Stephen Lynch

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Arcuri).

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I want to say in closing for myself that this is an experience that no Member of Congress wishes to face. However, at the same time, I must confess admiration not only for the law enforcement authorities and the medical staff and families who have been affected in this case but also, and I think especially from our standpoint here in the House, the way in which Representative Maurice Hinchey, faced with this disaster, this terrible tragedy in his district, flew back to his district, rolled up his sleeves, opened his heart to the people that he cares about and represents here in Congress every day, and began the very difficult work of helping his community in Binghamton heal from these wounds. And I just want to say there are occasions that are forced upon us unwillingly that really show, I think, in a greater depth and a more meaningful extent the true content of our character, and seeing the way the community in Binghamton came together in this tragedy to comfort those who were victimized and to bring some peace to those families, the way the law enforcement community and the nurses and docs in taking care of those families came together, and seeing how Mr. Hinchey sprang to action and addressed the tragedy himself was a shining example, I think, of the strength of the United States and of our core communities. And I just think that if there is any silver lining that one can gain from this tragedy, it is just that: The way this community has responded to a senseless, senseless tragedy and the way they have provided comfort to people in their own communities is truly admirable. I think, as Members of Congress here on both sides of the aisle have acknowledged here, the way that Maurice Hinchey had weighed into the process was truly, I think, exemplary for all of us, unwanted admittedly but certainly extremely admirable under the circumstances. And we will pay special attention to this tragedy going forward. At this point, Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey), the lead sponsor of this resolution.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I simply urge our colleagues to join Mr. Hinchey in supporting this resolution.

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

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 340), expressing sympathy to the victims, families, and friends of the tragic act of violence at the American Civic Association in Binghamton, New York.

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. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 342) expressing support for designation of May 2, 2009, as ``Vietnamese Refugees Day''.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I stand to join my colleagues in the consideration of House Resolution 342, which expresses our support for the designation of May 2, 2009, as ``Vietnamese Refugees Day.'' And House Resolution 342 was introduced by the gentleman from Louisiana, Congressman Cao, on April 21, 2009, and was considered by and reported from the Oversight Committee on April 23, 2009, by unanimous consent. This measure has the support and cosponsorship of 67 Members of Congress. Basically, Vietnamese refugees were asylum-seekers from Communist- controlled Vietnam. In the late 1970s, many Vietnamese escaped in boats and by land across the Cambodian, Laotian and the Thai borders into refugee camps in Thailand after the Vietnam war. Over 2 million Vietnamese boat people and other refugees are now spread across the world, in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, England, Germany, Japan, China, Hong Kong and South Korea, also in the Philippines and other nations. Over half of all overseas Vietnamese are Vietnamese Americans, and Vietnamese Americans are the fourth largest Asian American group in the United States. As of 2006, 72 percent of Vietnamese Americans were naturalized United States citizens, the highest rate among all Asian groups. Vietnamese Americans have made significant contributions to the rich culture and economic prosperity of the United States. Vietnamese Americans have distinguished themselves in fields of literature, the arts, science and athletics, and include actors and actresses, physicists, an astronaut, and Olympic athletes and so on. And on May 2, 2009, many will come together to recognize what has been designated as ``Vietnamese Refugees Day.'' Mr. Speaker, with this bill, we have the opportunity to commemorate the arrival and integration of Vietnamese refugees into the United States and remember the arduous task that many citizens and the citizens of the world have had to travel to attain for their liberty, safety and prosperity. I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cao) for authoring such an important resolution, and I urge my colleagues to join all of us here on the floor now in support of the bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers, but I continue to reserve my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, we continue to reserve.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, we continue to reserve.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to congratulate Mr. Cao on his leadership in sponsoring this resolution. I want to thank the gentleman from Georgia for his leadership as well.

Mr. LYNCH. I yield back 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. 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 join with the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lee) in asking our Members to unanimously support this designation of this post office in memory of Brian Schramm. I yield back the balance of our 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, we have no further speakers, but I continue to reserve.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1595) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3245 Latta Road in Rochester, New York, as the ``Brian K. Schramm Post Office Building''.

