Bob Ney

Mr. NEY

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

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3491 establishes the National Museum of African American History and Culture within the Smithsonian Institution. This is a long, long overdue bill. This is a proud night for the House and a proud night for all in the United States, for citizens of all races, all ethnic backgrounds, and people of all income levels and all walks of life here in our great country. I am very proud that this Congress, the 108th Congress, has stepped up to the plate to pass this bill. This concept for such a museum has been around for quite some time, but it has never been this close to reality as tonight. The credit for bringing us to where we are tonight rests with the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), who has worked tirelessly, endlessly on this legislation since 1988. The gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) has paired up with the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston), another fellow Georgian in this Congress, and together they have worked in a bipartisan manner with many of our colleagues to address any concerns and surmount any barriers in the way of this bill. I also want to thank the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), our ranking member, and the members of the Committee on House Administration who have worked, I believe, in a very quick and diligent manner to have this bill again come to a vote on the floor of the U.S. House. Credit also should be given to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) whose subcommittee has jurisdiction over the construction portion of the museum. Without the help of these Members, Mr. Speaker, and their staff, reaching a consensus would not have been possible within the time frame in which it was achieved. The establishment of this museum will go a long way in educating our future generations and recognizing the many contributions of African Americans throughout our Nation's history. The proposed museum would take a step in acknowledging many, and I repeat, many of the sacrifices that have been made and provide a comprehensive history about significant events and individuals. Several years ago Congress agreed that in order to take the next step towards this museum, any remaining questions or issues had to be resolved. In December of 2001, President Bush signed Public Law 107- 106, which created a Presidential Commission to research and evaluate issues related to the establishment of the proposed African American Museum and to develop a plan for action to bring this vision to reality. This Presidential Commission should also be applauded for their diligent work and research on the proposed museum. Their hard work provided us with many answers to questions related to site location, potential costs for museum, the fund-raising ability of the private sector, and the potential for exhibits and artifacts for this museum. The proposed museum will reside within the structure of the Smithsonian Institution. As the Nation's keeper of history and culture, the Smithsonian is an ideal body of inclusion for just such a museum. This bill authorizes the Smithsonian to identify a site for the museum from a list of recommended sites provided to Congress from the Presidential Commission. Once a site has been selected, the legislation authorizes the Smithsonian's governing Board of Regents to plan, design, and construct a building for the museum that will be paid for through a public/private partnership which would be split 50 percent Federal funds and 50 percent private funding, and I have no doubt tonight, and I talked with the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) about this and our ranking member and other Members, and I have no doubt, again I want to stress, that the private funding will be there. Support for this will come from not only the United States, but I believe from around the world of citizens realizing this great museum and its tremendous worth to all people in the United States. This legislation authorizes an initial amount of $17 million for fiscal year 2004 for carrying out this act, and it further authorizes an initial amount of $15 million for fiscal year 2004 that will be used for education and liaison programs that will be used to carry out the goals of this museum. Langston Hughes, a great African American author and poet, said ``Dream your dreams but be willing to pay the sacrifice to make them come true.'' African Americans have paid many sacrifices in this country, and tonight the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) and the other Members that are supporting this have had a dream and they have surely paid the sacrifice of their time, their efforts, and all the promotion of this museum, which is going to be such a positive force for our country. This proposed museum has broad bipartisan support from both Houses of Congress, the administration, and the Smithsonian Institution. It is a worthwhile project that will have a very positive and lasting influence on our country for today and also tomorrow's generations. And I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me close by thanking the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston), the primary authors of this bill, our colleagues Senator Dodd and Senator Brownback, our ranking member, members of House Administration. I noted earlier that this was going to be for future generations. I need to note also that this is for the memory of all past generations. I urge all Members to support the bill.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3491) to establish within the Smithsonian Institution the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and for other purposes.