Stephen Lynch

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, with that and on behalf of the gentleman who is the lead sponsor of this resolution, Mike Michaud from Maine, in honor of Carl B. Smith, we ask that this resolution be supported unanimously by the Members of Congress in recognition of a good, good American. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, at this time I'd like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from northern Virginia (Mr. Connolly).

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Francis Galante, in recognition of his bravery, sacrifice and service to the United States of America. Francis is the son of Teresa (Ferrante) and Carl Galante who emigrated from Frigento, Italy. He was born on August 28, 1916 in Brockton, Massachusetts, and lived in West Bridgewater with his aunt and uncle through the Depression. He graduated from Brockton High School, married Diana Ferrini in 1939, enlisted in the United States Reserves, and was then drafted into the United States Army. He was deployed overseas and stationed in Africa, leaving his wife and ten-month-old daughter. Francis was later shipped to Salerno, Italy, with the 34th Infantry nicknamed the Red Bull Division. He served as a ranger behind enemy lines. He was hit with shrapnel in Leghorn, Italy, wounding both of his legs and his head. He crawled for days to get back to base in order to receive medical treatment. He received the Purple Heart while in the hospital August 9, 1945. After being hospitalized in Italy, Atlantic City, and Framingham, Massachusetts, he was discharged August 9, 1945, VJ Day, and returned home to Brockton. He then drove an Eastern Mass bus and also worked for his father-in-law's bakery, Superior Bakery, making over 200 deliveries in one day. Later, he was an important part of the creation of the cabinet company, Wood-Hu Kitchens, in Brockton, later becoming President. He retired from Wood-Hu Kitchens in August, 1981. Francis was a star athlete, held records in track, and was also a professional gymnast performing in many Brockton clubs. He was a member of the YMCA since he was eight years old and was the longest standing member of the YMCA until his recent illness. He was a member of the Thorny Lea Golf Club in Brockton for over forty years. Madam Speaker, Francis had many passions in life, the most important being family. He was married at the age of twenty-three to the love of his life, the late Diana. He was the proud parent of two children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Francis was known for his amazing health and vigor at the age of 92. He always had the ability to make people laugh while poking fun at the same time. Francis is remembered and admired by his family and many friends. Madam Speaker, it is my distinct honor to take the floor of the House today to join with Francis Galante's family, friends, and contemporaries to thank him for his remarkable service to his community of Brockton and to the United States of America.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, again, I would like to urge my colleagues to join with Mr. Wamp, the gentleman from Tennessee, who is the chief sponsor of this resolution, to show our support for our men and women in uniform by supporting this measure.

Mr. LYNCH. I yield back the balance of our 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. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 84) supporting the goals and objectives of a National Military Appreciation Month.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 388) celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day.

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, there are fewer great honors, I think, in Congress than to stand in support of this bill which affirms the goals of Mother's Day and celebrates the role of mothers in the United States. I first would like to thank Mr. Fortenberry, the gentleman from Nebraska, for his courage in going out on a limb here and introducing this legislation. I would also like to commend Chairman Towns and my colleagues on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for bringing this resolution to the floor by unanimous consent in their infinite wisdom. On Sunday, we celebrated the 101st Mother's Day. It may come as a surprise to some, particularly our own mothers, that it took our country over 130 years to officially designate a day praising motherhood. Nevertheless, it is important to annually pause and recall that our lives and our country's history would have been much different but for the contributions of our mothers to our families and to our country. I would not presume, nor am I brave enough, to speak on behalf of America's 82 million mothers; instead, I would simply like to speak to their importance in shaping our society and our future. Mothers are indeed the backbone of the American family. With great love and compassion, they lay the foundation for all children to grow into honorable citizens. It is no stretch to say that our sustained national character of goodwill and moral strength is the result of dedicated motherhood. Many of our greatest national heroes attribute their own successes to the guidance of their mothers. While examples are numerous, I will quote President Abraham Lincoln who once said of his own angel mother, ``I remember my mother's prayers, and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.'' I am sure that similar thanks and acknowledgements are appropriate for the mothers of every American. I am sure of that. Mr. Speaker, I am sure my colleagues would agree that it is inadequate to spend just 1 day a year celebrating the contributions of America's mothers, but as our small measure of gratitude, I urge this body to join its 56 cosponsors and agree to House Resolution 388. And I reserve our time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I join and support the gentleman's words. We have no further speakers on our side at this time, so I will continue to reserve.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I just want to ask all Members to join with Mr. Fortenberry, the gentleman from Nebraska, in support of this resolution.

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

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2162) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 123 11th Avenue South in Nampa, Idaho, as the ``Herbert A. Littleton Postal Station''.

