[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 118 (Wednesday, September 20, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H6809-H6810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TERCEN-
                     TENARY COMMISSION ACT OF 2005

  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 4586) to extend the authorization of the Benjamin Franklin 
Tercen-
tenary Commission, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4586

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Benjamin Franklin 
     Tercentenary Commission Act of 2005''.

     SEC. 2. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TERCENTENARY COMMISSION.

     Section 9(b) of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission 
     Act (Public Law 107-202; 36 U.S.C. note prec. 101) is amended 
     by striking ``not later than January 16, 2007'' and inserting 
     ``not later than January 16, 2009''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from North Carolina.


                             General Leave

  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, Benjamin Franklin stands out in American history as a 
Founding Father of this country and a true Renaissance man.
  Since childhood, we have all enjoyed the wonderful stories of his 
remarkable life as statesman, scientist, inventor, and diplomat. We 
have now been afforded the opportunity of bringing the

[[Page H6810]]

life and times of Benjamin Franklin to cities across the United States 
and overseas through the work of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary 
Commission. This Commission was established by Congress in 2002 to 
commemorate the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's birth in 2006.
  The Commission hosts exhibits in a number of communities around the 
United States as well as in France, where Franklin served as the 
American Minister to Paris. These exhibitions represent a rare 
opportunity for the public to view the largest collection of Franklin 
artifacts through displays of his household furnishings, original works 
of art, manuscripts, and documents. In addition, through interactive 
multimedia exhibits and an Internet Web site, viewers are able to 
immerse themselves into the Franklin experience. The Franklin 
celebrations, organized under the Commission's guidance, offer the 
public an opportunity to become more familiar with Benjamin Franklin by 
getting a glimpse into the inspiring life of this American treasure.
  Because of the expanded nature of its program, it is requested that 
the life of this Commission be extended so that they can continue their 
valuable work.
  I urge all Members to come together and recognize the life and 
continuing legacy of Benjamin Franklin by supporting H.R. 4586.
  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, as a member of the House Government Reform Committee, I 
am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 4586, the 
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission Act.
  This bill, which was introduced by Representative Michael Castle of 
Delaware on December 16, 2005, and was unanimously reported by the 
Government Reform Committee on March 30, 2006, extends the 
authorization of the Commission until fiscal year 2009.
  Mr. Speaker, in 2002 Congress created the Benjamin Franklin 
Tercentenary Commission, a panel of 15 outstanding Americans chosen to 
study and recommend programs to celebrate Franklin's 300th birthday and 
to mint a commemorative coin of Ben Franklin. Extending the Commission 
past 2007 to 2009 will allow the funds from the sale of the recently 
issued Ben Franklin commemorative coins to truly benefit the many 
Commission programs planned and underway to honor Ben Franklin.
  The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, which was founded in 2000 by a 
consortium of five Philadelphia cultural institutions, is currently 
presenting an international traveling exhibition entitled ``Benjamin 
Franklin: In Search of a Better World.'' This exhibit has been 
organized to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Franklin's birth and 
will travel around the United States and France. The exhibit premiered 
in Philadelphia last year and just recently stopped in St. Louis, 
Missouri, and from there it would go on to Houston, Texas; Denver; 
Atlanta; London; and Paris.
  Benjamin Franklin was this Nation's greatest citizen perhaps, 
diplomat, statesman. He was a scientist, a philanthropist, 
humanitarian, inventor, and humorist.
  As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, I can remember when I was a child 
and found things to read that reading about Benjamin Franklin was 
really just simply one of the great joys of growing up, and I never 
will forget one thing that he said. I mean, he had all of these ideas 
about virtue, and he said on temperance, ``Eat not to dullness, drink 
not to elevation.'' And I was asking a young fellow the other day what 
that meant, and he said that Franklin was saying don't eat until you 
get too filled and don't drink until you get too high. So, obviously, 
there are a lot of people in our country and our society who could 
remember that.
  But I am indeed pleased that we are recognizing the amazing 
achievements of Benjamin Franklin by celebrating his 300th birthday and 
presenting an international traveling exhibition.
  I firmly support H.R. 4586 and urge its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1830

  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of 
H.R. 4586, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4586, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to extend 
the life of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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