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Greg McCleery has devoted himself to serving others through his membership in the Boy Scouts of America; and Whereas, Greg McCleery has shared his time and talent with the community in which he resides; and Whereas, Greg McCleery has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Greg McCleery must be commended for the hard work and dedication he put forth in earning the Eagle Scout Award; Therefore, I join with Troop 402, the residents of Coshocton, and the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Greg McCleery as he receives the Eagle Scout Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Daniel Soules has devoted himself to serving others through his membership in the Boy Scouts of America; and Whereas, Daniel Soules has shared his time and talent with the community in which he resides; and Whereas, Daniel Soules has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Daniel Soules must be commended for the hard work and dedication he put forth in earning the Eagle Scout Award; Therefore, I join with Troop 402, the residents of Coshocton, and the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Daniel Soules as he receives the Eagle Scout Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Jonathan Robert Brouse has devoted himself to serving others through his membership in the Boy Scouts of America; and Whereas, Jonathan Robert Brouse has shared his time and talent with the community in which he resides; and Whereas, Jonathan Robert Brouse has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Jonathan Robert Brouse must be commended for the hard work and dedication he put forth in earning the Eagle Scout Award; Therefore, I join with Troop 402, the residents of Coshocton, and the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Jonathan Robert Brouse as he receives the Eagle Scout Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Ryan Lahna has devoted himself to serving others through his membership in the Boy Scouts of America; and Whereas, Ryan Lahna has shared his time and talent with the community in which he resides; and Whereas, Ryan Lahna has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Ryan Lahna must be commended for the hard work and dedication he put forth in earning the Eagle Scout Award; Therefore, I join with Troop 402, the residents of Coshocton, and the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Ryan Lahna as he receives the Eagle Scout Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Clinton Beamon Jones III is celebrating the arrival of his son, Clinton Beamon Jones IV; and Whereas, Clinton Beamon was born on the sixteenth Day of August, 2003, and weighed five pounds and ten ounces; and Whereas, Mr. Jones is proud to welcome his new son into his home; and Whereas, Clinton Beamon 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 Clinton Beamon Jones III and wishing Clinton Beamon Jones IV a very Happy Birthday.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I want to commend the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Young) for his good bill and diligence on this bill, and also President Bush for his standing up for America in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and standing up for the Iraqi people and a better stability in the world. I also want to thank my good friend, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence), for his leadership on this issue. He has been a leader in fiscal responsibility throughout his time in Congress. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is the right policy for our Nation. It takes the fiscally responsible approach for rebuilding Iraq and protecting our troops at the same time. I think we can all agree that money is needed now to help Iraq lift itself up into a stable country. This is in the best interests of all nations. We also recognize that rebuilding Iraq is necessary to protect our troops. The truth is that the more quickly we can rebuild Iraq and alleviate critical shortages, the more quickly we can bring about peace and stability so that our brave men and women in uniform are no longer the targets of Iraqi hostilities. However, there is no reason that the money needed to carry out this rebuilding must be free of charge. I think it is fair and reasonable that some of the money we are providing today be a loan. Iraq is a very resource-rich nation. They will soon have the capability to provide for their own rebuilding and will not need U.S. money. The funds we are providing today provide a bridge to take Iraq from the shambles Saddam Hussein left to a country capable of providing for itself. Once the Iraqi people are on their feet and are able to produce oil, they will have plenty of income and will be able to repay us for loans. In my district there are people who are losing their jobs because we cannot even see fit to provide domestic steel companies with loans to modernize and compete with foreign producers; yet, somehow, we are going to find the money to give, not loan, but to give Iraq $19 billion. In closing, this amendment is at the core of how we believe the United States should carry out its foreign policy. We need to ask ourselves if the United States is a charity or a partner for Iraq. Some countries, by the way, are demanding to be repaid for loans that they gave to help prop up Saddam Hussein's dictatorship. The least we can do is ask to be repaid for part of the money that will be used to rebuild the ruins Saddam Hussein left. With our help, Iraq can quickly rebuild and become prosperous and productive with enough resources to make it one of the wealthiest nations. Again, it is a very sensible amendment by the gentleman from Indiana, and I urge support of the amendment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Dan Leach has exhibited tremendous courage and heroism in rescuing others; and Whereas, Dan Leach entered a burning house to rescue the homeowner without any selfish regard for his own well-being; and Whereas, Dan Leach has been honored with the Ohio Fire Service Citizens Award for Heroism by the 2003 Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District in recognizing Dan Leach for his courage, commitment and sacrifice.