Stephen Lynch

Mr. LYNCH

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. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time; however, I will continue to reserve.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 84, sponsored by my friend and colleague from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp), a resolution supporting the goals and objectives of National Military Appreciation Month. Each May since 1999, Congress has taken the time to honor our Nation's bravest men and women serving in the Armed Forces. Throughout our history, they have put themselves in harm's way all over the world in order to protect and defend our country. They continue to do so today, and they deserve our gratitude. In the wake of the tragic shooting yesterday at Camp Victory in Baghdad, we are reminded of the perils and the stress that our Armed Forces face constantly during periods of deployment. It is important, I think, that we always show our appreciation for their service, but as we continue to face two long wars, they need and deserve our support now more than ever. I am glad we are taking the time today to thank them for their service, and I know that all my colleagues keep them and their families in our thoughts and prayers. This measure was introduced this year on March 26 by Representative Wamp of Tennessee and was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The committee reported the bill by unanimous consent on May 6, and it comes to the House floor today with the bipartisan support of over 75 cosponsors. Mr. Speaker, every single day our soldiers, sailors, airmen and air women, marines, and their families, make tremendous sacrifices in service to our country. I have seen this firsthand on many, many deployments by these soldiers during my regular visits to Iraq and Afghanistan. Our country is at war, and our military is certainly deserving of our support now more than ever. Today I ask my colleagues to join all Americans in giving thanks to our men and women in uniform. Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 84 gives us the opportunity to show our appreciation and respect to members and veterans of the armed services, men and women that hail from all walks of life but are bound together by one noble characteristic and take one simple but profound act. They have put on the uniform of our country, and they are together committed to protecting Americans and their liberties that we hold so dear. Thus, to the military personnel from my own congressional district and to those of every congressional district represented in this body, we sincerely thank you, our men and women in uniform, for your service to our country. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.

Mr. LYNCH

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

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 299) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the Nation during Public Service Recognition Week, May 4 through 10, 2009, and throughout the year.

