Stephen Lynch

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. I yield myself such time as I may consume Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues and stand in full support of the consideration of House Resolution 47, which calls for Congress to recognize the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day, which is commemorated on May 15th of each year during what is referred to as National Police Week. House Resolution 47 was introduced by our colleague Representative Ted Poe of Texas on January 9, 2009, and was considered by and reported from the Oversight Committee on February 11th, 2009, by a voice vote. The measure has the support and cosponsorship of nearly 70 Members of Congress and is designed to acknowledge the work and commitment of more than 900,000 sworn law enforcement officers now serving throughout our great nation. Daily, these selfless men and women place their lives on the line, confronting great risk and challenges in their service to our communities and our fellow citizens, which is why it is so befitting for us to consider the measure at hand, House Resolution 47, supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day. Over the course of 2008, our country lost nearly 180 law enforcement officers in the line of duty. In remembrance of these fallen heroes, today we in the House of Representatives take a moment to express our gratitude for the service of these courageous Americans by considering House Resolution 47. By supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day, we are sending a strong message to our country's law enforcement community and their families that we recognize the sacrifices they have made in the name of safety and security for all of our cities, townships and localities. I would like to specifically mention and thank those officers that serve throughout Bristol, Suffolk, Plymouth and Norfolk Counties in my own congressional district for their great work. Commemorating Peace Officers Memorial Day dates back to 1962, when then President Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 designating May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. Since that time, Congress has routinely expressed our support for the goals and ideals of this worthy cause. I would like to again thank our colleague from Texas, Mr. Poe, for reintroducing this year's measure honoring the work of our Nation's police officers, many of whom I might add will now be able to stay on the job because of the recent enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Mr. Speaker, in the coming months, Peace Officers Memorial Day will be celebrated across our great land with various events, memorials and programs, all designed to highlight the work of these great Americans. In closing, let us too join in the commemoration of our country's law enforcement officers by agreeing to pass House Resolution 47. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. We continue to reserve. We have no further speakers.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues, in memory of Officers Chestnut and Gibson and others that have been named by my friend from Texas, to join me and Mr. Poe of Texas in supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day by voting in favor of House Resolution 47. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, at this point, I would be honored to recognize Representative Donald Payne from New Jersey for 2 minutes.

Mr. LYNCH. I thank the gentleman from Ohio. Mr. Speaker, again I want to urge my colleagues to join myself, Representative Al Green--who is the chief sponsor of this resolution-- Mr. Payne, and others who have spoken here today in supporting and recognizing the significance of Black History Month by voting in favor of House Resolution 83.

Mr. LYNCH. I would like to recognize the gentleman for 1 additional minute.

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

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may consume. As a Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and Chair of the House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, I'm pleased to stand in full support and consideration of House Resolution 83, which calls for Congress to recognize the significance of Black History Month, which is annually commemorated during the month of February. House Resolution 83 was introduced by our colleague, Representative Al Green of Texas, on January 23, 2009, and was considered by and reported from the Oversight Committee on February 11, 2009, by a voice vote. The measure has strong support and cosponsorship of over 70 Members of Congress. Yet today's floor consideration of the bill gives Members of this body an opportunity to pay tribute to the remarkable contributions that African Americans have made to America's growth department and rich history. As we are aware, February marks the beginning of Black History Month, which was first celebrated as Negro History Week in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American author and scholar; but it has since become a month-long commemorative celebration as a way of recognizing and highlighting the role that black Americans have played in America since its existence, and the role they continue to play in the country on a daily basis. From the story of Crispus Attucks, a black man from my home State of Massachusetts, who became the first American casualty of the Revolutionary War during the Boston Massacre, to such powerful individuals as Harriet Tubman, Benjamin Banneker, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Madam C.J. Walker, General Colin Powell, to the thousands of military service men and women who have bravely served our nation, to the Members of our own Congressional Black Caucus and, of course, to our now 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, who will speak to this body this evening. The contributions that black Americans have made to this great Nation are intricately woven into who we are as a people and as a country. And it is not just the pioneers or the leaders that have made a difference, but importantly, it is the everyday citizen that's serving as a teacher, a mentor, a pastor, a doctor, a first responder, a public servant, or a parent who continues to impact our country's history in such a powerful and positive way. Across our great land, Black History Month is marked by the offerings of educational and cultural programs, heightened media coverage and special celebrations and events designed to share with the world the strength, the ingenuity, and accomplishments of our fellow American citizens. Mr. Speaker, as we move to recognize Black History Month and this year's educational theme of ``The quest for black citizenship in the Americas,'' let us all recall the experience and valuable contributions of African Americans to the United States of America. Moreover, let us not forget that black history is truly American history. And with that, I urge the swift passage of House Resolution 83. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to recognize the chief sponsor of this resolution, my friend from Texas (Mr. Al Green), for 4 minutes.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 83) recognizing the significance of Black History Month.