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Steve Schumacher has demonstrated a high level of commitment and ingenuity towards increasing forest landowners' knowledge of timber marketing; and Whereas, Steve Schumacher, as a Belmont County Extension Agent, has developed a program to educate forest landowners on selling and marketing their lumber to companies; and Whereas, Steve Schumacher has received regional and national recognition for his unique extension program; and Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District in recognizing Steve Schumacher for his achievements in promoting the forest industry.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Madam Speaker, the attached letter should have been submitted for the Record during consideration of H.R. 3229, a bill to amend Title 44, U.S. Code, to transfer authority over the individuals responsible for preparing indexes of the Congressional Record to the Public Printer, on October 7, 2003. Please submit this letter for the Record. Office of the Public Printer, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, October 1, 2003. Hon. Robert W. Ney, Chairman, Joint Committee on Printing, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC. Attn: Ms. Maria Robinson, JCP Staff Director. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am transmitting herewith legislative language to amend section 902 of Title 44, U.S. Code, to transfer control over the employees of the Congressional Record Index Office from the Joint Committee on Printing (JCP) to the Government Printing Office (GPO). The indexers create the semimonthly and session indexes to the Congressional Record. Under current law, which with only minor revisions antedates GPO's organic legislation, the Printing Act of 1895, the JCP ``shall designate to the Public Printer competent persons'' to prepare the index and ``shall fix the compensation to be paid by the Public Printer for that work . . .'' In addition to appointing the indexers and establishing their pay, the JCP sets other employment rules, including rules for promotions and the accumulation and use of leave, and maintains sole authority to terminate the indexers as at- will employees and to fill any vacancies. The indexers are under the congressional retirement system. Their compensation, benefits, and related office expenses are charged directly to the Congressional Printing and Binding Appropriation, included in Title I of the annual Legislative Branch Appropriations Acts. The indexers have long been recognized as congressional employees. However, their work is not directly supervised by the JCP. Instead, supervision of the indexers has been provided by a director named by the JCP (the former director retired in 2001, and since then the indexers have been supervised by a deputy director with no clear line of supervision above her). GPO provides administrative support for the indexers. GPO pays the indexers from the GPO Revolving Fund (the Fund is reimbursed by the Congressional Printing and Binding Appropriation) and maintains records on their employment as indexers. The indexers are housed in buildings under GPO's control and subject to GPO rules and regulations regarding security and related matters. GPO provides equipment for the indexers, and they work on a day-to-day basis directly with GPO's production staff in compiling and publishing the Congressional Record Index. The JCP was able to manage the indexers while the Committee itself was funded and maintained a professional staff. Since fiscal year 1999, however, when the JCP was defunded, it has been unable to manage them. The transfer we are requesting will relieve the JCP of the administrative burden of managing a daily production activity that more appropriately belongs with GPO. At the same time, it will preserve the JCP's control over the Congressional Record Index itself. Most importantly, it will correct an anomalous employment situation. We have taken care to craft legislative language to accomplish the transfer with a minimal impact on the Office employees. We have also taken care to ensure that the transfer will be transparent to the users of the Congressional Record Index in Congress, throughout the Government, and among the public. We have briefed the Index Office employees on this legislative proposal. Under section 1(a) of the accompanying language, the Public Printer will continue to be responsible for the production of the Congressional Record Index in the form and manner directed by the Joint Committee on Printing, as provided in current law. Section 1(b) will amend current law to transfer all of the employees of the Congressional Record Index office to the control of the GPO on the effective date of enactment. With the transfer, the employees will be placed in the civil service with the GPO and will be covered by the laws and regulations governing GPO employment. Their contributions and service time accumulated under retirement systems as congressional employees will be fully credited. They will retain their current rates of pay, and their future pay will be subject to pay systems governing other GPO employees. They will be allowed to carry accumulated annual and sick leave with them with subsequent use subject to GPO regulations. The Congressional Record Index Office will be assigned to the appropriate GPO organization and subject to GPO management direction, although any future changes to the form and production of the Congressional Record Index will be subject to the review and approval of the JCP. The indexers will continue to be funded by the Congressional Printing and Binding Appropriation, so there will be no appropriations impact. There will be no interruption to their work on the index; as a result, the effects of the transfer will be invisible to Congressional Record Index users in Congress, the Government, and throughout the public. I respectfully request the Committee's support for this measure, and would be pleased to provide any additional information you may need. Sincerely, Bruce R. James, Public Printer.