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

Mr. LYNCH. I thank the gentleman for supporting this measure. I appreciate his support. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 25th anniversary of Public Service Recognition Week. From May 4 through May 10, 2009, Public Service Recognition Week is designed to commemorate the hard work, dedication and sacrifice made by our Nation's Federal, State, and local government employees. As chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia, I am proud to have introduced H. Res. 299 as it sends a strong message to public workers everywhere that their work and effort on behalf of this country is valued and their services appreciated. I introduced H. Res. 299 on March 30, 2009, and I am pleased to report that the measure has been considered and reported from the Oversight Committee as of April 23, 2009. While this measure has the support of only 60 Members of Congress, it affords each and every one of us a chance to celebrate and pay tribute to the thousands of civilian and military personnel that commit themselves daily to the greatness and prosperity of our country. To all of the public servants that touch our lives, our great teachers, our mail carriers, our firefighters, we say ``thank you.'' From the soldiers in the field to the agents on the border, the service rendered by public service workers may be the key to our basic functionality, but yet it is so often overlooked. While Public Service Week lasts only 7 days, I believe that the contributions and sacrifices of public servants should be recognized and appreciated throughout the entire year. As chairman of the Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, my highest priority is to improve the working conditions, benefits and opportunities afforded to our civil servants. They deserve our highest recognition and praise, but all too often they are criticized and undervalued. During this session, I have introduced or supported legislation that would provide paid leave to Federal employees that are new parents, that would protect postal workers' jobs from being contracted out to the private sector, and that would allow Federal employees a credit for their unused sick leave when computing their retirement annuities. Commemoration of Public Service Recognition Week runs from the first Monday through the first Sunday of May and will involve job fairs, student activities and agency exhibits, all designed to highlight the significance of public service and to encourage young people to consider public service. This week offers all Americans the opportunity to both recognize and learn more about the significant contributions that public sector employees make on a daily basis to our local communities, States and our Nation. The theme for this year's celebration is ``Government Goes Green.'' This will give government agencies an opportunity to showcase how they are working to have a positive impact on the globe through environmentally friendly practices and energy-efficient initiatives. Whether it is the Environmental Protection Agency keeping our air and water safe, the Department of Interior preserving and managing our Nation's parks, or the Department of Energy developing cleaner fuel alternatives, public servants have been on the forefront of protecting our Earth. Also, Public Service Recognition Week offers a chance for Americans, especially young Americans, to learn more about various careers in the public service. By showing younger generations that hard work, dedication and passion in serving the common good leads to a productive and successful career, we will inspire our young people to seriously consider entering the field of public service. In our busy daily lives, we often take for granted the hard work and services provided by government employees. These people are what make our country move, and they make it the greatest country in the world. Therefore, we have an obligation to recognize and honor the contributions made by those who put their love of country above personal motivations. In short, they are all American heroes and the subject of today's measure, H. Res. 299, the commemoration of Public Service Recognition Week. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to ask a letter from the Office of Personnel Management Director, John Berry, praising our Nation's public employees to be entered into the Record. I know that Director Berry and the President alike share my commitment in making the Federal Government a better place to work. Therefore, it is with a warm sense of appreciation and deep gratitude that I stand to urge support for this measure. Office of Personnel Management, Washington, DC, May 5, 2009. Hon. Stephen F. Lynch, Chairman, Subcommittee on the Federal Service, Postal Service, and District of Columbia, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to thank you for your sponsorship of H. Res. 299, a resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the Nation during Public Service Recognition Week, May 4 through 10, 2009, and throughout the year. As you know, Public Service Recognition Week, celebrated the first Monday through Sunday in May since 1985, is a time set aside each year to honor the men and women who serve America as Federal, State and local government employees. Throughout the Nation and around the world, public employees use the week to educate citizens about the many ways in which government serves the people and how government services make life better for all of us. As the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Public Service Recognition Week is the perfect time to spread President Obama's call to public service and to recognize public employees. I am committed to making the Federal Government a better place to work by speeding up the hiring process, increasing opportunities for veterans, and implementing programs that help employees balance work and family life. Thank you for your continued leadership in recognizing the hard work of our public servants during Public Service Recognition Week and I look forward to working with you to make the Federal Government a better place to work. Sincerely, John Berry, Director. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back 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 for consideration this legislation that will designate the United States postal facility located at 41 Purdy Avenue in Rye, New York, as the Caroline O'Day Post Office Building in honor of a wonderful and dedicated public servant. Caroline Love Goodwin O'Day was born in the city of Perry in Houston County, Georgia, on June 22, 1875. Ms. O'Day completed her academic studies at the Lucy Cobb Institute in Athens, Georgia, in 1886, and initially chose to pursue a career as an artist, spending 8 years as an art student and painter in Paris, Holland and Munich. In 1902, Ms. O'Day relocated to what would become her lifelong hometown of Rye, New York, where she would embark on an admirable and dedicated career devoted to public service. Following her husband's sudden death in 1916, Ms. O'Day became actively involved in the women's suffrage movement as well as a number of other social welfare groups, including the New York affiliate of the National Consumer's League and the Women's Trade Union League, dedicated to improving wages and workplace conditions for both women and children. In furtherance of her social and community causes, Ms. O'Day also served on the Rye school board and played an integral role in the establishment of the women's division of the Democratic State Committee. In 1923, she was elected by State party leaders to head the women's division as well as serve as chairman of the Democratic State Committee. Then First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt, described Ms. O'Day's election to one of the State party leadership positions as ``breaking down a major barrier against women in the Democratic Party.'' That same year, Governor Al Smith appointed Ms. O'Day to serve on the State Board of Social Welfare, a position that she held for over a decade. In 1924, Ms. O'Day was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention and was elected as chairman of the New York State delegation, marking the first time that a woman had received such an honor from either major political party. Ms. O'Day proceeded to serve as a delegate for the party's next three national conventions. In 1934, at the age of 65, Ms. O'Day was elected to Congress as a Representative at Large in the 74th Congress. As noted by the author, Paul DeForest Hicks, in his profile of Ms. O'Day that appeared in the New York Historical Association Magazine, Ms. O'Day's 1934 campaign materials ``evidenced a commitment for higher standards for wage earners, adequate relief to taxpayers, a sound and enlightened fiscal policy, friendly foreign relations, and advanced opportunities for women in government.'' In addition, as recently noted by Rye City Councilman Mack Cunningham, Ms. O'Day's tenure in Congress was marked by a strong interest in social welfare measures. It is noteworthy that she was only the second congresswoman to chair a major committee, the Committee on Election of President, Vice President and Representatives. On a final note, I would like to mention that, as a New York Representative at Large, Ms. O'Day played a vital role in facilitating the construction of the Rye Post Office that is now the subject of this legislation. In fact, she presided over the post office's ribbon- cutting ceremony on September 5, 1936, and now we stand here some years later seeking to name this post office after Ms. O'Day. Mr. Speaker, let us honor this dedicated public servant with the passage of H.R. 1397, and let us follow the leadership of the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey) by designating the Rye Post Office in honor of Caroline O'Day. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1397. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey).

