Bob Ney

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 236) permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to commemorate the unveiling of the statue of Sakakawea provided by the State of North Dakota for display in Statuary Hall.

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

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to thank the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy) for all of his diligence on pushing, I think, a very, very important statue and an important commemoration for our history. I thank him for his work. 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 rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 236. This legislation permits the use of the rotunda of the Capitol on October 16, 2003, for a ceremony to commemorate the unveiling of the statue of Sakakawea provided by the State of North Dakota. In 1864, Congress enacted and created National Statuary Hall providing for the contribution of statues by the States. Each State is allowed to donate two statues to the Capitol of their most prominent citizens. North Dakota is one of three States which has not donated a second statue. Out of the 97 statues throughout the Capitol, there are only five women and three native Americans. North Dakota's current statue is John Burke, former Governor, U.S. Treasurer, and State Supreme Court Justice, which was donated in 1963. The story of how the original statue of Sakakawea in North Dakota was created dates back to the centennial commemoration of the Lewis and Clark expedition at the turn of the 20th century. In 1904, St. Louis hosted a Louisiana Purchase Exposition; and in 1905, Portland hosted the Lewis and Clark Centennial and the America Pacific Exposition and Fair. The State of North Dakota spent funds for pavilions and exhibits at these events. Given the prominence of Sakakawea statues at these events, the idea of a similar statue to stand in North Dakota was therefore born. Mattie Davis, the superintendent of schools in Cass County, suggested an appropriate recognition needed to be given to the only woman to accompany the expedition of Lewis and Clark. The idea was endorsed by the Fargo City Federation of Women's Clubs which presented it to the North Dakota Federation. A resolution was passed calling for the placement of a statue on the State Capitol grounds in Bismarck. Sakakawea, simply put, was a leader of leaders. She was a key part of the boldest and most dangerous expedition in American history. She served as an interpreter, guide, and provider to Lewis and Clark; but her most important role was that of a peacemaker. As a woman and a mother, her presence made it clear that Lewis and Clark were not leading a war party. As Clark wrote in his journal: ``Our interpreter we find reconciles all the Indians as to our friendly intentions. A woman with a party of men is a token of peace.'' She was courageous and indomitable, but it was her gentle spirit and interpretive skills that appeased potential enemies. Before reserving my time, Mr. Speaker, I just want to point out and give a lot of credit to Mattie Davis, the superintendent of schools of Cass County, who suggested this idea by the Fargo City Federation of Women's Clubs which presented it to the North Dakota Federation. It is local people getting together to promote ideas such as this to preserve our history that need to have encouragement from us and tribute for all of their offerings on this particular statue. I want to thank the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), our ranking member, and the members of the Committee on House Administration, and also the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy) for their work on this legislation. I urge full support of House Concurrent Resolution 236. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 318) dismissing the election contest relating to the office of Representative from the Sixth Congressional District of Tennessee.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2195 authorizes the Smithsonian Institution to undertake several important activities important to their operations. The legislation authorizes construction at the Patent Office Building, as well as construction of a storage facility that is needed for storing items from the National Museum of Natural History. Additionally, the bill provides for employee buyout authority as a necessary tool to meet budgetary constraints; and, finally, there is language recognizing the contributions of jazz music in our culture. H.R. 2195 authorizes the Smithsonian Institution to use their trust funds to plan, design, and construct improvements to the interior and exterior of the Patent Office Building. The Smithsonian requires this authorization to design and build a cover over the courtyard in the center of the Patent Office Building, which houses the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. Executive branch agencies benefit from the savings and flexibility from the multi-year contracts for their construction and services projects. The bill provides these same advantages to the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian also wants to clarify its relationships with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the National Capital Planning Commission, and this bill achieves that goal. With regard to the Institution's future budgetary constraints, the Smithsonian Institution will need to realign its workforce in the coming years. They seek authority to offer incentives for the departure of Federal personnel eligible for retirement or early retirement. H.R. 2195 also provides for a new storage facility. The Natural History Museum on the Mall stores the National Collections biological specimens, which require an off-site storage facility that would be authorized in this bill. This new facility will be built in Suitland, Maryland, where the collections would be moved. Finally, the bill commends the National Museum of American History for establishing Jazz Appreciation Month, a time for educational events and celebrations in honor of this uniquely American art form. This bill was introduced by our Member Regents, who serve on the Smithsonian's governing board; and I want to thank the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson) and members of the committee for expediting this bill to the floor today. I also want to conclude my remarks by saying this is a bill that has no objection. I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio, my colleague (Mr. Regula), who actually has a district that joins mine. He has been an absolutely tremendous Member of Congress who has looked out over the Smithsonian, the great important Smithsonian, and has always risen to the occasion to make sure that our national treasure has always done the best it can do; and this bill will take care of a few issues that I think are of critical importance. I want to conclude by saying we thank, on behalf of the entire country, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula). Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record two letters regarding H.R. 2195, a bill to provide for additional space and resources for national collections held by the Smithsonian Institution. The letter references a dialogue between Chairman Tom Davis and myself in response to a jurisdictional claim in relation to H.R. 2195. House of Representatives, Committee on House Administration, Washington, DC, July 14, 2003. Hon. Tom Davis, Chairman, Committee on Government Reform, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Davis: I am writing in response to your jurisdictional assertions concerning H.R. 2195, the Smithsonian Facilities Authorization Act. We agree with your jurisdictional claim on sec. 4, regarding the contracting authority of the Secretary, and we appreciate your agreement to move forward on this important legislation. Sincerely, Bob Ney, Chairman.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula).

