[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 98 (Monday, June 28, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H4886-H4893]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE UNIFORMED DIVISION MODERNIZATION ACT OF
2010
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 1510) to transfer statutory entitlements to pay and
hours of work authorized by the District of Columbia Code for current
members of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division from the
District of Columbia Code to the United States Code, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the amendments is as follows:
Amendments:
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``United States Secret Service
Uniformed Division Modernization Act of 2010''.
TITLE I--PERSONNEL RULES FOR UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE UNIFORMED
DIVISION
SEC. 101. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this title is to transfer statutory
entitlements to pay and hours of work authorized by laws
codified in the District of Columbia Official Code for
current members of the United States Secret Service Uniformed
Division from such laws to the United States Code.
SEC. 102. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE
UNIFORMED DIVISION.
(a) Pay for Members of the United States Secret Service
Uniformed Division.--Subpart I of part III of title 5, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``CHAPTER 102--UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE UNIFORMED DIVISION
PERSONNEL
``Sec.
[[Page H4887]]
``10201. Definitions.
``10202. Authorities.
``10203. Basic pay.
``10204. Rate of pay for original appointments.
``10205. Service step adjustments.
``10206. Technician positions.
``10207. Promotions.
``10208. Demotions.
``10209. Clothing allowances.
``10210. Reporting requirement.
``Sec. 10201. Definitions
``In this chapter--
``(1) the term `member' means an employee of the United
States Secret Service Uniformed Division having the
authorities described under section 3056A(b) of title 18;
``(2) the term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the
Department of Homeland Security; and
``(3) the term `United States Secret Service Uniformed
Division' has the meaning given that term under section 3056A
of title 18.
``Sec. 10202. Authorities
``(a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to--
``(1) fix and adjust rates of basic pay for members of the
United States Secret Service Uniformed Division, subject to
the requirements of this chapter;
``(2) determine what constitutes an acceptable level of
competence for the purposes of section 10205;
``(3) establish and determine the positions at the Officer
and Sergeant ranks to be included as technician positions;
and
``(4) determine the rate of basic pay of a member who is
changed or demoted to a lower rank, in accordance with
section 10208.
``(b) Delegation of Authority.--The Secretary is authorized
to delegate to the designated agent or agents of the
Secretary, any power or function vested in the Secretary
under in this chapter.
``(c) Regulations.--The Secretary may prescribe such
regulations as may be necessary to administer this chapter.
``Sec. 10203. Basic pay
``(a) In General.--The annual rates of basic pay of members
of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division shall
be fixed in accordance with the following schedule of rates,
except that the payable annual rate of basic pay for
positions at the Lieutenant, Captain, and Inspector ranks is
limited to 95 percent of the rate of pay for level V of the
Executive Schedule under subchapter II of chapter 53.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
``Rank Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Step 9 Step 10 Step 11 Step 12 Step 13
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officer.................................................. $44,000 $46,640 $49,280 $51,920 $54,560 $57,200 $59,840 $62,480 $65,120 $67,760 $70,400 $73,040 $75,680
Sergeant................................................. ........ ........ ........ 59,708 62,744 65,780 68,816 71,852 74,888 77,924 80,960 83,996 87,032
Lieutenant............................................... ........ ........ ........ ........ 69,018 72,358 75,698 79,038 82,378 85,718 89,058 92,398 95,738
Captain.................................................. ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ 79,594 83,268 86,942 90,616 94,290 97,964 101,638 105,312
Inspector................................................ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ 91,533 95,758 99,983 104,208 108,433 112,658 116,883 121,108
Deputy Chief............................................. The rate of basic pay for Deputy Chief positions will be equal to 95 percent of the rate of pay for level V of the Executive
Schedule.
Assistant Chief.......................................... The rate of basic pay the Assistant Chief position will be equal to 95 percent of the rate of pay for level V of the Executive
Schedule.
Chief.................................................... The rate of basic pay the Chief position will be equal to the rate of pay for level V of the Executive Schedule.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
``(b) Schedule Adjustment.--
``(1)(A) Effective at the beginning of the first pay period
commencing on or after the first day of the month in which an
adjustment in the rates of basic pay under the General
Schedule takes effect under section 5303 or other authority,
the schedule of annual rates of basic pay of members (except
the Deputy Chiefs, Assistant Chief and Chief) shall be
adjusted by the Secretary by a percentage amount
corresponding to the percentage adjustment made in the rates
of pay under the General Schedule.
``(B) The Secretary may establish a methodology of schedule
adjustment that--
``(i) results in uniform fixed-dollar step increments
within any given rank; and
``(ii) preserves the established percentage differences
among rates of different ranks at the same step position.
``(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the payable annual
rate of basic pay for positions at the Lieutenant, Captain,
and Inspector ranks after adjustment under paragraph (1) may
not exceed 95 percent of the rate of pay for level V of the
Executive Schedule under subchapter II of chapter 53.
``(3) Locality-based comparability payments authorized
under section 5304 shall be applicable to the basic pay for
all ranks under this section, except locality-based
comparability payments may not be paid at a rate which, when
added to the rate of basic pay otherwise payable to the
member, would cause the total to exceed the rate of basic pay
payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule.
``Sec. 10204. Rate of pay for original appointments
``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b),
all original appointments shall be made at the minimum rate
of basic pay for the Officer rank set forth in the schedule
in section 10203.
``(b) Exception for Superior Qualifications or Special
Need.--The Director of the United States Secret Service or
the designee of the Director may appoint an individual at a
rate above the minimum rate of basic pay for the Officer rank
based on the individual's superior qualifications or a
special need of the Government for the individual's services.
``Sec. 10205. Service step adjustments
``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `calendar week
of active service' includes all periods of leave with pay or
other paid time off, and periods of non-pay status which do
not cumulatively equal one 40-hour workweek.
