Bob Ney

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost) for the commission they headed up. But most of all, I want to thank the Speaker of the House, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert), who cares about the institution and helped with this piece of legislation. This legislation falls in line with what we have always done in the entire history of our country, which is to elect Members. It is a good bill. Also, let us have some faith in the American people. If a crisis happens, which we hope it does not, the American people are resilient. The American people will continue with their democracy and will exercise the purest form of democracy, which is to vote. I support the bill.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner).

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2844, the Continuity in Representation Act of 2003. This important legislation furthers the important objective of ensuring that the House of Representatives, the people's House, continues to function effectively during times of national emergency. Mr. Chairman, it has now been over 2 years since the horrific events of September 11, 2001, a day in which terrorist enemies of the United States murdered thousands of innocent American citizens in cold blood and struck devastating blows against symbols of our country's economic and military power. These lethal attacks served as a very painful reminder of the destructive intent of our terrorist enemies, as well as the increasingly sophisticated and devastating methods by which they carry out their deadly work. Since that grim day, we have been forced to contemplate the dreadful possibility of a terrorist attack aimed at the heart of our Nation's government here in Washington, D.C., possibly carried out with nuclear, chemical or biological weapons of mass destruction. Such an attack could potentially annihilate substantial portions of our Federal Government and kill or maim hundreds of Members of Congress. This is not a comfortable scenario for any of us to confront, as it forces us to contemplate the possibility of our own demise at the hands of our terrorist enemies. Nevertheless, if such an attack were ever to occur, the presence of strong national leadership would be more important than ever. The American people would be desperately seeking reassurance that their government remained intact and capable of acting vigorously in the Nation's defense. In the aftermath of a catastrophic attack, it would be imperative that a functioning Congress be in place with the ability to operate with legitimacy as soon as possible. How best to ensure the continuity of the House of Representatives in the wake of a terrorist attack is a complex and difficult question that defies a simple solution. When drafting the Federal Constitution, our Founding Fathers designed the House to be the branch of government closest to the people. They believed the only way this objective could be accomplished was through frequent elections. Consequently, the Constitution, Article I, Section 2, Clause 4, provides that vacancies in the House may be filled only through special elections. As a result, no Member has ever served in this House who was not first elected by the people he or she represents. Last September, the Committee on House Administration, which I chair, along with our ranking member, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), and Members from both sides of the aisle, conducted a hearing on H.R. 2844 to allow leading thinkers on the issue of congressional continuity to provide insight on the many different aspects of this important issue. That hearing revealed that the debate on this subject essentially divides into two camps: Those who view a quick reconstitution of the House as the most important consideration, and, thus, support a constitutional amendment allowing for the appointment of temporary replacements to fill vacant House seats; or, the second camp, those who believe retaining the House's elected character is paramount and, therefore, support expedited special elections as the exclusive means for reconstituting the House of Representatives. The second camp I described is what this bill of the gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman Sensenbrenner) does. Though the two sides in this debate disagree on many fundamental issues, both agree that expedited elections should be part of the solution to this complex and difficult question. For this reason the Committee on House Administration marked up and passed out of committee H.R. 2844, which establishes a framework for conducting expedited special elections to fill House vacancies resulting from a catastrophic terrorist attack. The goal of this legislation is to ensure the continuing operation of the House during times of national crisis, while at the same time protecting the character of the House as truly an elected body. The Continuity in Representation Act requires that expedited special elections be held within 45 days of the Speaker of the House announcing that more than 100 vacancies exist in the House. The political parties authorized by State law to make nominations would then have up to 10 days after the Speaker's announcement to nominate a candidate. However, a State would have to hold an expedited special election if a regularly scheduled general election were to be held within 75 days after the Speaker's announcement, thus basically providing a 30-day extension for such States. We are under no illusion that holding expedited special elections would be challenge-free for the States. We know that. When we have regular course of order, it is a challenge, as we all know. Even under the best circumstances, conducting an election presents many logistical hurdles. Nevertheless, a number of States already require House vacancies to be filled via the special election within 45 days or less. In addition, the majority opinion of the Nation's chief election officials, one of whom testified, appears to be that 45 days would provide sufficient time to plan and prepare for an expedited special election. Again, they did not say it would be easy, but they thought it would provide enough time. Therefore, I believe H.R. 2844 strikes 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 time necessary to get ready for the elections to make informed choices. In conclusion, as Members of Congress we owe a duty to the people whom we represent to contemplate and devise response to worst case scenarios, which we all hope never happens; but we have to again be ready and be able to respond to those scenarios to ensure that no terrorist attack will ever cripple the ability of the people's House to function effectively. I want to thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) for bringing this bill through the process. I also want to thank our ranking member, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson). I thought we had a very good look at the different issues in the Committee on House Administration and a very healthy debate on those issues. And I urge the support of the bill. Mr. Chairman, also I want to thank our whip, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), for his work on this issue also. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Paul). (Mr. PAUL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, how much time remains?

