[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 86 (Tuesday, June 25, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H3900-H3902]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     COMMENDING CONTRIBUTIONS OF ROOFING PROFESSIONALS INVOLVED IN 
                         REBUILDING OF PENTAGON

  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 424) commending the patriotic 
contributions of the roofing professionals who replaced, at no cost to 
the Federal Government, the section of the Pentagon's slate roof that 
was destroyed as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United 
States that occurred on September 11, 2001.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 424

       Whereas the damage to the Pentagon that resulted from the 
     terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on 
     September 11, 2001, included the destruction of more than an 
     acre of the Pentagon's slate roof;
       Whereas roofing professionals from throughout the United 
     States, mostly from small businesses, volunteered to work 
     together to replace the destroyed section of the Pentagon's 
     roof;
       Whereas these roofing professionals donated approximately 
     $450,000 worth of labor and materials to the replacement 
     effort; and
       Whereas these roofing professionals successfully replaced 
     60,000 square feet of the Pentagon's slate roof before 
     September 11, 2002, and at no cost to the Federal Government: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress commends the patriotic 
     contributions of the roofing professionals who replaced, at 
     no cost to the Federal Government, the section of the 
     Pentagon's slate roof that was destroyed as a result of the 
     terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on 
     September 11, 2001.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Oklahoma (Mr. Sullivan) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Sullivan).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
on House Concurrent Resolution 424.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Oklahoma?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 424, introduced by my 
distinguished colleagues, the gentleman

[[Page H3901]]