``(b) Adjustments.--Each member whose current performance
is at an acceptable level of competence shall have a service
step adjustment as follows:
``(1) Each member in service step 1, 2, or 3 shall be
advanced successively to the next higher service step at the
beginning of the first pay period immediately following the
completion of 52 calendar weeks of active service in the
member's service step.
``(2) Each member in service step 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or
11 shall be advanced successively to the next higher service
step at the beginning of the first pay period immediately
following the completion of 104 calendar weeks of active
service in the member's service step.
``(3) Each member in service step 12 shall be advanced
successively to the next higher service step at the beginning
of the first pay period immediately following the completion
of 156 calendar weeks of active service in the member's
service step.
``Sec. 10206. Technician positions
``(a) In General.--(1) Each member whose position is
determined under section 10202(a)(3) to be included as a
technician position shall, on or after such date, receive, in
addition to the member's scheduled rate of basic pay, an
amount equal to 6 percent of the sum of such member's rate of
basic pay and the applicable locality-based comparability
payment.
``(2) A member described in this subsection shall receive
the additional compensation authorized by this subsection
until such time as the member's position is determined under
section 10202(a)(3) not to be a technician position, or until
the member no longer occupies such position, whichever occurs
first.
``(3) The additional compensation authorized by this
subsection shall be paid to a member in the same manner and
at the same time as the member's basic pay is paid.
``(b) Exceptions.--(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2),
the additional compensation authorized by subsection (a)(1)
shall be considered as basic pay for all purposes, including
section 8401(4).
``(2) The additional compensation authorized by subsection
(a)(1) shall not be considered as basic pay for the purposes
of--
``(A) section 5304; or
``(B) section 7511(a)(4).
``(3) The loss of the additional compensation authorized by
subsection (a)(1) shall not constitute an adverse action for
the purposes of section 7512.
``Sec. 10207. Promotions
``(a) In General.--Each member who is promoted to a higher
rank shall receive basic pay at the same step at which such
member was being compensated prior to the date of the
promotion.
``(b) Credit for Service.--For the purposes of a service
step adjustment under section 10205, periods of service at
the lower rank shall be credited in the same manner as if it
was service at the rank to which the employee is promoted.
``Sec. 10208. Demotions
``When a member is changed or demoted from any rank to a
lower rank, the Secretary may fix the member's rate of basic
pay at the rate of pay for any step in the lower rank which
does not exceed the lowest step in the lower rank for which
the rate of basic pay is equal to or greater than the
member's existing rate of basic pay.
``Sec. 10209. Clothing allowances
``(a) In General.--In addition to the benefits provided
under section 5901, the Director of the United States Secret
Service or the designee of the Director is authorized to
provide a clothing allowance to a member assigned to perform
duties in normal business or work attire purchased at the
discretion of the employee. Such clothing allowance shall not
to be treated as part of the member's basic pay for any
purpose (including retirement purposes) and shall not be used
for the purpose of computing the member's overtime pay, pay
during leave or other paid time off, lump-sum payments under
section 5551 or section 5552, workers' compensation, or any
[[Page H4888]]
other benefit. Such allowance for any member may be
discontinued at any time upon written notification by the
Director of the United States Secret Service or the designee
of the Director.
``(b) Maximum Amount Authorized.--A clothing allowance
authorized under this section shall not exceed $500 per
annum.
``Sec. 10210. Reporting requirement
``Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of
this chapter, the Secretary shall prepare and transmit to
Congress a report on the operation of this chapter. The
report shall include--
``(1) an assessment of the effectiveness of this chapter
with respect to efforts of the Secretary to recruit and
retain well-qualified personnel; and
``(2) recommendations for any legislation or administrative
action which the Secretary considers appropriate.''.
(b) Annual Leave Limitation for Members in the Deputy
Chief, Assistant Chief, and Chief Ranks.--Section 6304(f)(1)
of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``or'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period and
inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(H) a position in the United States Secret Service
Uniformed Division at the rank of Deputy Chief, Assistant
Chief, or Chief.''.
(c) Sick Leave for Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses.--
Section 6324 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``Executive Protective
Service force'' and inserting ``United States Secret Service
Uniformed Division'';
(2) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ``the Treasury for
the Executive Protective Service force'' and inserting
``Homeland Security for the United States Secret Service
Uniformed Division''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) This section shall not apply to members of the United
States Secret Service Uniformed Division who are covered
under chapter 84 for the purpose of retirement benefits.''.
SEC. 103. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
(a) Conversion to New Salary Schedule.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Rates of pay fixed.--Effective the first day of the
first pay period which begins after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall fix the rates of basic pay
for members of the United States Secret Service Uniformed
Division, as defined under section 10201 of title 5, United
States Code, (as added by section 102(a)) in accordance with
the provisions of this subsection.
(B) Rate based on creditable service.--
(i) In general.--Each member shall be placed in and receive
basic pay at the corresponding scheduled rate under chapter
102 of title 5, United States Code, as added by section
102(a) (after any adjustment under paragraph (3) of this
subsection) in accordance with the member's total years of
creditable service, as provided in the table in this clause.
If the scheduled rate of basic pay for the step to which the
member would be assigned in accordance with this paragraph is
lower than the member's rate of basic pay immediately before
the date of enactment of this paragraph, the member shall be
placed in and receive basic pay at the next higher service
step, subject to the provisions of clause (iv). If the
member's rate of pay exceeds the highest step of the rank,
the rate of basic pay shall be determined in accordance with
clause (iv).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full Years of Creditable Service Step Assigned Upon Conversion
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 6
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 7
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 8
------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 9
------------------------------------------------------------------------
15 10
------------------------------------------------------------------------
17 11
------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 12
------------------------------------------------------------------------
22 13
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ii) Creditable service.--For the purposes of this
subsection, a member's creditable service is any police
service in pay status with the United States Secret Service
Uniformed Division, the United States Park Police, or the
District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department.
