Ed Towns

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. When I think about the Hollywood Walk of Fame, I think about the man who signed the Martin Luther King Holiday bill by the name of Ronald Reagan. He's on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I just want the gentleman to know that.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. I would like to thank the gentlewoman from California, the subcommittee chair, for yielding time to me. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill, H.R. 2142, and I also would like to thank Congressman Cuellar for his hard work in making this a reality today and Congressman Platts who has worked on this for many, many years. And of course I would like to thank Congressman Issa who is the ranking member of the committee. We went through consultation, and of course we worked it out, and now we are able to come to this important part and to be able to move this legislation forward, which I think is an excellent bill. And of course the dialogue made it even stronger. I appreciate the commitment and determination of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cuellar) for advancing this bill and his willingness to work with me, the ranking member of the Oversight Committee, Mr. Issa, and other members of the committee to make this bill stronger and to make certain that we are here today saying that this bill truly will make a difference. A number of changes were made to this bill during the committee process to address concerns raised by Republican and Democrat members on the committee as well as the Office of Management and Budget and the Government Accountability Office. H.R. 2142 would improve the efficiency of the Federal Government by requiring each agency to identify ambitious goals and perform frequent performance evaluations. The bill improves the transparency of the performance management process by requiring the results of performance assessments to be made publicly available. The bill provides greater accountability by requiring agencies to consider input from Congress and members of the public and by requiring the Government Accountability Office to perform frequent and detailed evaluations of the agency implementation. There are a few misconceptions about this bill. Let me just sort of talk to that for a moment. The first misconception is that this bill costs too much money. The truth is that the bill will save the government money. And I want to repeat that: it will save the government money, not cost more money. CBO says that implementing this legislation ``could lead to more effective management of agencies at lower cost.'' So we would be doing a lot for even other agencies. This bill will make the government more cost effective because it requires agencies to evaluate their performance. This will allow agencies to identify waste and inefficiency and to change what isn't working. This is what successful corporations do regularly, and this is what the government should do as well. This bill requires agencies to create new positions. And on that note, being that I do not have time to yield back, I will say to the gentleman from Texas and the gentleman from Pennsylvania, thank you for this outstanding piece of legislation.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Doris Turner Keys, a union leader who has demonstrated dedication to improving the lives of others. Doris Turner Keys has been a member of District 1199, National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), AFL-CIO for more than thirty years. She was a leader in the historic 1959 hospital workers strike which launched the union, and she joined the union staff as an organizer in 1960. She rose through the ranks, quickly becoming Vice President, Area Director. She became Executive Vice President in 1967 and served in that position for 15 years. In May 1982, she was elected President of District 1199, and was re- elected in 1984. As a founding member and principal organizer she served as Secretary, and as an officer of the State AFL-CIO, and was the only African American woman and one of two women of the AFL-CIO to serve at that time. Mrs. Keys served as a trustee of the union's Training and Upgrading program which provides over $1 million dollars annually to 1199 members seeking upward mobility. She was a leader in the struggle to improve union services for members and their families, especially children and retirees, and was instrumental in expanding the union's civic, social, cultural, and political programs. She has dedicated herself to national, local and community endeavors. Mrs. Keys was a New York State delegate to the National Women Founding Conference in Houston, Texas in 1975 and served as a New York City Commissioner of Human Rights for six years. She was also a member of the Committee International Year of the Woman and a Trustee of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Changes. She served as a delegate representing Westchester County at a Democratic Convention. Mrs. Keys has served on the New York State Hospital Review and Planning Council as well as many other health and labor related organizations. Mrs. Keys has been honored by the NAACP, the NYC Council AFL-CIO, the Urban League, and the African Peoples Christian Organization, among others. She is the recipient of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Sojourner Truth Loyalty Award, New York State 33rd Assembly District's Service and Humanitarian Award, and the Letha Loggins Bradford Memorial Foundations' Woman of the Year Award. She has been recognized for her role in raising money for AIDS research and treatment. She has also been listed in ``Who's Who in Black America'' and Who's Who in the Labor Movement''. Mrs. Keys makes her home in Mount Vernon, New York and she and her family are active members of the Bethesda Baptist Church of New Rochelle. For more than 12 years, she was the cook in the church's soup kitchen, Lad's Lunch, which fed approximately 100 men, women and children each week. She is married to Willie D. Keys and is the mother of 2 daughters. She has 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Her extended family includes several sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and cousins. However, she says she is most of all a child of the King. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the achievements of Doris Turner Keys.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss a very important matter--job creation. As I have previously mentioned, we have seen a lot of progress this year. Our economy has created over 500,000 new jobs in 2010 alone. The newest jobs numbers indicate that over 419,000 jobs were created last month. As a country we are getting stronger and stronger. While these are great statistics, we still have a long way to go. Only 41,000 of these jobs were created in the private sector. Many of the remaining jobs are temporary census positions. While temporary work is better than no work, our economy and my constituents need and demand permanent job creation. Some of this can certainly be government jobs, but our economy thrives on job creation and development from the private sector. From the mom and pop shop in Brooklyn to the company that hires by the thousands--each contribute to the economy, to communities, and to families. Congress needs to continue to work together to enact policies that create and encourage job creation. I urge my colleagues both in the House and the Senate to come together on this important goal--jobs.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dr. J. Cameron Thornhill, a doctor whose work has been invaluable to the Brooklyn community. Dr. J. Cameron Thornhill was born August 28, 1909, in Christ Church, Barbados, West Indies, and will celebrate his 101st birthday on August 28, 2010. Dr. Thornhill graduated from Boys High Evening School in Brooklyn in 1934. He attended Lincoln University in Pennsylvania from 1936-1940, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts. He attended Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, from 1940 to 1944, where he was awarded his Medical Doctor degree. Between 1944 and 1946, Dr. Thornhill did an internship and residency at Kansas City, Missouri, General Hospital Number Two. He started a medical practice in 1946 in Brooklyn, NY. From 1950 to 1952, he served as a medical officer, Captain, in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. Between 1953 and 1957, Dr. Thornhill performed various surgical residencies at Bethel Hospital, now known as Brookdale Hospital, in Brooklyn, New York; Veterans Hospital of East Orange, New Jersey; and Harlem Hospital, New York City, where he remained on staff for over 15 years. From 1958 to 1996, he opened and operated a surgical family practice in Brooklyn, while working at St. John's Hospital, which is now Interfaith Hospital, and Lefferts General Hospital of Brooklyn, New York. He served the Brooklyn community for over 40 years before fully retiring at the age of 84 from the New York State Workers Compensation Board as a Medical Examiner. Dr. Thornhill is an emeritus member of the Kings County Medical Society, National Medical Association, and the American Medical Association. He has been honored by the Provident Clinical Society of Brooklyn, New York and most recently received special recognition at the 2009 National Medical Association Convention. Dr. Thornhill and his wife, Mercedes Murray, were married on April 3, 1947. They have four children: J. Cameron Thornhill Jr., Dr. Monica Thornhill-Joynes, MD, Dr. D. Blair Thornhill, MD, and Ms. Donna Thornhill. His eldest child Cameron, Jr., predeceased him in 2008. He is the proud grandfather of five grandchildren and the proud great grandfather of two great grandchildren. His brother Cleveland Thornhill is 97 years old, and his sister Gladys Minnette Powell passed away on August 21, 2009, at the age of 98. Dr. Thornhill loves the outdoors and has vacationed at Chenango Valley State Park in upstate New York every year with family and friends since 1955. He is an avid handball and paddle ball player and played the game until the age of 98. He enjoys golf and bridge. Additionally, Dr. Thornhill is an avid traveler and has visited several nations in Africa and walked the Great Wall of China in his 90's. He has visited many Caribbean countries on numerous trips, including Cuba and Panama. He has been attending Siloam Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, New York for more than 50 years. Dr. Thornhill is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. He is a tenacious motivator who continues to avidly inspire the pursuit of education to his family members and the community at large. Dr. Thornhill is a pillar of his community and has always been a loving and giving person to his family, friends and community. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the contributions of Dr. J. Cameron Thornhill.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dr. Ramesh S. Gulrajani. Dr. Gulrajani graduated from the University of Bombay, India in 1975 close to the top of his class. Shortly thereafter he began his Internal Medicine training at the Brooklyn Cumberland Medical Center where he also completed a fellowship in pulmonary medicine. He is board certified in internal medicine and pulmonary medicine and has been in private practice in those fields at the Brooklyn Hospital Center since 1981. In 1984, Dr. Gulrajani was appointed Director of the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) and was subsequently promoted to Chief of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Vice Chairman, and then Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine. Culminating his academic carrier at the Brooklyn Hospital Center, he was appointed Associate Chief Medical Officer in 2007. He is currently an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Over the years, he has been