[Deschler-Brown Precedents, Volume 17, Chapters 34 - 40]
[Ch. 36. Ceremonies and Awards]
[Â§ 3. âFederal Holidays]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[Page 139-146]
 
                               CHAPTER 36
 
                         Ceremonies and Awards
 
Sec. 3. --Federal Holidays

    Holidays are a subject within the jurisdiction of the Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform.(1) They were formerly 
within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Post Office and Civil 
Service,

[[Page 140]]

and prior to that, the Committee on the Judiciary.(2)
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 1. Rule X clause 1(m)(5), House Rules and Manual Sec. 732 (2007).
 2. Id. at Sec. Sec.  729, 730.
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    The following demonstrate examples of how the House observes and 
commemorates certain Federal holidays.
    Adjournments and recesses by the House over holidays are discussed 
elsewhere in this volume.(3)
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 3. See Chs. 39, 40, 
        infra.                          -------------------
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 United We Stand Day

Sec. 3.1 The House by unanimous consent waived the prohibition in Rule 
    XII clause 5(a)(1) against introduction of a measure 
    expressing or establishing a commemoration for a measure described 
    by sponsor and title (or paraphrase thereof).
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 1. House Rules and Manual Sec. 823 (2007).
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    On Oct. 24, 2001,(2) the following took place:
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 2. 147 Cong. Rec. 20545, 107th Cong. 1st Sess. See also Sec. 2 supra.
            Parliamentarian's Note: This marked the first instance of 
        waiver of the commemorative rule since its inception in the 
        104th Congress.
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           AUTHORIZING INTRODUCTION OF JOINT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING 
                SEPTEMBER 11 AS UNITED WE STAND REMEMBRANCE DAY

        Mr. [David] DREIER [of California] (during the Special Order of 
    Mr. Pallone). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that, 
    notwithstanding the provisions of clause 5 of rule XII, 
    Representative Fossella of New York be authorized to introduce a 
    joint resolution to amend title 36, United States Code, to 
    designate September 11 as United We Stand Remembrance Day.
        The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Osborne).(3) Is there 
    objection to the request of the gentleman from California?
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 3. Tom Osborne (NE).
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        There was no 
    objection.                          -------------------

        MAKING IN ORDER ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2001, CONSIDERATION OF 
         JOINT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 11 AS UNITED WE STAND 
                                REMEMBRANCE DAY

        Mr. DREIER (during the Special Order of Mr. Pallone). Mr. 
    Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order at any time on 
    Thursday, October 25, 2001, without intervention of any point of 
    order to consider in the House the joint resolution introduced by 
    Representative Fossella of New York pursuant to the previous order 
    of the House (to amend title 36, United States Code, to designate 
    September 11 as United We Stand Remembrance Day); that the joint 
    resolution be considered as read for amendment; that the joint 
    resolution be debatable for 1 hour equally divided and controlled 
    by the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Government 
    Reform; and that the previous question be considered as ordered on 
    the joint resolution to final passage without intervening motion 
    except one motion to recommit.

[[Page 141]]

        The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of 
    the gentleman from California?
        There was no objection.

Sec. 3.2 The House by unanimous consent modified two previous orders 
    waiving the prohibition in Rule XII clause 5(a)(1) 
    against the introduction of a measure expressing or establishing a 
    commemoration for measure described by sponsor and title (or 
    paraphrase thereof); and the consideration of that measure, to 
    apply each of them instead to a new draft that warranted a 
    materially different title.(2)
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 1. House Rules and Manual Sec. 823 (2007).
 2. Parliamentarian's Note: The House had granted unanimous consent for 
        Rep. Vito Fossella (NY) to introduce a joint resolution that 
        was expected to designate a ``United We Stand Remembrance 
        Day''. See Sec. 3.1, supra. It later was discovered that the 
        companion Senate measure (S. J. Res. 29) designated the day as 
        ``Patriot Day''. Because the designation of the day actually 
        appeared in the title (or paraphrase thereof) by which joint 
        resolution was described in the order of the House, Rep. 
        Fossella needed a modified order of the House to introduce a 
        joint resolution that conformed to that of the Senate.
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    On Oct. 25, 2001,(3) the following took place:
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 3. 147 Cong. Rec. 20652-59, 107th Cong. 1st. Sess.
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            APPLYING SPECIAL ORDERS OF OCTOBER 24, 2001 RELATING TO 
         ``UNITED WE STAND REMEMBRANCE DAY'' TO HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 
                                       71