(iii) Step 13 conversion maximum rate.--
(I) In general.--A member who, at the time of conversion,
is in step 13 of any rank below Deputy Chief, is entitled to
that rate of basic pay which is the greater of--
(aa) the rate of pay for step 13 under the new salary
schedule; or
(bb) the rate of pay for step 14 under the pay schedule in
effect immediately before conversion.
(II) Step 14 rate.--Clause (iv) shall apply to a member
whose pay is set in accordance with subclause (I)(bb).
(iv) Adjustment based on former rate of pay.--
(I) Definition.--In this clause, the term ``former rate of
basic pay'' means the rate of basic pay last received by a
member before the conversion.
(II) In general.--If, as a result of conversion to the new
salary schedule, the member's former rate of basic pay is
greater than the maximum rate of basic pay payable for the
rank of the member's position immediately after the
conversion, the member is entitled to basic pay at a rate
equal to the member's former rate of basic pay, and increased
at the time of any increase in the maximum rate of basic pay
payable for the rank of the member's position by 50 percent
of the dollar amount of each such increase.
(III) Promotions.--For the purpose of applying section
10207 of title 5, United States Code, relating to promotions,
(as added by section 102(a)) an employee receiving a rate
above the maximum rate as provided under this clause shall be
deemed to be at step 13.
(2) Credit for service.--Each member whose position is
converted to the salary schedule under chapter 102 of title
5, United States Code, (as added by section 102(a)) in
accordance with this subsection shall be granted credit for
purposes of such member's first service step adjustment made
after conversion to the salary schedule under that chapter
for all satisfactory service performed by the member since
the member's last increase in basic pay before the adjustment
under this section.
(3) Adjustments during transition.--The schedule of rates
of basic pay shall be increased by the percentage of any
annual adjustment applicable to the General Schedule
authorized under section 5303 of title 5, United States Code,
or any other authority, which takes effect during the period
beginning on January 1, 2010, through the last day of the
last pay period preceding the first pay period which begins
after the date of the enactment of this Act. The Secretary of
Homeland Security may establish a methodology of schedule
adjustment that results in uniform fixed-dollar step
increments within any given rank and preserves the
established percentage differences among rates of different
ranks at the same step position.
(b) Impact on Benefits Under the District of Columbia
Police and Firefighters' Retirement and Disability System.--
(1) Salary increases for purposes of certain pensions and
allowances.--The conversion of positions and members of the
United States Secret Service Uniformed Division to
appropriate ranks in the salary schedule set forth in this
title and the amendments made by this title, and the initial
adjustments of rates of basic pay of those positions and
individuals in accordance with this title and the amendments
made by this title, shall be treated as an increase of 2.50
percent in the salary of current members for purposes of
section 3 of the Act entitled ``An Act to provide increased
pensions for widows and children of deceased members of the
Police Department and the Fire Department of the District of
Columbia'', approved August 4, 1949 (sec. 5-744, D.C.
Official Code) and section 301 of the District of Columbia
Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1953 (sec. 5-745, D.C.
Official Code).
(2) Treatment of retirement benefits and pensions of
current and former members.--Except as otherwise provided in
this title, nothing in this title shall affect retirement
benefits and pensions of current members and former members
who have retired under the District of Columbia Police and
Firefighters' Retirement and Disability System.
SEC. 104. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) In General.--To the extent that any provision of any
law codified in the District of Columbia Official Code that
authorizes an entitlement to pay or hours of work for current
members of the United States Secret Service Uniformed
Division is not expressly revoked by this title, such
provision shall not apply to such members after the effective
date of this Act.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendments to Laws Codified in
District of Columbia Official Code.--The following laws
codified in the District of Columbia Official Code are
amended as follows:
(1) The Act entitled ``An Act to provide for granting to
officers and members of the Metropolitan Police force, the
Fire Department of the District of Columbia, and the White
House and United States Park Police forces additional
compensation for working on holidays'', approved October 24,
1951, is amended--
(A) in the second sentence of section 1 (sec. 5--521.01,
D.C. Official Code), by striking ``the Fire Department of the
District of Columbia,'' and all that follows through ``and
the United States Park Police Force'' and inserting ``the
Fire Department of the District of Columbia, and the United
States Park Police Force'';
(B) in section 2 (sec. 5--521.02, D.C. Official Code), by
striking ``and with respect'' and all that follows through
``United States Park Police force'' and inserting ``and with
respect to officers and members of the United States Park
Police force''; and
[[Page H4889]]
(C) in section 3 (sec. 5--521.03, D.C. Official Code), by
striking ``shall be applicable'' and all that follows and
inserting the following: ``shall be applicable to the United
States Park Police force under regulations promulgated by the
Secretary of the Interior.''.
(2) The District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary
Act of 1958 is amended as follows:
(A) In section 202 (sec. 5--542.02, D.C. Official Code), by
striking ``United States Secret Service Uniformed
Division,''.
(B) In section 301(b) (sec. 5--543.01(b), D.C. Official
Code), by striking ``the United States Secret Service
Uniformed Division,''.
(C) In section 302 (sec. 5--543.02, D.C. Official Code)--
(i) in subsection (a), by striking ``the Secretary of
Treasury, in the case of the United States Secret Service
Uniformed Division,'';
(ii) in subsection (b), by striking ``the United States
Secret Service Uniformed Division or''; and
(iii) in subsection (e), by striking ``the United States
Secret Service Uniformed Division or''.
(D) In section 303(a)(5) (sec. 5--543.03(a)(5), D.C.
Official Code), by striking ``the United States Secret
Service Uniformed Division and''.
(E) In section 304(d)(1) (sec. 5--543.04(d)(1)), by
striking ``the United States Secret Service Uniformed
Division or''.
