[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17] [House] [Pages 22419-22423] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RECOGNIZING HOWARD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 684) recognizing and honoring Howard University School of Law's 140-year legacy of social justice and its continued commitment to the training of capable and compassionate legal practitioners and scholars, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 684 Whereas in 1867, shortly after the end of the Civil War, with funds provided by the Freedman's Bureau, Howard Normal and Theological Institute was established; Whereas the following year, the Board of Trustees voted to expand the institute's curriculum and change the name to Howard University; Whereas in 1869, Howard University School of Law, which shares Howard University's founding principles: Veritas et Utilitas (Truth and Service), was opened in an effort to address the great need to train lawyers who would have a strong commitment to helping African-Americans secure and protect their newly established rights granted by the 13th and 14th amendments to the Constitution; Whereas Howard Law School is the first law school dedicated to the education of African-Americans; Whereas Howard Law School's original faculty members were former Dean of the Law School, John Mercer Langston, and the Honorable Albert Gallatin Riddle; Whereas John Mercer Langston, the namesake of Langston University, was the first African-American Member of the House of Representatives from the State of Virginia, representing Virginia's 4th district, and former President of Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute (presently known as Virginia State University); Whereas the Honorable Albert Gallatin Riddle, former Member of the 37th Congress, was an abolitionist and novelist; Whereas Charlotte E. Ray (class of 1872) was not only the first African-American female graduate of Howard Law School, but was also the first African-American female to practice law in the District of Columbia; Whereas James C. Napier (class of 1872), who was invited to attend Howard Law School by Dean John Mercer Langston, served as President William H. Taft's Registrar of the Treasury, and is 1 of 5 African-Americans whose signature has appeared on currency of the United States; Whereas Robert H. Terrell (class of 1889) was the first African-American municipal judge for the District of Columbia; Whereas former Dean of Howard Law School, William Henry Hastie, became the first African-American Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, the first African-American Federal magistrate judge, and the first African-American to be appointed as a Federal circuit court judge; Whereas former Vice Dean, Charles Hamilton Houston, widely known as, ``the man who killed Jim Crow'', was known to remark to his students that, ``a lawyer is either a social engineer or a parasite on society . . .''; Whereas Howard Law School served as the training ground and planning site for the [[Page 22420]] lawyers who, through Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, rejected the notion that separate education equates to equal education; Whereas civil rights attorneys Oliver Hill (class of 1933) and co-counsel, Spottswood Robinson III (class of 1939), were attorneys for the plaintiffs in Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County, which was 1 of 5 cases consolidated with Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas; Whereas Thurgood Marshall (class of 1933) was the lead litigator to argue Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, before the Supreme Court, and was later named Associate Justice on the Supreme Court; Whereas Damon Keith (class of 1949) is currently a senior judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; Whereas Harris Wofford (class of 1954) is a former Senator from Pennsylvania and was a civil rights advisor to President John F. Kennedy; Whereas former Mayor of Richmond, Virginia, L. Douglas Wilder (class of 1959), was the first African-American elected as Governor in the United States; Whereas Vernon Jordan (class of 1960), former advisor to President Bill Clinton, noted that at Howard Law School, he found, ``a wife, a career, and a reaffirmation of [his] faith in the mission of black people'', and that his time at Howard, ``saved [his] soul''; Whereas Roland Burris (class of 1963) is a Member of the United States Senate; Whereas Gabrielle McDonald (class of 1966), Howard University Trustee Emerita, serves as an Arbitrator on the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal, is a former president and judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, formerly served as a judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas and was elected to the ``Texas Woman's Hall of Fame''; Whereas former Dean and professor at Howard Law School, J. Clay Smith (class of 1967), who was appointed by President Jimmy Carter in 1978 and President Ronald Reagan in 1981 to serve on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, in the capacities of Commissioner and Acting Chairman, is the author of ``Emancipation: The Making of the Black Lawyer 1844-1944'' and ``Rebels in Law: Voices in History of Black Women Lawyers'', and the editor of ``Supreme Justice: Speeches and Writings'', written by Thurgood Marshall; Whereas Wiley Daniel (class of 1971) was the first African- American appointed as a judge for the United States District Court for the District of Colorado; Whereas Isaiah Leggett (class of 1974) is the County Executive for Montgomery County, Maryland; Whereas Jack Johnson (class of 1975) is the County Executive for Prince George's County, Maryland; Whereas the recent addition of Vicky Miles-LeGrange (class of 1977) as Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma evidences the ongoing commitment of the faculty and staff of Howard Law School to equip alumni with the necessary tools to succeed at every level; Whereas Gregory Meeks (class of 1978) is a Member of the United States House of Representatives; Whereas former District of Columbia Mayors, Walter Washington (class of 1948) and Sharon Pratt Kelly (class of 1968), and current Mayor, Adrian Fenty (class of 1996), are alumni of Howard Law School; Whereas Howard Law School is one of a select group of law schools that can boast having as alumni a Supreme Court Justice, numerous Federal and State judges, Members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, a Governor, and several Mayors; Whereas the Princeton Review ranks Howard Law School's faculty as the most diverse law school faculty in the Nation; Whereas Spencer Boyer, a Professor at Howard Law School, has 38 years of service, which makes him one of the most senior African-American law professors in the United States; Whereas the competitive efforts of the Huver I. Brown Trial Advocacy Moot Court Team, the Charles Hamilton Houston National Moot Court Team, and the Goler Teal Butcher International Moot Court Team are evidence of Howard Law School's dedication to the vigorous training of zealous advocates; Whereas Howard Law School's curriculum, which includes a study abroad program in Cape Town, South Africa, the Civil Rights Clinic, the Fair Housing Clinic, the World Food Law Institute, and the Institute of Intellectual Property and Social Justice, demonstrates an aggressive commitment to provide relevant hands-on instruction in an ever-evolving legal environment; Whereas for 10 years, through the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project, law students in the Howard University School of Law student-fellows program teach constitutional law in public high schools in the District of Columbia; Whereas Howard Law School's comparatively low tuition and aggressive career services staff helped the school achieve a ranking of third on the Vault.com's list of the most underrated law schools in the Nation; Whereas Howard Law School has contributed robustly to society through the education of attorneys who have gone on to serve the world in countless public and private capacities; and Whereas there is no greater illustration of Howard Law School's motto, ``Leadership for America and the Global Community'', than the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of Howard University School of Law: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) recognizes Howard University School of Law's profound achievements and unwavering commitment to social justice for all people; (2) encourages the continued dedication to the first-rate training of social engineers; and (3) congratulates Howard University President, Sidney A. Ribeau, Ph.D., Howard University School of Law Dean, Kurt L. Schmoke, J.D., and the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of Howard Law School on the momentous occasion of its 140th anniversary. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Hawaii. General Leave Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 684 into the Record. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Hawaii? There was no objection. Ms. HIRONO. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Howard University School of Law on the event of their 140th anniversary. The students and many exemplary alumni of Howard University School of Law truly embody their motto, ``Leadership for America and the Global Community.'' The Howard University School of Law's deep commitment to social justice and compassion began with its founding in 1869. The school was established in an effort to help African Americans secure and protect their newly established rights. Throughout this Nation's history, Howard alumni have challenged racism, worked to attain equal rights and access to education, and broken down barriers, rising to prominent positions in the field of law and justice. It was Howard University School of Law which served as the training ground and planning site of the thinkers who boldly defeated the notion that separate education can ever be equal through the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. Of the many notable African American legal scholars, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, arguably one of the most influential African Americans in American history, was educated at Howard law school. Vernon Jordan, former National Urban League President and domestic policy adviser for President Clinton, was educated at Howard law school. Charles Hamilton Houston, who earned the title ``The Man Who Killed Jim Crow'' because of his successful civil rights litigation, served as