[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 103 (Monday, June 25, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H7019-H7022]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING JACK VALENTI
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 361) recognizing and honoring Jack Valenti and
expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives to his
family on his death, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 361
Whereas Jack Valenti was born in Houston, Texas, on
September 5, 1921, and resided in Washington, DC and Beverly
Hills, California;
Whereas Jack Valenti graduated from the University of
Houston with a Bachelor of Arts degree and from Harvard
University with a Master of Business Administration degree;
Whereas Jack Valenti served as special assistant to
President Lyndon B. Johnson;
Whereas Jack Valenti was the distinguished president of the
Motion Picture Association of America for 38 years;
Whereas Jack Valenti was a trusted presidential advisor, a
war hero, an author, and a pioneer in the American film
industry;
Whereas Jack Valenti was a great humanitarian who served as
a powerful spokesperson for the global fight against AIDS,
tuberculosis, and malaria;
Whereas Jack Valenti was a loving husband to his wife, Mary
Margaret, and an exceptional father to his three children,
Alexandra, John, and Courtenay;
Whereas Jack Valenti's spirit touched everyone he
encountered, whether in his political career or in his time
spent with the Motion Picture Association of America;
Whereas Jack Valenti revolutionized the movie industry
through the creation of a voluntary movie rating system that
has endured to this day;
Whereas Jack Valenti's vision for the movie industry has
withstood the test of time, and has provided guidance for
families in their movie viewing experiences as well as
safeguards for our filmmakers;
Whereas the vision and character Jack Valenti brought to
the movie industry will be greatly missed; and
Whereas on April 26, 2007, Jack Valenti passed away,
prompting his friend and confidant, Dan Glickman, to say,
``Jack was a showman, a gentleman, an orator, and a
passionate champion of this country, its movies, and the
enduring freedoms that made both so important to this world.
He also embodied the theatricality of our industry with his
conviction, quick wit and boundless energy. In a very real
sense, he was the ultimate leading man.'': Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes Jack Valenti as one of the greatest
contributors to the motion picture industry;
(2) honors Jack Valenti for his service to his country, for
his tremendous accomplishments, and for his contributions to
the movie industry and to the Nation; and
(3) extends its deepest condolences to the family of Jack
Valenti.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from
Connecticut (Mr. Shays) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.
General Leave
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
There was no objection.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in
the discussion of H. Res. 361, recognizing and honoring Jack Valenti
and expressing the condolences to the House of Representatives to his
family on his death.
H. Res. 361, which has 95 cosponsors, was introduced by
Representative Diane Watson on May 1, 2007. H. Res. 361 was reported
from the Oversight Committee on June 12, 2007 by voice vote.
Jack Valenti was born September 5, 1921 in Houston, Texas. An honor
student and debate champion at Sam Houston High School, he graduated at
age 15. Lacking the funds to attend college, he worked for $11 a week
as an usher at a movie theater.
At age 20, Mr. Valenti served in the U.S. Army, which in 1941 was
called the Army Air Forces. He flew 51 missions and was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross. He received his MBA degree from Harvard
University in 1948 and 4 years later started an advertising business.
Mr. Valenti served as a Special Assistant to President Lyndon B.
Johnson. In 1966, he left the White House to become president of the
Motion Picture Association of America for 38 years. He died on April
26, 2007.
[[Page H7020]]
Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Diane Watson of
California, for introducing this legislation and urge the swift passage
of this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady from D.C. and look
forward to the time that she will be a full Member of this Chamber,
with all the rights and privileges.
Much as been said about the life of Jack Valenti, and rightfully so.
It is impossible to sum up his great life and achievements in the short
time we have today.
He held powerful influence on both coasts in the United States, in
Washington, D.C., where he served as a political adviser to President
Johnson, and in Hollywood, where he served as chief lobbyist of the
Motion Picture Association of America. Valenti negotiated both power
centers with dignity, determination and deference.
He was born to Houston, Texas, as was pointed out, the grandson of
Sicilian immigrants. He excelled in school and finished high school at
an early age. Unable to afford college, he worked for a short time in a
movie theater, then at an oil company, until he could afford night
classes at the University of Houston. His leadership skills, solidified
at college, and he was elected student body president. From there, he
went on to earn his MBA from Harvard University.
His interest in politics began during a chance meeting with President
Johnson, who was looking to reach out to fellow Texans while serving in
the Senate. At the meeting, Jack Valenti was fascinated by Johnson and
chose to work on his next campaign in Texas. They kept in touch, and he
was soon employed by Johnson when he became Vice President.
