Bob Ney

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I just want to again thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Ross) for their introduction and support of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 796) recognizing and supporting all efforts to promote greater civic awareness among the people of the United States.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank again our ranking member, the gentleman from Connecticut, for this important measure. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 796, which recognizes and supports all efforts to promote greater civic awareness among the people of the United States. Mr. Speaker, today our soldiers are fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq to build and protect democracy. This Saturday, Afghanistan will hold a historic election. Reports indicate that more than 10 million Afghans have registered to vote and will participate in the election--despite threats and violence by the opponents of democracy. Iraq is scheduled to hold elections in January, an event that will forever alter the direction of that country and, hopefully, forever separate it from its despotic past. While we fight abroad to build democracy, unfortunately, here at home, too many of our citizens take our rights for granted and fail to exercise them. Mr. Speaker, no matter what side of the aisle you sit on, we all agree that the election coming up on November 2 will be an extremely important one--one that all eligible citizens should participate in. This resolution encourages that participation because the right to elect our leaders should be exercised and never taken for granted. When terrorists attacked us three years ago on September 11th, they were attacking not only innocent civilians, but also the very ideals and freedoms that we celebrate as fundamental human rights in this country. Those rights and freedoms are what the terrorists fear and hate most. Now, more than ever before, it is imperative that every American participate by exercising the precious gift each citizen has been given, the freedom to choose our leaders. Recently, the House of Representatives passed a resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the actions of terrorists will never cause the delay of any national election. We need our citizens to mirror that same resolve and show terrorists that we cherish our democracy and will not be deterred from exercising the rights we have. There have been a number of reports about how voter registrations have increased dramatically in the past year. State and local elections officials are working hard to process those registrations and make sure that all eligible voters are able to cast a vote on Election Day. I would encourage our citizens to do what they can to help this election run smoothly. Confirm that you are properly registered and find out where your polling place is. This can be done by contacting your local board of elections office, or, in many cases, just visiting their Web site. Doing these things in advance, instead of waiting until Election Day, can protect your right to vote and will make things go much smoother for everyone on Election Day. While voters need to do their part, we should note that over a million, perhaps as many as 2 million, people will volunteer to serve as poll workers this year. Without them, we simply could not have elections in this country. We should recognize that our democracy survives only through the hard work and participation of millions of our citizens--both as voters and poll workers. I encourage others to volunteer to help at the polls as a poll worker or assistant. I sincerely hope that every citizen of this great Nation will participate in the 2004 election, and will also do what they can to see that it goes smoothly. Whether it be through early voting, absentee ballots, or visiting the polls on election day, it is our great privilege to live in a country where we have the right to choose our leaders, and it is our responsibility to exercise this right. I thank the gentleman from Texas for introducing this resolution and encourage my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of the resolution, H. Res. 824.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I offer a resolution (H. Res. 824) relating to early organization of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Ninth Congress, and ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 5122) to amend the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to permit members of the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance to serve for 2 terms, with a Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5122.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 796.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Todd Skinner was a participant in the ``King Pumpkin'' contest; and Whereas, Todd Skinner harvested a pumpkin weighing 909 pounds and was deemed worthy of being named king in the 41st Annual Pumpkin Festival in Barnesville; and Whereas, Todd Skinner should be commended for his efforts and diligence in providing nourishment to the pumpkin keeping it healthy in preparation for the event. Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring and congratulating Todd Skinner for his outstanding accomplishment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5105, which authorizes the Smithsonian Institution to construct an instrumentation support facility on Kitt Peak, Arizona. The Smithsonian Institution requires this base facility to support the ongoing collaborative VERITAS project. VERITAS, which is a high energy telescope research project, was listed as a priority for international ground and space research initiatives, in a report of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Survey Committee of the National Research Council. The goals of the VERITAS project are to further develop the field of high-energy gamma-ray astronomy. This project expands on work done through the Smithsonian's Astrophysical Observatory or SAO, and will help to maintain the Smithsonian's goal of excellence in scientific research. With the help of VERITAS, SAO astronomers will be able to produce the next levels of knowledge about gamma-ray astronomy, develop further scientific instrumentation to detect this highest energy form of light, and remain as one of the world's leading authorities on gamma-ray bursts. The VERITAS project enables astronomers to explore solar flares, supernovae, neutron stars, black holes and active galaxies. By exploring gamma rays, the SAO astronomers will gain further knowledge into the origins of the universe, the rate at which it is expanding, and its current size. This bill authorizes a total of $1 million for fiscal year 2005, for constructing a support facility and the necessary utilities and equipment housings. The balance of the $17 million dollars will come from other non- Smithsonian sources, such as the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and the international consortium, so the Smithsonian will get enormous value for its investment. The Smithsonian has been a leader in scientific research, and this project will go a long way in furthering this worthwhile endeavor. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5105. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of her retirement on September 30, 2004, we rise to thank Ms. Memory Sherard for outstanding service to the U.S. House of Representatives. For the past 28 years, Memory has served this great institution as a valuable employee of House Information Resources (HIR) within the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer. While at HIR, Memory held many positions of increasing responsibility, requiring her to learn and support new and evolving computer technologies. Memory began her career in 1976 as a Production Control Specialist. She then progressed to Programmer Trainee, Coordinator for the Member Information Network (MIN) Support Team, and Messaging Systems Specialist. As the House began to use personal computers, Memory supported the House community explaining the benefits of electronic mail and the Internet, and how these could be beneficial tools for Member and Committee offices. As technology evolved, so did Memory, mastering and supporting more than six different e-mail systems. Memory helped emplace the Federal Funding Report (FFR) in 1981, now in its 24th year as Web based service. Since 1993, Memory has been an invaluable member of HIR's Information Management directorate where she had primary responsibility for Customer Support for the mission critical E-mail, Enterprise Fax, and BlackBerry services. Memory has displayed great passion for her work and has always kept customer satisfaction as her highest priority. On behalf of the entire House community, we extend congratulations to Memory for her many years of dedication and outstanding contributions to the U.S. House of Representatives. We wish Memory many wonderful years in fulfilling her retirement dreams.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I hereby offer my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and community of SSG Donald N. Davis upon the death of this outstanding soldier. SSG Davis was a member of the 660th Transportation Company, U.S. Army Reserve, Zanesville, Ohio serving our great Nation in the country of Iraq. He was a determined man and a loving husband. SSG Davis did his best to make his country a better place to live. SSG Davis will be remembered for his unsurpassed sacrifice of self while protecting others. His example of strength and fortitude will be remembered by all those who knew him. While words cannot express our grief during the loss of such a courageous soldier, I offer this token of profound sympathy to the family, friends, and colleagues of SSG Donald N. Davis.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, William David Tharp has devoted himself to serving others through his membership in the Boy Scouts of America; and Whereas, William David Tharp has shared his time and talent with the community in which he resides; and Whereas, William David Tharp has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, William David Tharp must be commended for the hard work and dedication he put forth in earning the Eagle Scout Award; Therefore, I join with William's Boy Scout Troup and his family and friends in congratulating William David Tharp as he receives the Eagle Scout Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Bobby D. Young was born in Perry County, Ohio on October 29, 1924; Whereas, Bobby D. Young is celebrating his 80th Birthday; and Whereas, Bobby D. Young has exemplified a love for his family, and must be commended for his dedicated service to the community as a family practitioner in Zanesville, and for his service with the Tenth Army Air Corp in Burma during World War II. Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in congratulating Bobby D. Young as he celebrates his 80th Birthday.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Daniel W. Swonger has devoted himself to serving others through his membership in the Boy Scouts of America; and Whereas, Daniel W. Swonger has shared his time and talent with the community in which he resides; and Whereas, Daniel W. Swonger has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Daniel W. Swonger must be commended for the hard work and dedication he put forth in earning the Eagle Scout Award; Therefore, I join with Troop 86 and Daniel's family and friends in congratulating Daniel W. Swonger as he receives the Eagle Scout Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, we hereby offer our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and community of Private First Class Ryan A. Martin upon the death of this outstanding soldier; and Whereas, Private First Class Ryan A. Martin was a member of the 216th Engineer Battalion of the Army National Guard serving his great nation in the country of Iraq. He was a leader in his unit and is to be commended for the honor and bravery that he displayed while serving our nation in this time of war; and Whereas, Private First Class Ryan A. Martin will be remembered for his unsurpassed sacrifice of self while protecting others. His example of strength and fortitude will be remembered by all those who knew him. Therefore, we join with the family, friends and the citizens of our great nation in thanking Private First Class Ryan A. Martin of the United States Army for his service to our country. Your service has made us proud.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: We hereby offer our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and community of Lieutenant Charles L. Wilkins III upon the death of this outstanding soldier; and Whereas, Lieutenant Charles L. Wilkins III was a member of the 216th Engineering Battalion of the Ohio National Guard serving his great nation in the country of Iraq. He was a leader in his unit and is to be commended for the honor and bravery that he displayed while serving our nation in this time of war; and Whereas, Lieutenant Charles L. Wilkins III will be remembered for his unsurpassed sacrifice of self while protecting others. His example of strength and fortitude will be remembered by all those who knew him. Therefore, we join with the family, friends and the citizens of our great nation in thanking Lieutenant Charles L. Wilkins III of the United States Army for his service to our country. Your service has made us proud.