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2195) to provide for additional space and resources for national collections held by the Smithsonian Institution, and for other purposes.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 317) dismissing the election contest relating to the office of Representative from the Second Congressional District of Hawaii.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Connecticut, our ranking member, for yielding. I rise in support of House Resolution 317, a bill to dismiss an election contest filed against Representative Ed Case of Hawaii's Second Congressional District. There is bipartisan and complete agreement that the contest fails to state grounds sufficient to change the result of the election and therefore should be dismissed. The contestant challenged the late Representative Patsy Mink in the 2002 Democrat primary, where he received 15 percent of the vote. The contestant argues that Representative Mink, who was seriously ill at the time of the primary and passed away 1 week later, should have been disqualified as a primary candidate, that he should have been declared the Democrat nominee by default and that as the nominee he therefore would have been the inevitable general election winner. The Federal Contested Elections Act does not contemplate considering Notices of Contest that are based on the conduct of primary elections. Consequently, the committee concludes that the basis for the contestant's Notice of Contest falls outside the scope of the FCEA, and it was totally agreed to without any dissension.

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 H. Res. 317.

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 H.R. 2195.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, Clarence R. Smith, Jr. was born on July 10, 1928 and is celebrating his 75th birthday; and Whereas, Clarence R. Smith, Jr. is active in the Youngstown community with his work at the Diamond Steel Construction Company and through his involvement in the Boy Scouts of America, the Elks Club, the Rotary Club, and the United Methodist Church; and Whereas, Clarence R. Smith, Jr. must be commended for his years of dedicated service to his friends and his community; and Whereas, Clarence R. Smith, Jr. is a devoted husband, father, and grandfather; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Clarence R. Smith, Jr. as he celebrates his 75th Birthday.

Mr. NEY

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

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding. I just want to make this clear: It was in a document. I appreciate what the gentleman is saying about we will work on this, but this was in a document that I requested, in the CAO's document. So maybe it was not mentioned. It was not intentional, but it was in a document that was presented. The CAO's budget was in writing, and I need to make that clear. I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is correct. As has been described by the two previous speakers, I want to frame very quickly one side of this that I think we need to discuss. Someone asked who put this in, that they ought to be fired. I did it. Now, anyone that can fire me, there are some 600,000 people in the 18th congressional district, so I want to make that clear. This has transcended about a year and a half period of time. I want to frame the argument here, and that is that it extends to the full staff, Democrat and Republican or Independent or Natural Law Party or whatever they are, of the entire House. Now, when I say that, I would argue to anybody in this country that the staff of this House on either side of the aisle are not second- class citizens of this country, and they have the right to dental and eye vision as any other person, and I hope we can take care of the entire country that way. But to single out the staff of the U.S. House, as we have for a period of years, I do not think is fair. I hope down the line we can discuss this. Now, as far as someone not knowing what went where, this was not done at midnight, I discussed this, I brought it forth. So there are some misunderstandings, and I accept that, but I hope that we can also, in the calmness of debate on this down the road, realize that our people have every right to some type of benefit, and they have children, and they have families. And again, I hope we can help the entire country also, but let us not penalize the U.S. House.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I want to point out just a couple of things. One, we have worked on this situation before. People are touchy politically I know about having someone on the elevators. In fact, there was a vote on this floor a few years ago where somebody thought it would save their election by trying to throw these people off. The bottom line is you need people on there to help. We have had some shortages. Let us not have a vote to do that kind of thing again. The second thing is that the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson) and I have been looking at this, and also the elevator repair, because people were stuck on elevators. We never again want that mixture of Members on the elevators. Finally, let me just say that there is an appropriation in 2004. If we can get that moved up a little bit, we can get that sped up. The gentlemen are both correct. In closing, I promise the gentleman, I will bring the plan personally to him and visit him in Anchorage.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, JEEP III (Jackson's Energy Education Project) showcases their dedication to Energy awareness and education throughout the school district and community; and Whereas, these young people have demonstrated exceptional talent, ingenuity, and creativeness in finding ways to expand our understanding of energy issues; and Whereas, Jackson City Schools' ``JEEP III'' received First Place honors for the State of Ohio; and Whereas, Jackson City Schools will be recognized in Washington, DC at the National Youth Awards Program for Energy Achievement sponsored by the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in congratulating Jackson City Schools for their outstanding pursuit of excellence.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, Victor and Ruth Thompson were united in marriage June 26, 1933, and are celebrating their 70th anniversary this year; and Whereas, Victor and Ruth have demonstrated love and a firm commitment to each other; and Whereas, Victor and Ruth have proven, by their example, to be a model for all married couples; and Whereas, Victor and Ruth must be commended for their incredible devotion to each other; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in congratulating Victor and Ruth Thompson as they celebrate their 70th Wedding Anniversary.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, Monsignor Paul E. Metzger celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination on April 17, 2003; and Whereas, Monsignor Paul E. Metzger should be commended for his faithfulness to the church; and Whereas, Monsignor Paul E. Metzger served as a pastor for the St. John Church in Bellaire, Ohio for 26 years; and Whereas, Monsignor Paul E. Metzger continues to serve the community of Middletown as the Director of Residential Individual Options and through his dedication to the Holy Family Parish; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District in recognizing Monsignor Paul E. Metzger as he celebrates the 60th Anniversary of Ordination.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, Ramsey Alloush graduated from John F. Kennedy High School on June 7, 2003; and Whereas, Ramsey Alloush has demonstrated a commitment to education; and Whereas, Ramsey Alloush should be commended for reaching this academic milestone; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring and congratulating Ramsey Nabil Alloush for his outstanding accomplishment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, Basel Alloush graduated from Kent State University on December 14, 2002; and Whereas, Basel Alloush earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Marketing; and Whereas, Basel Alloush has demonstrated a strong devotion to academics; and Whereas, Basel Alloush should be commended for reaching this milestone; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring and congratulating Basel Alloush for his distinguished achievement.