Stephen Lynch

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve.

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, it is with profound honor that I rise in support of House Resolution 223, which celebrates the life of legendary radio and television personality, Paul Harvey. I'd first like to thank my colleague from Oklahoma, Congressman John Sullivan, for sponsoring this afternoon's condolence measure, which has amassed over 60 cosponsors here in the Congress since being introduced on March 9, 2009. I'd also like to thank Chairman Towns from Brooklyn and my colleagues on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for their unanimous support in bringing this resolution to the floor. We live in an age of unprecedented access to the news. Between the 24-hour cable news networks and the Internet, there's no shortage of sources from which citizens are informed. Most of us remember a different time when Americans relied on a small number of outlets for each day's events. Before everybody had a blog, we placed our trust in a few individuals to represent the voice of the average citizen. And I am proud to say that Paul Harvey was certainly one of those trusted individuals. There is no greater testament to Paul Harvey's distinguished career than its longevity. He was no more than a teenager when he first hit the airwaves, reading advertisements and news clips. After studying speech and literature at the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mr. Harvey worked at radio stations across the American heartland. In 1941, Mr. Harvey sacrificed his personal aspirations in order to defend our country. He was a reporter in Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and decided to enlist in the United States Army immediately following. Upon conclusion of his national service, Paul Harvey set about redefining what it meant to be a radio host by delivering news in his own unique and humble way. Paul Harvey was never afraid of controversy, and he was not one to forfeit his principles. His style was part journalist, part showman and, fortunately for America, part everyman. As many as 22 million people tuned in daily to hear Mr. Harvey give his take on the day's news. Perhaps it was his plain-spoken ability to connect with and reassure the American people that made him so popular. Consider this remark, which is as relevant today as it was when first spoken. ``In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these.'' Paul Harvey was constantly recognized for his achievements, both as a broadcaster and as an outstanding citizen. He received accolades from the State of Oklahoma, the National Association of Broadcasters, the Salvation Army, the United States Air Force, The Humane Society and the American Legion, just to name a few. In 2005, he was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor available to American civilians. Throughout his life, Mr. Harvey was rarely without his loving wife, Lynn, whom he called ``Angel.'' Married in 1940, Lynn passed away on May 3, 2008. They are survived by Paul Jr., who followed his parents into broadcasting. I ask that this body join the American people in celebrating the life of Paul Harvey, whom we lost on February 28, 2009 at the age of 90. We will certainly miss his contributions to the national dialogue. So, Madam Speaker, let us collectively and formally express our appreciation for Paul Harvey's life and career by adopting House Resolution 223. I now reserve the balance of our 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. 223) Honoring the life, achievements, and contributions of Paul Harvey, affectionately known for his signature line, ``This is Paul Harvey . . . Good Day,'' as amended.

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

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, the week of May 4 through May 10, 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW). PSRW is a week set aside to commemorate the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice made by our Nation's Federal, State and local government employees. As Chairman of the Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia Subcommittee, I am proud to introduce this resolution honoring public service and public servants. PSRW offers an opportunity for all Americans to both recognize and learn about the significant contributions public sector employees make on a daily basis to our local communities, states, and country. Whether fighting crime, educating future generations, or serving on the front line to protect our nation, public servants touch every aspect of our lives. While Public Service Week lasts only seven days, I believe that the contributions and sacrifices of public servants ought to be recognized and appreciated throughout the entire year. By honoring public servants we show younger generations the importance of public service and inspire them to consider entering the field, whether on the federal, State, or local level of government. We, as a nation, have a responsibility to honor the commitment of government employees and to recognize that our country runs on their diligence and hard work. The commemoration of Public Service Recognition Week stands as a reminder to every citizen that the sacrifices and contributions made by American public employees is what makes our country a more perfect union and our government one that is truly of the people, for the people and by the people.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 918) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 300 East 3rd Street in Jamestown, New York, as the ``Stan Lundine Post Office Building''.

