Bob Ney

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of her retirement on March 15th, we rise to thank Mrs. Diann Condrey for her 26 years of outstanding service to the federal government, including 10 years service to the U.S. House of Representatives. Over the years, Diann has provided outstanding customer support to Members, Committees, Leadership and Support Offices of the House. She began her service to the House on December 1, 1992, and served this great institution in numerous capacities, most notably with House Information Resources (HIR) under the office of the Chief Administrative Officer. In 1992, she was hired as a Committee consultant to provide technical support to Committee offices. Diann remained in that position until 1995. Since 1995, she has worked as a Technical Support Representative servicing Members, Committees, and Leadership offices. Diann is highly skilled and very proficient in providing office automation and technical advice to House offices. Her efforts and work ethic are a true demonstration of excellence and dedication to providing passionate customer service. Her previous federal experience as a Contracting Officer and her breadth of knowledge of House office operations enabled Diann to effectively manage the House Systems Administrator contract for TechCare. This contract filled a need in many House offices for professional Systems Administration. I know all of you join me in extending our thanks and appreciation to this invaluable member of the House family. We wish the very best to Diann and her husband Jim as they pursue the next phase of their life.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, on February 27, 2003, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes 38-39 on H.R. 534, the Human Cloning Prohibition Act due to urgent family business, Had I been present I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 3, and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No, 39, final passage of H.R. 534.``

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, the people of Ohio are commemorating Ohio's 200th Birthday on March 1, 2003; and Whereas, they will be celebrating the Bicentennial in Chillicothe, the original capital of the great state of Ohio; and Whereas, the residents of Ohio have molded a strong tradition of family values and a commitment to a high standard of living for Two- Hundred Years; and Whereas, Ohio, since its inception, has developed into a growing and prosperous community dedicated to its past and future generations; Therefore, I join with the residents of the 18th Congressional District and all of Ohio in celebrating the Ohio Bicentennial.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman asks a very appropriate question. House Resolution 77 is necessary to provide the Select Committee on Homeland Security with the necessary funding to organize the committee. House Resolution 77 authorizes $700,000 for use by the Select Committee on Homeland Security. Also know that we have communicated with the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut. It is interim funding. Consistent with my discussions with the Ranking Minority Member, it is my understanding that the funds provided by H. Res. 77 will be distributed in a manner consistent with the ``Two-thirds, One-third'' goal for division of resources. I expect the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Select Committee to reach agreement on a division of the resources provided by this resolution that will reflect this goal and be to their mutual satisfaction.