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Ellen Lazar has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and dedication; and Whereas, Ellen Lazar has led the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation in aiding communities by creating and preserving affordable housing, providing homeownership counseling to nearly 222,000 families, and generating nearly $5 billion in direct investment in these communities; and Whereas, Ellen Lazar has developed a strong management team and operational plan to expand the scope and effectiveness of Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation; Therefore, I join the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in congratulating Ellen Lazar for her outstanding tenure as Executive Director of Neighborhood Reinvestment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, John and Dorothy Montgomery were united in marriage on September 25, 1953; and Whereas John and Dorothy Montgomery are celebrating 50 years of marriage; and , Whereas, John and Dorothy Montgomery have demonstrated love and commitment to each other; and Whereas, John and Dorothy Montgomery must be commended for their loyalty and dedication to their family; and Whereas, John and Dorothy Montgomery have proven, by their example, to be a model for all married couples; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in congratulating John and Dorothy Montgomery as they celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Alex Machaskee serves as the President and Publisher of The Plain Dealer; and Whereas, Alex Machaskee has been a critical community partner through his tireless leadership helping to improve and promote the economy of Northeast Ohio; and Whereas, Alex Machaskee has been recognized for his leadership and achievements in international business endeavors; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring and congratulating Alex Machaskee for being named ``International Business Executive of the Year.''

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Gary G. Miller), the sponsor of this bill, who has literally traveled 2000 miles to be here for this bill today.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today I rise in support of H.R. 1985, the FHA Multifamily Loan Limit Adjustment Act of 2003. This important piece of legislation introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Gary G. Miller) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) amends the National Housing Act to increase the maximum mortgage amount limit for FHA-insured mortgages for multifamily housing located in high-cost areas. The Federal Housing Administration is one of the most effective programs in helping low-to-middle-income buyers purchase their first home. It was originally designed to encourage lenders to make credit more readily available and at lower rates. Through FHA programs, HUD insures mortgages and loans made by HUD-approved lenders for a wide variety of purposes including new construction, rehabilitation, property improvement, and refinancing in connection with a wide variety of types of property. FHA programs include all types of residential property (multifamily, single family, manufactured homes), nonresidential commercial property, hospitals, and certain other health care facilities. The FHA multifamily mortgage insurance program is a critical source of financing for affordable multifamily rental housing. During the previous 2 years, Congress supported and implemented improvements to the program, including increasing the base loan limits by 25 percent and indexing the loan limits to inflation, which begins in 2004. As a result, loan values have increased significantly in many areas of the country where the program previously, frankly, was not working. However, there are a number of high-cost urban markets such as New York, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, and Los Angeles where construction costs are significantly higher than other areas of the country, and the high-cost factors have not been sufficient to allow the use of FHA multifamily mortgage insurance programs. The FHA Multifamily Loan Limit Adjustment Act of 2003 will give the HUD Secretary the discretion to increase the maximum mortgage amount limit for FHA-insured mortgages for multifamily houses located in high-cost areas. In addition, it would change the statutory maximum adjustment percentage for geographic areas from 110 to 170 percent, which would change HUD's maximum high-cost percentage to 270 percent. Providing the HUD Secretary additional flexibility to increase the maximum loan limits in high-cost areas would greatly improve the FHA multifamily mortgage insurance programs. With severe shortages of affordable rental housing in most of the high-cost markets, this change would enable developers to provide much-needed new affordable housing to low- and moderate-income families. This is a tremendous bill, Mr. Speaker, and I want to give credit again to the gentleman from California (Mr. Gary G. Miller) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Oxley) and the staff on both sides of the aisle. It is a good bill. It is a bill that will definitely help people in the United States, and I would urge all of my colleagues to support this vital housing initiative. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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 to insert extraneous material on this legislation.