responsible for training numerous medical students, medical residents, and pulmonary fellows. He has also co- authored a number of articles in scientific journals, a chapter in a pulmonary medicine text, and has been a speaker at national medical meetings. Dr. Gulrajani has received numerous awards over the years from the Brooklyn Hospital Center including the Annual Social Service Award, Nurses Recognition Award, the annual award from the professional staff of the Brooklyn Hospital Center for Dedication and Distinguished Service, as well as the Distinguished Pulmonary Medicine Award from the American Lung Association. He was inducted to the ``wall of fame'' by the American Lung Association and named as one of the ``Top Doctors in New York'' by Castle, Connolly Medical Guide and by New York Magazine, as one of America's Top Doctors by Consumer Research Council of America, and as a Premier Provider of Quality and Efficient Care by United Health Care, among other honors. In his spare time, Dr. Gulrajani is also actively involved in community service in Brooklyn and in India. Dr. Gulrajani's daughter, Samara, works at the New York Methodist Hospital and his son Avinash is a Fellow in Cardiology at Montefiore Medical Center. It is clear that the apple does not fall far from the tree! He likes best to spend his leisure time with his family and friends in New York and to take ``crazy vacations'' like rock climbing and white water rafting. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Dr. Ramesh Gulrajani for his contributions to the medical field.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I am very concerned about the safety and security of the 3,400 members of the main Iranian opposition who are residing in Camp Ashraf, Iraq. The United States Government signed an agreement with each and every individual in that Camp to protect them against potential attacks and mistreatment from Iran or its proxies in Iraq. In return for that promise to protect them, residents of Camp Ashraf voluntarily turned over all their weapons in 2003 to the our military. U.S. Military Forces took on full protection of the camp in 2003, and continued to closely monitor it from their base in FOB Grizzly in Ashraf, beginning in 2009. I am concerned for their continued safety as the United States prepares to rapidly leave Iraq. America has a moral and legal obligation towards the residents of Camp Ashraf. They are vulnerable to persecution by Tehran's proxies. In addition, many family members of Camp Ashraf residents have been sentenced to death in recent weeks in Iran. I have met with many family members of Camp Ashraf who live in the United States, including in New York State, and they are very committed and dedicated individuals who seek not aid but only the safety and security of their loved ones. Many of the Camp Ashraf residents spent years in Iranian prisons and underwent torture and mistreatment by Tehran's henchmen before they managed to leave Iran and take up residence in Camp Ashraf. Many student leaders, academics, teachers, and intellectuals who were threatened with arrest and execution by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and Ministry of Intelligence made their way to Camp Ashraf. They are a major source of encouragement for the democracy movement in Iran. Given the current instability in Iraq, and given the fact that the Maliki Government has stated that it intends to forcibly displace and/ or expel the Camp residents, which would certainly lead to further bloodshed, I believe we should be doubly alert about the safety and security of Camp Ashraf's residents. I want to urge President Obama, and Secretary Clinton to make sure that we live up to our moral obligations. I do not want to see a situation a few months from now, in which we would find ourselves investigating the U.S. role in failing to protect these people.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of this amendment to H.R. 5136. This is a good addition to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 and one that will go a long way toward improving our federal information security posture. This language is nearly identical to H.R. 4900, the Federal Information Security Amendments Act of 2010, which was introduced by Ms. Watson on March 22, 2010. That bill was just ordered favorably reported by tile Committee on Oversight & Government Reform last week by a voice vote. The Federal Information Security Management Act was enacted in 2002 as part of the E-Government Act. FISMA requires federal agencies to assess the state of their information security management each year by conducting periodic risk assessments, categorizing risk, maintaining a detailed inventory of all information systems, and training employees in security awareness. While FISMA has been an effective tool in improving information security, GAO continues to report persistent weaknesses that this legislation is intended to address. Cyber threats and attacks against information systems have continued to grow in both volume and intensity in recent years. In 2009 the U.S. electrical grid was reportedly infiltrated by hackers and denial of service attacks brought down the websites of a number of federal agencies including the Department of State, the Secret Service and the Federal Trade Commission. Cyber attacks are escalating quickly and we must do more to defend the Federal government against them. This amendment represents an important step toward remedying the problem. It codifies multiple policy recommendations made by the Obama administration, public-private sector working groups and GAO for fixing information security deficiencies throughout the federal government. Among other things, it would permanently elevate the significance of cyber security to the executive level by establishing a National Office for Cyberspace, with a director to be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. This amendment also requires agencies to begin automated and continuous monitoring of their information technology systems, a requirement that the Obama administration issued guidance on in April. It also includes provisions codifying the position of chief technology officer and establishing a national strategy to engage with the international community on information security. In closing, I want to take the time to acknowledge two of my colleagues from California. First, I want to thank Ms. Watson, for introducing H.R. 4900 and offering this amendment. Second, I thank Mr. Issa for working with us in a bipartisan manner to improve this amendment and move it forward in the legislative process. This is a good amendment and I strongly urge the rest of my colleagues to join me in supporting it.