's abandonment, and his family's continued poverty are only some of the hardships that plagued Mr. McCourt's childhood at the age of 19, when Mr. McCourt took his savings and boarded a ship for New York. Following a number of jobs, Mr. McCourt joined the United States Army and was subsequently stationed in Germany during the Korean War. While his formal education ended at the age of 13, Mr. McCourt nonetheless gained admission to New York University and earned a degree in English education in 1957 on the GI bill. One year later, Mr. McCourt began teaching at the age of 28 at Ralph McKee Vocational High School on Staten Island, thus beginning his 30-year career teaching in the New York City public school system. After earning a master's degree in English from Brooklyn College in 1967, Mr. McCourt began teaching creative writing at Manhattan's highly selective Stuyvesant High School in 1972 where he remained until his retirement in 1987. Through his popular teaching style and his initial literary endeavors, Mr. McCourt became a beloved teacher at Stuyvesant and was known throughout the school as someone that you needed to meet if you wanted to become a writer. The fact that several of his former students went on to become writers stands as a testament to the impact of Mr. McCourt's teaching. In 1977, Mr. McCourt and his brother, Malachy, adapted their series of autobiographical sketches into a two-man play that opened off Broadway, and they subsequently took the play to several other cities. This project motivated Mr. McCourt to continue his reflections on his past, and he put pen to paper and began work on his childhood memoirs following his retirement from teaching. 1996 marked the publication of Mr. McCourt's Pulitzer-Prize winning memoir, ``Angela's Ashes.'' Detailing the challenges and impact that his childhood had on his life and the life of the people of Limerick, Mr. McCourt's beautifully written and honest tale struck a powerful chord with people of all ages and backgrounds. The book's most famous passage begins with Mr. McCourt saying, ``When I look back on my childhood, I wonder how I survived at all. It was, of course, a miserable childhood: The happy childhood is hardly worth your while.'' Not only did his story have an effect on his readers, it also touched Mr. McCourt himself. He said of writing ``Angela's Ashes'' that he ``learned the significance of my own insignificant life.'' He followed ``Angela's Ashes'' with two more books detailing his life, including ``Teacher Man'' about his life as a public school teacher. Regrettably, Mr. McCourt passed away on July 19, 2009, at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife, Ellen Frey McCourt; his brothers, Malachy, Alphie and Mike; his daughter, Maggie McCourt; and his three grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, let us remember and honor Frank McCourt for inspiring and influencing millions with his works and for his contributions to education through the passage of this resolution. I urge all my colleagues to join us in supporting House Resolution 743, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present House Resolution 743 for consideration. This resolution honors the life of Frank McCourt for his many contributions to American literature, education and culture. The measure before us was introduced on September 14 by my colleagues, Representative Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Mr. Joseph Courtney from Connecticut, and was favorably reported out of the Oversight Committee on October 29, 2009 by unanimous consent. Notably, this measure enjoys the support of over 50 Members of Congress. At this point, I would like to yield 5 minutes to one of the lead sponsors of this resolution, Mr. Courtney of Connecticut.

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. 743) honoring the life of Frank McCourt for his many contributions to American literature, education, and culture.

