Peter Welch

Mr. WELCH of Vermont

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the work of my colleague, Mr. Westmoreland, the remarks of my colleagues, Mr. Duncan from Tennessee and Mr. Dent from Pennsylvania, and urge passage.

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I reserve my time.

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H. Con. Res. 165, which supports the goals and ideals of National Teen Driver Safety Week. This resolution, which has 55 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Charles Dent on June 6, 2007. The resolution was reported from the Oversight Committee on July 19, 2007, by a voice vote. Madam Speaker, road crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers. These crashes are more common among young drivers than among any other age group, with one in four crash fatalities in the United States involving young people from the ages of 16 to 24. The first 6 months after a teenager receives his or her license, he or she is especially at high risk of being in a car accident. Unfortunately, this risk stays relatively high until the young driver reaches 25. In an effort to improve road safety and reduce crashes among young people, the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the State Farm Insurance Company codeveloped a multiyear teen center research initiative to help young drivers develop safe, smart driving behaviors and skills. Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague Mr. Dent from Pennsylvania for seeking to support the goals and ideals of National Teen Driver Safety Week, and I urge the swift passage of this bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 165) supporting the goals and ideals of National Teen Driver Safety Week.

Mr. WELCH of Vermont

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. On June 26, 2007, a storm system lasting several days was responsible for bringing heavy and torrential rainfall to eastern Kansas. The affected communities received up to 21 inches of rain within a 4-day period, resulting in devastating floods throughout the region. The flooding forced at least 20 counties to evacuate and led to the destruction of more than 3,100 homes and businesses. It caused a petroleum refinery tank system to overflow into the Verdigris River, releasing an estimated 71,000 gallons of crude oil into the Coffeyville community and surrounding area. This resolution expresses heartfelt sympathy for the victims of the devastating thunderstorms that caused flooding in eastern Kansas. Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Todd Tiahrt, for introducing this legislation and urge the swift passage of this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 544) expressing the sympathy and pledging the support of the House of Representatives and the people of the United States for the victims of the devastating thunderstorms that caused severe flooding in 20 counties in eastern Kansas beginning on June 26, 2007.

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Tiahrt) and the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran) and my colleague Mr. Westmoreland and urge the passage of this resolution.

Mr. WELCH of Vermont

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers on my side, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I yield 5\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H. Res. 554. This supports the goals and ideals of National Passport Month. H. Res. 554, with 55 co- sponsors, was introduced by Representative Barbara Lee on July 27, 2007. It was reported from the Oversight Committee on August 1, 2007, by a voice vote. Madam Speaker, the creation and support of a National Passport Month signals to Americans the important role they can play as ambassadors for the United States by serving as agents of understanding, tolerance and mutual respect to citizens of other countries. The use of a passport and the desire to travel to other nations will bring personal enjoyment, enrichment and interest for both traveler and host, yet less than 25 percent of Americans have passports, thereby eliminating their ability to travel outside the United States. The passport and traveling abroad will create a connection with the global community and support goodwill throughout the world. Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Barbara Lee from California, for supporting the goals and ideals of National Passport Month, and I support and urge the swift passage of this bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore: Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Vermont?

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 554) supporting the goals and ideals of National Passport Month.

Mr. WELCH of Vermont

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I yield back my time.

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

Mr. WELCH of Vermont

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam 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.R. 3106. This names a postal facility in Ferdinand, Indiana after David L. Nord. H.R. 3106, introduced by Representative Baron Hill on July 19, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on August 1, 2007, by voice vote. This measure, cosponsored by eight Members, has the support of the entire Indiana congressional delegation. Madam Speaker, Staff Sergeant David Nord was killed on June 23, 1969, in Bing Long, South Vietnam. He was assigned to 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Camp Blackhorse, Vietnam as a scout section leader. Staff Sergeant Nord was awarded the Bronze Star, along with several other awards for his bravery and sacrifice to his country. Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Baron Hill, for introducing this legislation, and urge the swift passage of this bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3106) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 805 Main Street in Ferdinand, Indiana, as the ``Staff Sergeant David L. Nord Post Office''.

Mr. WELCH of Vermont

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

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 954.

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the bill (H.R. 954) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 365 West 125th Street in New York, New York, as the ``Percy Sutton Post Office Building''.