Eleanor Norton

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5655) to designate the Little River Branch facility of the United States Postal Service located at 140 NE 84th Street in Miami, Florida, as the ``Jesse J. McCrary, Jr. Post Office.''

Ms. NORTON. I now yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present H.R. 5655 for consideration. This measure designates the Little River Branch facility of the United States Postal Service, located at 140 Northeast 84th Street, in Miami, Florida, as the Jesse J. McCrary, Jr. Post Office. H.R. 5655 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Kendrick Meek, on June 30, 2010. It was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on July 28, 2010. It enjoys the support of the entire Florida delegation to the House. Jesse J. McCrary, Jr. was the first African American member of the Florida cabinet since the end of Reconstruction, being appointed to that post in 1978. He is also remembered for his work as a civil rights activist, leading lunch counter sit-ins in Tallahassee during his days studying at Florida A&M. Mr. McCrary also had an esteemed legal career, serving as Florida's first African American assistant attorney general in 1967. He was renowned for his knowledge of constitutional law and for his skill at debate and argument. In 2003, 2 years after Mr. McCrary suffered a disabling stroke, the Florida House passed a resolution honoring him as a ``living legend'' and as a ``preeminent authority on constitutional law who won 10 landmark cases presented before the Florida Supreme Court.'' His colleagues remember him as a dedicated public servant and as a fierce advocate for underserved communities. Sadly, Mr. McCrary died of lung cancer on October 29, 2007. Mr. Speaker, let us now take time to honor the memory of this great public servant, Jesse J. McCrary, Jr., through the passage of H.R. 5655, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of the bill, the gentleman from Florida, Representative Kendrick Meek. (Mr. MEEK of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may consume. On behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present S. 3567 for consideration. This measure designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Broadway in Lynbrook, New York, as the Navy Corpsman Jeffrey L. Wiener Post Office Building. S. 3567 was introduced by the gentleman from New York, Senator Charles Schumer, on July 12, 2010. The measure passed the Senate by unanimous consent on July 30, 2010. After being received by the House, the measure was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on September 23, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of both Senators from New York. Mr. Speaker, Hospital Corpsman Jeffrey L. Wiener enlisted with the U.S. Navy on May 1, 2003, with the goal of serving as a medic with a Marine infantry company. After undergoing the Navy's basic training, he attended the Marine Corps' Field Medical School at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he was trained as a fighting infantryman also tasked with delivering medical attention to infantry wounded in combat. He arrived in Iraq in late February 2005 and volunteered for duty on the front lines with a Marine assault platoon. Sadly, Corpsman Wiener was killed on May 7, 2005, in an ambush and bombing in Haditha, Iraq. Corpsman Wiener is survived by his wife, Maria, and two daughters, Mikayla Lynn and Theodora Rose. Corpsman Wiener deserves this tribute not only for his service as a dedicated infantry medic but also for his service as a member and ex- captain of Tally-Ho Engine 3 of the Lynbrook Fire Department. He also served as a medic for the Lynbrook Fire Department as well as the Nassau County Police Department before he enlisted in the Navy. Mr. Speaker, let us now pay tribute to the life and service of this brave man, Corpsman Jeffrey L. Wiener, through the passage of S. 3567, to designate the Lynbrook, New York, post office building in his honor. I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 3567. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as she may consume to our colleague from New York State, Representative Carolyn McCarthy.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. I appreciate the gentleman's remarks, and I certainly appreciate his support of the bill. I do want him to know that the Home Rule Act does delegate decisions precisely like this to the D.C. Government. I believe that the State government analogy is inapposite here. I don't think any Member of Congress believes that he or she is in a position to revise in any way what the local government would do in this regard, and I do believe that this kind of matter does clutter the committee calendar. It clutters the calendar of the House of Representatives at a time when we have very serious issues. I should think we would be looking for matters that have no concern for every single Member of this House except me. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, may I also indicate that this bill gives the public defender of the District of Columbia the right to purchase liability insurance, a right that the Federal public defenders have throughout the United States. The reason the bill is necessary in order to give them this right is that the public defender of the District of Columbia exists in a twilight zone, as it were. It handles local matters, but it is a Federal agency. So we need the imprimatur of this Congress. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 5367, the District of Columbia Courts and Public Defender Service Act of 2010. I introduced this bill on May 24, 2010, and the Oversight and Government Reform Committee ordered the bill reported on September 23. H.R. 5367 expands the administrative authorities of the District of Columbia Court system and increases the efficiency of the system. Mr. Speaker, this bill is at the special request of the Article I Courts of the District of Columbia where changes need the consent of Congress in order to be made. These are small but important changes to the court. It wishes the desire to hold its conferences other than on an annual basis, particularly given the fact that the court has access to Web sites and other ways to communicate to judges. Therefore, this bill simply leaves this matter to the discretion of the judiciary. The bill also has an important section, allowing the court to toll judicial proceedings in the event of an emergency. We know that the District of Columbia is in the cross-hairs of al Qaeda. We also know that we are not immune to natural disasters. While the court has the authority to conduct emergency sessions outside of the District of Columbia, it is imperative that it be able to delay proceedings so that it can reconfigure what to do in the event of an emergency. Similar bills have been introduced here in the Congress regarding the Federal court system, and several States have enacted similar legislation. I do not need to tell Members of this House what it would mean to a court of jurisdiction to be faced with a calendar and then an emergency as to what to do with, for example, commercial transactions or criminal matters. Clearly the court needs discretion to delay, according to the circumstances, such justice as it sees fit. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5367. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1475) congratulates the town of Tarboro, North Carolina, on the occasion of its 250th anniversary.