        Mr. [Steven] LaTOURETTE [of Ohio]. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent that the special orders of the House of October 24, 2001, 
    relating to the United We Stand Remembrance Day be applied to House 
    Joint Resolution 71.
        The SPEAKER pro tempore.(4) Is there objection to 
    the request of the gentleman from Ohio?
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 4. John Shimkus (IL).
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        There was no objection.

                    DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 11 AS PATRIOT DAY

        Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House 
    of October 24, 2001, I call up the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 71) 
    amending title 36, United States Code, to designate September 11 as 
    Patriot Day, and ask for its immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
        The text of House Joint Resolution 71 is as follows:

                                  H.J. Res. 71

            Whereas on September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four 
        civilian aircraft, crashing two of them into the towers of the 
        World Trade Center in New York City, and a third into the 
        Pentagon outside Washington, D.C.;
            Whereas the fourth hijacked aircraft crashed in 
        southwestern Pennsylvania after passengers tried to take 
        control of the aircraft in order to prevent the hijackers from 
        crashing the aircraft into an important symbol of democracy and 
        freedom;

[[Page 142]]

            Whereas these attacks were by far the deadliest terrorist 
        attacks ever launched against the United States, killing 
        thousands of innocent people; and
            Whereas in the aftermath of the attacks the people of the 
        United States stood united in providing support for those in 
        need: Now, therefore, be it
            Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
        United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SEC. 1. DESIGNATION OF SEPTEMBER 11 AS PATRIOT DAY.

       (a) Designation.--Chapter 1 of title 36, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     section:

     ``Sec. 144. Patriot Day

       ``(a) Designation.--September 11 is Patriot Day.
       ``(b) Proclamation.--The President is requested to issue 
     each year a proclamation calling on--
       ``(1) State and local governments and the people of the 
     United States to observe Patriot Day with appropriate 
     programs and activities;
       ``(2) all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of 
     the United States and interested organizations and 
     individuals to display the flag of the United States at 
     halfstaff on Patriot Day in honor of the individuals who lost 
     their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the 
     United States that occurred on September 11, 2001; and
       ``(3) the people of the United States to observe a moment 
     of silence on Patriot Day in honor of the individuals who 
     lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against 
     the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for 
     chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new item:

``144. Patriot Day.''.

        The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
    Wednesday, October 24, 2001, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
    LaTourette) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Owens) each will 
    control 30 minutes.

Veterans' Day

Sec. 3.3 Under a previous order of the House, the Speaker recognized a 
    majority and minority member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
    for special-order speeches in commemoration of Veterans' Day.

    On Nov. 11, 1983,(1) the following proceedings took 
place:
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 1. 129 Cong. Rec. 32289, 98th Cong. 1st Sess.
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                        IN COMMEMORATION OF VETERANS DAY

        The SPEAKER.(2) Under a previous order of the House, 
    the gentleman from California (Mr. Edwards) will be recognized for 
    30 minutes, and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hammerschmidt) 
    will be recognized for 30 minutes.
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 2. Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. (MA).
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        The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. 
    Edwards).
        Mr. [Don] EDWARDS of California. Mr. Speaker, my colleague from 
    Mississippi, the chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 
    G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery, would have liked to have been here on this 
    special day for all Americans to express his feelings on the 
    meaning of the Veterans Day observance, but his schedule mandated 
    that he return to his district . . .
        I hope you will join with me on this Veterans Day as we display 
    our pride in and our respect for American's most select group of 
    citizens -- our veterans.

[[Page 143]]

     It is a day to face our past and make it work for a future of 
    security and peace.