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Chair, as Chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I support the amendment offered by Ms. Eshoo because it will strengthen government accountability and enhance critical oversight of the intelligence community. The amendment provides necessary clarification regarding the authority of the General Accountability Office, GAO, to receive information from the intelligence community. Congress relies on the GAO as a force multiplier in carrying out the investigative and oversight functions vested in the Legislative Branch. The GAO helps inform the Congress and all Executive agencies about areas and programs within the federal government that are performing well, and those that need to be improved or are vulnerable to waste, fraud, and abuse. This amendment will allow GAO to carry out these vital functions without unwarranted interference from intelligence community agencies. As Acting Comptroller General Gene Dodaro previously noted, this authority does not represent an overhaul of existing oversight mechanisms for the intelligence community. Instead, ``The proposed legislative provisions in essence reaffirm GAO's existing authority in order to address the lack of cooperation GAO has received from certain elements of the IC [intelligence community] in carrying out work at the specific request of the intelligence committees, and other committees of jurisdiction as defined by the rules of the Senate and House.'' The intelligence community will function more effectively, and better protect the security of this country if this amendment is adopted. Despite my strong support for the amendment and its important goals, I should note my concern with the way in which the amendment is drafted. This provision should clearly identify the authority of any committee of Congress with jurisdiction over the identified subject to request evaluation or analysis of an intelligence community component, not only the congressional intelligence committees, except in the case of matters concerning intelligence sources and methods. I thank Ms. Eshoo and the other sponsors of this important amendment for bringing it before the House, and I urge all Members to support it.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my thoughts on a matter of deep concern to me, small business job creation. We have seen a lot of progress this year. Our economy has created over 500,000 jobs in 2010 alone. Last month, 290,000 jobs were created, with 231,000 of them in the private sector, the largest number of new jobs created in the last 4 years. While these are great statistics, we still have a long, long way to go. It will take time to recover the 8 million jobs lost over the course of this recession. One positive thing that Congress could do to support jobs is to do all that we can to support small businesses. With two out of every three new jobs created by small businesses, they are the driving force of our economy. Unfortunately, they have also been the hardest hit by the recession, having lost over 2.4 million jobs. As President Obama indicated in his meeting with the small business leaders, this is the Nation where anyone with a good idea and the will to work hard can succeed, and I agree with President Obama. New York City is no stranger to good ideas, hard work, or small businesses. The city is home to over 200,000 small businesses which create hundreds of thousands of jobs, provide valuable goods and services, and help drive our local economy. While the government can't get small businesses through all of the tough times, it can remove barriers that prevent businesses from growing and being able to succeed. We must do all that we can to support the work of the countless entrepreneurs that sustain our economy. I encourage my colleagues in the House and in the Senate to work together to enact policies that will support small business job creation. We must work to eliminate these barriers and to permit people to be able to expand their businesses and to be able to create jobs. We need to make certain that folks have an opportunity to work. We have people that have gone to college and are coming out with degrees and still cannot find a job. I think the time has come when the Congress must come together and create jobs and job opportunities for these young people in particular that want to work but are being denied the opportunity because they lack a job.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pass on my condolences to the Knight family, Clarence Knight, whom I met in 1952, a very active member in the community, has worked hard with the tenant association, worked hard with the alumni association, a person who was always anxious and willing to help others. Mr. Knight passed away yesterday; and, of course, he's going to be missed. So let me say to the family, Pat, Renee, and of course Scrappy and to all the family members that you have my deepest sympathy and, of course, if there's anything that we can do, we will be delighted to be there for you.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5051) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 23 Genesee Street in Hornell, New York, as the ``Zachary Smith Post Office Building''.

