[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 175 (Tuesday, November 13, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H13596-H13598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON 
                         COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 808) commemorating the 50th 
Anniversary of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 808

       Whereas, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments 
     is an independent, nonprofit organization, founded in 1957, 
     and comprised of elected officials from 21 local governments 
     of the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and Northern 
     Virginia, plus area members of the Maryland and Virginia 
     legislatures, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of 
     Representatives;
       Whereas in April 1957 forty officials from Washington area 
     jurisdictions voluntarily

[[Page H13597]]

     gathered to establish an organization where they could 
     exchange ideas and work together on regional issues such as 
     transportation, the environment, and public safety; this 
     organization became the Metropolitan Washington Council of 
     Governments;
       Whereas during the past half century COG's activities have 
     touched every aspect of the life of the citizens of the 
     National Capital Region and have improved the quality of life 
     for all residents;
       Whereas COG has facilitated the development of effective 
     responses to such issues as the environment, affordable 
     housing, economic development, human services, land use 
     development, public safety and emergency response, and 
     transportation that have had a profound and positive impact 
     on the National Capital Region;
       Whereas these responses include galvanizing the region's 
     response to the September 11th attacks and the ongoing 
     emergency preparedness programs, cleaning up of the Potomac 
     River, spearheading a number of regional health programs 
     including one of the nation's first regional conferences on 
     AIDS, creating the region's express bus lane system, reducing 
     air pollution through a model law and establishing the 
     region's daily air quality index, and founding the Foster and 
     Adoptive Families program for vulnerable children and 
     teenagers;
       Whereas COG has served as the Metropolitan Planning 
     Organization guiding the region's transportation planning in 
     partnership with the state and local departments of 
     transportation since the 1960s and has served as key advocate 
     for increased funding for the region's transportation needs;
       Whereas COG's air quality committee created by the State of 
     Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of 
     Columbia, has worked successfully to reduce pollutants in the 
     region's air;
       Whereas COG has worked with area governments and law 
     enforcement and emergency response officials to improve 
     public safety response and coordination for over four 
     decades, starting with the ``mutual aid agreements'' that 
     began with the opening of the Wilson Bridge in 1962 and 
     continuing to the present with homeland security planning and 
     initiatives such as the regional pawnshop database that has 
     helped recover millions of dollars of stolen property; and
       Whereas COG managed a Federal pilot program to provide 
     treatment and support services to women who abused alcohol 
     and drugs, and currently works with area health officials to 
     improve the region's emergency preparedness by developing a 
     disease and syndromic surveillance system: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives 
     does hereby offers its sincerest congratulations to the 
     Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in recognition 
     of its 50th Anniversary and its legacy of outstanding service 
     to the governments and citizens of greater Washington, D.C. 
     metropolitan region and expresses its appreciation for a job 
     well done.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. I thank my good friend and distinguished 
colleague from Illinois for yielding me the time. I have the great 
honor to offer this resolution on behalf of all of my colleagues in the 
Washington metropolitan area.
  The Council of Governments of the Washington Metropolitan Area began 
50 years ago, in 1957. In the ensuing 50 years, it has become the 
premier group for collaboration on transportation, air and water 
quality, regional growth, emergency response, and any number of other 
domestic issues that are important to its individual jurisdictions. We 
will be honoring the Council of Governments Thursday night in their 
50th anniversary gala, and all of our Washington area colleagues, 
including Ms. Norton, Congressman Van Hollen, Congressman Hoyer, 
Congressman Wynn, Congressman Davis and Congressman Wolf, will all 
participate, as they have been participating since they have been 
elected to office in the Council of Governments.
  Since its first meeting during the Eisenhower administration where 
there were seven charter member governments, it has grown to include 21 
local jurisdictions. As it has grown, it has become the place to 
discuss and address and solve so many of the region's problems.
  Because of the Council of Governments, this is one of the finest 
regions in the country in which to live. But it wasn't always that way. 
Fifty years ago, it had half of its current population, it had no Metro 
system and no interstate highway system. Imagine, just 50 years ago. 
But the visionary leaders of this area got together, and in working 
with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, have made 
enormous strides in creating a region that is proud to be the capital 
of the free world, and those who live here reflect that pride. But it 
didn't happen by accident. COG has been an essential component of that 
growth.
  In 1967, COG was responsible for the D.C. Air Pollution Act. It was a 
model that was created by the Council of Governments, signed by 
President Johnson. The fire chiefs of the area got together and put 
together a mutual aid agreement. That became the model for the 9/11 
Commission's recommendation for all metropolitan areas in the country. 
The response of the Council of Governments on September 11, 2001, in 
pulling together all of the emergency responders, was tremendous and 
deserves great credit as well. The Regional Incident Communication 
Coordination System is a model in the country.
  Now those 21 local governments have over 250 members. We have one of 
the highest quality of life achievements in the country and the 
Nation's strongest economy. And as we plan for an additional 1.6 
million people and 1.2 million more jobs over the next 25 years, COG 
will continue to address those challenges. When we look forward to the 
next 50 years, COG predicts that by the year 2057 the average home in 
metropolitan Washington will cost more than $14 million. That means a 
lot of pay increases for all of the Federal workers, I guess including 
the Members themselves. But we are going to be part of a mega-region 
stretching from Baltimore to Richmond. The way in which we use energy 
is going to be a key determinant in terms of the region's prosperity.
  There will be enormous changes that take place. But whatever changes 
take place, we know that the Council of Governments is going to be 
there as a meeting place, as a forum, as a facilitator, to address all 
of the challenges that confront us.
  So, after 50 years of tremendous achievement, we do want to recognize 
this organization, and I very much appreciate the committee giving us 
the opportunity to do so. I think I have used my time, and I don't 
think there is much controversy, so I will conclude my remarks at this 
point.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to join with the gentleman from Virginia, my 
friend, in enthusiastically supporting this legislation. After 50 years 
of this kind of a Council of Governments' working, it deserves the 
recognition it will receive here on the House floor today. I certainly 
believe that Mr. Moran has done a very, very good job of outlining the 
50 years of success, beginning in April of 1957, and I think we should 
briefly reflect on what 1957 until day was all about.
  This is a time in which the District of Columbia went through 
terrible upheaval. Maryland and Virginia had to reinvent themselves. 
All of this could not have been done without the kind of cooperation 
that this council produced. I think it is certainly unique to have the 
District of Columbia and two States, five counties, two cities and 
dozens of Maryland counties all working together. These jurisdictions 
are cooperating.
  I think that is a legacy that has only half finished its work. I 
think on a bipartisan basis we all recognize the improvements in the 
quality of living here, the transportation and infrastructure that 
makes it possible for us to get to work by road or by rail.
  So, I look forward to this organization continuing for another 50 
years serving what is today 1.6 million people, and certainly a growing 
population, both in and out of the district.
  With that, I very much urge passage of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

[[Page H13598]]

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleagues, and I commend 
Representative Moran for his introduction of H. Res. 808, commemorating 
the 50th anniversary of the regional planning that has taken place in 
the Washington, D.C., area. It has been instrumental in making this, as 
he indicated, one of the most desirable areas of the country in which 
to live. I commend them for their effort and salute him for his 
introduction of this resolution.
  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 Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 808.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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