vice dean at Howard. There are few schools that can boast having a Supreme Court Justice, numerous Federal judges, Members of both the United States House and the Senate, a Governor and several mayors amongst its alumni. It is a proud history of those great minds, as well as the countless others that have come before, that pave the way for the next generation of legal scholars. Howard University School of Law graduates scholars with a lifelong commitment to change the world for the better. Howard has been recognized for its diverse faculty, its relatively low cost, opportunity for hands-on experience through a study abroad program of South Africa, and many other professional development opportunities, as well as their volunteer work here in D.C., teaching constitutional law in public schools. The dedication to the tenets of truth and service that inspired the founding of Howard University and the School of Law still exist today as this institution continues to work towards social justice and leadership. The Howard University School of Law remains an important institution continuing to serve as a beacon of justice and learning. [[Page 22421]] Mr. Speaker, I want to honor and congratulate the current Howard University president, Dr. Sidney Ribeau, and the Howard University of School of Law dean, Kurt Schmoke, as well as the faculty, staff, students and alumni of the Howard University School of Law on this momentous occasion of its 140th anniversary. I urge my colleagues to support this measure. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 684, a resolution recognizing and honoring Howard University School of Law's 140th anniversary of legacy and social justice and its continued commitment to the training of capable and compassionate legal practitioners and scholars. Howard University was chartered by Congress as a private university in Washington, D.C., in 1867. The law school at Howard opened its doors to its first six students in 1869. By the end of the first year, the law school had enrolled a total of 22 students. The first students graduated from Howard University School of Law on February 3, 1871. The American Bar Association accredited the school in 1931. Today, Howard University School of Law graduates approximately 185 students with either a juris doctorate or a master of law degree. Students attending Howard come from all over the United States and the globe. Howard University School of Law has had a history of promoting social and civil change. In fact, it has an impressive lineup of alumni that were key figures in American history, including former Representative John Mercer Langston, the first African American Member of the House of Representatives; Charlotte E. Ray, the first African American woman to practice law in the District of Columbia; and Thurgood Marshall, a former Justice of the United States Supreme Court and lead litigator in the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education. I congratulate Howard School of Law on 140 years of academic success and wish them luck as they continue to inspire the country's next generation. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize, for 4 minutes, the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick), the sponsor of this resolution. Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan. I thank the gentlewoman from Hawaii for her leadership in coming to this House and taking us by storm. To our ranking member who is managing the bill today, thank you for your support. As has been mentioned, 140 years ago, Howard University established its law school. Since that time, hundreds of young men and women have graduated from this prestigious law school. Today, under the direction of our president, Sidney Ribeau, it is also carrying on the legacy that was started in 1869. Thurgood Marshall, Supreme Court Justice, known for his tenacity, his intelligence, his forthrightness, and at Howard University in 1869 and beyond, they talked about social engineers they were putting out, men and women who could elaborate and repeat the Constitution and represent young people, old people, and people all over this country. They continue in that tradition today: Thurgood Marshall, 1954, the Board of Education, equal schools under the law; Kurt Schmoke, former mayor of Baltimore, Maryland; Our sitting Senator right now, Senator Burris from Chicago, Illinois, is a graduate of Howard law school; Our own colleague, Gregory Meeks of New York, is a graduate of Howard law school. The school today probably is just as important as it was, not probably, is just as important today as it was 140 years ago. I am honored that the House would take up the legislation today that we would pass it on suspension. In a couple of weeks, they are having a ceremony on campus at Howard University, and I invite all the alumni of Howard University to come back, come back on campus and let's celebrate. Today we live in a world where equal protection under the law is a must. We must make sure that every citizen in America has access to quality representation, access to a fair process, and that lawyers from all over this country and abroad who represent those clients will give to the very best of their ability. Howard University law school is 140 years old. We thank those who