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

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

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to present H. Res. 1475 for consideration. This measure congratulates the town of Tarboro, North Carolina, on its 250th anniversary. H. Res. 1475 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from North Carolina, Representative G.K. Butterfield, on June 24, 2010. The measure was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on July 15, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of over 50 Members of the House. Mr. Speaker, the North Carolina General Assembly approved the Tarboro town charter 250 years ago this month, November 30, 1760. It is one of the oldest colonial towns in the State. Its downtown is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and it has the only town common outside of Boston to be originally chartered with the town. It was home to such notable figures as former United States Congressman George Henry White, who was elected to the Congress in 1896 and 1898. He was the last African American to serve in Congress until World War II. Tarboro is also the home of General Hugh Shelton, who served in the United States Army and served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1997 to 2001. Mr. Speaker, let us join together in congratulating the town of Tarboro on reaching this historic milestone. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1475. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1494) congratulating the champion, finalists, and all other participants in the 83rd Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee, as amended.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume and rise to support H.R. 6278, the Kingman and Heritage Islands Act of 2010. This bill would permit the District of Columbia to use the Kingman and Heritage Islands for recreational, environmental, and educational purposes. I introduced this bill on September 29, 2010. The bulk of the language in the bill was considered by the Oversight Committee, the full House, and the Senate in another measure, H.R. 2092. However, because of a clerical error in the Senate, minor changes were not included in the bill when it was considered by the Senate. I have introduced H.R. 6278 to ensure the correct language is passed by both Houses. This bill includes the House-passed language in H.R. 2092, and captures the minor changes agreed upon in a bipartisan fashion by the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. The amendment agreed to by the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee makes it clear that the islands may revert back to the Federal Government in the future if they are not used for the purposes specified in the bill. I should note that the House Oversight Committee did file a report on H.R. 2092, and that report is an important part of the legislative history of the bill we are considering now. Mr. Speaker, we are very pleased that this bill has come in time before the House. The original act transferred title of this land on the Anacostia bill, but a prior Congress authorized it for another purpose, and, therefore, since we in the District of Columbia want to use this for environmental, recreational, and educational purposes, it was necessary to come again with a bill. This is a bill that involves 40 acres of tidal marsh in Kingman Lake, currently being restored by the Army Corps, the District, and local environmental teaching groups. These islands are beautiful little places in the midst of the concrete of a big city. They, for example, have a memorial tree grove dedicated to the three District of Columbia schoolchildren who were on a trip sponsored by the National Geographic on a plane that went down in the September 11 attack on our country. This quaint set of islands has guided trails and interpretive stations. As far as my own work in the Congress is concerned, Mr. Speaker, the dedication of these islands to environmental, teaching, and recreation purposes complements my own work on the Anacostia River. I am the primary sponsor of the Anacostia River initiative. There's already a 10-year plan of the jurisdictions in this region to restore the Anacostia River so that it is no longer one of the most polluted rivers in America. To that end, I regard this bill as another manifestation of our determination to return the river to its original state and to allow the use of these small islands for the recreational and environmental purposes of the citizens of the District of Columbia and to all of those who visit our city and would like some relief from the big-city life and will find it right in the midst of what appears to be nothing other than a big-city landscape and will be relieved if they are privileged to visit these islands. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure, and I yield back 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