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

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, it is with a heavy heart that I present H.R. 5051 for consideration. This measure designates the United States postal building located at 23 Genesee Street in Hornell, New York, as the ``Zachary Smith Post Office Building.'' On January 24, 2010, while on patrol in southern Afghanistan, Lance Corporal Zachary Smith, a marine with the 2nd Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. He had been awarded a Purple Heart by President Obama for his selfless service. Zachary Smith was born on April 2, 1990, to his parents, Christopher and Kim Smith, in Hornell, New York, where he lived along with his brother and sister, Nathaniel and Grace Smith. Zach attended Hornell High School and graduated in 2008. Fulfilling his lifelong dream, Zachary enlisted in the Marines while still in high school. After graduation, Zach left for basic training, but not before marrying his high school sweetheart, Anne Deebs. They were wed on July 25, 2009, and Zach completed boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, before going on to graduate from the Marine Corps School of Infantry. Described as a gifted athlete by friends, Zach was on the Hornell High School football and golf teams throughout his 4 years of high school. He was a member of Twin Hickory Golf Club and also Hornell Golf Club. He enjoyed watching sporting events and especially liked to root for the New York Giants, the New York Yankees, and the Syracuse Orangemen. He was also a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann's Church. Those who knew him say he was a genuine, humorous, and outgoing young man who enthusiastically embraced life. He always cared more for others than he did for himself and would go out of his way to help anyone who needed his help. The world would be a better place if it had more young men like Zach. His service to his country is an example we all should follow, and we owe him a debt of gratitude for his service and his sacrifice. Please join me in honoring Zach's memory by supporting this bill. The people of Hornell will be reminded of Zach's courage and valor every day as they pass by the post office building named in his honor. H.R. 5051 was introduced by the gentleman from New York, Representative Joseph Crowley, on April 15, 2010. The measure was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported by unanimous consent on May 6, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of the entire New York State delegation. I thank the gentleman for introducing this bill, and I'm sure that it means a great deal to Lance Corporal Smith's family and his friends. I also thank the gentleman from California, Congressman Issa, and all the members of the committee, especially, that worked to make this a reality and, of course, Mr. Issa for his support in bringing this measure to the floor today as well. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for this measure honoring a fallen soldier who gave his life for his country. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, on that note, I would say to my colleagues that I think this is a very honorable thing to do, and I think we all should applaud Mr. Smith and the Smith family for his outstanding service.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1294) expressing support for designation of the first Saturday in May as National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day to honor those who are serving and have served in the noble and self- sacrificing profession of Explosive Ordnance Disposal in the United States Armed Forces.

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

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H. Res. 1294, a resolution supporting the designation of a National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day in honor of the selfless service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States armed services who risk their lives every day as explosive ordnance disposal experts. Explosive ordnance removal has always been a profession fraught with exceptional danger and emotional stress. My colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), knows this firsthand from his time as a bomb disposal technician in the United States Army. Now, as the United States Military is engaged in two unconventional wars, our explosive ordnance disposal teams are under pressure as never before. They must respond on a daily basis to roadside bombs and land mines that threaten our troops. It is their nerves of steel and high level of technical expertise that keep their comrades safe during ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. These brave men and women deserve a day of honor and remembrance for the difficult tasks we ask them to carry out in the service of their country. Wherever they may be--patrolling the ring road of Afghanistan or disarming an IED in the streets of Baghdad--they are in our thoughts and in our prayers. This resolution was introduced by our colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida, Representative Ginny Brown-Waite, on April 22, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which reported the measure by unanimous consent on May 6, 2010. This measure enjoys the support of 60 Members of the House. I thank the gentlewoman for introducing this bill, and I thank the ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Mr. Issa, of course, and his staff, for their help in bringing this bill to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to honor the brave men and women working as explosive ordnance disposal technicians by supporting this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure, and of course, on that note, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 268) supporting the goals and ideals of National Women's Health Week, and for other purposes.

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

Mr. TOWNS. I now yield myself as much time as I might consume. I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 268, recognizing National Women's Health Week. This week marks the 11th annual Women's Health Week, a weeklong observation of women's health issues. It is a great opportunity for us to discuss and promote research on the benefits of healthy habits, including regular exercise, a nutritious diet, and regular checkups and screenings. I'm heartened that the Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health takes time every year to coordinate the efforts of national and community organizations to promote healthy choices and educate all Americans on female health issues. I thank them for all of their hard work. As the resolution notes, it is imperative to educate women and girls about issues that may impact their health, as they may face unique health risks at any age. Further, the resolution notes that significant disparities exist in the prevalence of disease among women of different backgrounds, including women with disabilities, African American women, Asian Pacific Islander women, Latinas, and American Indian and Alaskan Native women. In order to empower all women to take the necessary measures to be as healthy as possible, we must work to promote health education, research, and healthy lifestyles. On that note, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOWNS. H. Con. Res. 268 was introduced by my colleague, the gentleman from New York, Representative Maurice Hinchey, on April 27, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which reported it favorably by unanimous consent on May 6, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of over 50. I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey) for introducing this measure, and I hope we can all stand behind it. I also would like to thank the gentleman from California, Congressman Issa, and all the staff who worked to make this a reality. I encourage my colleagues to vote for this measure.