[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 23, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H1498-H1502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING UNITED STATES CUSTOMS SERVICE FOLLOWING TERRORIST ATTACKS ON 
                           SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

  Mr. WELLER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 385) honoring the men and women of the United 
States Customs Service, 6 World Trade Center offices, for their hard 
work, commitment and compassion during and immediately following the 
terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 385

       Whereas the United States Customs Service offices located 
     in 6 World Trade Center were destroyed on September 11, 2001, 
     as a result of terrorist attacks;
       Whereas the men and women of the United States Customs 
     Service in 6 World Trade Center selflessly, and at great 
     risk, ensured no one was left behind in the imperiled 
     building and continued to extricate coworkers until all 760 
     Customs employees were safe and accounted for;
       Whereas the men and women of the United States Customs 
     Service in 6 World Trade Center selflessly, and at great 
     risk, ensured the safety of others while assisting national, 
     State, and local officials in continued rescue and recovery 
     efforts;
       Whereas the United States Customs Service established a 
     temporary operations center at JFK Airport just hours after 
     the attack and worked tirelessly to permanently relocate the 
     New York Customs office only 3 weeks later;
       Whereas the dedicated men and women of the United States 
     Customs Service continue to sift through the debris at 6 
     World Trade Center to retrieve vital evidence, which has 
     since aided in recent criminal convictions; and
       Whereas the United States Customs Service, with increased 
     resolve, continues its vigil to safeguard our borders and 
     serve on

[[Page H1499]]