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, I am pleased to present H.R. 1595 for consideration. This legislation will designate the United States postal facility located at 3245 Latta Road in Rochester, New York, as the Brian K. Schramm Post Office Building. Introduced on March 18, 2009, by my colleague Representative Chris Lee of New York and reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on April 2, 2009, by unanimous consent, H.R. 1595 enjoys the support of the entire sitting New York House delegation. A lifelong resident of the town of Greece in Rochester, New York, Lance Corporal Brian K. Schramm bravely served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. On October 15, 2004, Lance Corporal Schramm was killed in action at the age of 22 during an enemy shrapnel attack in Bail Province, Iraq. Upon his graduation from Greece Olympia High School in 2001, Lance Corporal Schramm chose to fulfill one of his life's dreams and join the United States Marine Corps. He served his first tour of duty in Iraq shortly following the March 20, 2003, launch of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and he bravely returned to the region in June of 2004 for his second tour. As noted by his devoted father, Keith, Lance Corporal Schramm was a genuine American hero who clearly knew what he wanted to do in life and he did it. Brian's loving family members also described the young soldier as a strong leader and motivator who was never down. He loved life and treated every day as an opportunity for adventure. Lance Corporal Schramm's friends and teachers at Greece Olympia High School and the surrounding community similarly remember Brian for his depth of decency, his contagious sense of humor, and his refusal to quit any assignment or mission, regardless of the difficulties he faced or the challenges that he met. Lance Corporal Schramm's genuine devotion to community service will also never be forgotten. In addition to his courageous military service, Brian frequently returned to his alma mater to discuss the war in Iraq, and was hoping to eventually become a police officer. It is in light of Brian's character and devotion to public service that Greece Olympia High School has already established the Brian Schramm Scholarship, awarded annually to a college-bound senior who demonstrates the extraordinary qualities exhibited by Brian Schramm. And it is my hope that we can further honor this fallen hero through the passage of this legislation, to dedicate the Latta Road post office building in his name. Mr. Speaker, Lance Corporal Brian Schramm's life stands as a testament to the bravery and dedication of our heroic men and women who have served our Nation at home and abroad, and I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting H.R. 1595. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 341) expressing heartfelt sympathy for the victims and families of the shootings in Geneva and Coffee Counties in Alabama, on March 10, 2009.

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 yield myself such time as I may consume. As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I solemnly join my colleagues in the consideration of House Resolution 341, which expresses our heartfelt sympathy for the victims and families of the shootings in Geneva and Coffee Counties of Alabama on March 10, 2009. House Resolution 341 was introduced by our colleague Congressman Bobby Bright of Alabama on April 21, 2009, and was considered by and reported from the Oversight Committee on April 23, 2009, by voice vote. This measure has the support and cosponsorship of 58 Members of Congress. On March 10, 2009, the people of Geneva and Coffee Counties in southeast Alabama suffered senseless shootings that resulted in the loss of 10 lives and a number of injuries. On that tragic day, the reckless killings began at the shooter's, Michael McLendon, residence in Kinston, Alabama, where he killed his own mother and in addition set the house on fire. The shooter then drove a dozen miles southeast to Samson in Geneva County, where he gunned down six more victims, including four members of his own family. The victims of this senseless act included James Alford White; Tracy Michelle Wise; Dean James Wise; and 74-year-old Virginia E. White, the shooter's own grandmother. Also killed were the wife and daughter of local sheriff's deputy Joshua Myers, Andrea Myers and Corinne Myers, who was only 18 months old. The shooter continued on his rampage, killing three more people. These random and innocent victims were James Irvin Starling, Sonja Smith, and Bruce Wilson Malloy. The rampage ended another 12 miles farther east in Geneva at the metals plant where, with a valiant attempt to end the rampage, the State troopers of the Dothan Post, the police department, and county sheriff's department and an officer of the Conservation and Natural Resources Department were among the first to respond and help resolve the situation. After a gun battle with police, Mr. McLendon took his own life. The memory, the pain, and the grief of this reckless killing spree will remain with the victims in the communities of Geneva and Coffee, Alabama. Mr. Speaker, with this bill we have the opportunity to acknowledge the lives lost and the courage and resolve of the many law enforcement officials and community members that helped end the situation. I would like to thank the gentleman from Alabama for introducing and ushering through this House such a thoughtful and considerate measure which can only express the heartfelt sympathy we all feel on behalf of those Americans that were impacted by this tragic event. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I urge my fellow colleagues to support the adoption of House Resolution 341. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I simply urge my colleagues to join with Congressman Bright and Congressman Davis in support of this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, at this point I would like to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Davis).