Sec. 3.4 The House, by unanimous consent, authorized the Speaker to 
    send on its behalf an appropriate message to General John J. 
    Pershing on the 27th anniversary of Armistice Day.

    On Nov. 12, 1945,(1) the following proceedings occurred:
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 1. 91 Cong. Rec. 10610, 79th Cong. 1st Sess.
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        The SPEAKER.(2) The Chair recognizes the gentleman 
    from Massachusetts [Mr. McCormack].
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 2. Sam Rayburn (TX).
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        Mr. [John W.] McCORMACK [of Massachusetts]. Mr. Speaker, the 
    gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Bulwinkle] conferred with me a 
    few minutes ago and made a suggestion which aroused my immediate 
    interest and favorable response, as the result of which I conferred 
    with the Speaker and our distinguished colleague from Michigan [Mr. 
    Michener], the acting minority leader on the floor at the present 
    time. Today is Armistice Day. On November 11, 1918, the actual 
    Armistice Day of World War I took place. During that war our land 
    forces were led by a man whose name will occupy the foremost pages 
    in history. Through the divine province of God he is still with us. 
    He was the commander in chief of the Army of the United States 
    during World War I, which he led with such fine judgment and valor 
    so as to bring about the great victory that came to our country in 
    that war. It is only proper and fitting, the Speaker and the 
    distinguished acting minority leader agreeing, that the House of 
    Representatives should on this day convey to that great American, 
    that great warrior of World War I, our profound feeling of respect 
    and admiration that this body holds for him, which expression would 
    be symbolic and representative of the feelings of Americans 
    throughout the entire country.
        I therefore ask unanimous consent that the Speaker be 
    authorized to send to that great military leader of the last war, 
    that great American, Gen. John J. Pershing, an appropriate message 
    from the House of Representatives.
        The SPEAKER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
        There was no objection.

Sec. 3.5 Instance when the House, on a unanimous-consent request of a 
    Member, stood in silence on Armistice Day (now Veterans' Day) in 
    memory of those who lost their lives in World War II.(1)
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 1. H.R. 7786 (Pub. L. No. 83-380) changed the name of Armistice Day to 
        Veterans Day. See 99 Cong. Rec. 3245, 83d Cong. 2d Sess., Mar. 
        15, 1954.
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    On Nov. 11, 1940,(2) the House, acting on the unanimous 
consent request of a Member, stood in silence for one minute on 
Armistice Day in memory of those who lost their lives in the First 
World War.
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 2. 86 Cong. Rec. 13613, 76th Cong. 3d Sess.
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        Mrs. [Edith Nourse] ROGERS of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, 
    reserving

[[Page 144]]

    the right to object, and I do not intend to object, but I would 
    like to ask the majority leader and the Speaker if the House would 
    stand in silence for a moment. Today is Armistice Day. Twenty-two 
    years ago the armistice was signed. I wish, out of memory to those 
    men and women who fought a great crusade in order that the world 
    might be safe for democracy, they might know that we are standing 
    doing honor to them today. They lost their ultimate goal for the 
    time being, but out of all the horror and filth that is war their 
    courage, their infinite gentleness, and great heroism have kindled 
    a grimmer determination among millions of people all over the world 
    today to fight for democracy. Mr. Speaker, their sacrifice was not 
    in vain. I earnestly wish that the House might stand in silence for 
    1 minute, and I make that unanimous-consent request.
        The SPEAKER.(3) If the gentlewoman will withhold 
    that until the other unanimous-consent request is disposed of.
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 3. Sam Rayburn (TX).
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        Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts. Yes, Mr. Speaker.
        The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman 
    from Massachusetts [Mr. McCORMACK]?
        There was no objection.
        Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I renew my 
    unanimous-consent request now.
        The SPEAKER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
        There was no objection.

                                 armistice day

        The Members of the House rose and stood in silence for 1 
    minute.