     the frontline in our Nation's war against terrorism, and the 
     men and women of the United States Customs Service represent 
     a dedication to duty in the highest traditions of the 
     Department of the Treasury and the United States of America: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors the continued dedication of the men and women 
     assigned to the United States Custom Service, New York 
     operations;
       (2) recognizes the critical importance of the United States 
     Customs Service on the frontline of our national security 
     efforts; and
       (3) supports providing the necessary resources to ensure 
     the full operation of the United States Customs Service, New 
     York operations, and that of Customs nationwide.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Weller) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller).
  Mr. WELLER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 385. I 
commend the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook) and the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for their leadership in bringing this special 
legislation before the House of Representatives, as well as their 
strong support for all Federal employees.
  This resolution honors the men and women of the United States Customs 
Service for their dedication and bravery, not only for their heroic 
actions on and following September 11, but for their daily work to 
protect our country from terrorism. In fact, I would note that Customs 
Service employees were responsible for capturing a terrorist now known 
as the ``Millennium Bomber'' carrying bomb material on December 14, 
1999, at the Canadian border in Washington State. The suspect who had 
plans to set off a bomb in Seattle remains in custody in Los Angeles.
  The offices of the Customs Service were destroyed at 6 World Trade 
Center, but the Customs Service employees ensured that no one was left 
behind in the shaky building until every worker was accounted for, 760 
employees in all.
  In the days following September 11, the Customs Service workers 
proved their dedication to their fellow coworkers and to our country by 
volunteering to sift through debris to find evidence of the crime, 
mementos of lost coworkers, and human remains so that loved ones might 
know the final resting place of their family members.
  Recovery workers have continued their dedicated efforts by work at 
the Fresh Kils dump on Staten Island, continuing the process of sorting 
tons of debris. In fact, over 1.5 million tons of debris has been 
sorted by Customs Service volunteers alone. Customs Service volunteers 
searched in coordination with the New York Police Department and the 
FBI, using only garden rakes and their own hands. Almost all of these 
volunteers have never done disaster or recovery work before, but feel 
that it is their duty and an honor to continue the process of searching 
for victims.
  Even the search dogs give up when they can find no survivors. 
However, Customs employees continue their dedicated search, and for 
this we honor them today. In the words of one dedicated volunteer, ``It 
isn't often that you have a chance to work at something that means so 
much.''
  Madam Speaker, our hearts go out to the victims of terrorist attacks 
on September 11, 2001 and their families. Just as we have seen with 
these Customs Service employees in New York City, we have seen how the 
average American can support their country; and time and time again on 
the day of those terrorist attacks and after, we have seen how the 
average American can become a hero serving the American people.
  Let us join together today recognizing and honoring the men and women 
of the United States Customs Service, those workers located at World 
Trade Center 6.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BECERRA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise along with my colleague from Illinois and 
salute our workers in the Customs Service who have worked so valiantly, 
and have tired in many cases, but continue to stand strong in support 
of security for Americans here and abroad.
  I rise in support of H. Res. 385, which honors the heroic acts of our 
men and women assigned to the United States Customs Service in New York 
City, and the operations that have been there for quite some time, not 
only during the attack on September 11, but immediately following the 
attacks, and they continue to this day with their service.
  This resolution recognizes the critical importance Customs employees 
play as our front line of security. Too often we forget that before 
that problem, that terror enters our country, it is the people of the 
Customs Service who are there to make sure it does not come in.
  We must continue to provide the New York Customs employees with the 
resources they need to continue full and effective operations in 
protecting Americans. I thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) 
and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook) of the Committee on 
Appropriations for their leadership in bringing this resolution to the 
House floor for approval.
  The Customs Service was struck directly by the attacks of September 
11. The Customs building, which was located at 6 World Trade Center, 
and which served as a headquarters for much of the Customs Service's 
northeast operations, was struck dramatically. It was completely 
destroyed. All of the offices were affected. Debris from the Twin 
Towers completely destroyed the offices of the Customs Service.
  Fortunately, or miraculously, all 800 of the Customs Service 
employees escaped unharmed, 760 employees who worked there permanently, 
and 40 who were there for meetings. Not one died. Within an hour of the 
terrorist attacks, the Customs Service placed all of its personnel and 
facilities on a Level 1 Alert, which of course means enhanced security 
and questioning of those who are entering the U.S. is put on even 
greater status, and it also calls for increased inspections of 
travelers and goods at every port of entry.
  Because of the continuing terrorist threat, as of today, the Customs 
Service remains at Level 1 Alert status. What does that mean? Well, it 
could mean 12- to 16-hour days. It means virtually all nonemergency 
leave has been canceled. It means overtime for inspectors tripled, and 
in some cases, many Customs employees have been temporarily transferred 
outside of their area to places and assignments such as at our northern 
border, far away from their families. Many of our Customs employees are 
still displaced. Within hours of the attack, Customs New York employees 
set up temporary operation centers at nearby JFK Airport. They are 
still there. There are many of our Customs employees in New Jersey at 
Port Elizabeth.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to provide the support for 
Customs Service to reestablish its full presence in New York City. If 
the brave men and women of the Customs Service refused to cower from 
the challenges which they faced on September 11, we should be willing 
to help them return to Manhattan where they will again rise to the 
challenge.
  Madam Speaker, our Customs Service personnel, day in and day out, 
have fought against violence, against terrorism, not just on September 
11, but I can recall in December of 1999, it was a Customs inspector 
who apprehended Ahmed Ressam, a suspected terrorist who was captured at 
Port Angeles, Washington, and apparently had planned to bomb a terminal 
at Los Angeles International Airport in my city of Los Angeles in late 
1999.
  On October 30, 2001, we lost a Customs inspector in the line of duty 
in Louisiana. A U.S. Customs inspector, Thomas Murray, a 31-year 
veteran, entered a freighter, but never came out. Apparently, he 
succumbed to toxin fumes in the hold of the vessel. I offer condolences 
to his wife and children, his parents and his brothers, and I thank him 
for giving his life in the service of his country. That is the life of 
a Customs Service officer. That is what we stand today honoring. We 
continue to do so because they will not stop.
  Madam Speaker, it is great that we are here today recognizing the 
work of the Customs Service personnel. I am