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

Mr. LYNCH

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield such time as he may consume to the chief sponsor of this resolution, the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare).

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 for consideration Senate bill 234, which will designate the United States postal facility located at 2105 East Cook Street in Springfield, Illinois, as the ``Colonel John H. Wilson, Jr. Post Office Building.'' Notably, this legislation was introduced by Senator Richard Durbin on January 14, 2009, and was passed by the Senate under unanimous consent on February 12, 2009. Our own colleague Representative Phil Hare of Illinois has introduced House companion bill H.R. 516, and I should note that the House measure enjoys the support of the entire Illinois congressional delegation and has been reported favorably by the House Oversight Committee. A lifelong native of Springfield, Illinois, Colonel Wilson proudly spent 14 years on active duty in the United States Army, during which he served as a first lieutenant under General George S. Patton in World War II. As a result of his distinguished wartime service, Colonel Wilson subsequently received the Silver Star, a military distinction awarded to those members of the United States Armed Forces who have demonstrated ``gallantry in action.'' Colonel Wilson followed his active duty service by spending 17 additional years in the United States Army Reserve as a member and ultimately group commander of Springfield-based 303rd Ordinance Ammunition Group. In 1965 upon his promotion to colonel, he became the first African American resident of Illinois to obtain this distinguished military commissioned officer rank in the Army Reserve, which is an honor worthy of being celebrated today during Black History Month and throughout the year. However, the designation of the East Cook Street postal facility in honor of Colonel Wilson is not only fitting in light of Colonel Wilson's combined 31 years of military service but also given his 57 years of dedicated civilian service as an employee of the United States Postal Service and a proud member of the American Postal Workers Union. Regrettably, Colonel Wilson passed away in August of last year in his beloved hometown of Springfield, Illinois. He was 89 years old. Mr. Speaker, let us also show our gratitude for the service rendered by Colonel John Wilson by passing Senate 234. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 234) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2105 East Cook Street in Springfield, Illinois, as the ``Colonel John H. Wilson, Jr. Post Office Building''.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, again I urge my colleagues to join me and Representative Hare. It is not every day that we are able to dedicate a postal building in memory of a career postal clerk and member of the American Postal Workers Union. So for that reason I ask our colleagues to join us in supporting Senate 234. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to join with Mr. Cohen and the other speakers in supporting the resolution at hand. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to recognize Chairman George Miller from California for 2 minutes. (Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. LYNCH. At this point, I would like to recognize my friend for 5 minutes, Representative Steve Cohen from Tennessee.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. On behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to stand in support of House Resolution 18, which expresses admiration and honor for the life, achievement and contributions of screen legend and philanthropist Paul Newman, who, as we all know, lost his battle against cancer last September. Paul Newman was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to parents Arthur and Teresa Newman during the tumultuous economic times of the 1920s. A supposed athletic powerhouse, Paul Newman's first love during high school ended up being football rather than acting or theater. However, following high school graduation, the legendary Newman would eventually enlist in the United States Navy Air Corps, and would spend a portion of his service time as a radio operator in the Pacific during World War II. Upon conclusion of his military service, Mr. Newman resumed his collegiate pursuits by attending Kenyon College of Ohio where he would major in theater, thereby fostering his love of acting and the arts. In addition to his undergraduate studies, Mr. Newman also studied at Yale's School of Drama before taking a leap of faith and pursuing his acting ambitions on New York's famed Broadway scene--and the rest, as they say, is history. From his 1953 Broadway debut in the Pulitzer Prize winning comedy ``Picnic'' to his unforgettable roles in such films as ``Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,'' ``Cool Hand Luke,'' ``Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,'' and the 1982 version of ``The Verdict,'' Mr. Newman's talent has crossed generations and has touched the lives of millions of Americans over nearly a half century. In addition to his acting career, Mr. Newman is also well-known for his love of Nascar racing and for his extraordinary philanthropical efforts made possible by the proceeds of his famous Newman's Own salad dressing products. Since inception, Newman's Own has donated over $250 million to thousands of charities and worthy causes around the world, including Hole in the Wall Camps, which he and his wife, Joanne Woodward, created as a safe haven for children facing life-threatening illnesses. Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that Paul Newman's legacy, talents and contributions to our country's cultural and social fabric will long be remembered. Nevertheless, House Resolution 18, as introduced by Steve Cohen of Tennessee and considered by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, allows our Chamber to also express our gratitude and commemoration for the life of Paul Newman. For this reason alone, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting House Resolution 18. I reserve the balance of my time.

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. 18) honoring the life, achievements, and contributions of Paul Newman.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, at this time I am very pleased to recognize the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) for 2 minutes.