Stephen Lynch

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time; however, I will continue to 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 move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4095) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 9727 Antioch Road in Overland Park, Kansas, as the ``Congresswoman Jan Meyers Post Office Building''.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As chairman of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over the United States Postal Service, I am pleased to present H.R. 4095 for consideration. This legislation will designate the United States Postal Service facility located at 9727 Antioch Road in Overland Park, Kansas, as the ``Congresswoman Jan Meyers Post Office Building.'' Introduced by my friend and colleague Representative Dennis Moore of Kansas on November 17, 2009, H.R. 4095 was reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on December 10, 2009, by voice vote. Notably, H.R. 4095 has the support of the entire Kansas House delegation. Since the lead sponsor, Mr. Moore, is here, I would like to yield him such time as he may consume in bringing this resolution to the floor.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, in closing, again I urge my colleagues to join Mr. Schock of Illinois in congratulating Ms. Nancy Goodman Brinker on receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom through the passage of H. Res. 708. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve 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. I thank the gentleman for his remarks. As was noted, on August 12, 2009, President Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is our Nation's highest civilian honor, to Ambassador Nancy Goodman Brinker in recognition of her efforts to advance breast cancer awareness and research. As noted by the President during the 2009 Medal of Freedom ceremony, the life of Nancy Goodman Brinker serves truly to answer the question whether one person can truly make a difference. It is correct, as the gentleman from Illinois has noted, that this began as a promise between sisters. As she was falling victim to breast cancer, Susan G. Komen asked her beloved sister, Nancy, to promise to do everything she could to ensure that other families battling breast cancer had the help they needed to fight the deadly disease. From that simple promise between sisters, and in the honor of her sister, Ambassador Brinker has devoted her life to advancing breast cancer awareness and research. In 1982, 2 years following her sister's passing, Ambassador Brinker, a breast cancer survivor herself, established Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting breast cancer research, a program that has affected millions of families in America. Notably, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which also serves as the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, has raised nearly $1.5 billion to support advancements in breast cancer research, education, and health services since its inception. From its advocacy at the local, State, and Federal levels in support of enhanced breast cancer screening and treatment programs to its coordination with local health groups around the world to assist women in nearly 200 countries in overcoming social, cultural, and economic barriers to breast health treatment, Susan G. Komen for the Cure stands as a testament to the bravery of Susan G. Komen, as well as the commitment and vision of Ambassador Brinker. As noted by Ambassador Brinker, Susan G. Komen for the Cure faced an immediate uphill battle in its mission to promote breast cancer awareness and research. In 1982, the disease received scant media attention and the fight against breast cancer was hampered by scarce resources, an inadequate supply network, and limited treatment options. However, under the dedicated and creative leadership of Ambassador Brinker, the breast cancer movement has managed to break the silence surrounding the disease and secure major advances with respect to breast cancer research, funding, education, and treatment. In 1982, Ambassador Brinker founded the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, which is big in my district and is presently the world's largest and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer. In addition, Ambassador Brinker has also pioneered the concept of cause-related marketing, through which her foundation has established a variety of strong and enduring partnerships with businesses that share her commitment to ending breast cancer. Annually, the foundation raises over $30 million through its marketing partnerships. Moreover, Ambassador Brinker and her foundation have played an instrumental role in securing the passage of key legislation to promote public investment in breast health and breast cancer care. Most recently, the organization contributed to the passage of an amendment authored by Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland to the Senate health care reform bill to ensure that breast cancer screening is available for women between the ages of 40 and 49. As noted by Ambassador Brinker, she will continue her efforts until the amendment becomes law. In addition to her work on behalf of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Ambassador Brinker's commitment to ending breast cancer can be witnessed through her service as Goodwill Ambassador For Cancer Control for the United Nation's World Health Organization. In this capacity, Ambassador Brinker has sought to raise breast cancer awareness and strengthen treatment programs in impoverished nations as well as advocate in support of stronger global action for cancer prevention in accordance with the global strategy for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases that was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2008. Mr. Speaker, in light of Ambassador Brinker's tireless efforts on behalf of ending breast cancer and her distinguished public service, it is not surprising that she was named as one of our Nation's Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients for 2009. Let us congratulate Ambassador Brinker on her receipt of our Nation's highest civilian honor and commemorate her life's worth through the passage of H. Res. 708. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 708. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am proud to present H. Res. 708 for consideration. This legislation expresses our congratulations to Ms. Nancy Goodman Brinker for receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. House Resolution 708 was introduced by my colleague and friend Representative Aaron Schock of Illinois on July 31, 2009, and was favorably reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee by voice vote on December 10, 2009. In addition, the legislation enjoys the support of nearly 60 Members of Congress. Mr. Speaker, seeing that my colleague is the lead sponsor of this, I will reserve the balance of my time and allow the gentleman to offer this resolution.