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot).

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller).

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence). (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, John and Michelle Erickson are celebrating the arrival of their daughter, Julia Marie Erickson; and Whereas, Julia Marie Erickson was born on the twenty-fifth Day of March, 2004 and weighed seven pounds and one ounce; and Whereas, Mr. And, Mrs. Erickson are proud to welcome their new daughter into their home; and Whereas, Julia Marie Erickson will be a blessed addition to her family, bringing Cove, joy and happiness for many years to come; Therefore, I join with Members of Congress and Congressional Staff in celebrating with John and Michelle Erickson and wishing Julia Marie Erickson a very Happy Birthday.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, David Lee Rauch Parks has devoted himself to serving others through his membership in the Boy Scouts of America; and Whereas, David Lee Rauch Parks has shared his time and talent with the community in which be resides; and Whereas, David Lee Rauch Parks has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, David Lee Rauch Parks must be commended for the hard work and dedication he put forth in earning the Eagle Scout Award; Therefore, I join with Troop 312 and David's family and friends in congratulating David Lee Rauch Parks as he receives the Eagle Scout Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Tim and Linda Rupli are celebrating the arrival of their daughter, Noelle Rupli; and Whereas, Noelle Rupli was born on the sixteenth Day of March, 2004 and weighed seven pounds and fourteen ounces; and Whereas, Tim and Linda are proud to welcome their new daughter into their home; and Whereas, Noelle Rupli will be a blessed addition to her family, bringing love, joy and happiness for many years to come; Therefore, I join with Members of Congress and Congressional Staff in celebrating with Tim and Linda Rupli and wishing Noelle Rupli a very happy birthday.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, Dylan Fowkes has devoted himself to serving others through his membership in the Boy Scouts of America; and Whereas, Dylan Fowkes has shared his time and talent with the community in which he resides; and Whereas, Dylan Fowkes has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Dylan Fowkes must be commended for the hard work and dedication he put forth in earning the Eagle Scout Award; Therefore, I join with Troop 23 and the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Dylan Fowkes as he receives the Eagle Scout Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, I hereby offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Ruth L. Applegarth; and Whereas, Ruth Applegarth was a loving sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to the members of her family. Ruth was a faithful member of the New Athens United Methodist Church and spent her time working with Flushing Chapter 369, Order of the Eastern Star. As a licensed Practical Nurse at the Hillview Nursing Home in Flushing, the Cadiz Convalescent Center, the Belmont Habilitation Center and the Cadiz Group Home, Ruth brought comfort and solace to those patients she cared for; and Whereas, Mrs. Applegarth will certainly be remembered by all those who knew her because of her loving nature towards her family, friends and community; and Whereas, the understanding and caring to which she gave to others will stand as a monument to a truly fine person. Her life and love gave joy to all who knew her; Therefore, while I understand how words cannot express our grief at this most trying of times, I offer this token of profound sympathy to the family and friends of Ruth L. Applegarth.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, Brett and Emily Palmer are celebrating the arrival of their son, Charles Davis Palmer; and Whereas, Charles Davis Palmer was born on the twenty-fourth Day of March, 2004 and weighed eight pounds and fifteen ounces; and Whereas, Mr. And Mrs. Palmer are proud to welcome their new son into their home; and Whereas, Charles Davis Palmer will be a blessed addition to his family, bringing love, joy and happiness for many years to come; Therefore, I join with Members of Congress and Congressional Staff in celebrating with Brett and Emily Palmer and wishing Charles Davis Palmer a very Happy Birthday.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I hereby offer my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and community of Staff Sgt. Lester O. Kinney II upon the death of this outstanding soldier. Staff Sgt. Kinney was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He served his great Nation in the country of Iraq as a leader in his unit. A loving husband to his wife Marisa, and loving son to his parents Jack and Barb Lloyd, Sgt. Kinney served courageously for 8 years in the United States Army. Sgt. Kinney 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 Staff Sgt. Lester O. Kinney II.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, Leone Mantz was born in Hocking Hills, Ohio on March 24, 1904; and Whereas, Leone Mantz is celebrating her 100th birthday today; and Whereas, Leone Mantz, a devoted wife to Howard Mantz, was a nurse for 58 years, and is a longtime active participant in the social and civic life of the community; and Whereas, Leone Mantz has exemplified a love for her family and friends and must be commended for her lifelong dedication to helping others in Barnesville, Ohio. Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in wishing Leone Mantz a very happy 100th birthday.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, the men and women of the 1001st Quartermaster Company of the Army Reserves are returning home after serving their country in Iraq; and Whereas, the men and women of the 1001st Quartermaster Company are to be commended for their honor and bravery that they displayed while serving our nation in this time of war; and Whereas, the men and women of the 1001st Quartermaster Company have demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence, and outstanding service; Therefore, I join with your family and friends, the residents of the Ohio Valley and the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in thanking the men and women of the 1001st Quartermaster Company for their service to our country.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Jeff Freeman and Nicole Palya have decided to dedicate their lives to each other; and Whereas, Jeff and Nicole have shown the love and commitment necessary to live a long and beautiful life together; and Whereas, Jeff and Nicole have chosen to share their special day with friends and family; Therefore, I join with the Members of Congress and their staff in congratulating Jeff Freeman and Nicole Palya on the occasion of their marriage.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I hereby offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Joseph C. Heinlein Jr. upon the death of this outstanding person. Joseph C. Heinlein Jr. was born January 26, 1909 in Bridgeport, Ohio. He was a practicing attorney for over 65 years and was recognized by the Ohio House of Representatives for his unwavering dedication to the profession of law. A former U.S. Navy Lieutenant in World War II, Mr. Heinlein was also a member of the Kirkwood Presbyterian Church where he served in various official capacities. Mr. Heinlein will certainly be remembered by all those who knew him for his personal sacrifices of time and energy to his family, friends, and community. The understanding and kindness to which he gave to others will stand as a monument to a truly fine person. His life and love gave joy to all who knew him. I offer this token of profound sympathy to the family and friends of Joseph C. Heinlein Jr.