began the school 140 years ago. We pray that as the tradition of the law school continues to excel around the world, that we will continue to lift up the United States of America, that we will protect our judicial system, and that the lawyers who graduate from all the law schools across this country, including Howard University's law school, represent to the very best of their ability so that American citizens will know that the third branch of government is alive and well because in 1869 Howard University was established. {time} 1215 Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I don't believe I have any additional speakers on this bill, so I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for his remarks in support of this measure and also Ms. Kilpatrick for bringing this measure forward. I, again, commend Howard University law school for its continuing commitment to equality, justice and opportunity for all, and urge all of my colleagues to vote for this measure. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 684, recognizing and honoring Howard University School of Law's 140-year legacy of social justice and its continued commitment to the training of capable and compassionate legal practitioners and scholars. The United States Congress chartered Howard University here in Washington, D.C. back in 1867, this bill honors not only their hard work, but the prescience of our forefathers. Howard University School of Law first opened its doors in 1869 during a time of dramatic change in the United States, after the civil war. At the time, there was a great need to train lawyers who had a strong commitment to helping black Americans secure and protect their newly established rights. Today Howard University's Law School carries on that tradition, educating its students to fight for those whose voice may not otherwise be heard. My home of Houston has a special relationship with the Howard University School of Law. Specifically, my city of Houston shares its name with a pillar of the Howard University School of Law community, its late dean, the legendary Charles Hamilton Houston. Educated at Amherst College and Harvard Law School, Houston was the first African American to serve as an editor of the Harvard Law Review. This feat by Houston paved the way for a young Harvard Law student who stood in Houston's shoes some 70 years later as the Harvard Law Journal's first Editor-in-Chief, President Barack Obama. Armed with his ivy league training, Houston returned to Washington where he was admitted to the District of Columbia bar in 1929. Beginning in the 1930s, Houston served as the first special counsel to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, beginning a two decade career as a civil rights litigator. Houston later joined Howard Law School's faculty and ultimately became Dean, establishing a long-standing relationship between Howard and Harvard law schools. While at Howard, he was a mentor to Thurgood Marshall, who argued Brown v. Board of Education and was later appointed to the Supreme Court. Houston used his post at Howard to recruit talented students into the NAACP's legal efforts, among them Marshall and Oliver Hill, the first- and second-ranked students in the class of 1933, both of whom were drafted into organization's legal battles by Houston. By the mid-1930s, two separate anti-lynching bills backed by the NAACP had failed to gain passage, and the organization had won a landmark victory against restrictive housing covenants that excluded blacks from particular neighborhoods only to see the achievement undermined by subsequent legal precedents. Houston struck upon the idea that unequal education was the Achilles heel of Jim Crow. By demonstrating the failure of states to even try to live up to the 1896 rule of ``separate but equal,'' Houston hoped to finally overturn the Plessy v. Ferguson ruling that had given birth to that phrase. [[Page 22422]] His target was broad, but the evidence was numerous. Southern states collectively spent less than half of what was allotted for white students on education for blacks; there were even greater disparities in individual school districts. Black schools were equipped with castoff supplies from white ones and built with inferior materials. Black facilities appeared to be part of a crude segregationist satire-- a design to make black education a contradiction in terms. Houston designed a strategy of attacking segregation in law schools-- forcing states to either create costly parallel law schools or integrate the existing ones. The strategy had hidden benefits: since law students were predominantly male, Houston sought to neutralize the age-old argument that allowing blacks to attend white institutions would lead to miscegenation, or ``race-mixing''. He also reasoned that judges deciding the cases might be more sympathetic to plaintiffs who were pursuing careers in law. Finally, by challenging segregation in graduate schools, the NAACP lawyers would bypass the inflammatory issue of miscegenation among young children. The successful ruling handed down in the Brown decision was testament to the master strategy formulated by Houston. This strategy is often referred to as the Houstonian philosophy of social engineering, based upon his legendary saying ``A