[[Page H1500]]

pleased that both the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) and the 
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook) have taken the time to recognize 
them today.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WELLER. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook), the chairman of the Subcommittee 
on Treasury, Postal Service and General Government, a strong advocate 
for the Customs Service.
  Mr. ISTOOK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and to thank the 
employees of the United States Customs Service in New York City. These 
dedicated men and women give new meaning to the term public service. On 
behalf of all Americans, this resolution says to them, thank you for 
your steadfast work following the terrorist attacks of last September, 
steadfast work that continues this day, as it has every day since 
September 11.
  Like a number of other Federal law enforcement agencies, Customs had 
its principal office in 6 World Trade Center. Thanks to lessons learned 
from the previous bombing several years prior, they had updated and 
practiced their evacuation plans. That is fortunate because in large 
part due to this, none of the more than 750 Customs employees that were 
there were seriously injured, and none were killed.
  However, the emotional pain was very real with them, as with all of 
America. It continues to this day. Yet these Customs employees more 
than rose to the occasion. In addition to assisting in the broader 
search and rescue efforts at the World Trade Center, these men and 
women were quickly engaged in the investigative efforts to find the 
responsible parties, and to guard against any additional attacks.
  At a time when many Americans were still too stunned or too 
frightened to leave their homes, these brave officers of the Customs 
Service continued their role as America's front line on our borders. In 
fact, many officers worked through the night of September 11. 
Commercial operations that are so vital to America's economy, involving 
billions of dollars of trade every day, involving millions of American 
jobs, these commercial operations were quickly restored, consistent 
with the security that must exist at our borders.
  Special agents immediately joined with fellow law enforcement 
officers to pursue every lead, and the New York Customs Service 
laboratory was up and running in temporary quarters less than a week 
later after the loss of their regular office space.
  Today the New York Customs family is scattered through five offices, 
rather than being combined to one. Commutes are longer, the hours are 
longer, the time away from the family is greater, and the worries, of 
course, are many. I want each of the men and women there to know that 
we understand, as best as anyone not in there with them on a day-to-day 
basis can understand, the enormous challenges that they face. We are 
grateful for their efforts to carry on the very important work that 
they do for America.
  Throughout the country, as in New York, Customs continues on Level 1 
Alert. Across the northern border, along the southwest border, at our 
seaports and our airports, at investigative offices and elsewhere, 
including overseas, the men and women of Customs stand watch 24 hours a 
day. Overtime numbers are up. That means time with family, time with 
friends, time on personal pursuits are down. Stress levels continue to 
be high, yet the need for careful consideration of each entering 
person, each item that enters the United States as part of goods and 
cargoes, the need for careful consideration of each of them has never 
been higher. The execution in their job has never been better.
  Since 1789, Customs has been an integral part of our government. It 
is America's oldest law enforcement agency. Customs has had many proud 
moments, but perhaps none more significant than in the past 7 months. 
The dedication of these men and women reminds me of President Bush's 
comments last fall in which he thanked all Federal workers. As he 
stated, ``Public service is not simply a noble profession, it is an 
honorable life. Your service to your country makes the ideal of America 
a daily, living reality. History has never known a Nation of such 
strengths and compassion, honor and ideals. Your work and selfless 
commitment are vital. On behalf of not only a grateful Nation but a 
world in need of America, thank you.''
  To these words of President Bush, I join my words of thanks as I know 
these words are also joined by every Member of this body. I urge all of 
my colleagues to join in paying special tribute to the remarkable 
dedication of Customs agents, inspectors and other personnel in New 
York. Their service, from the most junior employees to the most senior 
managers, exemplifies the best of our Nation.
  Madam Speaker, we recognize their service, and I am thankful for this 
opportunity to extend that recognition.

