Bob Ney

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I offer the manager's amendment.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today to offer this manager's amendment, but first I want to thank the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller). She is our able new committee member. We are so pleased to have the gentlewoman on the Committee on House Administration and thank her for managing this bill. She is a former Secretary of State. She brings a wealth of knowledge and personal experience regarding running elections to this debate. And of course House Administration does a wide variety of things, but we also oversee Federal election laws, so we appreciate her carrying this bill through, and also her perspectives on it. And it is a pleasure to be here with the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald), our new ranking member. And again, we like the working relationship we have had on the issues. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 841, the Continuity in Representation Act of 2005 is an important piece of legislation that furthers the vital objective of ensuring that the people's House would continue to function effectively and with legitimacy in the event of a catastrophic terrorist attack in which a large number of House Members would be killed. This amendment I am introducing today would extend the time frame for holding expedited special elections from 45 days to 49 days. The addition of the extra days would provide additional time for State and local election officials to prepare for expedited special elections and for the voting public to make informed choices. This amendment also addresses the concerns of those who felt that too little time was provided for conducting expedited special elections. It marks yet another step the majority has been willing to take to accommodate some concerns that have been raised by the minority. Last Congress, Doug Lewis, executive director of the Election Center, a nonprofit organization representing State and local election officials whose purpose is to promote, preserve and improve democracy, testified before our committee that it appears that elections administrators feel they can conduct an election within as few as 45 days. He had varied opinions on how long, frankly, this process could take. He pointed out, however, that any additional days would enable election officials to better prepare for the election and ensure that the process went forward as smoothly as possible. When operating under a tight time frame, any additional time can make a difference in the quality of the process. Thus I believe this amendment enables us to better strike the proper balance between the demand to fill House vacancies through special elections in as short a time frame as possible and the need for election officials and the voting public to have the necessary time to get ready for elections and to examine the candidates and the issues. It is a good important piece of legislation. And I want to thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman Sensenbrenner) for carrying this through. And it preserves the fundamental character of the House as a body consisting of only elected Members and allows for reconstitution of that body as quickly as possible if we ever face these terrible circumstances which we hope do not happen. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and the bill. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 5) providing for the acceptance of a statue of Sarah Winnemucca, presented by the people of Nevada, for placement in National Statuary Hall, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great honor to rise and welcome Nevada's second statue to the National Statuary Hall Collection, located inside of the United States Capitol. This statue, of Sarah Winnemucca, is a welcome addition. Sarah Winnemucca was a fascinating and intellectual woman who fought for justice, peace, and equality for all persons. Before she reached her 14th birthday, for instance, she had learned three Indian dialects and the Spanish and English languages. She was an interpreter for the United States Army and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and served as an aide, scout, peacemaker, and interpreter for General Olive O. Howard during the Bannock War of 1878, in Idaho. In 1883 she became the first Native American woman to publish a book, ``Life Amongst the Paiutes: Their Wrongs and Claims.'' In 1879 she gave more than 300 speeches throughout the United States concerning the plight of her people as a spokeswoman for the Northern Paiute Tribe. She went on to found a nongovernmental school for Paiute children near Lovelock, Nevada, which operated for 3 years and became a model for future educational facilities for Native American children. The people of Nevada should be so proud to have such a noble woman in their history, and we have a couple of Members today from Nevada whom I know are going to talk about that, and also very proud to display her likeness in the Nation's Capitol. Mr. Speaker, it is most fitting that Nevada's statue of Sarah Winnemucca, who represented the highest ideals of America, be welcomed into the Halls of the United States Congress. I am so please to be here today with the gentlewoman from Nevada and the gentleman from Nevada. And with that, I urge passage of the resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons), and appreciate his support for this resolution.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter) and thank him for his support of this resolution.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I, again, thank the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley) for her support of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 63) permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to be on the floor here today with the gentlewoman from Nevada on an important resolution, H. Con. Res. 63. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is mandated by Congress to educate Americans about the history of the Holocaust and to annually honor and remember the victims of this catastrophic, horrible event. As a Nation, we do this on the National Days of Remembrance. The purpose of the Days of Remembrance is to ask all Americans to reflect on the Holocaust, to remember the victims and renew our commitment to democracy and human rights for every person. House Concurrent Resolution 63, the resolution before us, will provide this year's national ceremony, which will be conducted on May 5, 2005, in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol building. Mr. Speaker, it is necessary to go through this procedure to use the very sacred center of the Capitol for a ceremony in joint authorization by both the House and the other body because of the significance of this particular location and the significance and importance in this building. Outlining the importance of this event, there have been several high- profile keynote speakers in the past, including former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and President George W. Bush, among others. The theme of this year's Days of Remembrance commemoration is entitled ``From Liberation to the Pursuit of Justice.'' The commemoration will honor the courageous individuals, as well as the organizations and countries who attempted to rescue them. How appropriate I believe it is, Mr. Speaker, at this time that we remember the victims of the Holocaust. In remembering those who took a determined stance against Nazism, we honor the memory of those who perished, and, of course, we are reminded that individuals do have the power and the choice to make a difference in the fight against oppression and murderous hatred. Evil persists in the world, Mr. Speaker, but our triumph over the perpetrators of the Holocaust reminds us that evil can and will be defeated, but only if we have the courage to stand up to it. This is a vital lesson, one we must never forget. This ceremony will help us to remember it. This ceremony is important. Again, I want to thank the gentlewoman for supporting this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to note that I do not have any further speakers at this time on this bill, but I would note that due to the weather conditions a lot of people are not here; otherwise, we have many, many Members who support this and would be speaking on this. Even though they could not get here in time, many Members' thoughts in support of this resolution are with us now on the floor.

