Bob Ney

Mr. NEY

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

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I want to thank the gentleman. Prior to his arrival I had praised the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the minority whip, but I also want to mention something, and I have said this a lot of times. We have a homeland security bill coming up. It was a pleasure having the relationship with the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) on that committee and members on that side of the aisle making the institution work. But during 9/11, when we had very, very tough decisions to make in this body that involved the Speaker's Office and at that time Leader Gephardt, and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) and myself and members of that committee, there was not one single time that the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) ever, ever injected one ounce of politics in tough decisions which an individual could have done, and he never did it, and neither did the members of that committee on either side of the aisle. They hung together with what I call our Capitol family. We appreciate that. I will never forget it. We also hated to lose the gentleman, but we like the gentleman from Connecticut, too. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. One thing I wanted to express, I do appreciate, and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) is here, but I do appreciate that the gentleman from Maryland and the gentleman from Connecticut both indicated if, in fact, the body would change here in the numbers of who controls the Chamber they in fact will keep this ratio. I just want to add though in all sincerity on behalf of the majority, let us not put that to the test.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of today, I call up the resolution (H. Res. 110) providing amounts for the expenses of the Committee on Homeland Security in the One Hundred Eighth Congress, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to consider House Resolution 110, a resolution providing for the expenses of the Select Committee on Homeland Security. House Resolution 110 authorizes a total of $10,952,787 for the 108th Congress for the Select Committee on Homeland Security with $5,366,000 being allocated for 2003 and $5,585,000 being allocated for 2004. The select committee was created to oversee the implementation of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Its functions include working with the President to ensure the efficient and timely establishment of the Department of Homeland Security; coordinating efforts between Congress and the Federal agencies responsible for protecting our Nation from terrorist attacks; and reviewing and studying laws, programs, and government activities affecting homeland security. This funding will enable the select committee to provide this important oversight function by overseeing the newly created Homeland Security Department and ensuring that the combined agencies are doing the job we all expect of them with regards to protecting our homeland and its security. The funding for the Select Committee on Homeland Security is being considered in a resolution separate from the resolution that was just passed that funds the other standing committees, which was House Resolution 148, again due to the fact that the select committee is not yet a permanent committee. I think we can all agree that after the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and the subsequent biological attacks that took place here at the U.S. Capitol, it was necessary to create a Federal department to coordinate security activities on the home front and to follow that up by creating an entity that will conduct the appropriate oversight activities. I believe this resolution represents the product of a carefully constructed budget request. Ongoing discussions were held between myself, our staff, the gentleman from California (Chairman Cox) and his staff to come up with a budget that was not only reasonable, but would also allow the select committee to do the job that it was chartered to do. I should also mention the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), our ranking member, and his staff greatly assisted in this process by communicating with the select committee's ranking member, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner) to produce the product that we have before us. Like the other committees, the select committee will adhere to the two-thirds/one-third ratio of dividing committee resources between the majority and the minority. I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Chairman Cox) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner) for their efforts in reaching that goal. In conclusion, I believe this resolution provides the Select Committee on Homeland Security with the necessary funds to complete its mission. I urge my colleagues to support the passage of the resolution. I again thank our ranking member and our members from both sides of the aisle and the staff on the committee for bringing this before us today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back 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 House Resolution 148.

