Eleanor Norton

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove from the Record an idiomatic expression that apparently was misunderstood. I never called the gentleman dishonest. I want to strike the words ``lie in his mouth,'' which is an idiomatic expression that means the gentleman has no business saying what he said. But if it is construed to mean that I'm calling him a liar, then I would certainly ask that that be stricken from the Record. Indeed, my comments were begun with words about civility here, so I certainly did not intend to call the gentleman dishonest or a liar.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. On behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, it is my privilege to rise in support of H. Res. 1513. This measure congratulates the Saratoga Race Course on its 142nd season. H. Res. 1513 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from New York, Representative Scott Murphy, on July 13, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it favorably by unanimous consent on July 15, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of 60 Members of the House. The Saratoga Race Course was opened August 3, 1863, and it is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. The course is a top destination for tourists from all over the country and from all over the world. It now receives over 1 million visitors each year and supports thousands of jobs in Saratoga Springs and the surrounding communities. Mr. Speaker, this venerable race course is one of the world's greatest sporting venues. It has continued many of its original traditions since its founding and has contributed to the town of Saratoga receiving the First Great American Place award from the American Heritage Magazine in 1997. Let us now take the time to congratulate this historic race course on its 142nd season through the passage of this measure. I urge my colleagues to support it. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Does the gentleman yield back or does he want to keep this going? I just want to say to the gentleman, it has been pointed out to me that the gentleman cosponsored a resolution, H. Res. 942, commending the Real Salt Lake Soccer Club for winning the 2009 Major League Soccer Cup. * * *

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I accept the gentleman's change on how he thinks these matters ought to be considered. I certainly don't think we ought to take it out on the Member from Saratoga, and I ask that we approve the resolution that was before us commemorating the 142nd anniversary of the Saratoga Race Course. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Well, I appreciate that the gentleman is withdrawing his objection, and I appreciate that he understood. He knows me well. He is the ranking member of one of my committees. He knows that I do not engage in pointless, uncivil remarks. Indeed, the whole import of my objection to the issues with the gentleman's resolution from Saratoga was I wanted to make sure everybody understood that we ought to respect one another, and I certainly respect the gentleman and certainly would not have meant otherwise through my remarks. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I did not hear the gentleman rise to voice the same opposition to a resolution that will be voted on in the next series of resolutions by a Member from his side of the aisle, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina; and it says congratulating the University of South Carolina Gamecocks on winning the 2010 NCAA Division. If you're going to rise because you think some bill shouldn't be on the floor, then you ought to rise all the time. As for what we should be devoting our time to, both sides of the aisle give time to resolutions requested by their constituents, and we give equal time. That doesn't mean we don't give time to very important matters, and we have given very significant time to very important matters this session, which is why it is considered one of the most historic sessions of the Congress of the United States. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko).

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to respond, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. If I had a dime for every trivial bill the minority has put on this floor, I could retire as a rich woman. This is not a trivial bill. This is the oldest racing course in the United States, a historic racing course that has been so recognized by the American Heritage Foundation. It ill-behooves the other side to trivialize a bill by a Member of this proportion. I know that my good friend on the other side would not like me to go through and call the roll on bills that would make us laugh. Nobody can think that this bill commemorating the oldest sporting venue in the United States would make us laugh. It ill-behooves us not to respect the bills each side puts up, particularly since the minority gets to put up an equal number of such bills that have been requested by their constituents, and we all ought to at least grant one another that privilege without demeaning it. I'm pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Murphy), who proudly sponsored the bill before us today, and I commend him for doing so.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 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. 1513) congratulating the Saratoga Race Course as it celebrates its 142nd season, as amended.