Mr. LYNCH

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

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, having no further speakers on my side, I want to thank Mr. Israel and Ms. DeLauro for their leadership on this, and I urge that all Members support House Resolution 727. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Utah for his remarks, and I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel) and the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) for their leadership on this resolution. Mr. Speaker, ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest forms of women's cancer. As noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ovarian cancer is now the eighth most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. As has been noted earlier, in addition, and which has been commented on by the American Cancer Society's annual ``cancer facts and figures,'' over 21,500 new cases of ovarian cancer will have been diagnosed and approximately 14,600 women will have died from ovarian cancer in 2009 alone. Moreover, the American Cancer Society additionally notes that a woman's risk of developing invasive ovarian cancer during her lifetime is about 1 in 71, and estimates that a woman's lifetime chance of dying from invasive ovarian cancer is 1 in 95. Despite these troubling statistics, with early detection and proper management, ovarian cancer can be highly treatable. As noted by the American Cancer Society, about 3 in 4 women with ovarian cancer survive at least 1 year after diagnosis, and almost half of women with ovarian cancer are still alive at least 5 years after diagnosis. And if ovarian cancer is found and treated before the cancer has spread outside the ovary, the 5-year survival rate is 93 percent. However, while ovarian cancer is manageable if detected early, we know that less than 20 percent of all ovarian cancer is found at an early stage. The Ovarian Cancer Coalition notes that ovarian cancer can strike women of any race and at any age, though women who are over the age of 55 and who have never been pregnant, have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or have a personal history of cancer, are at higher risk of being diagnosed with the disease. Accordingly, let us take this opportunity, through the passage of House Resolution 727, to increase the awareness regarding this serious form of cancer and encourage all women to work with their doctors in order to maximize the possibility of early detection. And this resolution has even greater importance in light of the health care debate that goes on in the Senate right now. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting House Resolution 727, and I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3767) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 170 North Main Street in Smithfield, Utah, as the ``W. Hazen Hillyard Post Office Building''.

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. I now yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as the chairman of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over the United States Postal Service, I present H.R. 3767 for consideration. This legislation will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 170 North Main Street in Smithfield, Utah, as the ``W. Hazen Hillyard Post Office Building.'' H.R. 3767 was introduced by my friend and colleague Representative Rob Bishop of Utah on October 8, 2009, and it was favorably reported out of the House Oversight Committee by voice vote on October 29, 2009. In addition, this legislation enjoys the support of the entire Utah House delegation. A native of the city of Smithfield, Utah, Mr. W. Hazen Hillyard was born on June 6, 1893, and dedicated his life and career to serving his beloved Smithfield community. Mr. Hillyard began his career in public service as a member of the Smithfield City Council from 1930 to 1933, during which time he sponsored a variety of community projects designed to enhance and revamp the city. Notably, Mr. Hillyard's tenure on the Smithfield City Council, on which he also served from 1964 to 1968, included his meticulous research effort to verify, upgrade, and catalog the records of the Smithfield City Cemetery. In addition, Mr. Hillyard's lifelong service to his Smithfield community included his active membership in the local Kiwanis Club, a Smithfield service organization, which elected Mr. Hillyard as its president in 1937. Moreover, Mr. Hillyard also served as chairman of the City Library Board, chairman of the Smithfield Historical Heritage Society, and vice chairman of the Cache Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America for several years. The latter organization presented Mr. Hillyard with its Silver Beaver Award in recognition of his long-time service to the scouting program. In 1934, Mr. Hillyard began a new career in public service when he was appointed to serve as postmaster of Smithfield. Notably, at the beginning of Mr. Hillyard's tenure, the city of Smithfield did not provide home delivery, and as a result, residents had to call the post office in order to receive their mail. While Mr. Hillyard thoroughly enjoyed his interaction with residents as they stopped by the general delivery window for mail services, he also recognized the need for enhanced postal facilities and services as the population of Smithfield grew over the years. Accordingly, Mr. Hillyard played an instrumental role in obtaining a new and larger post office facility for Smithfield in 1957, and in 1963, he led a successful effort to implement home delivery of the mail to all houses in Smithfield. During his service as Smithfield's postmaster, Mr. Hillyard was an active member of the Utah chapter of the National Postmasters Association and was eventually elected to serve as president of the Utah chapter in 1952. That same year and in furtherance of his role, Mr. Hillyard visited every single post office in the State of Utah. In recognition of Mr. Hillyard's service to the Smithfield community, the Smithfield Lion's Club presented Mr. Hillyard with its Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award in 1974. Regrettably, Mr. Hillyard passed away on April 22, 1992, at the age of 99. However, while he is no longer with us, Mr. Hillyard's life and legacy of public service will live on through his various accomplishments on behalf of his beloved Smithfield community. Mr. Speaker, let us take this opportunity to honor Mr. W. Hazen Hillyard through the passage of this legislation to designate the Smithfield post office facility in his honor. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3767. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's kind words. I would ask all our Members to join with Representative Rob Bishop of Utah in supporting this very deserving resolution to name this post office on behalf of W. Hazen Hillyard. I yield back the balance of my time.