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 House Resolution 110.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and John Larson our Ranking Member, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Assistant Counsel Carolyn Betz of the Office of General Counsel for the House. Ms. Betz has served in the House Counsel's Office since November 1995 and will shortly be relocating to upstate New York. We will miss her. During the past seven and a half years, Ms. Betz has provided frequent and valuable service to the Committee on House Administration, and our staff has come to rely on her legal guidance, as well as her common sense approach to problem-solving. She has assisted us not only with legal advice but also with creation and implementation of numerous policies of significance to the House as an institution. Most recently, Ms. Betz was instrumental in finalizing the terms of the House's participation in the debt collection program offered by the Department of the Treasury. While in the House Counsel's Office, she has handled a wide range of legal issues, and we know that her expertise is greatly valued by other House offices. On behalf of the Committee on House Administration, I would like to thank Carolyn Betz for her devoted service to the house. We wish her great success in her future endeavors.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, Austin Douglas Pickrell has devoted himself to serving others through his membership in the Boy Scouts of America; and Whereas, Austin Douglas Pickrell has shared his time and talent with the community in which he resides; and Whereas, Austin Douglas Pickrell has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Austin Douglas Pickrell must be commended for the hard work and dedication he put forth in earning the Eagle Scout Award; Therefore, I join with Troop 126, the residents of Zainesville, and the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Austin Douglas Pickrell as he receives the Eagle Scout Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, Elizabeth Greaves has devoted herself to serving others through her membership in the Girl Scouts; and Whereas, Elizabeth Greaves has shared her time and talent with the community in which she resides; and Whereas, Elizabeth Greaves has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Elizabeth Greaves must be commended for the hard work and dedication she put forth in earning the Girl Scout Gold Award; Therefore, I join with the Girl Scouts, the residents of Granville and the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Elizabeth Greaves as she receives the Girl Scout Gold Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, Kelly Heller has devoted herself to serving others through her membership in the Girl Scouts; and Whereas, Kelly Heller has shared her time and talent with the community in which she resides; and Whereas, Kelly Heller has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Kelly Heller must be commended for the hard work and dedication she put forth in earning the Girl Scout Gold Award; Therefore, I join with the Girl Scouts, the residents of Coshocton and the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Kelly Heller as she receives the Girl Scout Gold Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, Roxana Capper has devoted herself to serving others through her membership in the Girl Scouts; and Whereas, Roxana has shared her time and talent with the community in which she resides; and Whereas, Roxana Capper has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Roxana Capper must be commended for the hard work and dedication she put forth in earning the Girl Scout Gold Award; Therefore, I join with the Girl Scouts, the residents of Granville and the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Roxana Capper as she receives the Girl Scout Gold Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, Aimee Nagle has devoted herself to serving others through her membership in the Girl Scouts; and Whereas, Aimee Nagle has shared her time and talent with the community in which she resides; and Whereas, Aimee Nagle has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Aimee Nagle must be commended for the hard work and dedication she put forth in earning the Girl Scout Gold Award; Therefore, I join with the Girl Scouts, the residents of West Lafayette and the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Aimee Nagle as she receives the Girl Scout Gold Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, Jessica Turner has devoted herself to serving others through her membership in the Girl Scouts; and Whereas, Jessica Turner has shared her time and talent with the community in which she resides; and Whereas, Jessica Turner has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Jessica Turner must be commended for the hard work and dedication she put forth in earning the Girl Scout Gold Award; Therefore, I join with the Girl Scouts, the residents of Granville and the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Jessica Turner as she receives the Girl Scout Gold Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, when Congress moved from Philadelphia to Washington, DC in 1801, a lone watchman by the name of John Golding had the responsibility of guarding the Capitol facility and its functions. In 1828, the United States Capitol Police was officially established to safeguard the freedoms of the American people, and to protect the Nation's Capitol and the United States Congress. Now, 175 years later, and despite an ever-changing environment, these core functions of the United States Capitol Police are still the defining tenets of its mission. Today, on behalf of the United States Congress and the American people, I am very pleased to extend heartfelt thanks and congratulations to the United States Capitol Police on its 175th anniversary. From its humble beginnings until today, the Capitol Police has remained true to its mission, and has grown to meet new challenges and responsibilities. It has developed specialized and expert units, and these specialized units are complemented by a skilled and professional administrative support staff. The challenges of the new century have shown the United States Capitol Police to be dedicated, selfless, and highly flexible. The