Jack Valenti was inspired by the Vice President and viewed him as a
mentor. Valenti was in the presidential motorcade as it traveled
through downtown Dallas, Texas on that fateful tragic day of November
22, 1963, when President Kennedy was assassinated. He said later that
that day changed his life forever. Indeed, he became President
Johnson's special assistant, and even lived in the White House during
the early months of the new President's term.
He left the White House when he was approached by two Hollywood
studio executives to take over their fledgling trade group. With a pay
raise almost impossible to turn down, he accepted the position and
became the chief lobbyist for the Motion Picture Association of America
in 1966.
He revitalized the film rating system, bringing it into line with
current culture. It is a system which has remained intact, other than
modifications Valenti also helped put in place for decades.
Through the years, movies and technologies changed and progressed, as
did his work. He helped the industry thrive even as television and home
videos chipped away its dominance. He fought digital piracy and other
threats to the film industry.
Valenti left MPAA in 2004, but he remained active in the public
stage. He concentrated on the world health issues such as AIDS,
tuberculosis and malaria. He helped devise the technology by which
parents control what programs their children watch.
He continued this work almost until the day in April when he died. He
leaves behind his wife of 45 years, three children and two
grandchildren. He also leaves behind a legacy of service of principled
advocacy and of human warmth appreciated by all who had the privilege
of knowing him. His character, his warm personality and his deep
southern accent all will be missed as much his has legacy in the worlds
of film and public policy.
Mr. Speaker, with that, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Shays, for
his remarks concerning my membership in this House. It is typical of
his generosity, and I appreciate it. I also appreciate his voting for
the bill for the residents of the District of Columbia to have a vote
in this House.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the sponsor of this
bill, the gentlelady from California (Ms. Watson).
{time} 1500
Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be the author, with my good
friend, Darrell Issa, of this resolution to honor the life of a great
American and dear friend, Jack Valenti. Both Washington and Hollywood
lost an icon in April with the passing of Jack Valenti. For nearly four
decades, Jack served as the public face of Hollywood as the head of the
Motion Picture Association of America where he was most famous for
creating the film rating system we use today.
Jack's career as a public servant began during World War II when he
flew B-25 bombers for the United States Army Air Force. After the war,
Jack served as one of President Lyndon Johnson's closest advisers. Jack
left the White House after several years to become a pioneer in the
entertainment industry. Joining MPAA in 1966, Jack created the movie
rating system that we use today. Jack served as one of Washington's
most effective lobbyists, moving easily between Hollywood and
Washington as the president of the MPAA for 38 years.
After his tenure at the Motion Picture Association, Jack joined the
fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as a final mission in his
extraordinary life and committed himself to working tirelessly to
increase the quality of life of those suffering from the devastating
effects of disease and poverty across the globe. He served as a
relentless spokesman for disease-devastated communities across the
globe while navigating the Halls of Congress with statesmanlike agility
to ensure that the United States increased its funding to the Global
Fund to fight AIDS and to fight tuberculosis and malaria and other
programs that save lives.
Not only has the global health community lost a great advocate, but
so has the entertainment industry and Washington lost a truly great
friend.
So I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleague in urging passage of
this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the
gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor today
for me to pay tribute to Mr. Jack Valenti. As it has been said, by age
15, he was the youngest high school graduate in Houston. He began work
as an office boy with the Humble Oil Company, which is now Exxon Mobil,
which is near my congressional district.
As a young pilot in the Army Air Corps in World War II, Lieutenant
Valenti flew 51 combat missions as the pilot commander of a B-25 attack
bomber with the 12th Air Force in Italy. He graduated with a B.A. from
the University of Houston and an M.B.A. from Harvard. In 1952, he
cofounded the advertising and political consulting agency, Weekly &
Valenti, which was in charge of press during President Kennedy's and
Vice President Johnson's tragic visit to Texas. He was in the
motorcade, six cars behind the President, in Dallas on November 22,
1963. Within an hour of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Mr.
Valenti was aboard Air Force One flying back to Washington with the new
President as the first newly hired special assistant to President
Johnson.
Later in his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the
MPAA, Mr. Valenti presided over tremendous worldwide change in the
industry. New technologies, the arrival of the importance of
international markets and the tyranny of piracy radically changed the
landscape of the American film and television industry. It was Mr.
Valenti's leadership and personal efforts that led the confrontation
with these global dangers, problems and opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, our communities and our country have always relied on
the contributions of those individuals who have the ability to rise
above and beyond the call of duty to make a difference in the lives of
others, both personally and professionally. Jack Valenti was one of
those rare individuals that demonstrated unfailing and tireless
commitment to the betterment of the U.S. movie industry and the entire
Nation.
