Eleanor Norton

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in consideration of S. 2174, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 175 South Monroe Street in Tiffin, Ohio, as the ``Paul E. Gillmor Post Office Building.'' S. 2174 was introduced by Senator Voinovich of Ohio on October 17, 2007, and reported by voice vote on December 12, 2007. Congressman Gillmor was serving his 10th term in the United States House of Representatives representing the Fifth Congressional District in Ohio until his untimely death in September 2007. I know that the entire House grieved and was shocked to learn that Representative Gillmor died right here at his home, the place where he prepared to come to this very House. He is very much missed on both sides of the aisle. This is a very appropriate way to remember this long-time Member of the House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, I commend Senator Voinovich for seeking to honor the legacy of our late colleague and offer condolences to the family of Representative Gillmor and his colleagues in the Ohio congressional delegation and those in his district. I urge swift passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2174) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 175 South Monroe Street in Tiffin, Ohio, as the ``Paul E. Gillmor Post Office Building''.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Carney) such time as he may consume.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Pennsylvania for thinking to do something that we rarely see. We see post offices honoring Members of Congress, honoring judges, honoring very honorable people. But in my service on this committee, I have not seen a post office named for a young person who has died recently in battle. I do think it is an important way to indicate, particularly to the family, to what must surely be for many young men, many who knew him and looked forward to his returning in just 2 weeks from the time he died, that his memory will live not only with this Congress and in this resolution but also permanently with a United States Post Office in his honor. We are pleased we were able to dedicate this resolution before the end of this Congress because this young man died just in March of 2007. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 3911, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 95 Church Street in Jessup, Pennsylvania, as the ``Lance Corporal Dennis James Veater Post Office.'' H.R. 3911 was introduced by Representative Carney of Pennsylvania on October 22, was reported from the Oversight Committee on December 12 by voice vote. This measure which has been cosponsored by 18 Members has the support of the entire Pennsylvania congressional delegation. Lance Corporal Veater was wounded in Anbar province, Iraq, and died of his wounds in Fallujah, Iraq. The mission was believed to be his last mission just 2 weeks before returning home. Mr. Speaker, I urge swift passage of this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3911) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 95 Church Street in Jessup, Pennsylvania, as the ``Lance Corporal Dennis James Veater Post Office''.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 254) recognizing and celebrating the centennial of Oklahoma statehood.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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

Ms. NORTON. I want to say to my good friend from Oregon that his resolution not only informs us about the heroic efforts of first responders and the residents, but educates us about places where catastrophic storms may occur unexpectedly. It sounds as though the States of Oregon and Washington had a short-term version of Katrina and managed somehow to deal with it themselves. So we commend first responders and citizens of both States.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and great feeling of sympathy and of great respect for those who have suffered so courageously through this storm that I yield to Mr. David Wu.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 851, honoring local and State first responders and the citizens of the Pacific Northwest in facing the severe winter storm of December 2 and 3, 2007. H. Res. 851 was introduced by Representative David Wu on December 6, 2007. This measure, which has been cosponsored by 83 Members, has the support of the entire Oregon congressional delegation. On December 2 and 3, 2007, a severe storm hit the Pacific Northwest, destroying homes, schools, businesses and roads, thus leaving thousands of people in Oregon and Washington without power, water, or road access. The Oregon and Washington National Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard rescued hundreds of individuals trapped in or on their homes. Oregonians and Washingtonians became extraordinary citizens by opening their hearts and their homes. Mr. Speaker, please join me in commending the first responders and citizens who helped in time of need. I urge the swift passage of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I join my colleagues in consideration of H. Res. 856, which expresses heartfelt sympathy for the victims and families of the shootings in Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday, December 5, 2007. H. Res. 856, which was introduced by Representative Lee Terry on December 12, 2007, has the support of 72 Members of Congress. The community of Omaha, Nebraska, experienced a shooting spree at the hands of a troubled teenager carrying a rifle on December 5. Sadly, nine people died, and four others were wounded in the Westroads Mall. Thankfully, first responders, the Omaha Police Department, Douglas and Sarpy County Sheriff's Department, and Omaha Fire Department all arrived within minutes of the attacks to secure all entrances. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express great sympathy for the community's tragedy and all of the lives lost. I commend my colleague for sponsoring this measure, and I urge the swift passage of the resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, once again, I express the deep condolences and regrets of, I know, the entire House for the Omaha tragedy, particularly coming at this time when the whole country comes together in great love and respect. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 856) expressing heartfelt sympathy for the victims and families of the shootings in Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday, December 5, 2007.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3179, sponsored by Chairman Ed Towns, would permit State and local governments to purchase homeland security and public safety equipment from the Federal supply schedules maintained by the General Services Administration. Opening the Federal supply schedules to State and local governments has bipartisan support. In past years, contract schedules have been opened up for information technology and goods and services needed to respond or prevent terrorism to State and local governments. State and local governments should be able to enjoy the price and convenience advantages that the schedules provide. I commend my colleague for his leadership and urge Members to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on this measure and on S. 2174.