Brenda Lawrence

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, as we close out the naming of our post offices, I want to take this time to just awaken this body and America on how the naming of post offices take the legacy of American citizens and allow us to celebrate them, remember them, and to create a sense of history in the communities where they live and serve. Just to sum up the post offices that we have named today: Mary E. McCoy, an activist for women and African Americans; Ed Pastor, who was a Congressman; Barry Miller, an emergency responder; Amelia Robinson, a civil rights activist; Michael Oxley, a Member of Congress; Kenneth Christy, a letter carrier; and Jeanne and Jules Manford, LGBT activists. Again, today, we have shown America that we recognize the service of those who on their own desire, will, and passion have served our country. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2395, the Inspector General Empowerment Act. This bill, introduced by Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz and Ranking Member Elijah Cummings, was approved by the committee with strong bipartisan support. There is a reason why this bill has so much support: it strengthens the inspectors general, who are the first line of defense against waste, fraud, and abuse in Federal programs. In fiscal year 2014 alone, IGs made recommendations to improve the economy and efficiency of Federal programs that could save $46.5 billion. As my colleague, Mr. Meadows, stated, this is a return of about $18 for every $1 invested in IG budgets. The bill would make a number of improvements to the Inspector General Act. It will guarantee IG access to agency information. Unfettered access to agency information is a cornerstone of the IG's ability to conduct their missions effectively. The bill would also grant IGs the authority to issue subpoenas to compel testimony after careful review and with the concurrence of the Department of Justice. IGs would also be granted expedited authority to match Federal records across agencies under this bill, which would facilitate audits and help identify fraud and waste in Federal programs. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support the Inspector General Empowerment Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I, again, give my support to this bill. I want to note that this is bipartisan. So often we have many disagreements on either side of the aisle about policy. It is a good day in Congress when we work together in a bipartisan way to empower our Federal agencies while saving money and creating efficiencies. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today for a call to action. Over 200 years ago, when our Constitution was authored, it ignored the backbone of the American people: women, African Americans, Latinos, and even White men who did not own property. However, the beauty of our Constitution and our democracy is our ability to change. The power to amend the United States Constitution is the power to protect and reflect the will of the people. Our forefathers could not anticipate the introduction of assault rifles into the United States. They could not anticipate that 32,000 Americans per year would lose their lives at the hands of gun violence. It is now time to act, to do the job that we were elected to do by the people of this great Nation. Since its inception, we have amended our Constitution 27 times. It is time for us once again to lead the world and put an end to these horrendous attacks and violence that we have witnessed. Mr. Speaker, it is time for Congress to act.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted: No on rollcall No. 299. No on rollcall No. 300.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, the June 12 mass shooting at a club in Orlando, Florida, was not only the deadliest shooting in American history, it was one of the most heinous hate crimes and acts of terrorism this country has ever seen. Too often hate crimes and acts of terrorism use guns. The epidemic overwhelmingly express the need to strengthen our gun laws. A stronger background check system will help prevent hate crimes and acts of terrorism to protect Americans from terrorists who want to attack our way of life. We must give the FBI the authority to block sales to suspected terrorists, and we must require background checks for every gun sale in America. Mr. Speaker, no more silence. Let's stand up as Americans, and in this Congress, and tell the American people, those who are mourning, and those across this country who have experienced this that we in Congress will do the work we were sent here to do, and that is to stand up and take action.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 4987, a bill to designate the facility in Laurel Hill, Florida, as the Sergeant First Class William ``Kelly'' Lacey Post Office. Sergeant First Class Lacey is remembered as a wonderful family man by those he leaves behind, particularly his wife, Ashley, daughter, Lily, three stepdaughters, and parents. Sergeant First Class Kelly's military honor includes three Bronze Stars, including one with valor, a Purple Heart, and a Humanitarian Award for his relief work following Hurricane Katrina. We should pass this bill to remember Sergeant First Class Lacey's heroic deeds on the battlefield as well as his compassion for others at home. I urge its passage. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 433, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 523 Railroad Street in Knox, Pennsylvania, as the Specialist Ross A. McGinnis Memorial Post Office. There are a number of post offices that we are bringing forward today, recognizing the sacrifice and the commitment of our American citizens to our country. It is noteworthy to put into the Record that Ross McGinnis was promoted after death to Specialist and received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the prestigious Medal of Honor for his heroic actions. Mr. Speaker, we should pass this bill to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice that Specialist Ross McGinnis made to our country. I urge its passage. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, again, I urge the passage of H.R. 433. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 3931, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service, located in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, as the Chief Petty Officer Adam Brown United States Post Office. Adam Brown never did anything halfway. He was always ready to push aside his own needs to help others. Adam joined the Navy in 1998. It was not long before he became a Navy SEAL and eventually served as a member of the elite SEAL Team Six and a special operations task force deployed to Afghanistan. Again, we have the opportunity here in Congress to recognize sometimes the quiet, but amazing, contributions of our military and of this individual we bring forward to be named today. We should pass this bill to remember the tenacity of Chief Petty Officer Brown and to honor his valiant military service. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 3931. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. David Scott), the sponsor of the bill.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 4747, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located in Riverdale, Georgia, as the Major Gregory E. Barney Post Office Building. Mr. Speaker, we should pass this bill to honor Major Gregory Barney's 25 years of service to his community, in addition to his service to his country and to commemorate the life that he led. I urge its passage. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I join with my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 3953, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service, located in Elfers, Florida, as Private First Class Felton Roger Fussell Memorial Post Office. Roger Fussell received numerous awards for his honorable service, including an Expert Marksman Medal, a Vietnamese Military Merit Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and a Purple Heart. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill to create and preserve the memory of Private First Class Fussell's achievements and to honor the ultimate sacrifice he made on behalf of this country. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 3953. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 4877, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service in Sugar Land, Texas, as LCpl Garrett W. Gamble, USMC Post Office Building. It has been stated that this amazing young man was only 20 years old when he gave the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan. Garrett will be remembered for his bravery, his determination, and, it has been said, a big personality. He is survived by his parents, stepfather, and two younger brothers. Mr. Speaker, I think, again, we are seeing multiple examples of our brave, dedicated citizens in the United States giving the ultimate sacrifice. I feel strongly that we should pass this bill to commemorate Lance Corporal Gamble's sacrifice for his country. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 4877. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Ashford), the sponsor of this bill.

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

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we should pass this bill to commemorate the courage and the valor exhibited by Petty Officer 1st Class Caleb Nelson and honor the ultimate sacrifice he made. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 4975. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Judy Chu).

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, we should pass this bill to recognize Louis Van Iersel's unparalleled dedication to our country. I urge passage of H.R. 4761. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps), the sponsor of this bill.