[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 120 (Monday, October 2, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H8558-H8559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THEODORE ROOSEVELT UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5267) to designate the United States courthouse located at 
100 Federal Plaza in Central Islip, New York, as the ``Theodore 
Roosevelt United States Courthouse.''
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 5267

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.

       The United States courthouse located at 100 Federal Plaza 
     in Central Islip, New York, shall be known and designated as 
     the ``Theodore Roosevelt United States Courthouse''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the United States 
     courthouse referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a 
     reference to the ``Theodore Roosevelt United States 
     Courthouse''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia 
(Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5267 designates the United States Courthouse in 
Central Islip, New York, as the Theodore Roosevelt United States 
Courthouse.
  Theodore Roosevelt was born in New York City in 1858. He attended 
Harvard University, where he was elected Phi Beta Kappa and graduated 
in 1880. At the age of 23, he became a Member of the New York State 
Assembly. He served in the Assembly until 1884, when President Benjamin 
Harrison appointed him to the United States Civil Service Commission.
  In 1897, President William McKinley appointed him Assistant Secretary 
of the Navy. During the Spanish-American War he resigned as Assistant 
Secretary and organized the First Regiment, United States Volunteer 
Cavalry, known as Roosevelt's Rough Riders. In 1899, he was elected 
Governor of New York and served for 1 year before being elected Vice 
President of the United States on the Republican ticket headed by 
President McKinley.
  In September 1901, President McKinley was shot and died 3 days later 
in Buffalo, New York. On September 14, 1901, President Roosevelt took 
the oath of office and became President of the United States at the 
tender age of 42.
  President Roosevelt championed reform legislation such as the Pure 
Food and Drug Act, the Meat Inspection Act and the Hepburn Act, which 
empowered the government to set railroad rates. During Roosevelt's 
Presidency the government initiated 30 major irrigation projects, added 
125 million acres to the national forest reserves, and doubled the 
number of national parks.
  Upon leaving office, President Roosevelt settled in Oyster Bay in 
Nassau County, New York, and engaged in literary pursuits. He passed 
away in 1919.
  This designation is a fitting tribute to the 26th President of the 
United States. President Roosevelt was a Nobel Peace Prize recipient 
and well regarded for his conservation efforts.
  I support this measure and urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 5267, a bill to designate the 
United States Courthouse in Central Islip, New York, in honor of 
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States.
  When Mr. Roosevelt became President, at not quite the age of 43, he 
became the youngest President in our Nation's history. With his youth 
and vigor he brought new excitement and vision to the Presidency as he 
led the country and the Congress and the executive branch toward 
progressive reforms and a strong foreign policy.
  His civic career began as a 23-year-old person, when he was elected 
to the New York Assembly. He served also as the Police Commissioner for 
his birthplace, the City of New York, as Assistant Secretary for the 
U.S. Navy, and as Governor of New York.
  During the Spanish-American War, he was a lieutenant colonel in the 
Rough Rider Regiment and became one of the war's most conspicuous 
heroes.
  As President, Roosevelt viewed his role as ``steward'' for the 
American public. He believed he should take any necessary action for 
the public welfare, unless expressly forbidden by the Constitution or 
by law.
  He strongly believed and endorsed a central role for the government, 
especially in arbitrating conflict between capital and labor. He was a 
``trust buster'' par excellence. He ensured the construction of the 
Panama Canal to strengthen America's strategic position.
  He was a leader in conservation, and many of his accomplishments are 
with us today, for example, the Grand Canyon, Muirs Woods and Devils 
Tower. We are thankful to him for establishing the Park Service and the 
National Park System. He was a champion of reserving open land for 
public use, and fostered irrigation projects as well as preserving land 
for game and bird sanctuaries. He received the Nobel Peace Prize for 
negotiating peace in the Russo-Japanese War. An inspiring speaker, he 
advocated a strenuous outdoor life.

[[Page H8559]]

  Roosevelt holds a revered place in American history, and this 
designation is a fitting honor to the extraordinary life of this great 
President.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 5267.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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