Diane Watson

Ms. WATSON

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

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

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I stand in support of H.R. 5787, the Federal Real Property Disposal Enhancement Act, which is a sensible, bipartisan effort to address some of the problems with the current Federal property disposal process. There are three key provisions in this bill. The first allows the General Services Administration to help pay the cost of other agencies' disposal activities. In particular, GSA will be able to help agencies pay costs with regard to properties that have yet to be declared excess. These costs include environmental cleanup, demolition, surveying, and life cycle costing. Another key provision modifies existing law to make clear that when a property has been transferred to a nonprofit organization or a State or local government for a public purpose and that public purpose is no longer being met, the property must revert to the Federal Government, which must dispose of it. The final major provision allows all agencies to retain the proceeds from the sale of Federal surplus properties. These proceeds will be used for disposal activities such as developing and implementing a plan to identify and declare properties excess, appraisals, utilization studies, and life cycle planning. The Office of Management and Budget has stated that allowing agencies to retain the proceeds will provide agencies with the funds necessary to cover upfront costs associated with disposals. This bill does not waive any existing law regarding the screening process and therefore does not affect the access of homeless providers or State and local communities to these properties. I want to commend Representatives Moore and Duncan for introducing this bill. I also want to thank Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Davis for their dedication to this issue for many years. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATSON

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

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1026) recognizing the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Congressional Club.

Ms. WATSON

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 752) to direct Federal agencies to donate excess and surplus Federal electronic equipment, including computers, computer components, printers, and fax machines, to qualifying small towns, counties, schools, nonprofit organizations, and libraries, as amended.

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the sponsor, Mr. Butterfield, for his work on the bill, as well as the various Members that helped to move this bill forward. We also got helpful input from the Committee on Science and Technology. Chairman Waxman and Chairman Gordon exchanged letters regarding committee jurisdiction, and I will include these letters in the Congressional Record. House of Representatives, Committee on Science and Technology, Washington, DC, May 9, 2008. Hon. Henry A. Waxman, Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning the jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Science and Technology in H.R. 752, the Federal Electronic Equipment Donation Act of 2007. The Committee on Science and Technology has jurisdictional interest in this bill based on the Committee's history of jurisdiction over the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Transfer Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-480). The Committee on Science and Technology was the sole House Committee of jurisdiction over the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Transfer Act of 1980 and has maintained jurisdiction over the law ever since. H.R. 752 makes specific mention of the Stevenson- Wydler Technology Transfer Act of 1980 and creates a program with overlapping objectives to those found in that act. The Committee on Science and Technology acknowledges the importance of H.R. 752 and the need for the legislation to move expeditiously. Therefore, while we have a valid claim to jurisdiction over this bill, I agree not to request a sequential referral. This, of course, is conditional on our mutual understanding that nothing in this legislation or my decision to forgo a sequential referral waives, reduces, or otherwise affects the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science and Technology, and that a copy of this letter and of your response will be included in the Congressional Record when the bill is considered on the House Floor. The Committee on Science and Technology also expects that you will support our request to be conferees during any House-Senate conference on this, or any similar legislation. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Bart Gordon, Chairman.

Ms. WATSON

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

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

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H. Res. 1132, which seeks to commemorate the selfless men and women who serve as law enforcement officers around our country. Their service is crucial to the protection of Americans everywhere, and their daily sacrifice is what helps to guarantee our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. H. Res. 1132 was introduced by Ted Poe of Texas on April 22, 2008, and was considered by and reported from the Oversight Committee on May 1, 2008 by voice vote. This legislative measure has the support of over 65 Members of Congress, and its principal purpose is to show our appreciation for the risk that 900,000-plus sworn law enforcement officers face daily in their service to communities throughout the United States. In this past year alone, our country has lost over 180 law enforcement officers in the line of duty, and while just last week many of their fellow officers descended upon our Nation's Capital for National Police Week in remembrance of these fallen heroes, today, we, in the Congress also take a moment to express our gratitude for these courageous Americans by recognizing Peace Officers Memorial Day. Therefore, it is with humble gratitude that we salute and we thank our country's peace officers, as well as remember those officers who gave their life in service and protection of ours. Mr. Speaker, I urge the swift passage of H. Res. 1132 and reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1132) supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Ms. WATSON

Ms. WATSON. We continue to reserve. There's no more speakers, Mr. Speaker.

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

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1153) celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, as amended.

Ms. WATSON. I would like to offer Mr. Faleomavaega another 3 minutes.

Ms. WATSON

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. On behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I rise for the consideration of H. Res. 1152, which pays tribute to Arnold Palmer for both his distinguished golfing career and his dedication to excellence and sportsmanship. H. Res. 1152 was coauthored by Congressman Ferguson of New Jersey and Congressman Baca of California, and is cosponsored by 83 Members of Congress. The bill before us was first introduced on April 24, 2008, and was taken up by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on May 15, 2008, where the measure was amended and then passed by voice vote. A native of Western Pennsylvania, Arnold Palmer is regarded as one of the greatest golfers in the history of the professional sport of golf, winning over 90 PGA tour titles since the mid 1950s, and 62 champion tour wins since 1980. Arnold Palmer became the face of televised golf in America, and even today his talents and accomplishments in the sport of golf continue to set the standard for many, including the greats of today, such as Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh. Nicknamed ``The King,'' Arnold Palmer has demonstrated excellence both on and off of the golf course by establishing the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida, and the Arnold Palmer Pavilion at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Mr. Speaker, in honor of the contributions Mr. Palmer has made to the world of golf and the landscape of America, I urge the adoption of H. Res. 1152. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. WATSON

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

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 334) supporting the goals and objectives of a National Military Appreciation Month, as amended.

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Representing the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I rise to join my colleagues in the consideration of H. Con. Res. 334, as amended, a resolution supporting the goals and objectives of National Military Appreciation Month, which, for the past 10 years, has been recognized in the month of May. Initially created by an act of Congress back in 1999, the National Military Appreciation Month provides each and every one of us an opportunity to acknowledge and honor the heroic men and women who have served and are now serving in our country's Armed Forces. The bill before us was introduced on April 24, 2008, by Congressman Christopher Shays of Connecticut. And while cosponsored by only 60 Members of Congress, I am sure that each and every member of this body stands in support and admiration of the thousands of men and women serving in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform amended and reported the bill favorably by voice vote on May 15, 2008, and today we now have a chance to move the bill one step closer to enactment. Mr. Speaker, let us join with citizens across America in showing our appreciation for the service and sacrifice these brave men and women display in order to provide for the defense and the protection of our great country. In particular, let us show our gratitude to those currently serving abroad in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other pockets of the world, and to the families that stand by and support their loved ones during deployment in times of war. The passage of H. Con. Res. 334 will send a strong message to our troops and veterans that we honor, respect, and appreciate their dedication to the liberties and freedoms we as Americans hold so dear. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the goals and the objectives of National Military Appreciation Month by voting in favor of H. Con. Res. 334. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATSON

Ms. WATSON. 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 stand to join my colleagues in the consideration and support of H. Res. 1144, as amended, which expresses support for the designation of Frank Sinatra Day in honor of the dedication of the Postal Service's Frank Sinatra commemorative stamp. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 1144 was introduced by our colleague, Congressman Jose Serrano of New York, on April 23, 2008, and at the moment the measure enjoys the cosponsorship of nearly 60 Members of Congress. H. Res. 1144 was considered and approved by the Oversight panel on March 13, 2008, by a voice vote, after being amended for technical purposes. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my colleague from New York (Mr. Serrano). (Mr. SERRANO asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from New York for sponsoring the measure at hand, and I would certainly urge passage of this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.