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

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1397) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 41 Purdy Avenue in Rye, New York, as the ``Caroline O'Day Post Office Building''.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1271) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2351 West Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach, Florida, as the ``Elijah Pat Larkins Post Office Building''.

Mr. LYNCH. I just want to note that the lead sponsor of this resolution to name this post office after Elijah Pat Larkins is our friend and great Congressman from Florida, Mr. Hastings. I just want to recognize his leadership in bringing this to the floor. I thank him for his energy and his leadership. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to present H.R. 1271 for consideration. This legislation will designate the United States postal facility located at 2351 West Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach, Florida, as the ``Elijah Pat Larkins Post Office Building,'' in honor of a man who dedicated over 25 years of his life to public service. Born to farm worker parents in the then-segregated city of Pompano Beach, Florida, on April 29, 1942, Elijah Pat Larkins graduated from Blanche Ely High School in 1960, and subsequently attended Tennessee State University. In 1962, Mr. Larkins embarked on a career as a community housing activist, first serving as a housing director with a Pompano community action agency. In 1969, Mr. Larkins was one of the two honorees in the State of Florida to receive the prestigious Ford Foundation Fellowship, which afforded him the opportunity to attend the National Housing Institute in Washington, D.C., and become a federally-certified housing development specialist. In 1972, Mr. Larkins brought his new expertise back to his community by creating the Broward County Minority Building Coalition, an organization dedicated to ensuring the participation of minority-owned companies in south Florida's construction sector. In 1982, Mr. Larkins first won elected office, becoming only the second African American elected to the Pompano Beach City Commission, and only the eighth African American local elected official in Broward County. He proceeded to serve 19 consecutive years. Notably, Mr. Larkins served an unprecedented seven terms as the first African American mayor of Pompano Beach. He also served three terms as vice mayor, elected by his fellow city commissioners. Under Mr. Larkins' leadership, the city of Pompano Beach initiated a variety of successful efforts to advance modern affordable home development and promote the growth of small and minority-owned businesses. In addition to elected service, Mr. Larkins played an active role in a variety of social and religious organizations, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Broward County Boys and Girls Club, the United Way, and the Urban League. Regrettably, illness forced him to retire from public service in May of 2008. In February of 2009, he passed away at the age of 66, after a 16-month battle with brain cancer. As noted by Mr. Larkins himself, he always had a great affinity and love for the city of Pompano Beach, and it was his hope that he would be remembered for giving all that he had to public service. Mr. Speaker, let us honor this dedicated public servant through the passage of this legislation by dedicating the Pompano Beach Postal Facility in honor of Elijah Pat Larkins. I urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to support both Member Carolyn Maloney, the lead sponsor of this measure, and Mrs. Lowey, who also spoke on behalf of this measure, in naming this post office after Geraldine Ferraro. I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's support for the naming of this Post Office Building on behalf of Geraldine Ferraro. At this point, I would like to yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey) who is also in her own right a champion of women's rights. So it is appropriate that she speak on this bill as well.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the lead sponsor of this resolution, the gentlelady from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, 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, and as we commend the dedicated service of our Nation's public servants during Public Service Recognition Week, I am pleased to present H.R. 774 for consideration. This legislation would designate the United States postal facility located at 46-02 21st Street in Long Island City, New York, as the Geraldine Ferraro Post Office Building in honor of an exceptional public servant who has dedicated over 30 years of life to serving our country. Introduced by my colleague, Representative Carolyn Maloney of New York, on January 28, 2009, and reported out of the Oversight Committee on March 18, 2009, by unanimous consent, H.R. 774 enjoys the strong support of the New York House delegation. Born in the city of Newburgh, New York, to her father Dominick, an Italian immigrant restaurant owner, and her mother Antonetta, a first generation Italian American seamstress, Geraldine Ferraro stands as a living testament to an often-cited passage from her historic address to the 1984 Democratic convention: ``America's history is about doors being opened, doors of opportunity for everyone, no matter who you are, as long as you are willing to earn it.'' Ms. Ferraro spoke these words upon her introduction as the first female and Italian American major party candidate for the Vice Presidency of the United States. Ms. Ferraro graduated from the Marymount High School in Manhattan in 1952. She was awarded a scholarship to Marymount Manhattan College, and in 1956 earned her bachelor of arts degree, becoming the first woman in her family to receive a college education. In her subsequent service as a public elementary school teacher in Astoria, Queens, Ms. Ferraro attended Fordham University School of Law at night. She courageously ignored an admission officer's admonition that she would be taking ``a man's place'' in the class. In 1960, she received her juris doctorate as one of only two women in her graduating class of 179 students. Following her admission to the New York State bar in 1961, Ms. Ferraro practiced law part time in the private sector while raising her family. In 1974, she was appointed to serve as an assistant district attorney for Queens County. In 1977, she was chosen to head the recently established Queens County Special Victims Bureau, where she specialized in cases involving abused women and children. Ms. Ferraro was elected to the United States Congress in 1978, and honorably represented New York State's Ninth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1979 to 1985. Throughout her tenure in Congress, Ms. Ferraro devoted much of her legislative attention to women's rights and human rights advocacy. To this end, she admirably sought passage of measures such as the Equal Rights Amendment and the Women's Economic Equity Act. In 1984, Ms. Ferraro became the first woman and the first Italian American to be nominated to the Vice Presidency of the United States by a major American political party when she was chosen by Democratic Presidential candidate Walter Mondale to join the 1984 national ticket. Her historic nomination continues to stand as evidence that, as Ms. Ferraro proclaimed in her acceptance address, ``America is the land where dreams can come true for all of us.'' Following her remarkable Vice Presidential run, Ms. Ferraro remained active in public and community service. In 1993, she was appointed by President Bill Clinton as Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. As noted by President Clinton, Ms. Ferraro's appointment came in recognition of her longstanding dedication to international women's rights issues. Ms. Ferraro continues to serve the Nation through a variety of public and private sector efforts, specifically as a widely regarded author and political commentator. She keeps the American public well informed regarding issues of public policy. Through her nonprofit organizational work, she continues her commitment to creating educational and professional opportunities for women, as well as addressing wage and training disparities in the workplace. Furthermore, as a cancer survivor, Ms. Ferraro admirably and successfully advocates in support of increasing much needed funding for cancer research. Mr. Speaker, let us honor a dedicated public servant through the passage of H.R. 774, and by designating the 21st Street postal facility in Long Island City in honor of Geraldine Ferraro. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 774. I 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.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 774) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 46-02 21st Street in Long Island City, New York, as the ``Geraldine Ferraro Post Office Building''.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the chief sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bright).