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

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 77) providing amounts for interim expenses of the Select Committee on Homeland Security in the first session of the One Hundred Eighth Congress, and ask 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 in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of the bill just passed.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, the 6-B class of Mater Dei School and their teacher, Mr. Jim Geimer, are hereby named honorary citizens of Ohio on February 13, 2003; and Whereas, Mr. Deimer should be commended for allowing his students the opportunity to expand their knowledge about Ohio and the rest of the United States of America; and Whereas, Mater Dei School's sixth graders will learn about the Great State of Ohio from a report given by Kyle Soltesz; and Whereas, Kyle Soltesz has worked diligently and thoroughly on his report, researching and learning about the State of Ohio; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring Kyle Soltesz and his 6-B class of Mater Dei School.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, we rise to thank and recognize J. Michael Dorsey for his outstanding service and contributions to the House community during his tenure beginning January 1, 1995. Because of his distinguished legal career, Mike was asked to serve as the first Administrative Counsel in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer when the new House organization was created in 1995. An ambitious agenda to change the way the House operated was proposed, and Mike was instrumental in accomplishing many of those goals. A solid leader, Mike demonstrated the ability to effectively juggle many competing priorities. In addition to keeping the CAO legally and ethically pure, he also served as interim Associate Administrator for the Office of Procurement and Human Resources. He initiated and contributed to business process improvements, provided legal guidance to House staff, developed policies, and applied his expertise in the areas of contracting, negotiation, and legal disputes. Most recently, Mike's professionalism, patriotism, and steadfastness served the House well under historic and trying times. He met the challenges of September 11, 2001, the subsequent anthrax evacuation of House offices, and on-going mail process activities with patience, excellence, and reasoned judgment. Mike is a team player, known for his integrity, fairness, principles, dedication, and solid steady demeanor. He has made a difference--he has made the House a better place. As he leaves us on February 14, he will continue to serve our nation in areas of critical importance. He has served the House and our country as a true patriot, and we extend our thanks to him for his service, and wish him all the best for continued success.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, in 1986, Congress established the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, a no-fault compensation system that provided for quick and fair recovery for those who experience injuries related to a vaccination. It assured that victims would not have to go through long and expensive litigation with uncertain recovery. Unfortunately, plaintiffs' attorneys recently began to seek ways around the administrative compensation program created by the act. They are trying to somehow distinguish injuries related to ingredients in vaccines from the vaccines themselves. The courts have uniformly rejected these attempts to circumvent the statue. It is the claimants, however, that suffer. Rather than receive the expedient compensation to which they are entitled under the vaccine program, they are drawn through a lengthy court proceeding--ultimately just to find themselves required by the court to file a claim under the no-fault system. Claimants do not lose any rights in this system because as a bipartisan coalition of the Congress set it up, claimants who are not satisfied with the compensation award through the program can then opt to proceed to traditional litigation. The vaccine ingredient provisions in the Homeland Security Act sought to clarify current law and ensure that claims for all vaccine related injuries go through the vaccine program. Unfortunately, that purpose has been misconstrued in the media due to the manner in which the provisions came to be in the Homeland Security Act. I support the repeal of the vaccine injury provisions to allow for further discussion and explanation of these measures. These measures did not change existing law and their repeal should not be seen as an attempt to change existing law.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, Richard Finan served the people of Ohio as a member of the Ohio State Senate for 30 years; and Whereas, Richard Finan has served as President of the Ohio State Senate; and Whereas, Richard Finan worked to restore and preserve the Statehouse and its annex; and Whereas, Richard Finan has used his position within the Ohio Senate to help better the lives of thousands of people; and Whereas, Richard Finan must be commended for his professionalism and his ability to motivate those around him by establishing a superb example; and Whereas, Richard Finan's dedication and service will be missed by the entire state of Ohio. Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in celebrating Richard Finan's years of service and retirement from the Ohio State Senate.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas Raymond Grubbs is a professional truck driver for Yellow Transportation; and Whereas, Raymond Grubbs has successfully driven one million miles without a preventable accident; and Whereas, Raymond Grubbs should be commended for reaching this safety milestone; and Whereas, Raymond Grubbs has demon[chyph]strated a steadfast commitment to the safety of our nation's highways; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring and congratulating Raymond Grubbs for his outstanding accomplishment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, Tammy Sanderson has devoted herself to serving others through her work at the Carroll County Department of Human Services; and Whereas, Tammy Sanderson has shared her time and talent with the community in which she resides; and Whereas, Tammy Sanderson has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Tammy Sanderson must be commended for the hard work and dedication she put forth in her 30 year career of service with the county; Therefore, I join with the Department of job and Family Services and the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Tammy Sanderson on her retirement.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, Annmarie and Kevin are celebrating their marriage today, October 19, 2002; and Whereas, Annemarie and Kevin have a deep and abiding love for one another; and Whereas, Annemarie and Kevin have demonstrated a firm, loving commitment to each other; and Whereas, Annemarie and Kevin will share a life together of generosity, joy, accomplishment and fulfillment; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Mr. and Mrs. O'Grady as they begin their marriage.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, Eddie and Betty Fellabaum were united in marriage November 16, 1952, and are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year; and Whereas, Eddie and Betty have demonstrated a firm commitment to each other; and Whereas, Eddie and Betty must be commended for their loyalty and dedication to their family; and Whereas, Eddie and Betty 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 Eddie and Betty Fellabaum as they celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, Brent Laner has exemplified leadership for the Ohio Highway Patrol as a state trooper for 25 years, serving with distinction at the New Philadelphia post for 15 years; and Whereas, Brent Laner was chosen five times by his fellow officers to receive their post Trooper of the Year award and is to be commended for his hard work, devotion to duty, and willingness to serve our community; and Whereas, Brent Laner has been an enthusiastic and loyal public servant in the Ohio Highway Patrol for Ohio's citizens; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Brent Laner on his retirement after 25 years of public service to the Ohio community.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of his retirement at the end of this year, we rise to thank Mr. Michael J. Buckley for his outstanding service to the U.S. House of Representatives over the past 26 years. Over the years, Mike has made significant improvements to the financial management of the U.S. House of Representatives. He began his career with the House on January 18, 1977, and served this great institution in numerous capacities, most notably in financial positions within the offices of the Clerk of the House and the Chief Administrative Officer. During the past six years, Mike has served as the Budget Director for the Office of Finance. In this position, he has provided financial guidance to every entity of the House, assisting with such critical functions as projecting annual budgetary requirements and monitoring House expenditures to ensure compliance with laws and regulations. Mike's financial expertise has enabled House entities to maximize the availability of funds to support critical House operations. On behalf of the entire House community, we extend congratulations to Mike for his many years of dedication and outstanding contributions to the financial management of the House. We wish Mike and his wife Robin many wonderful years in fulfilling their retirement dreams.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, Autumn Frontz is a heroine who saved her baby sister, Samantha Lynn, from choking; and Whereas, Autumn Frontz acted quickly, without hesitation, proving herself to be remarkably responsible and caring; and Whereas, Autumn Frontz is an asset to her family and the entire New Philadelphia community in her willingness to help others; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring and congratulating Autumn Frontz for her selflessness and heroism.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of his retirement at the end of this year, we rise to thank Mr. Henry (Bud) Collins for his outstanding service to the U.S. House of Representatives over the past 27 years. Over the years, Bud has made significant improvements to the Voice and Data Network programs of the U.S. House of Representatives. He began his career with the House on December 10, 1973, and has served this great institution in numerous capacities, most notably in House Information Resources (HIR) Communications positions within the Chief Administrative Officer. During the past three years, Bud has served as the Communications Infrastructure Team Leader. In this position, he has directed voice and data wiring installations to every entity of the House, Architect of the Capitol, and Congressional Budget Office. Bud's breadth of knowledge of the wiring standards and the House building construction has enabled rapid, effective wiring installations. These installations were fundamental in improving the information flow for Member and Committee operations. On behalf of the entire House community, we extend congratulations to Bud for his many years of dedication, and his outstanding contributions to the communications and wiring infrastructure installations for the House. We wish Bud and his wife Harriet many wonderful years in fulfilling their retirement dreams.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of his retirement at the end of this year, we rise to thank Mr. John Michael Allen for his exemplary service to the U.S. House of Representatives. The following statement by Robert F. Kennedy truly defines the caliber of work that Mike has provided to the House during the past 23 years: ``Few of us have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of those acts will be written the history of this generation.'' Mike's strong commitment to providing professional and flawless broadcast coverage of the House floor proceedings has made history. Every day that this House of the People is in session, Mike has guided a professional and dedicated team to provide flawless daily coverage to the country. We who are here and can just cross the street to watch history being made, may not appreciate what Mike has been helping to ``make happen'' for 23 years. Mike is to be admired and praised for providing this notable service to the House. Mike is currently leading the House Recording Studio from operating in an analog environment to operating in a digital environment and to providing broadcast coverage of Committee Hearings. He continues to lay the groundwork for these technological transitions as he approaches the end of his career with the House. The strength and commitment of the team he has developed will ensure the success of these efforts even after he moves on to his new job of ``retirement.'' On behalf of the entire House community, we commend Mike for his dedication and long, selfless service to the House of Representatives. We wish Mike and his wife Sheila many wonderful years in fulfilling their retirement dreams.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I just want to take a quick moment to comment on an important part of this legislation, group life insurance. H.R. 3210 contains a study of group life insurance and I would like to clarify that it was the intent of the House that the term ``group life insurance,'' as it appears in the text, is used in it's typical and customary sense to mean ``an insurance contract that provides life insurance coverage, accidental death coverage, or a combination of both for a number of persons under a single contract and that provides such coverage on the basis of a group selection of risks.''