                              {time}  1445

  Mr. BECERRA. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 7 minutes to the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the ranking member of the 
Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service and General Government of the 
Committee on Appropriations.
  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Becerra), for yielding me this time; I thank the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller) for facilitating the movement of 
this resolution to the floor in a timely fashion. And I say to Chairman 
Istook, I am pleased to join with him in the sponsorship of this 
resolution.
  Madam Speaker, the United States Customs Service has a long and proud 
history that dates back over 200 years. It was at its outset, of 
course, our principal funding agency. It is now one of our principal 
trade facilitation agencies and law enforcement agencies. To most of 
us, they are the men and women in blue uniform that process us through 
international ports of entry. But they do so very much more. With 
nearly 20,000 employees, the Customs Service collects $22 billion in 
revenue each year, it prohibits illegal drugs from crossing our 
borders, it enforces against illegal trade practices, and prevents 
individuals with destructive intentions from entering our country, as 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra) has cited in his own 
remarks.
  The men and women of the Customs Service are truly on the front line 
in the war on terrorism. Madam Speaker, the President has correctly 
said that we ought to recognize those on the front line, in 
Afghanistan, in Bosnia, in so many other parts of the world; but these 
men and women are as truly on the front line as those in the services 
of our Armed Forces. These men and women are in some respects the first 
line of defense against terrorism coming in from without.
  Madam Speaker, I join in the strong support of this resolution to 
honor the men and women of the United States Customs Service who worked 
in World Trade Center 6 adjacent to the North Tower. Building 6, World 
Trade Center, which housed 760 Customs employees, stood only 40 feet 
from Tower One. Shortly after the collapse of the North and South 
Towers, the fire proved too much for Building 6, which suffered a 
devastating internal collapse. By the grace of God and by the exercise 
of diligence and courage and energy, all 760 employees who worked in 
that facility escaped the wreckage without injury.
  In the wake of such tragedy, these employees were resolute and 
determined not to let such a despicable and cowardly act of terrorism 
deter them from protecting our Nation. Since September 11, these 
employees have worked around the clock to reestablish their physical 
presence and have played a key role in the Federal Government's 
investigation of the terrorist acts that occurred on September 11. 
Customs employees in New York have also played a major role in the 
volunteer effort to sift through the rubble at Ground Zero and at the 
Staten Island placement site. The Customs team worked around the clock, 
through the holidays, through the cold winter weather, all for the 
purposes of finding some sign of life. Even after the canine teams 
stopped searching, the Customs employees continued their search, their 
quest in their hope to find maybe just one, maybe two, maybe more. They 
knew that the people who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, as 
they did, had children, had homes, had hopes for their own futures.
  To Customs volunteers like Joseph Gloria, Louis Boehner, Stephen 
Cook, Jack Russo, and Richard Tursi, who

[[Page H1501]]