lawyer's either a social engineer or he's a parasite on society.'' . . . A social engineer was a highly skilled, perceptive, sensitive lawyer who understood the Constitution of the United States and knew how to explore its uses in the solving of ``problems of . . . local communities'' and in ``bettering conditions of the underprivileged citizens.'' Houston's philosophy has left a lasting mark on Howard University School of Law as evidenced by the quantity and quality of its graduates, producing more Black lawyers than any other institution. Further, as outlined in the text of this resolution, Howard trained lawyers have excelled and climbed to some of the highest leadership positions in the world. The first African-American to serve as a Member of Congress, John Mercer Langston, was also a member of the Howard University School of Law community. Today's Congress also includes a Member of the Howard University School of Law, namely Mr. Meek of New York. U.S. Senator Roland Burris of Illinois, the only African-American in the other Chamber, is a 1963 graduate of Howard Law. Howard University School of Law alumni also serve in a variety of staff posts throughout both houses of Congress. In my tenure, I've hired numerous Howard law alumni. Currently, both my Chief of Staff and Chief Counsel are both outstanding alumni of Howard University School of Law. In my District, Howard University School of Law alumni have a distinguished legacy, particularly in the judiciary. Two Houston jurists exemplify the Howard University School of Law legacy. The Honorable Gabrielle Kirk McDonald graduated first in her class at Howard University Law School in 1966. Upon returning home to Houston, Judge McDonald practiced as a private lawyer until her appointment as a United States District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. At the age of 37, Judge McDonald made history by becoming the first African-American to be appointed to the federal judiciary of Texas. She was only the third African-American woman ever to be selected for the federal judiciary. In 1993, Judge McDonald presided over the three-judge panel that heard the first criminal trial of that international court, sitting in a courtroom of the new Tribunal building in The Hague, Netherlands. By this service, Judge McDonald became one of the first United States judges to be involved in international courts, apart from the International Court of Justice and the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg. Before hearing the first case of the International Criminal Tribunal in Yugoslovia, Judge McDonald and her colleagues had to develop procedural rules for the Tribunal. She consulted with colleagues at Texas Southern University where she was a member of the adjunct faculty at that university's Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Those consultations resulted in the preparation and adoption of the first procedural rules for the Tribunal. Judge McDonald, so well regarded by her colleagues, was sent by the United Nations to Tanzania, in Africa, in the spring of 1997 to assist in the organizing efforts of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, established by the U.N. to hear cases involving genocide in that country. In November 1997 she was elected President of both criminal tribunals, a position she held until her resignation from that position in 1999. She now serves as one of three American judge/arbitrators on the Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal in The Hague, hearing claims by Iranian and U.S. citizens, and the respective governments of the two countries, that resulted from the take-over of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in November 1979 by Iranian militants and the holding of U.S. Embassy personnel as hostages. The Honorable Hazel B. Jones of the 338th Texas District Court is a 1996 alumnae of Howard University School of Law. Born and reared in Houston, Texas, Judge Jones developed a sense of commitment to the Houston community by witnessing the examples of her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Larnita Jones, who served as educators and administrators in North Forest ISD and Houston ISD, respectively, for more than thirty years. Judge Jones attended Mary Brantly Smiley High School in North Forest Independent School District, where she was voted ``Miss Smiley'' and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Thereafter, Judge Jones received a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was a Texas Achievement Award Scholar and became a lifelong member of Delta Sigma Theta Public Service Sorority, Inc. After graduation, Judge Jones worked as a research assistant in the Hematology/Leukemia division of the University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She prepared drug study experiments with cancer cells; she performed DNA extraction for amplification in polymerase chain reactions and isolation in gel electrophoresis. While Judge Jones found her work in cancer research extremely rewarding, she heeded a personal calling to pursue a career in law. While attending Howard University Law School, in Washington, DC, Judge Jones worked at the Howard Law Criminal Justice Clinic, defending citizens charged with misdemeanors and representing prisoners in