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

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

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. Con. Res. 5, as amended.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 79) permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to award a Congressional gold medal to Jackie Robinson (posthumously), in recognition of his many contributions to the Nation, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the House concurrent resolution, a resolution that permits the use of the rotunda for the ceremony to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Jackie Robinson in recognition of his many contributions to our great Nation. Jackie Robinson was a great American who helped break the racial barrier in baseball. His family will be here for this ceremony. He is so deserving of this honor. I ask support for this legislation. I would note he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. I would like to thank the gentlewoman today, not only for this resolution but the others and her time today on three very important resolutions honoring some great Americans.

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. Con. Res. 63.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Jo Ann Davidson has been selected to serve as the co- chairman of the national Republican Party; and, Whereas, Jo Ann Davidson was the first woman to serve as Speaker of the Ohio House, maintained a 20 year career in the Ohio House, and was a driving force behind the passage of a complex electricity deregulation bill in 1999; and Whereas, Jo Ann Davidson should be commended for her work during the grassroots efforts of the 2004 Ohio Republican Party campaign in the Ohio Valley region. Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring and congratulating Jo Ann Davidson for her outstanding appointment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Glenna Black was born on February 16, 1913 and is celebrating her 92nd birthday; and Whereas, Glenna Black has been a positive influence on those individuals who have been fortunate to meet her; and Whereas, Glenna Black has remained active among her community and friends; and Whereas, Glenna Black has exemplified a life of love and dedication to all of her family and friends. Therefore, I join with the family and friends of Glenna and the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in wishing Glenna Black a very happy 92nd birthday.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Russell McCall has demonstrated ongoing commitment to education for the residents of the Muskingum Valley; and Whereas, Russell McCall has attended 500 consecutive board meetings of the Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center without absence; and Whereas, Russell McCall has served as a board member since 1963, served on the New Concord-Union Local Board of Education for 4 years, was a founding member of the Mid-East Career and Technology Center's Board of Education for 19 years, and was a founding member of the Zane State College Board of Trustees for 19 years; and Whereas, Russell McCall served in the United States Army during World War II and was awarded a bronze star; and Whereas, Russell McCall is a lifelong member of College Drive Presbyterian Church and was active in the New Concord Grange and Muskingum County Pomona Grange. Therefore, I join with the residents of the Muskingum Valley and the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in recognizing Russell McCall for his longtime dedication to the residents and children of Coshocton, Morgan, and Mukingum Counties.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Alice Cavitt was born in Carrol County, Ohio on December 23, 1904 and is celebrating her 100th birthday; and Whereas, Alice Cavitt, a devoted wife to her husband, William Cavitt, and mother to her children Pearl and Harold, is active in the Presbyterian Church; and Whereas, Alice Cavitt has exemplified a love for her family and friends and must be commended for her lifelong dedication to helping others. Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in wishing Alice Cavitt a very happy 100th birthday.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Richard and Beatrice Buchsieb were united in marriage January 15, 1955, and are celebrating 50 years of marriage; and Whereas, Richard and Beatrice Buchsieb were married January 15, 1955, at 3rd Ave. United Methodist Church in Columbus, OH; and Whereas, Richard and Beatrice Buchsieb are the loving parents of four children and four grandchildren; Therefore, I join with the residents of Cambridge, and the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in congratulating Richard and Beatrice Buchsieb as they celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, because US Airways canceled my flight into Washington, DC on February 8, 2005, I was unable to be present for rollcall vote no. 20, on agreeing to H. Res. 46; for rollcall vote no. 21, on agreeing to H.R. 315, the John Milton Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse Designation Act; and, for rollcall vote no. 22, on agreeing to H.R. 548, the Tony Hall Federal Building and United States Courthouse Designation Act. Had I been present I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote no. 20, ``yes'' on rollcall vote no. 21, and ``yes'' on rollcall vote no. 22.