Washington's Birthday

Sec. 3.6 The Speaker, pursuant to unanimous-consent agreement, 
    designated a Member to read Washington's Farewell 
    Address.(1)
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 1. The House has read the Farewell Address to coincide with 
        Washington's Birthday. See 5 Hinds' Precedents Sec. Sec. 7070-
        7075 and 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. Sec. 3531-3534 for early 
        examples of reading the address and observances of Washington's 
        Birthday.
            The House discontinued the practice of reading of 
        Washington's farewell address after 1979 and began marking the 
        occasion by the appointment of Members to participate in the 
        wreath-laying ceremony held each Feb. 22 on the grounds of the 
        Washington Monument. It became customary for the House to 
        authorize the appointment of two Members by the Speaker, one 
        upon the recommendation of the minority leader. See, e.g., 135 
        Cong. Rec. 2225, 101st Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 21, 1989; and 130 
        Cong. Rec. 2760, 98th Cong. 2d Sess., Feb. 21, 1984. However, 
        in one instance three Members were authorized and appointed 
        (see 135 Cong. Rec. 1873, 101st Cong. 2d Sess., Feb. 20, 1990), 
        and in another case two Members were authorized and only one 
        was ultimately appointed (see 148 Cong. Rec. 1887, 107th Cong. 
        2d Sess., Feb. 26, 2002).
            The wreath laying ceremony has not occurred in regular use 
        since 2003.
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    On Feb. 18, 1963,(2) the Speaker recognized Mr. Carl 
Albert, of

[[Page 145]]

Oklahoma, for a unanimous-consent request:
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 2. 109 Cong. Rec. 2455, 88th Cong. 1st Sess.
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        Mr. ALBERT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that on 
    Thursday, February 21, 1963, Washington's Farewell Address may be 
    read by a Member to be designated by the Speaker.
        The SPEAKER.(3) Is there objection to the request of 
    the gentleman from Oklahoma?
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 3. John W. McCormack (MA).
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        There was no objection.
        The SPEAKER. Pursuant to the special order agreed to today, the 
    Chair designates the gentleman from Utah [Mr. Burton] to read 
    Washington's Farewell Address immediately following the approval of 
    the Journal on February 21, 1963.

    On Feb. 21, 1963,(4) Speaker John W. McCormack, of 
Massachusetts, recognized Rep. Laurence J. Burton, of Utah, to read 
Washington's farewell address.
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 4. 109 Cong. Rec. 2671, 88th Cong. 1st Sess. For other examples of the 
        reading of Washington's Farewell Address see 112 Cong. Rec. 
        3647-51, 89th Cong. 2d Sess., Feb. 22, 1966 (instance in which 
        the Speaker received messages from the Senate and President 
        before the recognition of a Member to read the address); 111 
        Cong. Rec. 3291-95, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 22, 1965; and 
        105 Cong. Rec. 2825-29, 86th Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 23, 1959.
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        The SPEAKER. Pursuant to the order of the House of February 18, 
    1963, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah [Mr. Burton] to 
    read George Washington's Farewell Address.
        Mr. BURTON read the farewell address[.] . . .

    Parliamentarian's Note: No extensions of remarks or insertions in 
the Congressional Record were permitted prior to the reading of the 
address. The Speaker recognized Members for one-minute speeches 
immediately following the reading of the address.

Independence Day

Sec. 3.7 A Member, designated by the Speaker, read the Declaration of 
    Independence at a meeting of the House on July 4, 1951, the 175th 
    anniversary of the Declaration.

    On July 4, 1951,(1) Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas, 
announced that a Member would read the Declaration of Independence:
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 1. 97 Cong. Rec. 7611, 7612, 82d Cong. 1st Sess.
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        The SPEAKER. This being the one hundred and seventy-fifth 
    anniversary of the signing and adoption of the Declaration of 
    Independence, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
    [Mr. Lind] to read the Declaration of Independence.
        Mr. [James F.] LIND [of Pennsylvania]. When in the course of 
    human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the 
    political bands which have connected them with another, and to 
    assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and

[[Page 146]]

    equal station to which the laws of Nature and of Nature's God 
    entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires 
    that they should declare the causes which impel them to the 
    separation.