spent so many days and nights searching through heaps and piles of dirt 
for personal effects of those who lost their lives so that loved ones 
might have them to remember them by, you are American heroes, as are 
the 194 other Customs volunteers who devoted their time. America will 
not forget you. As it will not forget the firefighters and the police 
who lost their lives that day, we will not forget your efforts that day 
or every day as you protect America, our commerce, our health, our 
safety.
  Madam Speaker, I also want to mention Joe Webber, who is the special 
agent in charge of the Customs office in New York. For over 2\1/2\ 
years, the Customs Service has been investigating a Colombian money 
laundering scheme called Operation Wire Cutter which involved the 
illegal exchange of drug-based dollars into pesos in Colombia. 
Following the September 11 attacks, it appeared that 2\1/2\ years of 
investigative material was lost and that that investigation was for 
naught because the evidence compiled and housed in 6 World Trade Center 
was not available. Mr. Webber, however, kept the faith. He still 
thought there was a chance to retrieve the information. A month after 
the attacks, he convinced fire officials to lower him into the wreckage 
of World Trade Center 6 to search for the evidence. Fortunately, yes, 
perhaps miraculously, as the gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra) 
said, Mr. Webber was able to find that evidence which led to the 
seizure of $8 million and the arrest of several individuals involved in 
this scheme. The terrorists had lost.
  Mr. Webber, we thank you for your determination. You once again 
proved that terrorism will not, did not, must not defeat our resolve. 
To all of the Customs employees who worked in World Trade Center 6, we 
honor you today. We will be there to honor you again next week, but it 
is significant that 535 of your fellow citizens, sent here by 287 
million Americans to represent our country, stand united in thanking 
you, in honoring you, in respecting you for your service, your hard 
work, your compassion, your determination. Our Nation owes you a debt 
of gratitude for the leadership and commitment you showed during a time 
when our Nation was most vulnerable.
  Our national anthem says that we are the land of the free. We are the 
land of the free because we are the home of the brave and these are 
some of those brave.
  Mr. BECERRA. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis).
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me this time. I also want to commend Chairman Istook and 
Ranking Member Hoyer for their introduction of this important 
resolution.
  ``We are the guardians of our Nation's borders, America's front line. 
We serve and protect the American public with integrity, innovation, 
and pride. We enforce the laws of the United States, safeguard the 
revenue, and foster lawful international trade and travel.''
  Such is the mission of the U.S. Customs Service, a government agency 
whose history parallels the history of our country. In 1789 when our 
new country was struggling to fight off financial ruin, the U.S. 
Customs Service was created to help save the Nation. On September 11, 
2001, when our country was the victim of terrorist attacks of the most 
horrific magnitude, the U.S. Customs Service was once again there to 
help save our Nation.
  As a member of the House Committee on Government Reform and the 
ranking member of the Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency 
Organization, I am pleased to join with my colleagues in support of 
House Resolution 385. This measure honors the men and women of the 
United States Customs Service, 6 World Trade Center offices, for their 
hard work, commitment, and compassion during and immediately following 
the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. 
It is indeed a fitting tribute for an extraordinary group of Federal 
Government employees.
  On September 11, there were 760 Custom employees at the World Trade 
Center 6, along with 40 other Customs employees who were there for a 
meeting. Although their offices were destroyed, Customs employees, at 
great personal risk, ensured that every one of their coworkers safely 
exited the building. Just hours after the attack, they established 
temporary operations at JFK Airport and worked with national, State, 
and local officials in rescue and recovery efforts. They have helped 
retrieve evidence which is critical to criminal convictions.
  Madam Speaker, tradition, service, honor. That is the U.S. Customs 
Service legacy and its future. I urge my colleagues to join with me in 
recognizing the men and women assigned to the United States Customs 
Service, New York operations, for their dedication to duty and in 
providing the necessary resources for the U.S. Customs Service to carry 
out its mission as we know it today, guardians of our borders, 
protectors of our people.
  Mr. BECERRA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  I hope this body will recognize that Chairman Istook and Ranking 
Member Hoyer were instrumental in ensuring that the Customs Service 
received the $36 million which it needed for up-front reconstruction to 
enable it to reestablish operations in New York and begin to replace 
badly needed equipment in a very short period of time. We owe a great 
deal of gratitude to both of those gentlemen and all the members of the 
Committee on Appropriations who made that possible.
  Further, the congressional support that was offered quickly to the 
Customs Service provided for overtime funding for inspectors and agents 
and was critical in helping them to complete their assignment to battle 
against terrorism, to patrol our airspace, and to safeguard our coastal 
waters. This prompt response gave Customs the tools it needed to secure 
our borders quickly in the face of immediate threat.
  To the men and women in Customs, we say, you have earned our respect 
and you deserve this tribute. I look very much forward to the vote in 
passing this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WELLER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  I join my colleague on the Committee on Ways and Means, as well as my 
colleague from California for his statements in recognition of the 
leadership of Chairman Istook and Ranking Member Hoyer in support of 
the Customs Service. I also want to give recognition to Chairman Phil 
Crane of the Subcommittee on Trade of the House Committee on Ways and 
Means for his active leadership on behalf of the Customs Service which 
has jurisdiction under the Committee on Ways and Means.
  Madam Speaker, this resolution is important because it honors the men 
and women of the United States Customs Service, 6 World Trade Center, 
those offices, for their hard work, their commitment, their compassion 
and their volunteerism, their volunteerism during and immediately 
following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 
11, 2001.
  I urge and ask my colleagues in this House to join together in 
recognition of these workers in the New York Customs Service office and 
that they give them the recognition they deserve as well as the 
expression of gratitude of our Nation.
  Mr. GILMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 385, 
honoring the men and women of the U.S. Customs Service who were working 
at 6 World Trade Center for their bravery, commitment, and compassion 
during and immediately following the terrorist attacks on the World 
Trade Center on September 11.
  On that fateful day in September, the New York field office of the 
U.S. Customs Service located in 6 World Trade Center was destroyed as a 
result of the attacks. However, in the face of grave danger, the men 
and women of the Customs Service were able to ensure the evacuation of 
over 750 of their fellow coworkers prior to the collapse of their 
building. Moreover, many remained on the scene to assist rescue workers 
in their efforts to save the thousands of people working in the World 
Trade Center complex.
  Our Nation witnessed the best and the worst of humanity that terrible 
day. Accordingly, it is only proper that we recognize and honor these 
selfless acts of bravery. I urge my fellow colleagues to support this 
important measure.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 385, a 
resolution to honor the men and women of the U.S. Customs Service, New 
York Office, for their admirable duty and bravery in the service of our

