Eleanor Norton

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

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. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of the legislation, my colleague from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank).

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 ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3567) to designate 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''.

Ms. NORTON

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. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield time to the sponsor of the bill, our colleague, Representative Yvette Clarke, for such time as she may consume.

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

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

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as she may consume to our colleague from Ohio, the sponsor of the bill, Representative Betty Sutton.

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. 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

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

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. 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. 6387 for consideration. This legislation will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 337 West Clark Street in Eureka, California, as the Sam Sacco Post Office Building. Introduced by our colleague, Representative Mike Thompson of California, on September 29, 2010, H.R. 6387 enjoys the support of the entire California House delegation. Born and raised in Susanville, California, Sam Sacco moved to Eureka, California, in 1956 with his wife Mary Beth and four children: Sam, Jr.; Joe, Jim, and Lisa. For the next 30 years, Mr. Sacco dedicated his life to serving his community as a local business owner and public official. As a longtime owner of a Farmers Insurance agency in Eureka, Mr. Sacco also attended to the needs of local families with a warmth and generosity that will not be forgotten. In addition, in 1974, Mr. Sacco was afforded the opportunity to further serve the city of Eureka upon his election as mayor. Throughout his mayoral tenure, which began in 1975 and ended in 1979, Mr. Sacco devoted his attention to advocacy on behalf of the city's working families. Notably, for example, Mr. Sacco worked tirelessly to safeguard the interests of hundreds of local timber industry workers during the expansion of Redwood National Park. Mr. Speaker, Sam Sacco is well regarded as a model citizen and a dedicated public servant, whose compassion for his local community was larger than life. The life of Sam Sacco stands as a testament to his public service, and it is our hope that we can honor this remarkable individual through the passage of this legislation to designate the West Clark Street post office in his honor. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 6387. 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, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6387) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 337 West Clark Street in Eureka, California, as the ``Sam Sacco Post Office Building''.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6237) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1351 2nd Street in Napa, California, as the ``Tom Kongsgaard Post Office Building,'' as amended.

Ms. NORTON

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. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce a bill to offer Federal employees supplemental disability insurance at no cost to the Federal Government. My bill will allow Federal employees to collect disability benefits to replace a portion of their income if they become unable to work because of a non-work related injury or illness. While the Federal Government does offer non-work related disability benefits to Federal employees, they do not protect the lost income of employees who become disabled but who have not been employed by the Federal Government for at least 18 months, or 5 years as the case may be, and are disabled for less than 1 year. Under current law, Federal employees hired before 1984 who become disabled for more than 1 year are eligible to collect their Federal employee retirement pension if they have 5 years of creditable civilian service, while Federal employees hired after 1984 who become disabled for 1 year or more cannot collect such benefits unless they have been employed by the Federal Government for 18 months or more. Without the disability insurance option that my bill will offer, a Federal employee who becomes disabled, even for a short time, is at risk of financial ruin. My bill is also significant because, although it will require Federal employees to pay 100% of premiums, the purchasing power of the Federal Government will allow Federal employees to pay lower insurance premiums and will not exclude those with preexisting conditions. A Federal employee can still elect to purchase disability insurance in the private marketplace, but they may face higher premiums or even be denied coverage altogether because of a pre-existing condition. This bill is a much needed supplement to the insurance benefits currently available to Federal employees. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating D.C.'s Different Drummers on their 30th Anniversary of providing music and entertainment for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in Washington, D.C. The marching band began with 9 members in the 1980s, but D.C.'s Different Drummers has grown in membership and is comprised of several marching bands that range from four to 74 players, including the Capitol Pride Symphonic Band, Capitol Pride Winds, DC Swing! big band, DCDD Marching Band, Pep Band, and several other ensembles. D.C.'s Different Drummers are committed to creating fine music and entertainment for the community. Their annual marches in the Capital Pride Parade and the Fourth of July Palisades Parade have received significant local attention over the years, but their march in the Inaugural Parade of President Barack Obama, as part of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association, brought national attention to their excellence as well. The D.C.'s Different Drummers have marched in Pride Parades in Baltimore, Harrisburg, Fredericksburg and Durham, Maryland. The community has benefited as well through their volunteer efforts, such as carrying banners, US/DC flags, and the like at parades. D.C.'s Different Drummers welcome not only non-gay members and non- musicians, but also encompass people of all races, cultures, and backgrounds. They hold open, weekly rehearsals. D.C.'s Different Drummers are truly a community-oriented band with respect for all. I have marched in Pride parades since coming to Congress to emphasize universal human rights and the importance of enacting federal legislation to secure the same rights for the LGBT community enjoyed by others. Congress has much work to do. We must pass the Family Leave Insurance Act, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, the Respect for Marriage Act, the Safe Schools Improvement Act, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, the Tax Equity for Health Plan Beneficiaries Act, the Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act, the Uniting American Families Act, and the Responsible Education About Life Act. This year our Nation's capital joined Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire in extending equal marriage rights to its LGBT residents. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating the D.C.'s Different Drummers on their 30th Anniversary.