Capitol Police force, which now numbers over 1,700 sworn and civilian personnel, is a highly professionalized force essential to the protection of the core elements of our democratic process. The history of the United States Capitol Police has not been without sacrifice. After the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, the Capitol Police were asked to work incredible hours in defense of the Capitol, visitors, staff, and members, often working 12 hour shifts for six days a week. Sadly, the sacrifices of the Capitol Police have not been without tragedy. As the first line of defense of the Nation's Capitol, Sergeant Christopher Eney, Private First Class Jacob J. Chestnut, and Detective John Michael Gibson each made the ultimate sacrifice, tragically dying in the line of duty. This dedication to the safety and well being of others exemplifies the commitment of the men, women, and families of the United States Capitol Police. On the occasion of its 175th anniversary, the United States Congress and the American people express the sincerest gratitude to the men and women of the United States Capitol Police and their families for their devotion to duty and service in safeguarding the freedoms of the American people.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, Christopher E. Alverson has devoted himself to serving others through his membership in the Boy Scouts of America; and Whereas, Christopher E. Alverson has shared his time and talent with the community in which he resides; and Whereas, Christopher E. Alverson has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Christopher E. Alverson must be commended for the hard work and dedication he put forth in earning the Eagle Scout Award; Therefore, I join with Troop 342, the residents of Fredericktown, and the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Christopher E. Alverson as he receives the Eagle Scout Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, Larry Thomas Weaver II has devoted himself to serving others through his membership in the Boy Scouts of America; and Whereas, Larry Thomas Weaver II has shared his time and talent with the community in which he resides; and Whereas, Larry Thomas Weaver II has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Larry Thomas Weaver II must be commended for the hard work and dedication he put forth in earning the Eagle Scout Award; Therefore, I join with Troop 260, the residents of Junction City, and the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Larry Thomas Weaver II as he receives the Eagle Scout Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 185) extending the period of availability of amounts for continuing expenses of standing and select committees of the House through May 9, 2003.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, Adam Rupe has devoted himself to serving others through his membership in the Boy Scouts of America; and Whereas, Adam Rupe has shared his time and talent with the community in which he resides; and Whereas, Adam Rupe has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Adam Rupe must be commended for the hard work and dedication he put forth in earning the Eagle Scout Award; Therefore, I join with Troop 84, the residents of New Philadelphia, and the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Adam Rupe as he receives the Eagle Scout Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Connecticut for yielding. The Committee on House Administration in conjunction with the Speaker's office, our ranking member, and all the members of the Committee on House Administration continue to work towards a final resolution that will ultimately provide House committees with a permanent funding resolution for the 108th Congress. House rules contain an interim funding provision that provides a temporary funding mechanism to fund committees until a permanent committee funding resolution is passed. The deadline set by the House rules is March 31. However, negotiations on the 2004 budget resolution delayed work on the committee budget resolution which will make it impossible to pass this resolution by the March 31 deadline set forth in the House rules. As a result, we are seeking unanimous consent to pass a temporary funding resolution which would temporarily fund committees after the March 31 deadline and until a permanent funding resolution is passed. I also want to thank the tremendous communication, cooperation of the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), our ranking member, and the members of the committee who diligently worked together to achieve a funding document that will be able to allow the committees of the House to do their job, respond to the citizens of the United States, and carry on the very important work of the House committees.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield further, to answer the ranking member's question, it has absolutely zero impact. Our ranking member has made it crystal clear, and we understand that there will be the two-thirds/one-third. We appreciate that. We appreciate our Chairs cooperating fully on that and the ranking member. So there will be zero impact on the two-thirds/one-third ratio.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield further, the gentleman is correct. We have a very unique situation in this funding resolution; and I have been here 8 years, and for one of the first times we have a major committee, which is important, and has been created, and now we have to do the funding for it. So this year our ranking member and me and the members of the committee had even a bigger task to set up the funding, the process for that committee for the gentleman from California (Chairman Cox) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner), ranking member, and to make sure that important committee can function and that it really is considered absolutely outside the box.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I offer a resolution (H. Res. 163) providing amounts from the applicable accounts of the House of Representatives for continuing expenses of standing and select committees of the House from April 1, 2003, through April 11, 2003, and ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.

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 on H. Res. 163.