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, Jane Larke is a professional teacher of science at Tuscarawas Valley High School; and Whereas, Jane Larke has been selected to receive a Governor's Award for Excellence in Youth Science Opportunities by the Ohio Academy of Science in cooperation with the Office of the Governor and the Ohio Department of Education; and Whereas, Jane Larke should be commended for reaching this milestone, for her devotion to her students, and for her ongoing efforts to extend science education opportunities beyond the classroom; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring and congratulating Jane Larke for her outstanding accomplishment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, Robert Laghetto is a professional teacher of science at Tuscarawas Valley High School; and Whereas, Robert Laghetto has been selected to receive a Governor's Award for Excellence in Youth Science Opportunities by the Ohio Academy of Science in cooperation with the Office of the Governor and the Ohio Department of Education; and Whereas, Robert Laghetto should be commended for reaching this milestone, for his devotion to his students, and for his ongoing efforts to extend science education opportunities beyond the classroom; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring and congratulating Robert Laghetto for his outstanding accomplishment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, Dr. Karl Schwenk is a professional teacher of science at Tuscarawas Valley High School; and Whereas, Dr. Schwenk has been selected to receive a Governor's Award for Excellence in Youth Science Opportunities by the Ohio Academy of Science in cooperation with the Office of the Governor and the Ohio Department of Education; and Whereas, Dr. Schwenk should be commended for reaching this milestone, for his devotion to his students, and for his ongoing efforts to extend science education opportunities beyond the classroom; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring and congratulating Dr. Karl Schwenk for his outstanding accomplishment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I hereby offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of John E. Platt, who passed away September 24, 2002. John Platt was born on July 11, 1920, in Eastern Ohio. Mr. Platt was a devoted family man. He and his wife, Margeret Esther Morse, raised 5 children and were the proud grandparents of 19 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Mr. Platt served our country as a member of both the Navy and the Air Force. For his service as a World War II and Korean War veteran, we owe him a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. Following retirement from the armed forces, Mr. Platt generously gave of his time teaching high school history and serving as Principal in the Carrollton Exempted School District. His devotion to the community was impeccable, being a dedicated patriot through his 25 year membership in the VFW and Voice of Democracy Program, as well as his work for the Lions International, POW-MIA's, and the American Legion. He was also involved throughout his life with the Chestnut Ridge United Methodist Church. Mr. Platt will certainly be remembered by all those who knew him for his personal sacrifices of time and energy to family, friends, and community. His understanding and caring shown to others will stand as a monument to a truly fine person. His life and love gave joy to all who knew him. While I understand that words cannot express our grief at this most trying of times, I offer this token of profound sympathy to the family and friends of John E. Platt.