Stephen Lynch

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I yield 10 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Luetkemeyer).

Mr. LYNCH. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2646, the Government Accountability Office Improvement Act of 2009. This legislation, introduced by the chairman of the Oversight Committee, Representative Ed Towns of Brooklyn, will increase the effectiveness of the GAO by clarifying and strengthening the GAO's authority in several critical areas, including its access to records. Congress relies heavily on the GAO as a force multiplier in carrying out the investigative and oversight functions vested in the legislative branch. The GAO helps inform the Congress and executive agencies and the public about areas and programs within the Federal Government that are performing well and those that need to be improved or are vulnerable to waste, fraud, and abuse. General Accounting Office audits provide reliable assessments as to whether the taxpayers are receiving full value from important government programs. This legislation is necessary to ensure that GAO can successfully carry out all of these important functions for the Congress. Specifically, the GAO Improvement Act addresses a 2002 Federal court decision that limited the GAO's ability to question agency access determinations in court. The bill explicitly provides the Comptroller General with standing to pursue litigation if the Comptroller General determines that the performance of her official duties has been harmed by an agency improperly withholding information. The bill also clarifies the GAO's access to information in two important areas. First, it confirms the GAO's right to make and retain copies of records, which has been denied by Federal agencies in some cases. And it provides the GAO with the right to interview agency officers and employees. The bill also says that the GAO's access to agency information should be limited only if an act passed by the Congress expressly and specifically extends to limit such access. Additionally, the bill clarifies GAO's authority to administer oaths, an important tool in conducting audits and taking statements. Lastly, it provides agencies more flexibility in reporting to Congress in their responses to GAO recommendations. The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform reported H.R. 2646 favorably on a voice vote on June 4, 2009. At the committee markup, a bipartisan amendment was added to the bill that would have allowed the GAO to conduct reviews of certain actions taken by the Federal Reserve that previously have been exempt from GAO review. However, similar language was included in the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which passed the House before the holiday recess. Therefore, the legislation that we are considering today is the bill introduced by Representative Towns on June 4 and is without the committee's amendment related to the Federal Reserve. Madam Speaker, the Congress and the American people need the GAO to help us remain informed about what's being done well and what needs to be improved within the Federal Government. The GAO can only do this effectively if it has access to all the information it needs. This bill strengthens the GAO in this manner. It is an important good-government initiative that will improve the effectiveness of government operations. I urge all Members to support the legislation, and 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 (H.R. 2646) to amend title 31, United States Code, to enhance the oversight authorities of the Comptroller General, and for other purposes.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I ask all Members on each side as well to support this resolution, which will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located in Hickory, Mississippi, in honor of Matthew L. Ingram. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Madam 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. 4139 for consideration. This legislation will designate the United States Postal Service facility located at 7464 Highway 503 in Hickory, Mississippi, as the ``Sergeant Matthew L. Ingram Post Office.'' H.R. 4139 was introduced by my colleague Representative Gregg Harper of Mississippi on November 19, 2009, and reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on December 10, 2009, by a voice vote. In addition, the legislation enjoys the support of the entire Mississippi House delegation. A native of Pearl, Mississippi, Sergeant Ingram was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan as a proud member of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, Colorado. Regrettably, Sergeant Ingram was killed in action in Kunar province, Afghanistan on August, 21, 2009, after an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle and his unit came under small arms fire from enemy forces. Sergeant Ingram was 25 years old at the time of his death. Following his graduation from Newton County High School in Decatur, Mississippi, Sergeant Ingram enlisted in the United States Army in 2003 to fulfill his lifelong goal of serving his country. One year later, Sergeant Ingram was deployed to Iraq and served two tours of duty, with distinction, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004 to 2005 and from 2006 to 2007. In recognition of his exemplary service, Sergeant Ingram received an Army Commendation Medal, an honor bestowed on soldiers who distinguish themselves through heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service. On May 26, 2009, Sergeant Ingram began a tour of duty in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and remained in service to his country until his passing on August 21 of last year. Madam Speaker, those that were fortunate enough to know Sergeant Matthew Ingram remember him as a loyal, hardworking, and positive young man whose dedication to serving his country was only surpassed by his devotion to his loving family. In the words of his loving father, James, Sergeant Matthew Ingram was a ``mighty good man.'' As noted by his beloved wife, Holly, Sergeant Ingram was a soldier at heart, whose service in the United States Army afforded him the opportunity to do exactly what he loved to do. However, Sergeant Ingram always considered being a good dad to his daughter, Chloe, now over 1 year old, as his most important mission in life. ``He loved his baby and would do anything for her,'' recalled Holly Ingram upon her husband's passing. Similarly, Sergeant Ingram's classmates and teachers at his alma mater, Newton County High School, remember their fallen friend as a dedicated and courageous young man. As noted by Sergeant Ingram's former teacher, Sue Geter, I am very honored to have taught him. And the fact that he gave the ultimate price is something I am proud of, that I had an opportunity to teach him. Madam Speaker, the life of Sergeant Matthew L. Ingram stands as a testament to the courage and dedication of all our brave servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our Nation. Let us pay tribute to the life and service of Sergeant Matthew L. Ingram through the passage of this legislation, H.R. 4139, to designate the Hickory, Mississippi, postal facility in his honor. I urge all of my colleagues to join us in supporting H.R. 4139. 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 (H.R. 4139) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7464 Highway 503 in Hickory, Mississippi, as the ``Sergeant Matthew L. Ingram Post Office''.