from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. 
Velazquez), honors the hard work of the roofers who helped rebuild the 
Pentagon in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
  Mr. Speaker, September 11 is etched in our minds for all time. That 
terrible day brought destruction and cast a dark shadow over the entire 
country and world. In the midst of those acts of evil, the Pentagon was 
severely damaged. Over the past several months, this body has 
acknowledged and thanked those who have helped rebuild New York and the 
Pentagon in so many ways following the terrorist attacks.
  Today we recognize the diligent work of the roofing professionals, 
mostly small businesses, who have banded together to volunteer their 
time, labor and materials worth one-half million dollars to rebuild the 
section of roof destroyed in the attack on the Pentagon. The fire from 
the attack ruined more than one acre of slate roofing over the Pentagon 
in addition to the section of structure that was damaged. Today, the 
full 20,000 square foot area of roof over the Pentagon now has 
replacement slate. They completed this work before the deadline at no 
cost to the taxpayers.
  The House commends the patriotic and generous contributions these 
roofing professionals have made to the rebuilding of the Pentagon.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the roofing professionals 
who volunteered their time and effort to repair the roof of the 
Pentagon following the September 11 terrorist attack.
  Mr. Speaker, the Pentagon was struck by a horrible act of terrorism 
on September 11, 2001. One hundred twenty-five employees at the 
Pentagon and 64 hostages on Flight 77 perished as a result of the 
terrorist attack that day. The attack also resulted in the destruction 
of more than an acre of the Pentagon's slate roof. The renovation 
effort, known as the Phoenix Project, is under way to restore the 
damaged portion of the Pentagon and is pushing to have the Pentagon 
personnel back to work in that portion of the building by September 11, 
2002.
  Contributing to this effort were roofing professionals from 
throughout the United States, mostly from small, family-owned 
businesses who volunteered to work together to replace the destroyed 
section of the Pentagon's roof. These hard-working Americans donated 
approximately a half million dollars in materials and labor to the 
replacement effort and successfully replaced 60,000 square feet of the 
Pentagon's roof at no cost to the American taxpayers who have already 
shared a large burden of the emotional and financial costs of September 
11. The completion of this project reflects the spirit that we as 
Americans can work together, rise from the ashes and overcome any 
obstacle.
  I commend those who have come forth with this resolution. I urge its 
support.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Manzullo).
  Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 
424, a resolution commending those small businesses and family-owned 
enterprises in the roofing industry who donated their time and 
resources to help complete the reconstruction of the portion of the 
Pentagon roof damaged or destroyed by the terrorist attacks on 
September 11. I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the many volunteers 
for the patriotic work and to acknowledge the National Roofing 
Contractors Association which organized these efforts.
  The Pentagon Project, as it was called, was the brainchild of John 
and Kimberly Francis who are co-owners of a family-run roofing 
contracting company in Falls Church, Virginia. Searching for something 
they could offer in response to the attacks, they approached the 
National Roofing Contractors Association with the idea of assembling a 
volunteer force of small businesses in the roofing industry to raise 
the needed cash, material and manpower to rebuild the approximately 
60,000 square feet of damaged roof. Small business volunteers from 
around the country offered to come to Washington to help fix the roof 
or donated supplies for the project. The result: Less than 9 months 
after the attack, these volunteers have completed their work and 
restored a symbol of American power and resolve.
  This resolution honors their success, determination and patriotism. 
It recognizes their eagerness to step forward and contribute in a 
meaningful way to America's fight against terrorism and resolve to 
stand firm along the way.
  On behalf of the American people, as well as the members of the 
Committee on Small Business, all of whom cosponsored this resolution, 
we offer our heartfelt thanks for a job well done and congratulations 
on a recognition well deserved.
  I especially want to thank my colleague, the ranking minority member, 
the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez), for her leadership in 
making sure that this resolution was authored, submitted and came to 
the floor today.
  In fact, about 4 hours ago, we were at the Pentagon for a ceremony 
that honored these roofers. Sixty thousand square feet is a little over 
an acre and a half. It is a tremendous amount of roof. You could see 
the roofers still on the roof today. It must have been 130 degrees up 
there. This is what they wanted to do for America.
  As people came together after September 11, these roofers realized 
that they wanted to do something in a meaningful way. As they drive by 
the Pentagon every day, they can see that portion of the roof that they 
restored with no cost to the Federal Government because this is their 
contribution to making America great.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such 
time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. 
Velazquez), the ranking member of the Committee on Small Business.
  (Ms. VELAZQUEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
her remarks.)
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of a grateful 
Nation. Less than 3 months before the anniversary of the worst act of 
terrorism in our history, a small group of volunteer small business 
professionals from across the country completed replacement of more 
than an acre of hard slate roof over the Pentagon. Earlier this 
morning, many of us participated in a ceremony at the Pentagon to 
recognize the work of these selfless Americans, and we are here again 
to thank them for their patriotic generosity.
  Small businesses work for America. They anchor our communities and 
neighborhoods. They create three-fourths of all new jobs, employ half 
our workers and produce nearly half our GDP. They hauled us out of our 
last recession into the longest peacetime boom on record. They did it 
before, and they are doing it again.
  But that is not all. When they lock up for the night, small business 
owners are out in the community, volunteering in school, coaching 
little league, donating their time and expertise to neighborhood 
improvement.
  But even when it did not seem possible that small businesses could 
give any more, they did. When terrorists crashed American Airlines 
Flight 77 into the Pentagon on September 11, small businesses stepped 
forward to help. Leading the way were John and Kimberly Francis, owners 
of Northern Virginia Roofing in Falls Church, Virginia. After September 
11, they joined millions of Americans in wanting to do something, to 
give something back.

                              {time}  1545

  So when they learned of the extensive damage to the Pentagon's roof, 
they decided to volunteer their particular talents. They would give a 
new roof to the Pentagon.
  Soon roofing professionals from across the country came to volunteer 
their time, labor, and materials, rebuilding more than an acre and a 
half of hard slate roof over the Pentagon. They flew in from all across 
the country to northern Virginia, they drove, they even brought campers 
to work on this project.
  My colleagues might remember that this was not the best time if one 
was a small business to donate time on labor. The economy was in a 
recession and threatened to get worse. Americans