(F) In section 305 (sec. 5--543.05, D.C. Official Code)--
(i) by striking ``the United States Secret Service
Uniformed Division,''; and
(ii) by striking ``or the Secretary of the Treasury,''.
(G) In section 501 (sec. 5--545.01, D.C. Official Code)--
(i) in subsection (a), by striking ``and the United States
Secret Service Uniformed Division'';
(ii) in subsection (c)(1)--
(I) by striking ``the United States Secret Service
Uniformed Division and'', and
(II) in the schedule set forth in such subsection, by
striking ``United States Secret Service Uniformed Division'';
(iii) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``the annual rates
of basic compensation'' and all that follows through ``the
Secretary of the Treasury, and'';
(iv) in subsection (c)(5), by striking ``officers and
members of the United States Secret Service Uniformed
Division or'';
(v) in subsection (c)(6)(A), by striking ``the United
States Secret Service Uniformed Division or''; and
(vi) in subsection (c)(7)(A), by striking ``the United
States Secret Service Uniformed Division or''.
(H) In section 506 (sec. 5--545.06, D.C. Official Code), by
striking ``, the Secretary of the Treasury,''.
(3) Section 118 of the Treasury and General Government
Appropriations Act, 1998, is amended by striking subsection
(b) (sec. 5--561.01, D.C. Official Code).
(4) Section 905(a)(1) of the Law Enforcement Pay Equity Act
of 2000 (Public Law 106--554; sec. 5-561.02(a)(1), D.C.
Official Code) is amended by striking ``the Secretary of
Treasury'' and all that follows through ``United States
Secret Service Uniformed Division, and''.
(5) Subsection (k)(2)(B) of the Policemen and Firemen's
Retirement and Disability Act (sec. 5--716(b)(2), D.C.
Official Code) is amended by inserting ``, or, for a member
who was an officer or member of the United States Secret
Service Uniformed Division, or the United States Secret
Service Division, 40 percent of the corresponding salary for
step 5 of the Officer rank in section 10203 of title 5,
United States Code'' after ``member's death''.
(6) Section 1 of the Act entitled ``An Act to provide a 5-
day week for officers and members of the Metropolitan Police
force, the United States Park Police force, and the White
House Police force, and for other purposes'', approved August
15, 1950 (sec. 5--1304, D.C. Official Code), is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(1)--
(i) by inserting ``and'' before ``the Secretary of the
Interior''; and
(ii) by striking ``, and the Secretary of the Treasury in
the case of the United States Secret Service Uniformed
Division'';
(B) in subsection (a)(9)--
(i) by inserting ``or'' before ``the United States Park
Police force''; and
(ii) by striking ``or the United States Secret Service
Uniformed Division'';
(C) in subsection (b)--
(i) by inserting ``or'' before ``the Secretary of the
Interior''; and
(ii) by striking ``or the Secretary of the Treasury,'';
(D) in subsection (h)(3)(A), by striking ``of the United
States Secret Service Uniformed Division or''; and
(E) in subsection (h)(3)(B), by striking ``of the United
States Secret Service Uniformed Division or''.
(7) Section 117(a) of the District of Columbia Police and
Firemen's Salary Act Amendments of 1972 (sec. 5--1305, D.C.
Official Code) is amended--
(A) by striking ``the Fire Department of the District of
Columbia,'' and all that follows through ``or the United
States Park Police force'' and inserting ``the Fire
Department of the District of Columbia, or the United States
Park Police force''; and
(B) by striking ``, the Secretary of the Treasury,''.
(c) Technical and Conforming Amendments to the United
States Code.--Title 5 of the United States Code is amended--
(1) in section 5102(c)(5), by striking ``the Executive
Protective Service'' and inserting ``the United States Secret
Service Uniformed Division'';
(2) in section 5541(2)(iv)(II), by striking ``a member of
the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division,''; and
(3) in the table of chapters for subpart I of part III by
adding at the end the following:
``102. United States Secret Service Uniformed Division Pers10201''.....
SEC. 105. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This title and the amendments made by this title shall take
effect on the first day of the first pay period which begins
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
TITLE II--FEDERAL REAL PROPERTY DISPOSAL ENHANCEMENT
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Federal Real Property
Disposal Enhancement Act of 2010''.
SEC. 202. DUTIES OF THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION AND
EXECUTIVE AGENCIES.
(a) In General.--Section 524 of title 40, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 524. Duties of the General Services Administration and
executive agencies
``(a) Duties of the General Services Administration.--
``(1) Guidance.--The Administrator shall issue guidance for
the development and implementation of agency real property
plans. Such guidance shall include recommendations on--
``(A) how to identify excess properties;
``(B) how to evaluate the costs and benefits involved with
disposing of real property;
``(C) how to prioritize disposal decisions based on agency
missions and anticipated future need for holdings; and
``(D) how best to dispose of those properties identified as
excess to the needs of the agency.
``(2) Annual report.--(A) The Administrator shall submit an
annual report, for each of the first 5 years after 2010, to
the congressional committees listed in subparagraph (C) based
on data submitted from all executive agencies, detailing
executive agency efforts to reduce their real property assets
and the additional information described in subparagraph (B).
``(B) The report shall contain the following information
for the year covered by the report:
``(i) The aggregated estimated market value and number of
real property assets under the custody and control of all
executive agencies, set forth government-wide and by agency,
and for each at the constructed asset level and at the
facility/installation level.
``(ii) The aggregated estimated market value and number of
surplus real property assets under the custody and control of
all executive agencies, set forth government-wide and by
agency, and for each at the constructed asset level and at
the facility/installation level.
``(iii)(I) The aggregated cost for maintaining all surplus
real property under the custody and control of all executive
agencies, set forth government-wide and by agency, and for
each at the constructed asset level and at the facility/
installation level.
``(II) For purposes of subclause (I), costs for real
properties owned by the Federal Government shall include
recurring maintenance and repair costs, utilities, cleaning
and janitorial costs, and roads and grounds expenses.