Mr. Speaker, though our community is diminished by his loss, I ask
that my
[[Page H7021]]
colleagues join me and his friends and his family in celebrating the
remarkable life of this man who truly symbolized America at its best,
Jack Valenti, a true and loyal Texan.
Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to a true
patriot and dedicated public servant, Jack Valenti, whose passing we
continue to mourn. From his days as a brave fighter pilot in World War
II to his sound advice and counsel to President Lyndon Johnson, Jack
always served his country with distinction and honor. A Democrat
committed to the ideals of justice and equality, he approached each
issue in the spirit of bipartisanship, earning respect on both sides of
the aisle for his intellect and his passion.
As a fellow Italian-American, I take special pride in the life,
leadership, and many accomplishments of Jack Valenti. His brilliant
career, in both the public and private sector, was marked by humanity,
humor, and excellence. As head of the Motion Picture Association of
America, Jack's leadership helped promote and spread the best of
American art and creativity on the silver screen all around the world.
It was his sense of responsibility for the well-being of our children
that inspired his efforts to establish a rating system to help parents
monitor what their children watched.
As a passionate advocate for our children, Jack fought to protect our
next generation, lending his powerful voice for those who could not be
heard. His concern for the health and well-being of our children
spurred his efforts as founder and president of the Friends of the
Global Fight Against AIDS, TB, and Malaria, fighting diseases across
the globe that for too long have extinguished the flame of hope that
should burn brightly in the eyes of every child.
Jack Valenti will be greatly missed, and his accomplishments will be
long remembered in the lives of all those he touched. My husband Paul
and I express our deepest sympathy to his family, whom he adored, and
hope that it is a comfort to his wife Mary Margaret, his children
Courtenay, John, and Alexandra, and his two grandchildren that so many
people share their loss and continue to pray for them.
Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 361,
recognizing and honoring the life of Jack Valenti and expressing the
condolences of the House of Representatives to his family.
Jack Valenti was an American icon who holds a special place in the
history of the United States. He was a principled leader, a fiery
advocate, but always a gentleman. For over 40 years Jack dedicated
himself to one of our country's most enduring and influential cultural
exports, the motion picture. While most of the world knows Jack for his
work at the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), many of us
would be surprised to know that Jack was buried in Arlington National
Cemetery, not Hollywood.
Prior to his life promoting and defending the motion picture
industry, Jack piloted a B-25 bomber for the Army Air Forces during
WWII, founded his own advertising company and worked for an oil firm in
Texas. It was Jack's Texas roots that helped propel him into national
politics following the assassination of President Kennedy. As a loyal
political advisor to President Lyndon Johnson, Jack cemented his roots
in Washington, DC. This city and this country have lost someone that
practiced the art of advocacy and consensus that is rarely achieved and
sorely missed.
My father, California Senator Fred Farr knew and worked with Jack
when they both served in the Johnson Administration and I can say from
personal knowledge that Jack was indeed a gentleman who would always
offer a kind word, even to his greatest antagonists. The difficulty of
Jack's job for the MPAA should not go overlooked, for uniting and
assuaging the heads of major Hollywood studios would probably drive
even the most savvy party leader batty. That ability to form consensus
was only overshadowed by the eloquence in his usage of the English
language.
Jack is survived by his wife of over 45 years Mary Margaret Valenti
and their three children, John, Alexander and Courtenay; his sister,
Lorraine Valenti Dinerstein; and two grandchildren.
As Jack's love of classical literature is well known, I find it
fitting to quote Shakespeare in honor of a man that lived several lives
in one lifetime:
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.
I was pleased to call Jack Valenti a friend.
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, even as a young child, Jack Valenti showed
signs of great leadership and oratory skills. He was a debate champion
at his high school. Making good use of his natural ability to persuade
and his interest in entertainment, Jack worked as a movie theater usher
before enrolling in the University of Houston. After receiving his
B.A., he enlisted in the Army Air Force where he participated in 51
flying missions and was honored with the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Following his time in the armed forces, Jack graduated from Harvard
University in 1948 with a Master's degree in business administration.
Jack Valenti entered the political arena when he was invited to a
reception at a Houston Hotel to meet his future mentor and friend,
Lyndon B. Johnson. He was immediately inspired by Johnson, who at the
time was the U.S. Senate Majority Leader. When Johnson was selected as
Kennedy's running mate in 1960, Jack worked on their media campaign. He
remained close to Johnson after he became the Vice President.
Following the tragic Kennedy assassination in Dallas, TX, Jack was
asked by then-President Johnson to accompany him to Washington where he
became a special assistant and close confidant to the new President.