Mr. LYNCH. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in my role as chair of the House Subcommittee with oversight authority of the United States Postal Service, I am pleased to stand before the body in consideration of H.R. 918, which is the measure before us that is designed to rename the United States postal facility located at 300 East Third Street in Jamestown, New York, as the Stan Lundine Post Office Building. This legislation was introduced by my friend Brian Higgins, the gentleman from New York, on February 9, 2009, and it was considered and reported out of the Oversight Committee by voice vote on March 10, 2009. In addition, H.R. 918 enjoys the support of the entire sitting New York House delegation. A native of the city of Jamestown, Stanley Nelson Lundine has devoted over four decades of his life to public service in New York State. Born in Jamestown on February 4, 1939, Mr. Lundine graduated from Jamestown High School in 1957. He received his B.A. from Duke University in 1961, and in 1964 received his juris doctorate from New York University School of Law. Only 5 years after gaining admission to the New York State bar, Mr. Lundine was elected to his first term as mayor of Jamestown, having previously served as the city's associate corporate counsel and chairman of the City Planning Commission. As mayor of his beloved hometown until 1976, Mr. Lundine dedicated his efforts to addressing long-standing labor strife in the city. To this end, he developed a unique labor-management strategy, and subsequently garnered Jamestown national attention as a widely successful labor-management partnership model, a model that we could dearly use today. In 1976, Mr. Lundine was elected to represent New York State's 39th Congressional District, becoming the first Democrat to hold that seat since 1874. While representing New York's southern tier district in Congress until 1987, Mr. Lundine continued his commitment to labor- management cooperation through the development of legislation to establish labor-management councils and employee stock ownership plans. Mr. Lundine also remained dedicated to economic development issues, serving as a subcommittee chairman of the House Banking Committee. In 1986, Mr. Lundine was elected to statewide office as lieutenant governor of New York, under Governor Mario Cuomo, serving until 1994. Mr. Lundine worked to further develop the State's economy and increased the availability of job training programs and also strengthened New York's housing and technology sectors. Currently Stan Lundine serves the citizens of New York State through his continued public service on a wide variety of nonprofit, private sector efforts. Notably, in April of 2007, Mr. Lundine was appointed as chair of the State's newly created Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness. The panel is tasked with promoting local government collaboration and efficiency in the name of saving taxpayer dollars. Mr. Speaker, let us honor Stan Lundine's decades of public service through the passage of this legislation to designate his hometown post office in his name. I urge my colleagues to join with me and Congressman Brian Higgins, who is the chief sponsor of this legislation. And I ask my colleagues to join us in supporting H.R. 918. I reserve the balance of our time.

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

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, in closing I want to thank my colleague for his generous remarks. And I do want to give great credit to Congressman Brian Higgins from the Buffalo area. He is the central sponsor of this measure to name this post office after Stan Lundine, who is very deserving of this honor. Mr. Speaker, 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, in closing, I just want to point out the relentless work done on this issue of traumatic brain injury by Mr. Pascrell from New Jersey, who is the chair, and also by Mr. Todd Platts from Pennsylvania, who is the co-chair. I have accompanied both of those gentlemen, I have seen their work in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have seen the situation in Balad, in the field hospitals in Iraq, as well as the military hospital at Landstuhl, Germany, the military hospital there, as well as going back to Walter Reed Army Hospital. They know full well the extent of this. They are our most outspoken advocates on behalf of families whose loved ones have been affected with TBI, and we are all indebted to their hard work. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to support the measure of Mr. Pascrell of New Jersey and Mr. Platts of Pennsylvania and support House Resolution 178. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am joined by my colleagues in the consideration of House Resolution 178, which expresses support for enhanced public awareness of traumatic brain injury and for designation of National Brain Injury Awareness Month which, for years, has been commemorated annually during the month of March. House Resolution 178 was introduced by the great Representative Bill Pascrell of New Jersey, on February 13, 2009, and has the support and cosponsorship of over 90 Members of Congress. The reason for such generous congressional support is the fact that traumatic brain injury impacts nearly 1.5 million Americans a year. The measure was considered by the Oversight panel on March 10, 2009, and was passed by voice vote with unanimous support from myself and my fellow committee members. Mr. Speaker, each and every March the National Brain Injury Association of America and its State affiliates come together with other organizations, businesses, schools, and of course those who have survived or sustained traumatic brain injury and their families, to promote greater awareness and understanding of brain injury. Mr. Speaker, before consideration of this resolution, how many of us were aware that every 21 seconds an individual in our country sustains a traumatic brain injury, or the fact that among our servicemen and women engaged in the Global War on Terrorism, brain injury has been identified as a ``signature wound,'' usually resulting from roadside bombs and explosive devices. Often described as a somewhat ``silent epidemic,'' brain injury, whether as a mild concussion or severe enough to result in comatose conditions, certainly deserves the attention of the Congress and the resources and research of this country. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I'd like to again thank my colleague from New Jersey, Congressman Bill Pascrell, for working to make sure we recognize the need for greater public awareness of brain injury and for highlighting the National Brain Injury Awareness Month which, this year, I should add, will focus specifically on brain injury in sports and youth recreational activities. House Resolution 178 is certainly worthy of the support of this body, and I hope my colleagues will vote accordingly. 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 agree to the resolution (H. Res. 178) expressing the need for enhanced public awareness of traumatic brain injury and support for the designation of a National Brain Injury Awareness Month.