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Jared Bloom has devoted himself to serving others through his membership in the Boy Scouts of America; and Whereas, Jared Bloom has shared his time and talent with the community in which he resides; and Whereas, Jared Bloom has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Jared Bloom must be commended for the hard work and dedication he put forth in earning the Eagle Scout Award. Therefore, I join with the residents of Rayland, the entire 18th Congressional District, Jared's family and friends in congratulating Jared Bloom as he receives the Eagle Scout Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Ms. Nicole Hardesty is a student at Utica High School in Utica, Ohio; and Whereas, Ms. Nicole Hardesty is the recipient of the Best Buy Scholarship, a nationwide program that awards students on the basis of exceptional community service and solid academic performance; and Whereas, Ms. Nicole Hardesty must be commended for her dedication and devotion to her community and academia; and Whereas, Ms. Nicole Hardesty has demonstrated a willingness to be a leader and a role model for the students of Utica High School. Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring and congratulating Ms. Nicole Hardesty and the Best Buy Children's Foundation for her outstanding accomplishment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Ms. Leslie Fehrman is a student at Utica High School in Utica, Ohio; and Whereas, Ms. Leslie Fehrman is the recipient of the Best Buy Scholarship, a nationwide program that awards students on the basis of exceptional community service and solid academic performance; and Whereas, Ms. Leslie Fehrman must be commended for her dedication and devotion to her community and academia; and Whereas, Ms. Leslie Fehrman has demonstrated a willingness to be a leader and a role model for the students of Utica High School. Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring and congratulating Ms. Leslie Fehrman and the Best Buy Children's Foundation for her outstanding accomplishment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of his retirement in September 2004, we rise to thank Mr. Laurice Walton for 29 years of outstanding service to the U.S. House of Representatives. Laurice began his career at the House working as a Computer Systems Analyst and then was promoted to a Senior Systems Analyst. In that capacity Laurice has served this great institution for the last 29 years as a valuable employee of House Information Resources (HIR) within the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer. During his career, Laurice has made significant contributions to support the tracking of legislation in the House. He developed the Summary of Proceedings and Debate (SOPAD) and the Congressional Budget Office Early Warning systems. SOPAD was eventually replaced by the Legislative Information Management System (LIMS) used by the Office of the Clerk to collect, record and report official legislative information on House floor proceedings and the progress of bills through the legislative process. Laurice individually developed the LIMS Reports Due to Congress application. He also produced the quarterly Member Profiles and provided support for the daily operation of LIMS. Laurice has displayed great passion for his work and dedicated himself to ensuring that the needs of his customer, the Clerk's office of Legislative Computer Systems, are met to its satisfaction. On behalf of the entire House community, we extend congratulations to Laurice for his many years of dedication and outstanding contributions to the U. S. House of Representatives. We wish Laurice many wonderful years in fulfilling his retirement dreams.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the $15 million appropriation in the Transportation-Treasury bill dedicated to enabling the Election Assistance Commission, EAC, to carry out its responsibilities under the Help America Vote Act, HAVA. During its first year in existence, the EAC has done a commendable job in carrying out its responsibilities while operating on a shoestring budget. In order for the Commission to fully achieve the many tasks assigned to it by HAVA, however, it will need the $15 million appropriated in this bill during the upcoming fiscal year. The funds being made available will ensure that the EAC has the resources necessary for conducting research on voting system security and other important election-related issues. It will also allow the EAC to hire the staff and invest in the infrastructure needed to fulfill its numerous HAVA obligations. The American people demand and deserve a voting process in which they can have full confidence. That is why I am proud to have been a chief sponsor and author of HAVA, which holds the potential for fundamentally improving the health of our Nation's democracy. The EAC plays an important role in ensuring that the promise of HAVA becomes a reality. I, therefore, urge my colleagues to support the $15 million appropriation to the EAC.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of House Resolution 765, the resolution just agreed to.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 765) expressing gratitude to the cities of Boston, Massachusetts, and New York City, New York, for their extraordinary hospitality and successful planning and hosting of the 2004 national political conventions.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 765, and I am joined on the floor by our ranking member, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson); and it is good to be here to express the gratitude of the House of Representatives to the cities of Boston, Massachusetts, and New York, New York, for their extraordinary hospitality and successful planning and hosting of the 2004 national political conventions. Mr. Speaker, I think I speak for everyone in the House in thanking the people of the cities of Boston and New York, their cities' host committees, and the countless volunteers for making both cities open and welcoming to the many Members of the Congress, delegates from across the Nation, and all other interested parties who participated in our great conventions. Special recognition needs to go to the Boston Police Department and the New York City Police Department, whose professionalism and constant vigilance guaranteed not only the safety of the residents they routinely protect on a day-by-day basis but the many visitors who attended the conventions. In addition, we have to thank the countless city, State, regional and nationwide agencies who cooperated to ensure the safety of everyone involved with both conventions. I would also like to recognize the exceptional efforts of the hundreds of United States Capitol Police Officers who provided around-the-clock security for all Members during the convention and who coordinated, of course, with the Secret Service, the FBI and, again, the New York City Police Department. And we cannot forget the firefighters in both New York and Boston that were on hand. So I am here on a bipartisan basis, though I would note, Mr. Speaker, for the record, I did not see my colleague, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), at the New York convention. But I am glad to be with him here tonight to thank both cities and everyone involved in both conventions. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.