``(III) For purposes of subclause (I), costs for real
properties leased by the Federal Government shall include
lease costs, including base and operating rent and any other
relevant costs listed in subclause (II) not covered in the
lease contract.
``(iv) The aggregated estimated deferred maintenance costs
of all real property under the custody and control of all
executive agencies, set forth government-wide and by agency,
and for each at the constructed asset level and at the
facility/installation level.
``(v) For each surplus real property facility/installation
disposed of, an indication of--
``(I) its geographic location with address and description;
``(II) its size, including square footage and acreage;
``(III) the date and method of disposal; and
``(IV) its estimated market value.
``(vi) Such other information as the Administrator
considers appropriate.
``(C) The congressional committees listed in this
subparagraph are as follows:
``(i) The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the
House of Representatives.
``(ii) The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of
the Senate.
``(3) Assistance.--The Administrator shall assist executive
agencies in the identification and disposal of excess real
property.
``(b) Duties of Executive Agencies.--
``(1) In general.--Each executive agency shall--
``(A) maintain adequate inventory controls and
accountability systems for property under its control;
``(B) continuously survey property under its control to
identify excess property;
``(C) promptly report excess property to the Administrator;
``(D) perform the care and handling of excess property; and
[[Page H4890]]
``(E) transfer or dispose of excess property as promptly as
possible in accordance with authority delegated and
regulations prescribed by the Administrator.
``(2) Specific requirements with respect to real
property.--With respect to real property, each executive
agency shall--
``(A) develop and implement a real property plan in order
to identify properties to declare as excess using the
guidance issued under subsection (a)(1);
``(B) identify and categorize all real property owned,
leased, or otherwise managed by the agency;
``(C) establish adequate goals and incentives that lead the
agency to reduce excess real property in its inventory; and
``(D) when appropriate, use the authorities in section
572(a)(2)(B) of this title in order to identify and prepare
real property to be reported as excess.
``(3) Additional requirements.--Each executive agency, as
far as practicable, shall--
``(A) reassign property to another activity within the
agency when the property is no longer required for the
purposes of the appropriation used to make the purchase;
``(B) transfer excess property under its control to other
Federal agencies and to organizations specified in section
321(c)(2) of this title; and
``(C) obtain excess properties from other Federal agencies
to meet mission needs before acquiring non-Federal
property.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The item relating to section 524
in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 5 of
such title is amended to read as follows:
``524. Duties of the General Services Administration and executive
agencies.''.
SEC. 203. ENHANCED AUTHORITIES WITH REGARD TO PREPARING
PROPERTIES TO BE REPORTED AS EXCESS.
Section 572(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as
subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new
subparagraph:
``(B) Additional authority.--(i) From the fund described in
paragraph (1), subject to clause (iv), the Administrator may
obligate an amount to pay the direct and indirect costs
related to identifying and preparing properties to be
reported excess by another agency.
``(ii) The General Services Administration shall be
reimbursed from the proceeds of the sale of such properties
for such costs.
``(iii) Net proceeds shall be dispersed pursuant to section
571 of this title.
``(iv) The authority under clause (i) to obligate funds to
prepare properties to be reported excess does not include the
authority to convey such properties by use, sale, lease,
exchange, or otherwise, including through leaseback
arrangements or service agreements.
``(v) Nothing in this subparagraph is intended to affect
subparagraph (D).''.
SEC. 204. ENHANCED AUTHORITIES WITH REGARD TO REVERTED REAL
PROPERTY.
(a) Authority To Pay Expenses Related to Reverted Real
Property.--Section 572(a)(2)(A) of title 40, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(iv) The direct and indirect costs associated with the
reversion, custody, and disposal of reverted real
property.''.
(b) Requirements Related to Sales of Reverted Property
Under Section 550.--Section 550(b)(1) of title 40, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(1) In general.--''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following: ``If the official,
in consultation with the Administrator, recommends reversion
of the property, the Administrator shall take control of such
property, and, subject to subparagraph (B), sell it at or
above appraised fair market value for cash and not by lease,
exchange, leaseback arrangements, or service agreements.
``(B) Prior to sale, the Administrator shall make such
property available to State and local governments and certain
non-profit institutions or organizations pursuant to this
section and sections 553 and 554 of this title.''.
(c) Requirements Related to Sales of Reverted Property
Under Section 553.--Section 553(e) of title 40, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``This Section.--''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following: ``If the
Administrator determines that reversion of the property is
necessary to enforce compliance with the terms of the
conveyance, the Administrator shall take control of such
property and, subject to paragraph (2), sell it at or above
appraised fair market value for cash and not by lease,
exchange, leaseback arrangements, or service agreements.
``(2) Prior to sale, the Administrator shall make such
property available to State and local governments and certain
non-profit institutions or organizations pursuant to this
section and sections 550 and 554 of this title.''.
(d) Requirements Related to Sales of Reverted Property
Under Section 554.--Section 554(f) of title 40, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``This Section.--''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following: ``If the Secretary,
in consultation with the Administrator, recommends reversion
of the property, the Administrator shall take control of such
property and, subject to paragraph (2), sell it at or above
appraised fair market value for cash and not by lease,
exchange, leaseback arrangements, or service agreements.
``(2) Prior to sale, the Administrator shall make such
property available to State and local governments and certain
non-profit institutions or organizations pursuant to this
section and sections 550 and 553 of this title.''.
SEC. 205. AGENCY RETENTION OF PROCEEDS.
The text of section 571 of title 40, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``(a) Proceeds From Transfer or Sale of Real Property.--Net
proceeds described in subsection (d) shall be deposited into
the appropriate real property account of the agency that had
custody and accountability for the real property at the time
the real property is determined to be excess. Such funds
shall be expended only for activities as described in section
524(b) of this title and disposal activities, including
paying costs incurred by the General Services Administration
for any disposal-related activity authorized by this title.