Mr. NEY

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

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

Mr. NEY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise here today in support of House Resolution 551, a bill honoring Brian Lamb and C-SPAN's Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network for 25 years of service to the United States House of Representatives. Obviously, we all know today, Madam Speaker, about the importance of technology and the media in order to get the message out to millions of Americans, and frankly millions of people around the world, of what is occurring here on the floor of the people's House. It is, I think, an important endeavor to be able to use technology, in fact, to bring the people's message into living rooms, again, not only in the United States but around the world. We have watched technology be a great tool of progress, in fact, for this Chamber and for the people, from the electronic voting board that was created under Chairman Wayne Hayes, the late Wayne L. Hayes, who was my Congressman from Belmont County, Ohio, when they automated the electronic voting board to save time in voting. And then we look into the late 1970s; and on March 19, 1979, with a staff of just four employees, C-SPAN first began broadcasting gavel-to-gavel coverage of the proceedings of the House of Representatives to millions of American households. So once again the Chamber was coming into the modern era with the use of technology. Over the next quarter century, C-SPAN expanded its programming scope to include events and interviews featuring influential politicians, statespeople, scholars, and authors and provides opportunities for viewers to call and express their thoughts on important public policy matters. In addition, C-SPAN2 was created to furnish coverage of the U.S. Senate. C-SPAN has become an essential tool in our country for fostering civic education and governmental accountability. It is now our turn today, Madam Speaker, and I am happy to be here with the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), our distinguished ranking member, who cares deeply about the institution of the House and also about technology and the openness of the House to make itself available to the American people and to the world. So it is a pleasure to join our ranking member, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), in honoring C- SPAN's founder, Brian Lamb, for his vision and public spiritedness. Also, I would be remiss if I did not point out that downstairs is a House recording studio; and at that recording studio, there are employees of the U.S. House who, in fact, operate the cameras and provide the great service that then allows C-SPAN to take the feed from these cameras and to broadcast. So I want to thank our staff of the U.S. House. But, again, it is a pleasure and an honor to be here today with the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson) and my other colleagues who cosponsored this legislation. Such interest in this legislation proves the extent to which C-SPAN has truly become the indispensable institution in our country. Madam Speaker, I urge full support of House Resolution 551. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.