[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 108 (Monday, September 13, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H7034-H7035]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING GRATITUDE TO CITIES OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, AND NEW YORK
CITY, NEW YORK, FOR HOSTING 2004 NATIONAL POLITICAL CONVENTIONS
Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 765) expressing gratitude to the cities of Boston,
Massachusetts, and New York City, New York, for their extraordinary
hospitality and successful planning and hosting of the 2004 national
political conventions.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 765
Whereas the Democratic National Convention was held from
July 26 through July 29, 2004, in Boston, Massachusetts;
Whereas the Republican National Convention was held from
August 30 through September 2, 2004, in New York City, New
York;
Whereas Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the Boston 2004 Host
Committee, and the people of Boston, including a large number
of dedicated volunteers, were extremely gracious in their
hospitality;
Whereas Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, the New York City Host
Committee 2004, and the people of New York City, including a
large number of dedicated volunteers, were extremely gracious
in their hospitality;
Whereas Police Commissioner Kathleen M. O'Toole and the
entire Boston Police Department went to extraordinary lengths
to keep Boston safe throughout the duration of the Democratic
Convention;
Whereas Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and the entire
New York City Police Department went to extraordinary lengths
to keep New York safe throughout the duration of the
Republican Convention;
Whereas countless city, State, regional, and nationwide
agencies cooperated to ensure the safety of each Convention,
including the United States Capitol Police, which assisted
the local jurisdictions, and the United States Secret
Service, which coordinated Federal anti-terrorism and
counter-terrorism assets for each of the Conventions as
National Security Special Events;
Whereas Members of Congress, delegates from across the
Nation, and other interested parties participated in the
Conventions and benefited from the secure environments; and
Whereas millions of Americans watched, heard, or read about
the Conventions and thereby participated in our national
political process: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives thanks, pays
tribute to, and expresses gratitude to all of those who
assisted in the significant hospitality, logistical, and
security efforts to successfully execute the 2004 national
political conventions in Boston, Massachusetts, and New York
City, New York.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Ney) and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney).
Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 765, and I
am joined on the floor by our ranking member, the gentleman from
Connecticut (Mr. Larson); and it is good to be here to express the
gratitude of the House of Representatives to the cities of Boston,
Massachusetts, and New York, New York, for their extraordinary
hospitality and successful planning and hosting of the 2004 national
political conventions.
Mr. Speaker, I think I speak for everyone in the House in thanking
the people of the cities of Boston and New York, their cities' host
committees, and the countless volunteers for making both cities open
and welcoming to the many Members of the Congress, delegates from
across the Nation, and all other interested parties who participated in
our great conventions.
Special recognition needs to go to the Boston Police Department and
the New York City Police Department, whose professionalism and constant
vigilance guaranteed not only the safety of the residents they
routinely protect on a day-by-day basis but the many visitors who
attended the conventions.
In addition, we have to thank the countless city, State, regional and
nationwide agencies who cooperated to ensure the safety of everyone
involved with both conventions. I would also like to recognize the
exceptional efforts of the hundreds of United States Capitol Police
Officers who provided around-the-clock security for all Members during
the convention and who coordinated, of course, with the Secret Service,
the FBI and, again, the New York City Police Department. And we cannot
forget the firefighters in both New York and Boston that were on hand.
So I am here on a bipartisan basis, though I would note, Mr. Speaker,
for the record, I did not see my colleague, the gentleman from
Connecticut (Mr. Larson), at the New York convention. But I am glad to
be with him here tonight to thank both cities and everyone involved in
both conventions.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
[[Page H7035]]
(Mr. LARSON of Connecticut asked and was given permission to revise
and extend his remarks.)
Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I want to associate myself
with the remarks of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney), my brilliant co-
chair. And I also did not see him at the Boston convention; but,
nonetheless, he would have been welcome, as was everybody there.
This is indeed a moment for us to celebrate the outstanding job that
was done both in Boston and New York, led by Mayors Thomas Menino and
Michael Bloomberg, respectively. Their tireless efforts to make the
2004 major-party conventions such successful events are deeply
appreciated.
Mr. Speaker, I commend the two police commissioners, Kathleen O'Toole
of Boston and Raymond Kelly of New York, now there is diversity for
you, for making it possible for the delegates to nominate their
candidates, which of course is the purpose of the convention.
I also want to thank the thousands of other public employees who
helped to make this possible, not only the Boston and New York
municipal governments but also at all levels, Federal, State, and
local; and of course as the chairman has already pointed out, the
outstanding job that was done by our Capitol Police and all the
security that went into these two wonderful events.
I would especially like to thank the Massachusetts delegation for the
hospitality that they provided for each and every one of us, and of
course their two great Senators, Senator Kennedy, for which this was a
homecoming, and Senator Kerry as well, who was featured prominently in
Boston as well, and our outstanding House delegation here from Boston
as well. So I thank the chairman and join him in these remarks.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to
say that I am sure the minority leader, the gentlewoman from California
(Ms. Pelosi), did a wonderful job at the convention in Boston; and as
far as our convention in New York, I want to thank the Speaker and also
Scott Palmer, Ted Van Der Meid, and Bill Pitts, who did the rules and
carried out the process at the convention and service to the Members.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from New York (Mr. Reynolds).
(Mr. REYNOLDS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the cities and
residents of Boston and New York City for their tremendous efforts in
hosting this year's national political conventions. With two of the
Nation's most historic and vibrant cities as their backdrops, the
Democrat and Republican conventions were both great successes.
Boston and New York have long been known as centers of culture,
education, and heritage. After this summer's conventions, it is
apparent why they are also recognized for their hospitality, charm, and
warm spirit. As tens of thousands of delegates, elected officials,
volunteers, and tourists converged on these great cities, countless
others worked behind the scenes and on the front lines to make sure
programs ran smoothly and safely. These individuals labored tirelessly,
not just during the conventions but for several weeks prior, crossing
every ``T'' and dotting every ``I.''
These events would not have been possible without the efforts of
everyone involved. A special thanks to those at the city, State, and
regional, as well as national, levels who coordinated and secured the
safety of Boston and New York. This includes, of course, the city
police and fire departments, the United States Secret Service, the
United States Capitol Police, and numerous other agencies that
coordinated protective services for both convention-goers and city
residents alike.
As the first political conventions held in the post-9/11 world, our
police, firefighters, and first responders faced security risks never
before envisioned. True to their great reputations, the respective
agencies of New York and Boston exhibited consummate professionalism
and ensured the safety and security of all those attending and visiting
these greats cities.
Those accolades extend as well to our Capitol Police and those
Federal agencies that worked side by side with their brethren in New
York and Boston to ensure a seamless coordination.
Mr. Speaker, the cities of Boston and New York have long represented
the freedoms and liberty that nurtured democracy in this country.
Today, several hundred years later, one of the best enduring examples
of these fundamental rights is the ability to participate in the
political process. National political conventions provide a forum for
this participation like no other.
To all those who helped make the conventions possible, and to the
gracious residents of Boston and New York, I wish to extend a heartfelt
thanks on behalf of the House for helping to foster greater political
participation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and join
me in expressing gratitude to the cities of Boston and New York.
Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, 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. Ney) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution, House Resolution 765.
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.
____________________