Such funds may also be expended by the agency for maintenance
and repairs of the agency's real property necessary for its
disposal or for the repair or alteration of the agency's
other real property. Such funds are available only to the
extent and in the amounts provided in annual appropriations
Acts, except that such funds shall not be authorized for
expenditure in an appropriations Act for any repair or
alteration project that is subject to the requirements of
section 3307 of this title without a prospectus submitted by
the General Services Administration and approved by the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and
Public Works of the Senate.
``(b) Effect on Other Sections.--Nothing in this section is
intended to affect section 572(b), 573, or 574 of this title.
``(c) Disposal Agency for Reverted Property.--For the
purposes of this section, for any real property that reverts
to the United States under sections 550, 553, and 554 of this
title, the General Services Administration, as the disposal
agency, shall be treated as the agency with custody and
accountability for the real property at the time the real
property is determined to be excess.
``(d) Net Proceeds.--The net proceeds referred to in
subsection (a) are proceeds under this chapter, less expenses
of the transfer or disposition as provided in section 572(a)
of this title, from a--
``(1) transfer of excess real property to a Federal agency
for agency use; or
``(2) sale, lease, or other disposition of surplus real
property.
``(e) Proceeds From Transfer or Sale of Personal
Property.--(1) Except as otherwise provided in this
subchapter, proceeds described in paragraph (2) shall be
deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
``(2) The proceeds described in this paragraph are proceeds
under this chapter from--
``(A) a transfer of excess personal property to a Federal
agency for agency use; or
``(B) a sale, lease, or other disposition of surplus
personal property.
``(3) Subject to regulations under this subtitle, the
expenses of the sale of personal property may be paid from
the proceeds of sale so that only the net proceeds are
deposited in the Treasury. This paragraph applies whether
proceeds are deposited as miscellaneous receipts or to the
credit of an appropriation as authorized by law.''.
SEC. 206. DEMONSTRATION AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 40,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``Sec. 530. Demonstration program of inapplicability of
certain requirements of law
``(a) Authority.--Effective for fiscal years 2011 and 2012,
the requirements of section 501(a) of the McKinney Vento
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11411(a)) shall not apply
to eligible properties.
``(b) Eligible Properties.--A property is eligible for
purposes of subsection (a) if it meets both of the following
requirements:
``(1) The property is selected for demolition by an agency
and is a Federal building or other Federal real property
located on land not determined to be excess, for which there
is an ongoing Federal need, and not to be used in any lease,
exchange, leaseback arrangement, or service agreement.
``(2) The property is--
``(A) located in an area to which the general public is
denied access in the interest of national security and where
alternative access cannot be provided for the public without
compromising national security; or
``(B) the property is--
``(i) uninhabitable;
``(ii) not a housing unit; and
``(iii) selected for demolition by an agency because
either--
``(I) the demolition is necessary to further an identified
Federal need for which funds have been authorized and
appropriated; or
``(II) the property poses risk to human health and safety
or has become an attractive nuisance.
``(c) Limitations.--
``(1) No property of the Department of Veterans Affairs may
be considered an eligible property for purposes of subsection
(a).
``(2) With respect to an eligible property described in
subsection (b), the land underlying the property remains
subject to all
[[Page H4891]]
public benefit requirements and notifications for disposal.
``(d) Notification to Congress.--(1) A list of each
eligible property described in subsection (b) that is
demolished or scheduled for demolition, by date of demolition
or projected demolition date, shall be sent to the
congressional committees listed in paragraph (2) and
published on the Web site of the General Services
Administration biannually beginning 6 months after the date
of the enactment of this section.
``(2) The congressional committees listed in this paragraph
are as follows:
``(A) The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the
House of Representatives.
``(B) The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of
the Senate.
``(e) Relationship to Other Provisions of Law.--Nothing in
this section may be construed as interfering with the
requirement for the submission of a prospectus to Congress as
established by section 3307 of this title or for all
demolitions to be carried out pursuant to section 527 of this
title.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 5 of title 40, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 529
the following new item:
``530. Demonstration program of inapplicability of certain requirements
of law.''.
SEC. 207. PUBLIC BENEFIT CONVEYANCES.
Nothing in this title or the amendments made by this title
shall be construed to modify preferences and priorities for
public benefit conveyances to State or local governments or
other eligible recipients as authorized under section 550 of
title 40, United States Code, or other relevant law.
TITLE III--WAIVER OF RECOVERY OF CERTAIN PAYMENTS UNDER DOD CIVILIAN
EMPLOYEES VOLUNTARY SEPARATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM
SEC. 301. AUTHORITY FOR WAIVER OF RECOVERY OF CERTAIN
PAYMENTS PREVIOUSLY MADE UNDER DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES VOLUNTARY SEPARATION
INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
(a) Authority for Waiver.--Subject to subsection (c), the
Secretary of Defense may waive the requirement under
subsection (f)(6)(B) of section 9902 of title 5, United
States Code, for repayment to the Department of Defense of a
voluntary separation incentive payment made under subsection
(f)(1) of such section 9902 in the case of an employee or
former employee of the Department of Defense described in
subsection (b).
(b) Persons Covered.--Subsection (a) applies to any
employee or former employee of the Department of Defense--
(1) who during the period beginning on April 1, 2004, and
ending on March 1, 2008, received a voluntary separation
incentive payment under subsection (f)(1) of section 9902 of
title 5, United States Code;
(2) who was reappointed to a position in the Department of
Defense during the period beginning on June 1, 2004, and
ending on May 1, 2008; and
(3) who, as determined by the Secretary of Defense--
(A) before accepting the reappointment referred to in
paragraph (2), received a written representation from an
officer or employee of the Department of Defense that
recovery of the amount of the payment referred to in
paragraph (1) would not be required or would be waived, and
(B) reasonably relied on that representation in accepting
reappointment.