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, with House Resolution 340, this Chamber expresses its profound sympathy to the victims of the tragic attack at the American Civic Association in Binghamton, New York, on April 3. Our thoughts continue to be with the families, friends, and the people of Binghamton, and they remain in our prayers. Thirteen men and women were murdered in this attack and four were wounded, shaking the community and the entire Nation. House Resolution 340 was introduced by our friend and colleague, Representative Hinchey of New York, and is co-sponsored by over 50 Members of Congress. Given the tragic events on which House Resolution 340 is based, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform moved quickly to consider a report on the bill, which brings us to today's consideration of the resolution. Mr. Speaker, we thank the American Civic Association for its continued service over the years as it has helped immigrants and refugees with counseling, resettlement, citizenship, family reunification, language skills, and other critical services, playing a vital role in the effort to secure the dreams of immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship. We want them to know that they have our prayers and our heartfelt sympathies during this difficult time. I would also like to commend the City of Binghamton Police Department, the Broome County Sheriff's Department and the New York State Police for their swift response to this attack. In addition, we thank the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office, and other Federal agencies for their assistance. We were all deeply saddened to hear of this attack, and it is difficult for us to comprehend such an act of violence. We will feel its effect for years, but we can be sure that in time Binghamton will heal, emerging from this tragedy stronger and more united than ever before. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.