Stephen Lynch

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Chair, at this point, I would like to yield the balance of my time to the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Berman).

Mr. LYNCH. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Before I begin, Madam Chair, I would like to thank Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Berman for considering my amendment. I congratulate the committee for drafting a bill that, I think, will truly strengthen our Foreign Affairs profile overseas as well as strengthen our capabilities. I rise in support of my amendment, which will direct the State Department to assess and to report to Congress on the Special Immigrant Visa Program for certain Iraqi and Afghan nationals employed by or on behalf of the United States in both Afghanistan and in Iraq. As a member of the House Oversight Committee and as a member of its National Security and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee, I've been to Iraq and to Afghanistan on numerous occasions. I've had the pleasure of meeting with some of the brave Iraqi and Afghan workers who actually serve right beside our own men and women in uniform as interpreters, as assistants in military operations and also in the civil operations that are going on in both of those countries. It is extremely dangerous work, and they do deserve incredible recognition for taking a very difficult position in aiding our troops in their mission. They are deserving of our admiration. There is a sad truth, however, that, in choosing to support U.S. forces in Iraq and in Afghanistan to rebuild their countries, they are also putting their lives on the line and those of their families. The insurgents in Iraq and in Afghanistan have targeted these hardworking patriots and their families in the hopes of terrorizing the local people and in discouraging cooperation. It is because of this very real danger that Congress created the sections 1059 and 1244 Special Immigrant Visa Programs. They allow for certain Iraqis and Afghans who actually serve as translators--these are the folks who are actually protecting our young men and women in uniform as translators or as interpreters or who are otherwise employed by the U.S. or its contractors--to come to the United States to escape the targeting by these terrorists and insurgents. I am aware that the State Department prepared a study of these programs in July 2008, but I believe it is necessary, actually, to follow up on this previous study in light of the troubling reports that I received earlier this year. I was informed by our State Department folks in Iraq and in Afghanistan and I was informed by General Ray Odierno, the commander of the United States forces in Iraq, that they are still dealing with unclear eligibility requirements, that they're having difficulty processing these Iraqis with visas and that they're facing long processing times, which has worked to the detriment of these individuals and has also hampered our effort to recruit others to take their places. With wait times up to a year, these applicants are in constant danger while their applications are sorted out. I think we owe it to these brave men and women, who are doing the right thing, to ensure that any delays are only as long as is absolutely necessary. Through this study, we will be able to determine the root causes of these difficulties. Then, based on the findings, Congress can act to ensure that these programs are run efficiently and effectively while protecting the applicants' lives, our national security and our men and women in uniform. I urge my colleagues to support both this amendment and the underlying bill. I reserve the balance of our time.

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk that has been made in order by the rule. I ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. LYNCH

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

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, we have no further speakers, but I will continue to reserve.

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to present House Resolution 356 for consideration. This legislation expresses our support for the designation of February 8, 2010, as ``Boy Scouts of America Day'' in recognition of the youth organization's upcoming 100th anniversary. House Resolution 356 was introduced by my colleague Representative Ralph Hall of Texas, on April 23, 2009, and favorably reported out of the Oversight Committee by unanimous consent on May 6, 2009. Additionally, House Resolution 356 enjoys the support of over 70 Members of Congress. Madam Speaker, the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated by Chicago publisher William Dixon Boyce on February 8, 1910, with President William Howard Taft named to serve as the organization's first honorary president. Pursuant to its stated purpose, the newly founded Boy Scouts of America sought to educate America's youth in ``patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred values'' through a variety of educational, civic, and recreational programs and activities. By the year 1912, every State in America could claim a troop of Scouts. And in 1916, the organization received a Federal charter from the 62nd Congress. Since its incorporation in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has now witnessed the enrollment of over 111 million Scouts, with Scouting currently found in 185 countries around the world. Former Scouts and Scout volunteers include a number of prominent Americans, including Presidents John F. Kennedy, George W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Gerald Ford. President Ford often described the impact of Scouting on his career, stating that, ``Without hesitation, because of Scouting principles, I know I was a better athlete, I was a better naval officer, I was a better Congressman, and I was a better-prepared President.'' In 2008 alone, the Boy Scouts of America provided educational community service and recreational programs to over 2.8 million young people, with the support of over 1.1 million volunteers and nearly 130,000 community-based organizations. As noted by the Boy Scouts of America's most recent Annual Report to the Nation, two events in 2008 exemplified the promise and the value of Scouting. Firstly, throughout the course of 5 weeks in the summer of 2008, approximately 3,600 Scouts and volunteers, in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service, participated in Arrow Corps Five, a project designated to benefit our national forests. The program resulted in the completion of more than $5.6 million worth of national forest improvements. Additionally, June 11 of 2008 witnessed the destruction of Iowa's Little Sioux Scout Ranch by a devastating tornado which, sadly, resulted in the deaths of four Scouts and injuries to 48 other Scouts and staff. In response, groups of Scouts and volunteers promptly set up a triage system, provided first aid to the injured, and began digging victims from the rubble of the collapsed campsite. Just one day earlier, these brave Scouts, who were attending a weeklong leadership training session at the camp, had taken part in a mock emergency drill. Notably, February 8 of next year will mark the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, and fittingly, House Resolution 356 expresses our support for the designation of that date as ``Boy Scouts of America Day.'' Madam Speaker, let us commemorate the 100 years of civic and educational service provided by the Boy Scouts of America through the adoption of House Resolution 356 and by expressing our support for the designation of February 8, 2010, as ``Boy Scouts of America Day.'' I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this resolution. Madam Speaker, 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