(c) Required Determination.--The Secretary of Defense may
grant a waiver under subsection (a) in the case of any
individual only if the Secretary determines that recovery of
the amount of the payment referred to in that subsection
would be against equity and good conscience or would be
contrary to the best interests of the United States.
(d) Refund.--At the discretion of the Secretary of Defense,
a person who has repaid to the United States all or part of
the voluntary separation incentive payment for which
repayment is waived under this section may receive a refund
of the amount previously repaid to the United States. The
Secretary may use funds authorized to be appropriated for
civilian personnel for fiscal year 2011 or any year
thereafter.
TITLE IV--PAYGO COMPLIANCE
SEC. 401. PAYGO COMPLIANCE.
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of
complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 2010, shall
be determined by reference to the latest statement titled
``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act,
submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the
Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such
statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
Amend the title so as to read: ``An Act to transfer
statutory entitlements to pay and hours of work authorized by
laws codified in the District of Columbia Official Code for
current members of the United States Secret Service Uniformed
Division from such laws to the United States Code, and for
other purposes.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from California
(Mr. Bilbray) 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 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
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
There was no objection.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1510, the United States Secret
Service Uniformed Division Modernization Act of 2010. The bill was
introduced by Senator Joseph Lieberman. It passed the Senate by
unanimous consent on October 13, 2009. S. 1510 makes a long overdue
change by transferring the personnel and pay authorities for the Secret
Service's Uniformed Division from the District of Columbia Code to the
United States Code. The bill creates a new salary table for the
Uniformed Division and also provides the Secret Service with enhanced
hiring flexibilities.
S. 1510 deals specifically with the Secret Service's Uniformed
Division. There are approximately 1,300 Uniformed Division law
enforcement officers who help protect the President, the White House,
foreign dignitaries, and mission offices. The Uniformed Division helps
provide protective arrangements for the President and other foreign
dignitaries at venues around the world. The measure in S. 1510 was
endorsed by the Bush and Obama administrations to respond to ongoing
concerns about recruitment and retention within the UD.
According to the Secret Service, the Uniformed Division is currently
operating under a salary schedule that is out of parity with other
Federal police forces. It performs similar protective tasks as Federal
police forces but has the additional duties and responsibility of
frequent travel in support of the Service's protective mission. In
addition, the Uniformed Division has stricter suitability requirements.
Every officer must hold a top secret clearance and undergo a polygraph
exam. The Secret Service tells us that staffing shortfalls have
continued to increase, despite new recruitment initiatives, and these
shortfalls result in the Division incurring overtime costs that would
not be required if it were at full staffing.
This is an important bill that ultimately will build a better, more
effective Uniformed Division. However, there are costs associated with
these improvements. CBO estimates that this legislation would increase
direct spending by $14 million over 10 years. Under House and statutory
PAYGO rules, this direct spending must be offset--and this bill is
offset. The Oversight Committee has identified an appropriate set of
costs associated with the Secret Service bill. The bill we are
considering today will actually result in a small amount of net savings
for the government. The savings are captured in title II of the
suspension amendment, which would add the text of H.R. 2495 to the
Secret Service legislation.
H.R. 2495, or the Federal Real Property Disposal Enhancement Act,
which is now title II of S. 1510, will make it easier for Federal
agencies to sell property that they no longer need. This addresses a
longstanding concern of the Government Accountability Office, the
Oversight Committee, as well as both the Bush and Obama
administrations.
H.R. 2495 was introduced by Representative Dennis Moore of Kansas on
May 19, 2009. It enjoys bipartisan support, as similar legislation did
in the last Congress. The Oversight Committee approved a similar bill
in the 110th Congress, and it also passed by voice vote when it reached
the House floor.
Lastly, in addition to strengthening the Secret Service and enhancing
government efficiency, this legislation would correct an injustice for
approximately 40 individuals who returned to government service after
September 11. The provisions in title III authorize the Secretary of
Defense to retroactively waive repayment of voluntary separation pay
for certain individuals who were reemployed in temporary positions by
DOD to help respond to terrorist attacks. Before accepting
reemployment, these individuals were assured in writing that they would
not be
[[Page H4892]]
required to repay their separation pay. In making these assurances, the
DOD components were apparently following guidance from the Office of
Personnel Management on filling emergency positions. Unfortunately,
this guidance was not applicable to DOD at that time, and DOD lawyers
have determined they do not currently have the authority to
retroactively waive the repayment requirement. As a result, even though
these individuals received written assurances that they would not be
required to repay, the Department has since taken steps to collect the
payments for these individuals. This is an injustice created by
bureaucratic error and needs to be corrected. This bill provides the
Secretary of Defense with the discretionary authority he needs to waive
the repayment requirement for these individuals.
I want to thank Representative Hank Johnson and the Armed Services
Committee for their work and support on title III of this legislation.
I encourage all Members to support the good government efforts in
this legislation. These efforts will strengthen the Secret Service,
enhance government efficiency, and correct an injustice for civilian
DOD employees.
House of Representatives,
House Committee on Armed Services,
Washington, DC, June 28, 2010.
Hon. Edolphus Towns,
Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government, House of
Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Towns: I am writing to you concerning S.
1510, the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division
Modernization Act. There are certain provisions in the
legislation which fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the
Committee on Armed Services.
In the interest of permitting your committee to proceed
expeditiously to floor consideration of this important
resolution, I am willing to waive this committee's right to
jurisdiction. I do so with the understanding that by waiving
consideration of the resolution, the Committee on Armed
Services does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over
the subject matters contained in the bill which fall within
its Rule X jurisdiction.
Please place this letter into the committee report on S.
1510 and into the Congressional Record during consideration
of the measure on the House floor. Thank you for the
cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this
matter and others between our respective committees.