[[Page H1502]]

country, and the people of New York, during the terrorist attacks of 
September 11.
  The New York Customs Service was on the front lines on September 11. 
Their office, located at 6 World Trade Center was evacuated and later 
destroyed in the towers' collapse.
  Despite this, the men and women who work at Customs, a number of whom 
I am proud to call my constituents, ensured at great personal risk, the 
safe evacuation of their offices and surrounding offices. They then 
continued to work with local and national public safety officers to 
coordinate and assist the search and rescue and later recovery efforts.
  The men and women of the Customs Service deserve our utmost thanks 
and respect for their remarkable service.
  But in addition to these proclamations, we need to provide real 
tangible support for our Customs officials. By that, I mean mandating 
the return of the Custom's New York Office back to Manhattan.
  I have many constituents who work for the Customs Service, and belong 
to the National Treasury Employees Union 183. We all applaud Customs 
for quickly relocating these employees, my constituents, to alternative 
work sites at Kennedy Airport and Newark, NJ. But it is integral for 
the Nation, for the city and for Customs employees that a new permanent 
Customs Office is set up in Manhattan.
  For the day-to-day officers of the Customs Service, our Nation's 
primary enforcement agency protecting our borders, this new duty 
station in New Jersey causes tremendous--and needless--burdens.
  In addition, the U.S. Customs Service must have a Manhattan presence. 
As a life-long New Yorker I am very concerned about the possibility of 
companies using September 11 as an excuse to flee New York City and I 
have been working with the city and State to prevent this from 
happening. As an agency of the Federal Government, the Customs Service 
should set an example to private companies, and show them that New York 
is still the greatest city in the world and the capital of 
international business. By not having an office in Manhattan, the 
opposite is suggested.
  The men and women of the Customs Service helped to alleviate the 
fears of our country on and right after September 11. It was fear that 
the terrorists were counting on to defeat us, and precisely what we 
must not allow to win. Those fears will be further mitigated by the 
return of businesses to New York City, and the Customs Service must be 
one office leading the way.
  Madam Speaker, in conclusion I thank the efforts of the gentleman 
from Oklahoma in introducing this measure and allowing this House to 
pay tribute to these men and women who have done so much to help New 
Yorkers and the country. I thank you all, and I assure you that we will 
not forget what you have done.
  Mr. WELLER. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 385.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________