Ms. NORTON. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H. Res. 1428, a resolution recognizing the 100th anniversary of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. H. Res. 1428 was introduced by our colleague, the gentlewoman from New York, Representative Yvette Clarke, on June 9 of 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on July 28, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of 50 Members of the House. Mr. Speaker, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a top cultural and environmental attraction in New York City, attracting over 730,000 visitors each year. It is a superb example of urban gardening and horticultural display, serving local residents and international visitors alike, and also features a number of educational programs through a partnership with the Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment High School. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden features a number of specialty gardens and collections on its 52 acres, including a collection of cherry trees that allows it to host a world-renowned Cherry Blossom Festival each spring. Its other collections hold over 11,000 different varieties of plants from all over the world, representing an invaluable cultural and scientific resource. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on its 100th anniversary and for its commitment to education, community service, and environmental stewardship. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. I now yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5758. This measure designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2 Government Center in Fall River, Massachusetts, as the Sergeant Robert Barrett Post Office Building. H.R. 5758 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts, Representative Barney Frank, on July 15, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on July 28, 2010, and enjoys the support of the entire Massachusetts delegation to the House. Sergeant Robert Barrett was a member of the 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment of Fall River. He had served as a commanding officer in his high school's junior ROTC and was head of its honor guard. After graduating, he enlisted in the Army National Guard. He served in the honor guard for a time, including at the inauguration of President Obama, as a member of the Massachusetts National Honor Guard's volunteer regiment. Sergeant Barrett was stationed as a part of a 15-member embedded training team training an Afghan battalion. While on patrol south of Kabul International Airport, Sergeant Barrett was killed by a suicide bomber in an attack that also injured eight others in his battalion. He was 20 years old. Sergeant Barrett is survived by has parents, Paul and Carlene Barrett; his older sister Rebecca; and his 2-year-old daughter Sophie Alexandra. Mr. Speaker, let us now take time to honor the service of Sergeant Barrett through the passage of H.R. 5758, which will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2 Government Center in Fall River, Massachusetts, in his name. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage of this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 6237, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. I yield myself such time as I may consume. On behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to present H.R. 6237 for consideration. This legislation will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1351 2nd Street in Napa, California, as the Tom Kongsgaard Post Office Building. Introduced by our colleague Representative Mike Thompson of California on September 28, 2010, H.R. 6237 enjoys the support of the entire California House delegation. Born on June 3, 1921, in Everett, Washington, a son of Norweigian immigrants, Judge Thomas Kongsgaard began his longstanding commitment to public service by enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Fighting in the war, Judge Kongsgaard was severely injured, leaving him with a replacement leg. He served in the Pacific theater and at the end of the war was stationed at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Judge Kongsgaard began his judicial career as a Napa Superior Court judge, 9 years after receiving his law degree from Stanford University. He served from 1958 to 1984, missing just 1 day of work in his 26 years. Reflecting on his immigrant roots, he was always especially proud to preside at naturalization ceremonies. Being an avid student of political history and American culture, Judge Kongsgaard organized the Halls of History project inside the courthouse that recounts Napa County's history in words and photographs. That courthouse was dubbed ``Kongsgaard Square'' by the Board of Supervisors in 1984. A bronze plaque cemented to a basalt boulder that sits in a rose garden on the south side of the courthouse takes note of the jurist's distinguished career. It reads: ``The Board of Supervisors names this block Kongsgaard Square as a token of esteem for his noble services to the citizens of Napa County.'' After retiring, Judge Kongsgaard continued his judicial career as a visiting judge. In 1991, he was appointed by the California Supreme Court to be one of three special masters who recommended a reapportionment plan for the legislature and California Representatives to Congress after the 1990 census. Although retired, he worked with Judicial Arbitration Mediation Services until the day before he was hospitalized with complications from treatment of leukemia. Regrettably, Judge Kongsgaard died on June 25, 2001, at the age of 80. He is survived by his daughters, Mary and Martha; son, John; and seven grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, let us honor Judge Thomas Kongsgaard for serving both his country and his community through the passage of this bill to designate the 2nd Street post office in Napa in his honor. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 6237. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman as well, and again I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.