After defending Johnson through criticism of the Vietnam War and
conspiracy connecting Johnson to the Kennedy assassination, Valenti was
offered a lucrative job by MCA Inc. head Lew Wasserman and United
Artists' Arthur Krim as head of the Motion Picture Association of
America.
In this position, Valenti created the MPAA rating system which
initially labeled movies into four distinct ratings: G, M, R and X.
This was Valenti's crowning achievement in the entertainment industry;
the MPAA system is still used today to provide guidance for movie-
viewing families. During his 38 year tenure as president of the MPAA,
he was extremely well known in Washington as an advocate for the
entertainment industry's major issues. He lobbied for the protection of
movie copyrights and the prevention of digital piracy. His voluminous
and eloquent style of speaking, coupled with his unique silver hair and
cowboy boots, made him one of the most recognizable figures on the
Hill.
His sage observations and folksy wisdom made Jack Valenti one of the
most effective players in Washington. He was an advisor to Members of
Congress on both sides of the aisle; and all of us fortunate enough to
receive his council benefited greatly from our association and
friendship with him. We all miss him greatly.
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 361, recognizing
and honoring Jack Valenti and expressing the condolences of the House
of Representatives to his family on his death. I also want to thank my
colleague from California, Diane Watson, for introducing this
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, Jack Valenti was a giant of a man in many respects.
While he was well known for his service to Presidents and his work at
the Motion Picture Association of America, I came to know Jack best
from his tireless and selfless work on behalf of people living with
HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Jack came to this final mission in his life with the same dedication,
creativity and vigor that he had so long displayed in serving the MPAA
and our nation.
He was a champion for communities devastated by disease throughout
the world, and brought both Republicans and Democrats together with his
impassioned testimony about the terrible toll that AIDS, tuberculosis
and malaria had taken on Africa and the developing world.
I had met with Jack a number of times over the last few years to talk
specifically about his work on behalf of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Malaria. Each time we met I always came away inspired
by his energy and his advocacy on behalf of the most vulnerable among
us.
We had talked about traveling to Africa together so that he could
bear witness to both the tragic impact of AIDS, TB and malaria, and to
the hope and dedication of the people--who through it all still
maintained their dignity and their optimism for a better tomorrow.
Although we never managed to take that trip together, Jack finally made
it to Africa for the first time in his life in July of 2006, and I know
that he was deeply affected by what he saw.
We had been in the process of organizing another meeting together in
March to strategize about AIDS policy and funding for the coming year
when he had a stroke. Unfortunately I regret that I never had the
chance to talk to him again before he passed away. But I will always
remember Jack Valenti for his determined spirit, his compassion, and
his friendship. As we continue the global fight against these three
diseases, his legacy and his advocacy will continue to serve as a true
inspiration for all of us.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in proud support
of H. Res. 361, as offered by my distinguished colleague from
California and chair of the Congressional Entertainment Caucus,
Congresswoman Diane Watson. This resolution recognizes and honors the
life and lifetime accomplishments of Jack Valenti, while also
expressing condolences of the House of Representatives to his family on
his death. Having served as a long-
[[Page H7022]]
time president of the Motion Picture Association of America, Jack
Valenti deserves no better tribute than that of being honored by
members of the United States Congress.
Mr. Speaker, Jack Valenti began his political career during the era
of the ``Great Society.'' He briefly served as the first special
assistant to President Lyndon B. Johnson during his tenure in the White
House. However, he resigned from the White House commission In 1966,
when he respectfully earned the position as President of the Motion
Picture Association of America. Nevertheless, public admiration of this
prominent young man followed him from his tenure in politics, unto his
career in the film industry and thereafter.
Jack Valenti was born in Houston, Texas on September 5, 1921. During
the era of World War II, Mr. Valenti served as a lieutenant in the
United States Army Air Corps, flying 51 combat missions as the pilot-
commander of a B-25 attack bomber. It was also at this time that he
received four decorations--the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air
Medal with four clusters, the Distinguished Unit Citation with one
cluster, as well as the European Theater Ribbon with four battle stars.
His educational attainments are marked with his graduation from high
school at the age of 15, the youngest high school graduate in his city.
He took several years hiatus to work in the field of oil and gas, as
well as to serve his Nation as a pilot in the Army Air Corps. He later
went on to earn a Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of
Houston, where he worked full-time during the day and attended
undergraduate courses at night. He continued to advance his education
by obtaining a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard
University. In 1952, Valenti assisted in the co-founding of an
advertising/political consulting agency. It was this agency that led
the press during President John F. Kennedy and Vice-President Lyndon B.
Johnson's Dallas, Texas visit in 1963.