Ms. NORTON

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

Ms. NORTON. May I commend the gentleman from Michigan for his honor to his mother, whom I'm sure would be particularly proud of him as he should be proud of what we do today in her name. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, 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. 5341 for consideration. This measure designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Orndorf Drive in Brighton, Michigan, as the Joyce Rogers Post Office Building. H.R. 5341 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. John Dingell, on May 19, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which waived consideration of the measure to expedite its consideration to the floor today. It enjoys the support of the entire Michigan delegation to the House. Joyce A. Rogers was born March 16, 1931, in Birmingham, Alabama, and passed away at her Brighton, Michigan, home on November 4, 2009, at the age of 78. Joyce Rogers was married to John Rogers for 57 years, and was the mother of five sons, including Michigan State Representative Bill Rogers, Major General James Rogers of the United States, and Congressman Mike Rogers. Beyond her devotion to her family, Joyce Rogers was also a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly to improve the Brighton community, serving an integral role in the economic development of the Brighton business community during the 1980s and 1990s. She was an active member of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners from 1985 to 1992, and completed her public service career as executive director of the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce. Through her efforts, Brighton was able to transform into a thriving business community, attracting new residents and customers to the area. She is especially remembered as a tireless advocate for small businesses and a mentor to many women in the Brighton business community. In closing, she has left a lasting impression on the Brighton community as well as a legacy which demonstrates the importance of public service. I therefore urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5341) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Orndorf Drive in Brighton, Michigan, as the ``Joyce Rogers Post Office Building''.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

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

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Almost 10 years ago this House approved a bill to revitalize the Southeast Waterfront. The Southeast Federal Center is now being reinvigorated just down the street from the Southwest Waterfront. It is now called The Yards. I very much appreciate that this House understood that it was far better for the Southeast Waterfront, owned by the Federal Government, to be revitalized than to lie fallow. And already, it is blossoming and blooming. But the Southwest Waterfront has been awaiting concurrent action, not by this House, and not at the expense of the Federal Government, but by the District of Columbia. This action, the action of the House today, should this bill be passed, will allow the District of Columbia to move forward on a multi- use development of the Southwest Waterfront, to which tourists and international visitors are always welcome, and will be even more welcome because it will be fit. It will be a fit place to come and see.

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise to support H.R. 5545. This noncontroversial bill will allow development of the Southwest Waterfront in the District of Columbia. This bill will benefit not only residents here, but also regional residents and U.S. and international visitors by permitting the District to extend docks and increase maritime activity just a short eyeshot from the U.S. Capitol building. In order for the District to make these improvements, the Federal Government must redesignate part of the water designated by the Federal Government as the Washington Channel so that more and larger docks can be built by the District to accommodate increased boating and waterside activity. The original width of the Washington Channel was established in the early 1800s to accommodate industrial and maritime commerce at the Southwest Waterfront prior to the construction of East Potomac Park. Today, however, the Southwest Waterfront is no longer a major port, and does not accommodate large vessels. In fact, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have agreed that this redesignation will not affect navigation interests or adversely affect navigation safety. I ask Members to support this noncontroversial change that will reinvigorate the Southwest Waterfront for the city, region, and visitors alike to enjoy. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Madam 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 H.R. 5545.

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5545) to deauthorize a portion of the project for navigation, Potomac River, Washington Channel, District of Columbia, under the jurisdiction of the Corps of Engineers.

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

Ms. NORTON

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

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the sponsor of the bill, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown).

Ms. NORTON. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 5266 and ask for the support of the House. It is a bill to reauthorize the National Commission on Children and Disasters, sponsored by my colleague from Florida, Representative Corrine Brown. The National Commission on Children and Disasters was created as a result of the indelible lessons of Hurricane Katrina and as a result of the effects that disaster had on children. The commission was authorized by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in the Kids in Disasters Well Being Act of 2007, which was also sponsored by Chairwoman Brown. The commission's work has been well received, and many of its recommendations have been implemented, especially those related to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. I was pleased to chair a hearing of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management that received testimony from Mark Shriver, the chair of the commission, on its interim report when it was issued last October. The commission just issued a progress report on May 11, and I recently had a talk with Chairman Shriver about that report. While FEMA has made good progress on many of the recommendations, other agencies have not; and, therefore, the commission's work remains incomplete. The subcommittee will continue to work with the commission on the implementation of its recommendations. H.R. 5266, the National Commission on Children and Disasters Act of 2010, reauthorizes the commission by extending the deadline for its final report until December 31, 2012, and requires annual interim reports from the commission. The commission will sunset 180 days after the date of its final report. H.R. 5266 authorizes appropriations of $1.5 million in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 and $1 million in fiscal year 2013, the final year of the commission. The bill also rectifies a problem the commission experienced at the outset when it took nearly 5 months for all of the members of the commission to be appointed. The bill requires vacancies to be filled in 90 days, which should help minimize any delays in the commission's work in the event of a vacancy. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5266, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 5266.

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5266) to extend the final report deadline and otherwise reauthorize the National Commission on Children and Disasters.