Very truly yours,
Ike Skelton,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform,
Washington, DC, June 28, 2010.
Hon. Ike Skelton,
Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, Rayburn House Office
Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding S.
1510, the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division
Modernization Act.
I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this
legislation and I recognize that the Oversight Committee's
floor amendment to this bill contains provisions that fall
within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Armed Services. I
agree that your inaction with respect to this bill does not
prejudice the House Armed Services Committee's interests and
prerogatives regarding this bill or similar legislation.
I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during consideration on the House
Floor of S. 1510.
Sincerely,
Edolphus Towns,
Chairman.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I compliment the author of this bill. It is one where
priorities are being made. It may be small in the bigger picture, but
at least the priority is being made. Right now, we're talking about
that we have a need in this country to help enhance the compensation
for some very critical public servants--not just us personally, but for
the country at large.
The fact is, this bill will create a $15 million savings by looking
at surplus property that the taxpayers not only own but have to
maintain at this time. Sadly, Mr. Speaker, that $15 million is a drop
in the bucket of what we could be doing. As the Office of Management
and Budget estimated, the Federal Government has $18 billion worth of
real property it does not need, and rather than selling this property
or marketing it, we usually give it away one way or the other to local
governments, States, or nonprofits, rather than getting the fair market
value.
I know historically we have always taken this attitude of, if the
Federal Government can't use it, let's give it to somebody else. But I
think we all agree with the budget crisis the way it is, we need to
rethink those priorities and make sure that we recognize that the
Federal Government is not in the position of giving their largesse out
to other governments or nonprofits.
I have to remind all of us that this bill does make that priority
decision. Instead of issuing it to other governments or to nonprofits,
it says we need the money within the Federal family, and thus we will
liquidate this asset and create the revenue so we can spend it at
another location which is a higher priority.
I join in supporting this bill. I think that it sets an example that
we should all be looking at, and that is: As we take this step, the
question will be, If $15 million is a good idea, where do we go when
we're looking at the $18 billion that is out there? I think most of us
on Government Oversight, especially on the subcommittee that I have the
privilege of being the ranking member on, Organization and Procurement,
not only have a right, but a responsibility, to take a look at where
else do we have resources that are not being tapped for the American
people. Where else should we be liquidating our real estate and putting
it back into the private market and allowing it to do the magic that
the private sector has done for this country for so long? And how much
longer will we horde this real estate when we do not have a foreseen or
foreseeable use for it?
Mr. Speaker, I join in not only providing the resources to be able to
pay our men and women who protect us every day, but I also join in a
policy that says we will now look at the resources of the American
people as being that of the American people as a general welfare issue
and that we will look at how best to be able to pay our bills with the
resources we can generate by liquidating unneeded assets.
Mr. Speaker, I think that Mr. Chaffetz of Utah just 2 weeks ago
brought up a bill that looked a lot like this. I know this body did not
support his bill to go after and try to create that $18 billion fund
for the American people, but I think this bill gives us something we
can work with, following the leadership of the gentleman from Utah, and
that is, Let's take a look like any family is doing today--what do we
own that we do not think we can use, and how do we liquidate that so we
can get the resources and the funds that we desperately need to pay our
bills?
So at this time I would again encourage my colleagues to join with us
in passing this bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
{time} 1500
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I, first of all, want to thank the gentlewoman
from the District of Columbia for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the United States Secret Service
Uniform Division Modernization Act, but I also rise today to
congratulate the Chicago Blackhawks on their Stanley Cup win over the
Philadelphia Flyers. As every sports fan in Chicago knows, the Hawks
are proud to share the United Center which is in the heart of my
district with that other historic team known as the Bulls. Mr. Speaker,
as my daddy used to say: ``Life is 95 percent anticipation.'' Or to use
the words of the great American balladeer Bruce Springsteen: ``It's
been a long time comin', my dear. It's been a long time comin', but now
it's here.''
Hockey doesn't always get its due share of attention in many parts of
America, but some of the most memorable moments in sports are found in
hockey. Mr. Speaker, who doesn't know of the ``Miracle on Ice'' during
the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York, where Team USA
defeated the Soviet team which was considered the best in the world.
Well, Mr. Speaker, this year's Stanley Cup winner, the Chicago
Blackhawks, were like Team USA, the underdogs, the David to the
Goliaths of Philadelphia. We weren't the fastest or the highest-scoring
team. But what we had was grit, drive, courage, determination, and
vision to go with the fired-up fan base.
This is the first Stanley Cup win for the Blackhawks since 1961. The
[[Page H4893]]
Blackhawks' recent victory has inspired all of Chicago and aroused fans
of the team to a fever pitch. Chicago is red and black all over. The
Hawks dominated because of their perseverance, hard work, and
dedication to the sport. Johann Gottfried Herder once said, ``What
destiny sends, bear. Whatever perseveres will be crowned.'' The
Blackhawks have persevered and have been rightly crowned.
I congratulate the Blackhawks' head coach Joel Quenneville for giving
his team direction and instilling the determination necessary to
achieve this well-deserved victory. And while handing out
congratulations, let us not forget the Blackhawks' team captain
Jonathan Toews. The youngest Mr. Toews possesses superior leadership
skills and ability and was able to guide his team through to victory.
So I thank, again, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia for
yielding. I was rushing hard to try to get here before this ended
because I am, indeed, proud to represent the world-famous, world-known,
world-renowned Chicago Blackhawks who make up a part of the heart and
the spirit of the congressional district that I have the good fortune
to represent.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to reiterate my
strong support for S. 1510, as amended. The bill is PAYGO-neutral. It
makes important improvements that will strengthen the Secret Service.
It improves government efficiency and helps a handful of DOD civilian
employees who have been wronged. I encourage all Members to support
this bill.
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 pass the bill, S. 1510, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________