[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
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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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