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 356) expressing support for the designation of February 8, 2010, as ``Boy Scouts of America Day'', in celebration of the Nation's largest youth scouting organization's 100th anniversary.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, in closing, we would like to reiterate our strong support for H.R. 885 and its lead sponsor and champion, Mr. Larson. Again, we appreciate the great work being done by Ed Towns, the full committee Chair; Mr. Issa, its ranking member; and the gentleman from Utah, because this will increase the independence of these Inspectors General at financial regulatory agencies at a time when we need these internal watchdogs to be more effective than ever. We do appreciate the work that is being done by our Inspectors General and their staff, investigators and researchers. They work very hard for us. They do work that is not often appreciated, I think, on behalf of the American people; and this will, I think, allow them a greater level of independence to do the job that needs to be done. So I urge my colleagues to join Mr. Larson and all of us in supporting the passage of this measure.

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Utah for his hard work on this bill and his ongoing commitment, and it has been that case on much of the legislation that comes before our committee for his bipartisanship and willingness to work very hard on these issues. I consider it an honor to work with him. I would like to submit for the Record an exchange of letters between the Honorable Collin Peterson, chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, and the Honorable Edolphus Towns, chairman of our Oversight Committee, with respect to their concerns regarding this bill. Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC, June 8, 2009. Hon. Edolphus Towns, Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Towns: I write to you regarding H.R. 885, the Improved Financial and Commodity Markets Oversight and Accountability Act. H.R. 885 contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Agriculture. I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this legislation before the House in an expeditious manner and, accordingly, I will not seek a sequential referral of the bill. However, agreeing to waive consideration of this bill should not be construed as the Committee on Agriculture waiving its jurisdiction over

