Lynn Westmoreland

Mr. WESTMORELAND

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at noon on Monday next, and further, that when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 2006, for morning hour debate.

Mr. WESTMORELAND

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 4561. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. 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 the bill under consideration.

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4561) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8624 Ferguson Road in Dallas, Texas, as the ``Francisco `Pancho' Medrano Post Office Building''.

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4561, offered by the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson). This bill would designate the postal facility in Dallas, Texas, as the Francisco ``Pancho'' Medrano Post Office Building. Francisco ``Pancho'' Medrano was a driving force in bringing the Hispanic culture into the City of Dallas and working to eliminate discrimination. Medrano was an activist and a hero with Dallas' Hispanic communities and promoted the importance of civic responsibility and political participation. Mr. Medrano is well-known for his years of union and civil rights work with the United Auto Workers. During his years with the UAW, he integrated lunch counters in Dallas, took part in civil rights marches in the Deep South and organized farm workers in the Texas valley. However, his work was not just confined to the UAW. He participated in numerous equality campaigns in Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas. I urge all Members to honor the perseverance of this honorable civil rights leader by passing H.R. 4561. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTMORELAND

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 737) supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month, and for other purposes.

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that always Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 737 offered by the distinguished gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert). This resolution would support the goals and ideals of a Financial Literacy Month. According to the Associated Press, personal bankruptcies have nearly doubled in the past decade, even though modern technological advances have made it easier and more convenient for us to manage our money through online services at most banks and credit unions. Every day, people of all ages face choices that will affect their financial future. It is important that we raise awareness about how these choices will affect financial health. These decisions we make today will affect how we buy houses, finance education, start businesses, save for retirement and meet our everyday needs in the future. More than 42 million people in the United States currently participate in qualified cash or deferred arrangements known as 401(k) plans. A Retirement Confidence Survey conducted in 2002 found that only 32 percent of workers surveyed have calculated how much money they will need to save for retirement, and 25 percent of those workers have not started planning for their retirement at all. The goal of this resolution is to increase the awareness of the significance of thoughtful and well-planned personal financial management so that retirement can be an enjoyable time. It can be an overwhelming time for people of any age to manage money, but learning simple financial principles can help protect you against any financial pitfall that might occur. I ask all Members to join me in supporting House Resolution 737 in the hopes that we can educate young and old about the importance of financial literacy. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of California (Mr. Dreier), the chairman of the powerful Rules Committee. (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the distinguished gentlewoman from the State of Illinois (Mrs. Biggert), the author of the bill.

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 737, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTMORELAND

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne), another great coach that this country has known.

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. 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 the bill under consideration.

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4646) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7320 Reseda Boulevard in Reseda, California, as the ``Coach John Wooden Post Office Building''.

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4646, offered by the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman). This bill would designate the postal facility in Reseda, California, as the Coach John Wooden Post Office Building. John Wooden is often referred to as the most successful coach in college basketball history. At UCLA, Mr. Wooden's team scaled unprecedented heights. The Bruins set all-time records with four perfect 30-0 seasons, 88 consecutive victories, 38 straight NCAA tournament victories, 20 PAC-10 championships, and 10 national championships in which seven of these championship victories were won consecutively. Considered one of the finest teachers the game has ever known, Coach Wooden's approach was centered on conditioning, skill, and teamwork. Coach Wooden's principles both on and off the court dictated his success in creating what is certainly the greatest dynasty in basketball history. I urge all Members to honor this dedicated and inspiring teacher by passing H.R. 4646. And I want to wish Coach Wooden a speedy recovery and a return back to his home. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 4646. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTMORELAND

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4688) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 Boyden Street in Badin, North Carolina, as the ``Mayor John Thompson `Tom' Garrison Memorial Post Office''.

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4688 offered by the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes). This bill would designate the postal facility in Badin, North Carolina, as the ``Mayor John Thompson `Tom' Garrison Memorial Post Office.'' Tom Garrison was born on May 25, 1925. He was educated at Badin High School and completed his postgraduate work at Staunton Military Academy. In September of 1943, Mr. Garrison entered the Army and played an active role in the European Theater of Operations for 22 months. He received a battlefield commission and was decorated with the Silver Star and other honors. After returning home, Mr. Garrison married and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also served stateside in the Korean conflict and retired after 20 years with the North Carolina National Guard. With the conclusion of his military career, Tom Garrison became an active member in his community of Badin, serving as the town's mayor for over 10 years. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church, in which he served in many capacities, as well as being involved in the Rotary Club, the Troop Committee of Boy Scout Troop 82, and a member of the board of the Badin Museum and the Better Badin Committee. I urge all members to come together to honor a man that promoted excellence in government and community by passing H.R. 4688. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of North Carolina (Mr. Hayes).

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 4688. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTMORELAND

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 556) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Methamphetamine Prevention Week should be established to increase awareness of methamphetamine and to educate the public on ways to help prevent the use of that damaging narcotic.

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H. Res. 556 offered by the distinguished gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird). This resolution would recognize the importance of educating people of all ages about the dangers of methamphetamines. Methamphetamines are highly addictive, dangerous stimulants that are sold in powder, pill and capsule forms and can be inhaled, swallowed or injected. The physical effects of methamphetamines use include alertness, euphoria, appetite loss, elevated heart rate, and increased respiration. The most popular form of the drug, referred to as crystal meth, has become increasingly widespread and can result in overdose, causing both stroke and heart failure. While the median age of the habitual meth user is 30 years, the drug is starting to strengthen its hold on younger generations. The number of teenagers who have reported using meth has increased dramatically over the past few years. It is extremely easy for young people to access Internet information outlining recipes and places to obtain ingredients for manufacturing the drug. This legislation would help to increase awareness of this serious epidemic and educate the public about the dangers of meth use. I urge all Members to come together and to commit to the task of educating our youth about the dangers of methamphetamines use by adopting H. Res. 556. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from the great State of Georgia (Mr. Gingrey), my friend and distinguished colleague.