Mr. LYNCH. I grant the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, at this time I take great pleasure in recognizing the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell) for 5 minutes.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1218) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 112 South 5th Street in Saint Charles, Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post Office Building''.

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 ask all of our Members to join with the gentleman from Missouri in supporting this bill, H.R. 1218. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I present for consideration H.R. 1218, a bill to designate the United States postal facility located at 112 South 5th Street in St. Charles, Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post Office Building.'' This legislation was introduced on February 26 by my colleague and friend, Representative Todd W. Akin of Missouri, and considered and reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee by a voice vote on March 10, 2009. Additionally, H.R. 1218 enjoys the support of the entire Missouri congressional delegation. A native of St. Charles, Missouri, Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver bravely served with the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force out of Twenty-Nine Palms, California. On February 21, 2008, the young marine was killed in action in al Anbar province in Iraq while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Born on July 5, 1987, Lance Corporal Weaver decided to join the United States Marine Corps shortly before his graduation from St. Charles West High School in 2005. He was best known for his positive attitude, his sense of humor, his love of adventure, and above all, his dedication and commitment to his family, his friends, his unit and his country. St. Charles West Assistant Principal Scott Voekl remembers seeing Lance Corporal Weaver take daily morning runs on Zumbehl Road near the school in preparation for boot camp. Upon the young man's return from basic training, Mr. Voekl asked him if serving in the Marines was what he wanted to do. ``Absolutely,'' replied Lance Corporal Weaver. Ken Mayer, another St. Charles West administrator, recalls that Lance Corporal Weaver ``truly believed in what he was doing.'' And St. Charles Mayor Patti York noted that Lance Corporal Weaver was a ``true hero'' and a beloved member of the St. Charles community. Mr. Speaker, Lance Corporal Weaver's life and service stand as a testament to the strength and support of his devoted family as well as the bravery and dedication of the young men and women that have joined him in offering the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our Nation. It is my hope that we can honor this outstanding soldier through the passage of this legislation without objection. I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting Congressman Akin in his sponsorship of H.R. 1218. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1284) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 103 West Main Street in McLain, Mississippi, as the ``Major Ed W. Freeman Post Office''.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to present for consideration H.R. 1217, which designates the United States postal facility located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, Missouri, as the Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building. Introduced by Representative W. Todd Akin on February 26, 2009, and reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on March 10, 2009, by a voice vote, H.R. 1217 enjoys the support, the unanimous support of the entire Missouri House delegation. A resident of Wildwood, Missouri, Specialist Peter Joseph Navarro bravely served with the United States Army's 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor, 3rd Brigade Combat Team out of Fort Riley, Kansas. On December 13, 2005, Specialist Navarro and three fellow members of his unit were killed in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their Humvee while the soldiers were conducting combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Specialist Navarro, a member of the United States Air Force Junior ROTC Program, graduated from Lafayette High School in 2003. He subsequently decided to forego his acceptance at Truman State University in order to join the United States Army. As noted by his father, Jose, a retired chief petty officer for the United States Navy, Specialist Navarro was a strong-willed young man and a dedicated soldier who cared for the soldiers that he worked with and would do anything for his friends. Mr. Navarro also recounts that his son wanted to try and make a difference, and that being a soldier was what making a difference is in this time of our lives. Specialist Navarro's dedication to his unit and his country was evidenced in July of 2005 when he returned home to Wildwood to attend the funeral of his younger brother, Daniel, who had been killed in a car accident. Specialist Navarro's mother, Rowena, begged her son not to return to Iraq in the summer. As Mrs. Navarro recalls her son telling her, ``Mom, they would be a man short. Somebody's taking my place, and that's not fair. They'd do the same thing for me.'' Mr. Speaker, Specialist Peter J. Navarro's life stands as a testament to the bravery and dedication of the heroic men and women who have served and continue to serve our Nation at home and abroad. It is my hope that we can further honor his service through the passage of this legislation. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1217 and dedicate the Manchester Road Post Office in Ballwin, Missouri, after this outstanding American soldier. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 987) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 601 8th Street in Freedom, Pennsylvania, as the ``John Scott Challis, Jr. Post Office''.