[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 27, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H7626-H7627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          ANDRES TORO BUILDING

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5026) to designate the Investigations Building of the Food 
and Drug Administration located at 466 Fernandez Juncos Avenue in San 
Juan, Puerto Rico, as the ``Andres Toro Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 5026

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

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.

       The Investigations Building of the Food and Drug 
     Administration located at 466 Fernandez Juncos Avenue in San 
     Juan, Puerto Rico, shall be known and designated as the 
     ``Andres Toro Building''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the Federal building 
     referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to 
     the ``Andres Toro Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from

[[Page H7627]]

Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. 
Corrine Brown) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5026, introduced by Representative Luis Fortuno of 
Puerto Rico, designates the Investigations Building of the Food and 
Drug Administration located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as the Andres 
Toro Building.
  Andres Toro was the Director of the Compliance Division of the FDA 
San Juan district office. He joined the FDA in 1977 as an investigator 
in the San Juan district office and worked his way up through the ranks 
to Director of the Compliance Division. He is the first and only Puerto 
Rican to have risen to this high government rank in the FDA without 
taking a position off the island, and received many awards along the 
way.
  Mr. Toro played a major role in some of the most unprecedented 
regulatory cases the FDA has initiated against the food and drug 
industry. He was known for his dedication and commitment in preserving 
and protecting public health.
  Mr. Toro's life of public service came to an end when a sudden heart 
attack claimed his life June 24, 2005. This bill is a fitting tribute 
to a dedicated public servant.
  I support the legislation, and encourage my colleagues to do the 
same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5026 is a bill to designate the Food and Drug 
Building located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as the Andres Toro Building.
  Andres Toro was an extremely knowledgeable public servant. As a 
Federal employee highly regarded by both his coworkers and members of 
the pharmaceutical industry in Puerto Rico, he directed the Office of 
Investigations for the Food and Drug Administration in the Puerto Rico 
district.
  Working with local government agencies, he demonstrated his 
commitment to preserving and enhancing public health by playing a major 
role in FDA actions in regulatory matters. He was widely regarded as 
one of the most knowledgeable members in the regulatory environment and 
made valuable and significant contributions to the FDA office in San 
Juan.
  During his Federal career, he received numerous awards and honors, 
including the Commissioner's Special Citation for the Tylenol tampering 
case, the FDA Commendable Service Award for outstanding performance and 
dedication during Hurricane David, and in 1993 for his participation in 
the criminal investigation called ``operation golden pill.''
  Mr. Toro was a veteran of the Vietnam War and was awarded the 
National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.
  After attending Catholic University in Puerto Rico, he joined the FDA 
in San Juan in 1977. Over the course of his Federal a career he rose to 
the rank of Director of Investigations for the Puerto Rico district of 
the Food and Drug Administration. He was beloved by his fellow workers, 
who relied on his expertise, knowledge and guidance.
  It is both fitting and proper to honor this extraordinary public 
servant with this designation. I support H.R. 5026, and urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5026, a bill to 
designate the Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Building located at 
466 Fernandez Juncos Avenue in San Juan, Puerto Rico as the Andres Toro 
Building.
  Andres Toro, a Federal employee who recently passed away, was highly 
regarded by his co-workers and members of the pharmaceutical industry 
in Puerto Rico. He was the Director of the Office of Investigations for 
the Food and Drug Administration in the Puerto Rico District.
  Andres Toro was a veteran of the Vietnam war and was awarded the 
National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. After 
attending Catholic University in Puerto Rico he joined the FDA in San 
Juan in 1977. He was the recipient of the Secretary's award for 
Distinguished Service and the Outstanding Service Award.
  It is both fitting and proper to honor Andres Toro and his 
extraordinary public career with this designation.
  I support H.R. 5026 and urge my colleagues to join me in support of 
this bill.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. SHUSTER. 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 Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5026.
  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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