disciplinary hearings. During her summers as a law student, Judge Jones honed her legal skills by interning in the 151st Civil District Court, Harris County, TX and as intern for the Honorable Judge Vanessa Gilmore in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Since graduating from law school, Judge Jones Hazel Jones has been an active member of Houston's legal community. She served the Harris County District Attorney's Office as an Assistant District Attorney from 1996-2003 obtaining extensive trial experience handling misdemeanor and felony cases in addition to handling juvenile and family violence cases. From 2003-2005, Judge Jones worked as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the United States Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas; her primary focus was to pursue the federal government initiative of ``Project Safe Neighborhoods'' which focused on the prosecution of armed felons and felons carrying firearms during drug trafficking crimes. In January of this year, Judge Jones was sworn in as a member of the local judiciary and we expect that her career will be no less stellar as that of her fellow alumna, Judge McDonald. Mr. Speaker, I salute Howard University School of Law for its service to my District, to America, and to the world. For this reason, I strongly urge passage of this important Resolution. Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Kilpatrick for introducing this resolution honoring Howard University School of Law's 140-year legacy of social justice and commitment to training social engineers. If it were not for the legal battles waged by and won by lawyers from the Howard University School of Law, it is very unlikely that neither the progress or individual accomplishments obtained would have reached the heights we enjoy today. As the first law school dedicated to educating African Americans, the doors of Howard University School of Law opened in 1869. The school was created to meet the need to train African Americans in protecting their newly established rights granted by the 13th and 14th Amendments of the Constitution. During this first year, six students committed to legal activism met in the homes and offices of part-time faculty. As the years progressed and the number of students and the number of faculty grew, the school's commitment to public service was unwavering. The mission of this school is guided by the wise words of Charles Hamilton Houston, who is widely regarded as the ``man who killed Jim Crow.'' He later went on to serve as the NAACP litigation director and Dean of Howard University School of Law. Charles Hamilton Houston once said, ``A lawyer's either a social engineer or a parasite on society.'' These inspiring words have led many students to enroll [[Page 22423]] in the law school because of their interest and devotion to public service. This quote and many other quotes from African American leaders line the halls of the school to inspire students, professors, and visitors every day. Indeed, the men and women who graduated from Howard University School of Law became early pioneers and changed the fabric of our Nation. The law school served as a training ground for graduates such as Oliver Hill, Spottswood Robinson II, and Thurgood Marshall who all played important and influential roles in the Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education. Thurgood Marshall was the lead litigator in Brown, where the Supreme Court ruled that the segregation of students in public schools ultimately led to unequal educational opportunities. This case, which was decided in 1954, led to the abolishment of racial segregation. The very halls of this Congress are filled with Howard Law School alum who are dedicated to social change and public service. Mariel Lim, an able and exceptional attorney who is a member of my staff, spent her most formative year of law school at Howard and applies the formidable skills she acquired there in the service of the residents of the 37th Congressional District of California and the Nation. My Legislative Director, Gregory Berry, taught Torts, Legal Methods, Legal Writing 2, Legal Reasoning, Research and Writing to hundreds of students who graduated and became social engineers. During the 8 years he taught at Howard, Gregory coached Howard's acclaimed National Moot Court Team, which afforded students the opportunity to hone their writing and advocacy skills in intercollegiate competitions. Additionally, Gregory Berry was counsel of record on the amicus curiae brief he and two faculty colleagues submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of Howard's law students in the Grutter v. Bollinger case, which upheld affirmative action in law school admissions. I am not the only Member who benefits from these dedicated graduates. There are numerous other Howard alumni serving the cause of justice here on the Hill. I congratulate the Howard University on their 140th anniversary of its extraordinary law school. I know our Nation will be well-served for years to come by its graduates who will continue to provide, ``Leadership for America and the Global Community.'' Ms. HIRONO. I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 684, as amended. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________