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. 708) congratulating Nancy Goodman Brinker for receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, as amended.

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 again, in closing, urge my colleagues to join the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop) in honoring Private First Class Garfield Langhorn through the passage of H.R. 3250. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's kind words. I yield 3 minutes to the chief sponsor of this bill, Mr. Bishop of New York.

Mr. LYNCH. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over the United States Postal Service, I am proud to present H.R. 3250 for consideration. This legislation will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1210 West Main Street in Riverhead, New York, as the ``Private First Class Garfield M. Langhorn Post Office Building.'' H.R. 3250 was introduced by my colleague and friend Representative Tim Bishop of New York, on July 17, 2009, and was favorably reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee by unanimous consent on October 29, 2009. In addition, the legislation enjoys the support of the entire New York House delegation. Born on September 10, 1948, in Cumberland, Virginia, Private First Class Garfield Langhorn distinguished himself through his brave, dedicated, and selfless military service during the Vietnam War as a member of the United States Army's Troop C, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade. In recognition of his heroic actions during the Vietnam War, Private First Class Langhorn posthumously received the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by the United States Government, as well as the Purple Heart. Private First Class Langhorn was one of 20 African American soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor for their service during the Vietnam War. As noted by the citation accompanying his Medal of Honor, Private First Class Langhorn demonstrated ``conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life and beyond the call of duty'' while serving as a radio operator in Troop C in Vietnam's Pleiku province on January 15, 1969. Specifically, the citation recounts that Private First Class Langhorn's platoon had been inserted into a landing zone in order to rescue two pilots of a downed Cobra helicopter. While members of his platoon, who had found the two pilots dead, attempted to take the men's bodies to a nearby pickup location, Private First Class Langhorn provided radio coordination and covering fire as the platoon came under intense fire from enemy forces. As darkness fell, an enemy hand grenade landed directly in front of Private First Class Langhorn and only a few feet from several wounded members of his platoon. In response, and without hesitation, Private First Class Langhorn threw himself on the grenade and absorbed the ensuing blast, thereby saving the lives of his comrades by sacrificing his own. Accordingly, the Medal of Honor citation further notes that, ``Private First Class Langhorn's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his own life, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military, and reflects great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.'' Mr. Speaker, in continued tribute to Private First Class Langhorn's bravery and self-sacrifice, the members of the United States Army's 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry, past and present, have committed themselves to ensuring that his legacy and his memory lives on. As noted by retired Sergeant Major Tony Morton, president of the 7th Squadron 17th Air Cavalry Association, all cavalry troopers assigned to the squadron must ``earn their spurs'' through the completion of a grueling 3-day series of tests and tasks known as the ``spur ride.'' It is notable that completion of one of the stations requires soldiers to possess a detailed knowledge regarding the service and sacrifice of Private First Class Langhorn, a requirement that, according to Sergeant Major Morton, serves to ensure that Private First Class Langhorn ``will go on in this squadron as long as this squadron is flying the colors.'' In addition, in 2008, the squadron cut the ribbon on a conference center named after Private First Class Langhorn and the unit's other Medal of Honor recipient from Vietnam, Sergeant Ray McKibben. Moreover, the squadron also rededicated a memorial to the two soldiers that has been relocated from Fort Knox, Kentucky, to the unit's new headquarters at nearby Fort Campbell on the Kentucky-Tennessee border. Mr. Speaker, the life of Private First Class Garfield M. Langhorn stands as a testament to the lives of all those brave men and women who have served in the United States military and offered our Nation the ultimate sacrifice. Let us further honor the courageous soldiers through the passage of H.R. 3250, which designates the Riverhead, New York, Postal Service building in Private First Class Langhorn's name. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3250. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. 