[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H7034-H7036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SUPPORTING THE UNITED STATES PARALYMPICS

  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1479) supporting the United States Paralympics, 
honoring the Paralympic athletes, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1479

       Whereas today there are more than 21 million Americans with 
     a physical disability;
       Whereas in the past few years thousands of military 
     personnel have sustained serious injuries during active duty;
       Whereas research shows that daily physical activity 
     enhances self-esteem and peer relationships, and results in 
     increased achievement, better overall health, and a higher 
     quality of life;
       Whereas United States Paralympics, a division of the United 
     States Olympic Committee, is dedicated to becoming the world 
     leader in the Paralympic sports movement, and promoting 
     excellence in the lives of people with physical disabilities;
       Whereas since its formation in 2001, United States 
     Paralympics has been inspiring Americans to achieve their 
     dreams;
       Whereas United States Paralympics makes a difference in the 
     lives of thousands of individuals with a physical disability 
     every day;
       Whereas United States Paralympic athletes have been 
     competing in the Paralympic Games since 1960;
       Whereas the athletes in the Paralympic Games are the very 
     best at their sports, devote countless hours to training, and 
     receive support from their families, schools, and 
     communities;
       Whereas the United States Paralympics Team brought home a 
     total of 13 medals, including 4 gold medals, from the 2010 
     Paralympic Winter games in Vancouver; and
       Whereas the United States Paralympics Team won gold medals 
     in Ice Hockey (Ice Sledge Hockey), Women's Super Combined 
     (Sitting), Women's Downhill (Sitting), and Women's Giant 
     Slalom (Sitting): Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the work of the United States Paralympics;
       (2) congratulates all of the United States Paralympics Team 
     medal winners from the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games in 
     Vancouver, British Columbia;
       (3) honors all of the Paralympic athletes for their 
     contributions to the games; and
       (4) recognizes the contributions of the athletes' families, 
     schools, and communities to

[[Page H7035]]

     the Paralympic Games, and the United States Team.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Chu) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Bilbray) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. CHU. 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 California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. CHU. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of House Resolution 1479, a bill supporting the 
United States Paralympics. A division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, 
the United States Paralympics organizes elite athletes with physical 
disabilities to compete internationally in the summer and winter 
Paralympic Games.
  House Resolution 1479 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman 
from New Jersey, Representative Leonard Lance, on June 25, 2010. It was 
referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which 
ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on July 28, 2010. 
The measure enjoys the support of over 50 cosponsors. I would like to 
thank the gentleman from New Jersey for introducing this measure, and I 
would also like to enter into the Record an exchange of letters between 
our committee, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and 
the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, which expresses Chairman 
Berman's and the Foreign Affairs Committee's support of House 
Resolution 1479 and waives their jurisdictional interest in this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, the Olympic Games promote ideals of fair sportsmanship, 
fair play, physical fitness, and peace through sport. The Paralympics 
ensures that athletes with physical disabilities can take part in these 
games, representing our Nation on the world stage.
  There are over 21 million Americans with a physical disability, 
including thousands of men and women who sustained serious injuries 
while serving in the military. I am glad that they have the opportunity 
to represent our country by taking part in these games. Let us now 
honor these athletes and recognize their achievements through the 
passage of House Resolution 1479, and I urge my colleagues to join me 
in supporting it.

                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                               Washington, DC, September 21, 2010.
     Hon. Edolphus Towns,
     Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 
         Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Towns: I am writing to you concerning H. Res. 
     1479, a resolution ``Supporting the United States 
     Paralympics, honoring the Paralympic athletes, and for other 
     purposes,'' introduced by Congressman Leonard Lance on July 
     28, 2010.
       As you know, this measure was referred to the Committee on 
     Oversight and Government Reform and, in addition, to the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs for a period to be subsequently 
     determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of 
     such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
     committee concerned.
       This bill contains provisions within the rule X 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. In the 
     interest of permitting your Committee to proceed 
     expeditiously to floor consideration of this important bill, 
     I am willing to waive this Committee's right to mark up this 
     bill. I do so with the understanding that by waiving 
     consideration of the bill, the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
     does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the 
     subject matters contained in the bill which fall within its 
     rule X jurisdiction.
       Please include a copy of this letter and your response in 
     the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure 
     on the House floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Howard L. Berman,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and 
           Government Reform,
                               Washington, DC, September 22, 2010.
     Hon. Howard Berman,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Berman: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H. Res. 1479, a resolution ``Supporting the United States 
     Paralympics, honoring the Paralympic athletes, and for other 
     purposes,'' introduced by Congressman Leonard Lance on July 
     28, 2010.
       I agree that the Committee on Foreign Affairs has valid 
     jurisdictional claims to this resolution and I appreciate 
     your willingness to waive further consideration of H. Res. 
     1479 in the interest of expediting consideration of this 
     important measure. I acknowledge that your Committee is not 
     relinquishing its jurisdiction over the relevant provisions 
     of H. Res. 1479, nor waiving its jurisdictional claims over 
     similar measures in the future.
       This exchange of letters will be in the Congressional 
     Record as part of the consideration of H. Res. 1479 in the 
     House.
       I thank you for working with me to pass this important 
     legislation.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Edolphus Towns,
                                                         Chairman.

  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, at this time it's my privilege to yield 
such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Lance).
  Mr. LANCE. I thank the gentleman from California and the gentlewoman 
from California.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to offer this resolution today to honor all 
of the athletes of the 2010 U.S. Paralympic Team, including my 
constituent Josh Pauls, the youngest member of Team USA. Josh Pauls of 
Watchung, New Jersey, is a remarkable young man, a real American hero, 
and I am proud to recognize him before the United States Congress and 
the American people.
  During the Paralympic Games and every day of the year, Paralympic 
athletes like Josh demonstrate great American spirit, courage, and 
achievement. I am proud we are able to work in a bipartisan fashion to 
bring this important measure to the House floor for final 
consideration, and I am proud of athletes like Josh Pauls.
  Josh was 10 years old when his father first took him to a sled hockey 
game at the Bridgewater, New Jersey, arena. Soon after, Josh began 
playing locally and showed so much talent that his team manager 
recommended that he try out for the national team. He took that advice 
and successfully made the team. Now Josh is on the ice 11 months out of 
the year, both locally and traveling as far as the U.S. Olympic Center 
in Colorado Springs to train with his national team teammates. This is 
a sacrifice made not only by Josh but by his loving and supportive 
parents, Debbie and Tony Pauls. Josh and his teammates brought home one 
of four gold medals won by Team USA in the 2010 games and one of 13 
overall medals won by this inspiring team.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution, 
honoring not only Josh but all of the members of Team USA, the United 
States Paralympics, and the athletes, families, schools, and 
communities that support these athletes year-round and not just during 
the Olympic Games.

                              {time}  1500

  These athletes are the very best at what they do and should serve as 
an inspiration for all Americans for the dedication and tenacity they 
show in representing the United States of America.
  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the majority for 
allowing the Congressman to bring his item onto the floor for a vote. 
It is a tough thing to do sometimes, especially from the minority, and 
I appreciate the fact that the majority was willing to allow him to do 
that.
  I ask for an affirmative vote, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Ms. CHU. 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 California (Ms. Chu) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1479.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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