[[Page H3902]]

feared for their security and their jobs. Yet these roofers knew that 
they had a patriotic imperative and an historic opportunity to help 
heal this breach by doing what they do best. In our darkest moment, 
they were among our brightest lights.
  Eight months later, $450,000 in donated material and labor have had 
their desired effect. A professional army of volunteers have given a 
roof to the Pentagon at no charge to the Federal Government or the 
American taxpayer.
  I hope every Member of this body is inspired by the story of these 
selfless professionals. Whenever they drive by the Pentagon and see the 
rapid rebuilding and the work crews on the job day and night, they will 
see a symbol standing for all that America's small businesses have done 
for this country. Small businesses not only rebuilt the Pentagon, they 
rebuilt our resolve. For that and for so much else, we thank them.
  I also want to take this opportunity to thank the staff for their 
hard work, not just on the resolution but giving small businesses the 
support they needed to accomplish this great fete: Staff Director 
Michael Day, Mary Ellen Ardonney, Wendy Belzer and James Snyder.
  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  I commend the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and 
the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) for introducing this 
resolution and working so hard to ensure its passage. I thank the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), the House Committee on Government 
Reform chairman; the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), ranking 
member; the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon) and the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis), the chairman and ranking member of the 
Subcommittee on Civil Service, Census and Agency Organization, for 
expediting the consideration of this resolution.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this resolution to 
commend the extraordinary generosity and patriotism of the professional 
roofers who helped rebuild the Pentagon.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the distinguished 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the patriotic contributions of the 
local roofing companies in Northern Virginia especially who donated 
labor, money, and supplies, which nationally totaled about half a 
million dollars, to rebuild the section of the Pentagon's slate roof 
that was destroyed on September 11. I am proud that the push for the 
roofing companies to volunteer their time and effort and money 
originated with an idea by a roofing company in my district, Northern 
Virginia Roofing.
  Northern Virginia Roofing is a husband and wife company located in 
Falls Church. They approached the National Roofing Contractors 
Association a week after the attacks, right after the attack, and said 
they wanted to contribute to the recovery effort of the Pentagon. The 
Association then approached the Defense Department, which gladly 
accepted the idea of giving the Pentagon a new roof.
  Even though it has been more than 8 months since those tragic events 
of September 11, I am still constantly amazed, as I know my colleagues 
are, by the acts of heroism and patriotism displayed by the American 
people. This clear act of unselfishness by these roofing companies 
sends a clear message to the world that our resolve cannot be 
diminished. The attacks of September 11 have not weakened the United 
States and the American spirit. Our core values of freedom and 
democracy are certainly still intact.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge every Member of Congress to support this 
resolution, and I am sure they will, which not only commends the 
roofing companies who are working around the clock to rebuild a 
severely damaged Pentagon, but it is also a testament to the American 
spirit.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  We have no further request for time, and in closing I would commend 
again the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Small 
Business for the introduction of this resolution and certainly extend 
heartfelt appreciation to the family roofers who came together as small 
businesses to indicate that, when small businesses come together, they 
can tackle big problems and meet big needs. So I simply commend all of 
those who are in support of this resolution and urge its passage.
  Mr. NUSSLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support of this resolution 
commending the patriotic contributions of the roofing professionals who 
replaced the section of the Pentagon's slate roof destroyed by 
terrorists on September 11, 2001.
  The sight of the smoke rising from the Pentagon that day was a vision 
caused by evil that I will never forget.
  Since that time, many Americans have acted with hope and good will 
and without hesitation to help our Nation move forward from a time and 
place of tragedy.
  Ken and Jared Schmitt of Rafoth, Inc. in Dubuque, Iowa offered their 
time and talents to make a difference. Ken and Jared were among the 
roofing professionals who volunteered to help repair more than an acre 
of the Pentagon's slate roof. I had the honor of meeting with them 
during their stay in the Washington area.
  Roofing professionals across the country donated approximately 
$450,000 worth of labor and materials to the replacement effort at no 
cost to the Federal Government.
  This resolution offers an opportunity for us to say thank you to 
those who did this work out of their sense of duty and generosity. Ken 
and Jared deserve America's gratitude and respect. There is no question 
that they have mine.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Linder). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Sullivan) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
424.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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