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, as chairman of the subcommittee with jurisdiction over the United States Postal Service, I am pleased to present H.R. 2162 for consideration. This legislation will designate the United States postal facility located at 123 11th Avenue South in Nampa, Idaho, as the Herbert A Littleton Postal Station. Introduced by my colleague, Representative Walter Minnick, on April 29, 2009, and reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on May 6, 2009, by unanimous consent, H.R. 2162 enjoys the support of both members of the Idaho House delegation. Marine Private First Class Herbert A Littleton was born on July 1, 1930, in Mena, Arkansas, to his loving parents, Paul and Maude Littleton. He attended high school in Sturgis, South Dakota, where he played both football and basketball and was subsequently employed by the Electrical Appliance Corporation in Rapid City, South Dakota. On July 29, 1948, Private First Class Littleton enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 18. He completed boot camp in San Diego, California, before receiving additional training at nearby Camp Pendleton, which was then responsible for training the country's fighting force for the Korean War. Private First Class Littleton was deployed to Korea in December of 1950, bravely serving with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Artillery Forward Observation Team, Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. His distinguished service and tremendous bravery during the conflict quickly earned him the admiration of his comrades and eventually resulted in his posthumous receipt of the Medal of Honor, the United States military's highest decoration. Private First Class Littleton also posthumously received the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal with one bronze star, and the United Nations Service Medal. As recounted by the citation accompanying Private First Class Littleton's Congressional Medal of Honor, the young soldier exhibited conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and above and beyond the call of duty, in action against enemy aggressor forces on April 22, 1951, in Chungchon, Korea. Specifically, in response to a violent night attack against his company, Private First Class Littleton quickly alerted his forward observation team and immediately moved into an advantageous position in order to assist in calling down artillery fire on the hostile force. Shortly after the arrival of other team members, an enemy hand grenade was thrown into PFC Littleton's vantage point. Without hesitation, the 21-year-old private sacrificed his life by hurling himself on the grenade and absorbing its full impact. PFC Littleton's Medal of Honor citation goes on to recognize that through his prompt action, he not only saved the other members of his team from serious injury or death, but also enabled them to carry on their vital mission which resulted in their ability to resist the hostile attack. Mr. Speaker, Private First Class Littleton's dedicated service is a testament to all of the brave men and women in the United States Armed Forces who have offered this Nation the ultimate sacrifice. It is for this reason that the community of Nampa, Idaho, Private First Class Littleton's residence at the time of his death, marks every April 22 by holding a flag ceremony at the city's Herbert A Littleton flag pole in remembrance of his brave act. And it is for this reason that the city of Nampa has also named the road adjacent to PFC Littleton's grave in his honor. Mr. Speaker, let us further this brave soldier's remembrance by passing this legislation to rename the Nampa postal facility after him. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2162. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I do want to say on behalf of Walter Minnick, who is the lead sponsor of this resolution who is flying in right now and did not have an opportunity to speak on the floor, on his behalf I ask all Members to join with us. It is fitting, I think, that in this month of May, which marks Military Appreciation Month, let us join together once again to show our appreciation for all men and women in uniform by voting in favor of this resolution which would name this post office in memory of Private First Class Herbert A Littleton and pass H.R. 2162.

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. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. I appreciate the gentleman's words. At this time I would like to yield 5 minutes to the chief sponsor of this resolution, the one who has brought it to the floor, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko).

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. I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, in the coming months we will address critical problems in the areas of education, energy and health care. National Healthy Schools Day promotes positive changes in all three areas. I'm pleased to present the amended version of House Resolution 370 for consideration. This legislation expresses the support of Congress for the goals and ideals of National Healthy Schools Day. House Resolution 370 was introduced by my colleague and friend Representative Paul Tonko from the Empire State of New York on April 27, which is actually the day that National Healthy Schools Day is annually commemorated. The measure has the support of over 50 Members of Congress and has met requisite criteria for approval by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Madam Speaker, I am sure you will agree that it is important to ensure that our public schools are places that advance intellectual growth and provide healthy environments for our children to learn and to thrive. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that only 22 percent of public schools in America have effective indoor air quality management programs. More stringent regulation of indoor air quality in public schools would protect students against dangerous environmental hazards such as carbon dioxide, radon and even asbestos. The National Healthy Schools Day initiative encourages new efforts to combat these hazards and limits the prevalence of indoor environmental asthma triggers that have been reported to account for more than 14 million missed school days each year. Steps to improve the indoor air quality of our public schools should work in conjunction with efforts to make our schools more energy efficient. Through the use of new ventilation systems and the construction of high-performance so-called green schools, we can make certain that our educational facilities are using less energy while providing a healthier environment for our students. Through efforts to enhance healthy environments within our school systems, we can improve educational environments as well. Improved energy efficiency in our schools will reduce energy costs and allow more resources to be devoted to other areas, such as hiring new teachers and the acquisition of new educational tools. Madam Speaker, the health and well-being of all American students is paramount. Therefore, let us take one step forward in providing a high- quality learning environment for our children by expressing our support for the goals and ideals of National Healthy Schools Day. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of House Resolution 370, as amended. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, again, let us join with the gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko) and send a strong message to the public that we are committed to ensuring the development and growth of healthy learning environments and schools for our children by supporting House Resolution 370. With that, I ask my colleagues to join us. I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 370) expressing support for designation of April 27, 2009, as ``National Healthy Schools Day,'' as amended.