Mr. LYNCH

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

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

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, first, I want to thank Mr. Luetkemeyer for his articulate comments and his support of this resolution. I want to thank the lead sponsors, Mr. Butterfield, and also Mr. Etheridge I understand is a sponsor as well. I ask our colleagues on both sides to support this resolution.

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) to speak on Mr. Butterfield's resolution.

Mr. LYNCH. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, as chairman of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over the United States Postal Service, I present H.R. 3892 for consideration. This legislation will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 West Highway 64 Bypass in Roper, North Carolina, as the ``E.V. Wilkins Post Office.'' At this time, I yield such time as he may consume to the chief and lead sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).

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 to add any extraneous material.

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3892) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 West Highway 64 Bypass in Roper, North Carolina, as the ``E.V. Wilkins Post Office''.

Mr. LYNCH

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

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

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I simply want to stand and join with Mr. Price of North Carolina in honoring the American Kennel Club for its service on behalf of the study, the responsible breeding and ownership of dogs. I do want to add that in addition to Mr. Price, who is the lead sponsor, this resolution has enjoyed the support of over 50 Members of Congress. As others have noted here, there's been a long and illustrious history of the AKC in the United States, and they sanction and regulate the events of its 609 member clubs as well as monitor over 400 licensed and sanctioned clubs located throughout the United States that hold events pursuant to AKC rules and regulations. And as has been noted, the American Kennel Club sanctioned or regulated nearly 23,000 individual events across the country last year. Moreover, in promoting canine health and well-being, the American Kennel Club has implemented a variety of kennel inspector training initiatives, with AKC-employed kennel inspectors conducting over 5,200 inspections each year. This is all great work that needs to be done and is proudly done by the AKC, an organization that funds research projects focused on the genetics of canine disease and to which the AKC has donated over $22 million since 1995. So, in closing, I would simply ask Members on both sides of the aisle to support Mr. Price and his resolution.

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, at this time, I would like to recognize the lead sponsor of this resolution, Representative David Price, my friend from North Carolina, for 5 minutes.

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 agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 160) honoring the American Kennel Club on its 125th anniversary, as amended.

Mr. LYNCH

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

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I just want to amplify what has been said by both the speakers. I think there's a certain magic about this championship, that it was totally unexpected, and I, too, want to congratulate Coach Jason Kreis, who became the youngest coach to win a Major League Soccer Cup, and goalkeeper Nick Rimando, the Most Valuable Player. The Real Salt Lake won their first Major League Soccer Cup in only their second appearance in the Major League Soccer playoffs. As a Red Sox fan who suffered forever, I envy the early success. I do want to note that after compiling a regular season record of 11 wins, 12 losses, and 7 ties, Real Salt Lake narrowly earned the final spot on the 2009 Major League Soccer Playoffs. This is a Cinderella team if there ever was one. Despite being the underdog, Real Salt lake orchestrated a series of improbable victories against the defending champion Columbus Crew and the Chicago Fire before--as has been mentioned here--beating the favored Los Angeles Galaxy in the Major League Soccer Cup. In the championship game, the Los Angeles Galaxy struck first with a goal by Mike Magee in the 41st minute of play, and many thought that might be it, but Real Salt Lake continued to play hard and managed to tie the game in the 61st minute of the game with a goal by Robbie Findley. The game ended in a tie and eventually went to penalty kicks, which Real Salt Lake won by a score of 5-4. Real Salt Lake's victory in the MLS Cup stands as a testament to what can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and relentless team spirit. As USA Today wrote after the game, ``Major League Soccer has its most improbable champion in its 14-year history.'' Real Salt Lake's commitment to teamwork and perseverance in the face of adversity is both inspiring and commendable. Their achievement deserves our praise, and personally I want to applaud the team's players, coaches, management, and its fans who never gave up--all of those who helped in this unprecedented success in the Major League Soccer Cup. Madam Speaker, let us, as a body, take this opportunity to commend this year's Major League Soccer Cup Champions through passage of House Resolution 942, join with Mr. Matheson of Utah and congratulate Real Salt Lake on winning the 2009 Major League Soccer Cup. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, at this time I would like to recognize the principal lead sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson), for 5 minutes.

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.