Valenti's legacy is prevalent through his invention of the movie/film
rating, which is still used today. Such a vision and innovation not
only transformed the movie industry, but also provided guidance for
families, protection for children moviegoers and their parents, as well
as safeguard for our filmmakers.
Mr. Speaker, among many things, it will be the vision and character
of Mr. Jack Valenti that will greatly be missed. Rarely are we given
the opportunities to recognize and honor the lifetime accomplishments
of our American heroes, as well have today. For this reason, I ask my
colleagues to rise and join me in honoring the life and lifetime
accomplishments of the late Jack Valenti. We who knew and loved him
will always remember him as a gentleman, a man with boundless energy, a
leader in our Nation, a wartime hero, a proud father and a loving
husband, a political consultant, and a movie industry powerhouse. He
was one in a million and will greatly be missed.
Today, I ask that we join in recognizing Valenti as one of the
greatest contributors to the motion picture industry and honoring him
for his service, accomplishments, and contributions to our Nation. I
also ask that we extend our deepest condolences to his family--wife,
Margaret, and children, Alexandra, John and Courtenay.
Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, we have lost a dear friend and national
treasure with the passing of the legendary Jack Valenti, but, his
legacy lives on. I know this is a tremendous loss for his family,
friends, and many admirers, and I join with my colleagues in the House
of Representatives in extending our deepest condolences to all those
who loved him. We should all be grateful for the many wonderful
memories we share of Jack, memories that cannot ease the pain of our
loss but remind us of the amazing accomplishments of this remarkable
man. I join with others in the House in expressing our sympathy to
Jack's beloved wife of 45 years Mary Margaret Valenti, his three
children John, Alexandra, and Courtenay Valenti, and his 2
grandchildren.
Born in 1921 as the grandson of Sicilian immigrants, Jack Valenti
became part of the ``Greatest Generation'' of Americans who served our
country in World War II; and he continued to serve our country long
after the War. Jack fought tyranny and served the United States by
piloting a B-25 attack bomber in the European theater, flying 51
missions, and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism
and extraordinary achievement. Following the War, Jack made his home in
Texas where he established a successful business in Dallas and became a
close friend and ally of President Lyndon Johnson. The terrible events
in Dallas on November 22, 1963 pulled Jack Valenti back into the
service of our country when soon to be President Johnson asked him to
return from Dallas to Washington DC to join his Administration where he
served his close friend as confidant and key aide to the President.
From the Johnson Administration, Jack Valenti was lured into the film
industry as the head of the Motion Picture Association of America where
he achieved great success as the preeminent trade representative in
Washington, D.C. Among other achievements, Jack was the architect of
the revolutionary movie rating system, which is essentially still
intact today, providing generations of parents and filmgoers with
guidelines on the content of films that carried the MPAA rating
designation. Jack spoke often about the importance of open and free
markets for Hollywood films, and was a passionate and staunch advocate
for the protection of intellectual property rights in the digital age.
But, this is only a brief snapshot of what he did, it does not
identify who he was. For Jack Valenti was much larger than any of his
numerous accomplishments.
Jack was a dear friend to many, and a truly gifted and remarkable
individual. Jack earned the respect of Presidents and porters; his
common touch and old world style enticed people to gravitate to him.
These attributes, teamed with his keen mind and ability to consider a
different point of view, allowed Jack Valenti to gain the admiration
and respect of people on both sides of the aisle and even on opposite
sides of many Issues.
But for me, the most important thing to recall is the humanity and
warmth he conveyed to everyone whose lives he touched. I was proud and
privileged to call Jack my friend. He counseled me on issues we cared
about, encouraged me to accept the challenges of this great
institution, and comforted me during times of personal tragedy. I will
be forever grateful for his friendship, guidance, and counsel.
Jack Valenti is truly the embodiment of the phrase, ``his like shall
not soon be seen again.'' He was an original, he became a legend, and,
he was ours.
He will be missed.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, Jack
Valenti--a man whose prowess as a lobbyist for the movie industry was
outshined only by the passion he brought to his work and the steadfast
love he had for our country. Jack was a trusted Presidential advisor, a
war hero, an author and a pioneer in the American industry.
As President of the Motion Picture Association of America, Jack was
one of the most hardworking and dedicated advocates you would find
anywhere on Capitol Hill. When he spoke, people listened--and by
inventing the movie industry's rating system, he demonstrated just how
vital America's business community can be in providing for the common
good.
Jack was a consummate professional, a good friend, and someone that I
will never forget. My deepest sympathies go out to his family and
friends as we mark his passing and commemorate a life that meant so
much to people all across this great land.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 361, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________