Mr. NEY. I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Madam 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 House Joint Resolution 52.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3229) to amend title 44, United States Code, to transfer to the Public Printer the authority over the individuals responsible for preparing indexes of the Congressional Record, and for other purposes.

Mr. NEY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to be here today with my colleague, our esteemed ranking member of the Committee on House Administration. I rise here today in support of H.R. 3229, a bill to amend title 44, United States Code, to transfer to the Public Printer the authority over the individuals responsible for preparing indexes of the Congressional Record. The indexes create the semimonthly and session indexes to the Congressional Record. Under the Printing Act of 1895, the Joint Committee on Printing, known as JCP, designates to the Public Printer persons to prepare the index and fixes the compensation to be paid by the Public Printer for their work. Their compensation, benefits, and related office expenses are charged directly to the Congressional Printing and Binding Appropriation. Although the indexers have long been recognized as Congressional employees, their daily work is supervised by the GPO, the Government Printing Office. Therefore, we are here today to make this change to title 44. GPO provides administrative support for the indexers; pays the indexers from the GPO revolving fund, which is then reimbursed by the Congressional Printing and Binding Appropriation; and maintains employment records for the indexers. The indexers are housed in buildings under GPO's control and subject to GPO's rules and regulations regarding security and other related matters. GPO provides equipment for the indexers, who work on a day-to-day basis directly with GPO's production staff in compiling and publishing the Congressional Record Index. Prior to 1999, the JCP managed the indexers. However, in 1999 the funding for the JCP ended. The employee transfer that this legislation will provide will relieve the JCP of the administrative burden of managing a daily production activity that more appropriately belongs, frankly, in the Government Printing Office. At the same time, it will preserve the JCP's control over the Congressional Record Index itself, which is important. Most importantly, however, it will correct an employment situation. The JCP, in conjunction with GPO, has crafted legislative language to accomplish the transfer with minimal impact on office employees. The JCP and the GPO have ensured that despite the transfer accomplished by this legislation, the format and substance of the Congressional Record will remain the same as before, which, of course, is very important to many people in the country. With the transfer, the employees will be placed in the civil service and will be covered by the laws and regulations covering GPO employment. Their contributions and service time accumulated under retirement systems as Congressional employees will be fully credited. They will retain their current rates of pay and their future pay will be subject to pay systems governing other GPO employees. They will be allowed to carry accumulated annual and sick leave with them, with subsequent use subject to GPO regulations. The Congressional Record Index Office will be assigned to the appropriate GPO organization, subject to GPO management direction, although any future changes to the form and production of the Congressional Record Index will be subject to the review and approval of the JCP. The indexers will continue to be funded by the Congressional Printing and Binding Appropriation. This change will not interrupt their work on the index. Consequently, the effects of the transfer will have no impact to Congressional Record Index users in Congress, the government or the public. As a request from the JCP, the GPO has briefed the Index Office employees on this legislative proposal. No objection was raised to the JCP. The indexer employment situation has been in flux since 1999, and I commend the JCP and the GPO for working through this fluid situation and also for helping us bring this resolution to the floor. The Public Printer, Bruce James, is to be commended also. He has done an excellent job and I think has really brought the Government Printing Office into the 21st century. I am going to be urging full support of this resolution. I look forward to our ranking member, who is a definite student of history, and I am sure he is going to provide, Madam Speaker, a historical perspective to this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.