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 pass the bill (H.R. 3250) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1210 West Main Street in Riverhead, New York, as the ``Private First Class Garfield M. Langhorn Post Office Building''.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, again I encourage my friends on both sides of the aisle to join Mr. Etheridge in supporting the designation of an Early Detection Month for breast cancer and all forms of cancers through the passage of House Concurrent Resolution 158. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Likewise, Madam Speaker, I urge support of Senate bill 692, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. I yield my such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present Senate bill 692 for consideration. This legislation will facilitate the donation of the Grace Tully Archive to the National Archives and Records Administration. Senate bill 692 is the Senate companion to H.R. 1506, which was introduced by Representative Louise Slaughter. H.R. 1506 passed the House by voice vote on November 16, 2009, after it was approved by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform by voice vote on October 29, 2009. Senate bill 692 is identical to H.R. 1506, and was introduced by Senator Chuck Schumer on March 25, 2009. The legislation was reported out of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs without amendment on October 5, 2009, and was passed by the United States Senate on October 14, 2009, by unanimous consent. Madam Speaker, Ms. Grace Tully served as the personal secretary of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt from June of 1941 to April of 1945. In her capacity as personal secretary to the President, Ms. Tully preserved an assortment of personal papers and other historical items related to President Roosevelt that have come to form a historically significant collection. While the private owner of the Grace Tully Collection would like to donate the materials to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library, the National Archives and Records Administration, which administers the Roosevelt Library, has asserted a claim to a portion of the collection. The claim asserted by the National Archives impacts whether the private owner may claim a tax deduction for the donation. In order to facilitate the donation of the Grace Tully Archive, Senate bill 692 waives the government's claim to the records and will thereby allow the collection to be gifted to the Roosevelt Library. Madam Speaker, the Grace Tully Archive represents an important part of American history. Through the passage of Senate bill 692, we will ensure that this collection will be properly preserved and made publicly available through the Roosevelt Library. I'd also like to note that this legislation enjoys the support of the National Archives. As noted by former Acting Archivist Adrienne Thomas in a letter sent to the Oversight Committee in October of 2009, ``I write to express my strong support for the ongoing legislative effort to facilitate the donation to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library of the Tully Archive.'' Ms. Thomas went on to say that, ``It is very important to the National Archives and Records Administration, and for future historians that might want to study these papers, for the Tully Archive to be kept intact and made fully accessible to the American people in a public government archives.'' Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting Senate bill 692. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Madam 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. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 692) to provide that claims of the United States to certain documents relating to Franklin Delano Roosevelt shall be treated as waived and relinquished in certain circumstances.

Mr. LYNCH

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

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, in closing, before I yield back, I just want to say that I understand the spirit in which the gentleman from Ohio has brought this issue forward. I do understand the central role that oversight and investigation have in this Congress. It is the only way that we can make sure that the executive follows the legislative mandate of Congress and that the resources provided by the taxpayer are properly used to limit fraud, waste and abuse. So I understand the spirit in which he acts. I think his desire for transparency is spot on, and I agree with it. I think the position of the chairman, Mr. Towns of New York, is that we have included a provision in another bill recently passed that would provide for all of that. I understand, however, that the belt-and- suspenders approach that the gentleman would like to see, which is, let's put it in every bill that we send over there, is germane. And I respect that urgency. However, I do in this case agree with the chairman that we have addressed those concerns in the other bill, and we will need to be diligent in making sure that the effect of that language is carried into law.