[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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