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 885, the Improved Financial and Commodity Markets Oversight and Accountability Act. This bill, introduced by my friend Representative John Larson of Connecticut, would enhance the independence of Inspectors General at key financial regulatory agencies. Right now we have an inconsistent system where some financial agencies like the FDIC have an Inspector General appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, while other large and important agencies like the SEC have an Inspector General who is appointed by and reports to the head of the agency they are supposed to be investigating. This bill would create a more consistent and independent structure by elevating the Inspectors General at five financial regulatory agencies to be Presidentially appointed and Senate confirmed. This will enhance their independence from the agencies they are overseeing. This committee has worked on Inspector General reform for the past several years now, and one of our key findings is that the Inspectors General have to be independent from the agency they are supervising if they are going to be effective. The situation at some agencies, where the head of the agency hires and fires the Inspector General and sets the office budget for that Inspector General, does not give these IGs, the Inspectors General, the independence they need. Making the Inspector General a Presidential appointee confirmed by the Senate not only gives them independence from their agency management but also gives them more stature to come directly to Congress with any problems that they encounter. Congresswoman Diane Watson, the chairwoman of the Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Government Management, held a hearing on this bill where it had the support of the GAO. At the hearing, the agency Inspectors General made some suggestions on improving the bill, which has been incorporated in an amendment adopted at the committee markup. The amendment specifically clarifies that the Inspector General and the Inspector General staff retain their existing pay and personnel structure. It also clarifies and strengthens the subpoena authority of these Inspectors General, and it requires the heads of the agencies to report to Congress on actions they have taken in response to Inspector General recommendations. Inspectors General have the unique responsibility of reporting both to the President and to Congress. Congress has to make sure that the Inspectors General have the legal authority and tools they need to continue their roles as nonpartisan, professional, honest brokers; and this bill, I believe, does that. I urge all Members to support H.R. 885. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 885) to elevate the Inspector General of certain Federal entities to an Inspector General appointed pursuant to section 3 of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Madam 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. Madam Speaker, I again urge our colleagues to join Mr. Latta, the lead sponsor of this resolution, in affirming our allegiance to our flag and our support for the annual celebration of Flag Day by supporting this measure. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, House Resolution 420 celebrates our Nation's most enduring symbol: the American flag. With this resolution, this Chamber expresses its support for the annual recognition of Flag Day. The gentleman from Ohio, Representative Robert Latta, introduced House Resolution 420 on May 17, 2009, and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform reported it out on June 4, 2009, by unanimous consent. With 64 cosponsors, it is a clear demonstration of Congress' appreciation and respect for our Nation's flag. We celebrate Flag Day on June 14, the anniversary of the Continental Congress' passage of the first Flag Act in 1777. Since then, Americans have looked to the flag as a symbol of their country and its dearest values. The flag represents us and all of our fellow citizens, and I am always heartened to see the parades and events that occur around the country each year in commemoration of Flag Day, especially in one of my favorite towns, the town of Dedham, Massachusetts, which has a wonderful parade each year on Flag Day. And in the town of Dedham around Flag Day, it is hard to find a home without the American flag hanging on the front door. The flag honors the countless men and women who have died during the defense of the United States in the Armed Forces. In short, the American flag is a lasting symbol of their sacrifice. As public servants, we rightly pledge our allegiance to the flag each day, as do the millions of Americans for whom we represent and serve here in this Chamber. While each day of the year the American flag stands before the entire world as a symbol of our shared values, hopes, aspirations, and ideals, I am glad to see that we set aside the time each June to celebrate the American flag and all that it represents. With that, Madam Speaker, 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.

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 420) celebrating the symbol of the United States flag and supporting the goals and ideals of Flag Day.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, today I rise in strong support of House Resolution 435, which expresses support for the recognition and celebration of Asian Pacific American heritage. The measure before us was introduced on May 13, 2009, by Congressman Mike Honda of California, along with other Members and associate Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Currently, the measure is supported by over 55 Members of Congress and has been appropriately reviewed and approved by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as of June 4, 2009. Madam Speaker, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community is composed of over 15 million people who, on a daily basis, are making significant contributions to the betterment of our country. For example, in addition to being one of our country's fastest growing minority groups, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community is also responsible for generating an estimated $326 billion annually for our economy as entrepreneurs and business owners of over 1.1 million businesses. While Asian Pacific American heritage is certainly worth recognizing and celebrating year-round, the country and the Asian Pacific American community have traditionally come together in the month of May to celebrate and commemorate Asian and Pacific American heritage. That all began back in 1977 when Representatives Frank Horton and Norman Mineta and Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced resolutions asking the President to declare the first 10 days of May as Asian Pacific Heritage Week. The selection of the month of May stems from the fact that May marks the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in the U.S. in 1843. In 1978, President Carter made Asian Pacific Heritage Week an annual event, and in 1990, President George H. W. Bush proclaimed the entire month of May to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Madam Speaker, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have also made great strides in the area of civil rights and public policy, led by such notable Americans as Patsy Mink, the first Asian American Congresswoman, not to mention the current members of the President's Cabinet, which includes three Asian Americans: Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki. In closing, let us, as a body, take a moment to recognize the valued contributions of the Asian and Pacific American community and celebrate such a rich cultural heritage by supporting House Resolution 435. Madam Speaker, 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.

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 435) celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.