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. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow for morning- hour debate.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1825) to extend the authority for relocation expenses test programs for Federal employees, and for other purposes.

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

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 Senate bill 1825 for consideration. This legislation will grant the General Services Administration the permanent authority to approve Federal agency requests to operate programs that test alternative methods of compensating employees for relocation and travel expenses. Senate 1825 was introduced on October 21, 2009, by Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, and it was favorably reported by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on November 4, 2009. In addition, the legislation passed the United States Senate by unanimous consent on November 9, 2009. Mr. Speaker, the General Services Administration was granted the authority to approve Federal agency travel and relocation expenses test programs via the Travel Transportation Reform Act of 1998. Through the test programs facilitated by the act, Federal agencies have been able to test new and innovative methods of reimbursing relocation and travel expenses in order to enhance cost savings for the Federal Government. Notably, the current authority granted to the General Services Administration is scheduled to expire in December of 2009. Mr. Speaker, S. 1825 will therefore ensure that agencies will continue to have the flexibility to use the compensation methods with respect to relocation and travel costs that work best for them and that are in the best interests of the Federal Government. In addition, I would like to note that according to the Congressional Budget Office, the net impact of S. 1825 on the Federal budget would not be significant. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting Mr. Lieberman and S. 1825. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for his kind words. Again I ask all the Members from both sides of the aisle to join with Senator Lieberman in supporting Senate 1825. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3539) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 427 Harrison Avenue in Harrison, New Jersey, as the ``Patricia D. McGinty-Juhl Post Office Building''.

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 material.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present H.R. 3539 for consideration. This legislation will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 427 Harrison Avenue in Harrison, New Jersey, as the ``Patricia D. McGinty-Juhl Post Office Building.'' H.R. 3539 was introduced by my friend and colleague, Representative Albio Sires, on September 8, 2009, and favorably reported out of the House Oversight Committee by unanimous consent on October 29, 2009. In addition, this legislation enjoys the support of the entire New Jersey House delegation. A native of the town of Harrison, New Jersey, Patricia McGinty-Juhl dedicated the majority of her life to public service as an employee of the United States Postal Service for over 33 years. Ms. McGinty-Juhl began her distinguished career with the postal service in 1973 as a distribution clerk at the New York International and Bulk Mail Center located in Jersey City, New Jersey. During her more than three decades of service, Ms. McGinty-Juhl also served in a variety of personnel and benefits positions with the Postal Service Human Resources Division, as well as in the Government Relations Department at postal headquarters as a congressional liaison. Most recently, in recognition of her tremendous talent and admirable dedication to her coworkers, Ms. McGinty-Juhl served as western area manager of human resources from April of 2001 until her unexpected passing on October 16, 2006. In remembrance of Ms. McGinty-Juhl's life and career, United States Postmaster General Jack Potter offered the following tribute upon the untimely passing of this dedicated postal employee: ``Patti will be greatly missed, both as a manager and as a warm and giving person. She made a difference for the postal service and for our employees.'' Mr. Speaker, let us take this opportunity to honor Ms. Patricia McGinty-Juhl for her 33 years of public service by designating the Harrison Avenue postal facility in Harrison, New Jersey, in her honor. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3539. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for his kind remarks. Mr. Speaker, again I urge my colleagues to join with Representative Albio Sires from New Jersey in honoring Ms. Patricia McGinty-Juhl to the passage of H.R. 3539.