H13366 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 1, 2009 ovarian cancer. If a woman experiences any lution (H. Res. 743) honoring the life of The measure before us was intro- of the following symptoms for at least three Frank McCourt for his many contribu- duced on September 14 by my col- weeks—bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, dif- tions to American literature, edu- leagues, Representative CHRIS MURPHY ficulty eating or feeling full quickly, frequent or cation, and culture. of Connecticut and Mr. JOSEPH urgent need to urinate—she should imme- The Clerk read the title of the resolu- COURTNEY from Connecticut, and was diately see her gynecologist. I urge all of my tion. favorably reported out of the Oversight colleagues to remember those symptoms and The text of the resolution is as fol- Committee on October 29, 2009 by unan- I ask each and every one of you to please lows: imous consent. Notably, this measure make a special point of discussing them with H. RES. 743 enjoys the support of over 50 Members your mothers, your wives and your daughters; Whereas Frank McCourt, a great American of Congress. and encourage them to talk about these symp- author, passed away on July 19, 2009; At this point, I would like to yield 5 toms with other women. The simple fact is that Whereas Frank McCourt was born on Au- minutes to one of the lead sponsors of ignorance kills. The more women know what gust 19, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York; this resolution, Mr. COURTNEY of Con- to look for, the more lives we can save. If we Whereas Frank McCourt returned to his necticut. love our mothers, our wives and our daugh- parents’ homeland of Ireland during the Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I ters, and I am sure that we do, then we owe Great Depression where he remained until thank the gentleman from Massachu- it to them to make the effort to talk with them the age of 19; Whereas Frank McCourt returned to the setts for his efforts to bring this reso- about ovarian cancer. United States and served in the United lution to the floor today honoring a The word ‘‘cancer’’ evokes powerful emo- States Army where he was stationed in Ger- great American, a great writer and a tions. Along with many of my colleagues, I many during the Korean War; great human being. As the cosponsor- know firsthand how devastating cancer can be Whereas following his service in the United ship indicates, there is a Connecticut to the individual who has been diagnosed as States Army, Frank McCourt attended New thread through this resolution because well as their family. And I would like to pay a York University on the GI Bill despite never at the time of his passing, Frank lived small homage to a constituent of mine and a having attended high school; in Roxbury, Connecticut, where a me- Whereas following his graduation from dear friend, Kolleen Stacy, who recently lost morial service was held just a few her own personal battle with ovarian cancer. New York University, Frank McCourt began teaching English and creative writing in the weeks ago. Congressman CHRIS MURPHY Kolleen first brought the issue of ovarian can- attended that service and would have cer to my attention, and it was her passion to New York City Public School system where he remained for 27 years; liked to be here but had some business protect other women from the scourge of ovar- Whereas Frank McCourt authored an auto- back in his district, so I want to at ian cancer that convinced me to champion this biography titled ‘‘Angela’s Ashes’’ which viv- least convey his strong support for this cause in the People’s House. Today’s debate idly tells of the poverty, hunger, and alco- resolution because of the strong feeling is a victory for all women, but in my mind, the holism that challenged his family and others within northwestern Connecticut fact that we are having this debate, the fact in the town of Limerick, Ireland, where he that in 2009 there is even such a thing as Na- grew up; where Frank resided and just the love tional Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is a Whereas ‘‘Angela’s Ashes’’ won the Pul- and affection that the people of that tribute to the dedication and commitment of itzer Prize for Biography, the National Book State, which was kind of his adopted women like Kolleen Stacy. God bless you Critics Circle Award, the ABBY Award State, had for Frank. Kolleen. among others, and has sold over 4,000,000 cop- As the resolution indicates, Frank ies, has been published in 27 countries, and had an amazing American life. He was Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to has been translated into 17 languages; support House Resolution 727. It is literally a born in the U.S. but moved as an infant Whereas Frank McCourt also authored back to Ireland. He was raised in Lim- matter of life and death. other award winning books including, ‘‘Tis’’, Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge the follow up to ‘‘Angela’s Ashes’’, and erick which became the subject of the adoption of House Resolution 727. I ‘‘Teacher Man’’, about his work in the New ‘‘Angela’s Ashes,’’ a book that won thank the chief sponsor, Mr. ISRAEL, York School system; prizes from all over the world, was and all those who have put their heart Whereas his contributions to American lit- translated into 17 languages and was and soul behind this, and urge the erature, education, and culture have im- read in over 27 countries. He later adoption of this resolution. pacted millions; and moved back to the U.S., served in the With that, I yield back the balance of Whereas Frank McCourt was beloved by U.S. Army, actually through the GI my time. his family, friends, and neighbors for his bill got his education, became a teach- Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, having no kindness, wit, and generosity: Now, there- fore, be it er, and then, again, an amazing story further speakers on my side, I want to Resolved, That the House of Representa- of becoming an undiscovered pearl as a thank Mr. ISRAEL and Ms. DELAURO for tives honors the life of Frank McCourt for writer late in life when he published their leadership on this, and I urge his many contributions to American lit- ‘‘Angela’s Ashes’’ in his sixties, and that all Members support House Reso- erature, education, and culture. again became an internationally ac- lution 727. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- claimed author. I yield back the balance of my time. ant to the rule, the gentleman from It’s a book that’s about a very sort of The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Massachusetts (Mr. LYNCH) and the small slice of humanity. It is a story question is on the motion offered by gentleman from Utah (Mr. CHAFFETZ) about childhood poverty in Limerick, a the gentleman from Massachusetts each will control 20 minutes. relatively small to medium size city in (Mr. LYNCH) that the House suspend The Chair recognizes the gentleman Ireland back in the 1950s. You would the rules and agree to the resolution, from Massachusetts. think it would have a very small audi- H. Res. 727, as amended. GENERAL LEAVE ence. But because of Frank’s amazing The question was taken. gifts, he was able to write a story that The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- really touched people from all over the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being imous consent that all Members may world about the challenges that fami- in the affirmative, the ayes have it. have 5 legislative days within which to Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, on that I revise and extend their remarks and lies face under the most difficult cir- demand the yeas and nays. add any extraneous materials. cumstances. And ultimately, although The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there a very harsh account of his life, it is an The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- objection to the request of the gen- inspiring book as well about his moth- ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the tleman from Massachusetts? er, Angela McCourt. Chair’s prior announcement, further There was no objection. He then wrote a second book called proceedings on this motion will be Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- ‘‘Tis’’ which was a story really about postponed. self such time as I may consume. immigration coming back to the U.S. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present really as almost a native Irish citizen f House Resolution 743 for consideration. at the time and fending his way HONORING THE LIFE OF FRANK This resolution honors the life of through America. Again, it is a story MCCOURT Frank McCourt for his many contribu- which was full of some pretty rough Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to tions to American literature, education scenes, but at the end of the day, it suspend the rules and agree to the reso- and culture. really is an American story about

VerDate Nov 24 2008 04:23 Dec 02, 2009 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A01DE7.021 H01DEPT1 tjames on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with HOUSE December 1, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H13367 someone coming to this country, being McKee High School in Staten Island, come a writer. The fact that several of able to have the opportunity to pursue Stuyvesant High School in New York his former students went on to become their dreams and to have the tools and City, at New York City Technical Col- writers stands as a testament to the opportunity, again, to become an ex- lege and at the City University of New impact of Mr. McCourt’s teaching. tremely successful teacher. York. In 1977, Mr. McCourt and his brother, And that was the third book, ‘‘Teach- It was only in his mid sixties that Malachy, adapted their series of auto- er Man,’’ which is a story about him Mr. McCourt finally sat down and biographical sketches into a two-man going into the public school system of chronicled his childhood memories. De- play that opened off Broadway, and New York City. His story about his spite Mr. McCourt’s insistence that it they subsequently took the play to sev- first day in the classroom is something was ‘‘a modest book, modestly writ- eral other cities. This project moti- that every teacher I have ever talked ten,’’ ‘‘Angela’s Ashes’’ became an vated Mr. McCourt to continue his re- to has described as one of the most overnight, word-of-mouth success. It flections on his past, and he put pen to amazingly accurate accounts of the was made into a motion picture in 1999. paper and began work on his childhood fear that you feel walking into a class- Mr. McCourt received the Pulitzer memoirs following his retirement from room and trying to figure out a way to Prize and the National Book Critic Cir- teaching. connect and in his instance, again, cle Award for his work. 1996 marked the publication of Mr. someone with a heavy Irish brogue, a Mr. McCourt passed away this past McCourt’s Pulitzer-Prize winning kind of a timid soul going into a tech July 19, and today, we honor the con- memoir, ‘‘Angela’s Ashes.’’ Detailing school to teach creative writing and tributions he made not only to Amer- the challenges and impact that his English composition, it is hilarious. I ica’s educational system but also to childhood had on his life and the life of the people of Limerick, Mr. McCourt’s recommend it to anyone who has the American culture and American lit- beautifully written and honest tale time to read that amazing story. erature. Frank, again, as someone who had a With that, Mr. Speaker, I would like struck a powerful chord with people of all ages and backgrounds. second career in life as a writer, was to reserve the balance of my time. The book’s most famous passage be- somebody who shared that experience. Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, the meas- gins with Mr. McCourt saying, ‘‘When I He raised money for charities all over ure before us, as eloquently reported by look back on my childhood, I wonder the U.S. He supported people in the the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. how I survived at all. It was, of course, community like Chris Murphy and my- COURTNEY) and also cosponsored by self out on the campaign trail. a miserable childhood: The happy CHRIS MURPHY, honors Francis childhood is hardly worth your while.’’ I would just close by saying that one ‘‘Frank’’ McCourt who was born on Au- of my most vivid moments as a new Not only did his story have an effect gust 19, 1930, in the Bedford-Stuyvesant on his readers, it also touched Mr. Member of Congress is the day we in- section of Brooklyn where his Irish im- vited Frank to come to the Hill. We set McCourt himself. He said of writing migrant parents had hoped to make a ‘‘Angela’s Ashes’’ that he ‘‘learned the up a little breakfast at the Members’ better life. In the midst of the Great dining room and invited Members to significance of my own insignificant Depression, Mr. McCourt and his fam- life.’’ He followed ‘‘Angela’s Ashes’’ come. He sat there in a room with com- ily relocated to Limerick, Ireland, plete strangers. Obviously, Members of with two more books detailing his life, when he was 4 years old, only to sink including ‘‘Teacher Man’’ about his life Congress have pretty big egos and like deeper into poverty. to talk themselves. But you could have as a public school teacher. As noted by Mr. McCourt, his fam- Regrettably, Mr. McCourt passed heard a pin drop. He told stories, told ily’s circumstances were so dire that away on July 19, 2009, at the age of 78. jokes and charmed people for an hour he often dreamed of becoming a prison He is survived by his wife, Ellen Frey and a half. And it was just magic. inmate so that he would be guaranteed That really was what Frank was. He McCourt; his brothers, Malachy, Alphie three meals a day and a warm bed. The was somebody who because of his and Mike; his daughter, Maggie death of three of Mr. McCourt’s six sib- amazing imagination and his humanity McCourt; and his three grandchildren. lings in early childhood, his father’s Mr. Speaker, let us remember and and sense of humor was able to walk abandonment, and his family’s contin- honor Frank McCourt for inspiring and into a room full of strangers and just ued poverty are only some of the hard- influencing millions with his works completely charm them and transform ships that plagued Mr. McCourt’s child- and for his contributions to education them. It’s a memory that I think the hood at the age of 19, when Mr. through the passage of this resolution. Congress does well to memorialize and McCourt took his savings and boarded I urge all my colleagues to join us in honor today. As we deal with issues a ship for New York. supporting House Resolution 743, and I like immigration and education, his Following a number of jobs, Mr. reserve the balance of my time. example, I think, is an inspiring one McCourt joined the United States for all of us who are involved in these b 1515 Army and was subsequently stationed challenges. His life really tells us that Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I re- in Germany during the Korean War. we are a great country and we can suc- serve the balance of my time. While his formal education ended at ceed if we give people the opportunities Mr. LYNCH. At this time I yield 3 to blossom and show what they are the age of 13, Mr. McCourt nonetheless minutes to the gentleman from New gained admission to New York Univer- really made of. York (Mr. BISHOP). With that, I urge support of the reso- sity and earned a degree in English Mr. BISHOP of New York. I thank lution. education in 1957 on the GI bill. One the gentleman from Massachusetts for Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield year later, Mr. McCourt began teaching yielding, and I thank the authors of myself such time as I may consume. at the age of 28 at Ralph McKee Voca- this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues tional High School on Staten Island, Frank McCourt is justifiably known will join us in honoring the late Frank thus beginning his 30-year career to the country and to the world pri- McCourt, best remembered for his Pul- teaching in the New York City public marily as a writer. I knew him as a itzer Prize-winning memoir, ‘‘Angela’s school system. teacher. Prior to coming to the Con- Ashes.’’ After earning a master’s degree in gress, I was the provost of South Born in 1930 in Brooklyn, New York, English from Brooklyn College in 1967, Hampton College of Long Island Uni- Mr. McCourt was actually a public Mr. McCourt began teaching creative versity, and we offered a master’s in school teacher for nearly 30 years who writing at Manhattan’s highly selec- the fine arts program in creative writ- taught English. He was a veteran, tive Stuyvesant High School in 1972 ing. We hired Frank McCourt to teach drafted into the Army during the Ko- where he remained until his retirement in that program. He taught in that pro- rean War, and used the GI bill to enroll in 1987. Through his popular teaching gram every summer from 2002 through in New York University. He also earned style and his initial literary endeavors, 2008, and he was preparing to teach in a master’s degree from Brooklyn Col- Mr. McCourt became a beloved teacher the summer of 2009 when he died. lege. at Stuyvesant and was known through- To describe him as a great teacher is Throughout his nearly 30-year career out the school as someone that you to not do him justice. He was an ex- teaching, Mr. McCourt taught at needed to meet if you wanted to be- traordinary teacher. He was inspiring,

VerDate Nov 24 2008 01:41 Dec 02, 2009 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K01DE7.024 H01DEPT1 tjames on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with HOUSE H13368 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 1, 2009 he was inspired, he was engaging, and Frank McCourt’s professional career began ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEM- he was incredibly effective. The work- as an educator in 1958 when he landed his ONSTRATION PROGRAM ON GAS shop that he offered was called Memoir first job teaching English at Ralph R. McKee TURBINES Writing, and it was always the most Career & Technical High School (McKee) lo- Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I move to heavily subscribed of all of the work- cated in my district of Staten Island, New suspend the rules and pass the bill shops we offered. There was always a York. McCourt went on to teach in the New (H.R. 3029) to establish a research, de- waiting list. Alan Alda worked on his York City Public school system for 27 years. velopment, and technology demonstra- memoirs as a student in Frank McCourt always had a passion for creative tion program to improve the efficiency McCourt’s memoir writing class. Anne writing and storytelling, and it was through his of gas turbines used in combined cycle Bancroft, prior to her passing, was a work at McKee high school where he devel- power generation systems, as amended. student in Frank McCourt’s memoir oped the idea for ‘‘Angela’s Ashes.’’ The Clerk read the title of the bill. writing class. Frank McCourt was once quoted in an inter- The text of the bill is as follows: That class was really a textbook in view saying that, ‘‘children are the most pre- H.R. 3029 how much to teach, how to engage stu- cious material we have in our country.’’ Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- dents, how to turn them on to a subject McCourt was a great example of a dedicated resentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, matter, and how to get the most out of teacher and was an outspoken advocate for SECTION 1. HIGH EFFICIENCY GAS TURBINES. them—the very essence of teaching— education. McCourt viewed teaching as the and he did it with enormous humor, (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Energy single most important profession in the country shall carry out a multiyear, multiphase pro- with great charm, and was almost ef- because teachers pave the way for our chil- gram of research, development, and tech- fortless in his ability to connect with dren’s future and enhance their lives. nology demonstration to improve the effi- students. ciency of gas turbines used in power genera- So I certainly hope that the Congress When Frank McCourt passed away earlier tion systems and to identify the technologies will unanimously pass this resolution. this year, our Nation lost a great man, teacher, that ultimately will lead to gas turbine com- He was a man richly deserving of any author, and friend. Mr. Speaker, I strongly bined cycle efficiency of 65 percent or simple accolade that he might receive. He will urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 743 to cycle efficiency of 50 percent. (b) PROGRAM ELEMENTS.—The program be terribly missed. He serves as an ex- honor the life, work and contributions of Frank McCourt. under this section shall— ample of what good teaching is and (1) support first-of-a-kind engineering and how valuable good teaching is to our Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, detailed gas turbine design for megawatt- Nation’s students. I rise today to celebrate the life of author and scale and utility-scale electric power genera- Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, we educator Frank McCourt. tion, including— have no additional speakers, but I As many know, Frank McCourt died on July (A) high temperature materials, including would urge the passage of House Reso- 19 at the age of 78. As an author, he was superalloys, coatings, and ceramics; (B) improved heat transfer capability; lution 743. It’s an honor for me to par- best known for his best-selling series of mem- ticipate in these proceedings, and I (C) manufacturing technology required to oirs, including the Pulitzer-prize winning 1996 construct complex three-dimensional geom- urge the adoption of this resolution. work Angela’s Ashes. Years before he be- etry parts with improved aerodynamic capa- With that, I yield back the balance of came a literary icon, however, he was best bility; my time. known among thousands of New York City (D) combustion technology to produce Mr. LYNCH. I thank the gentleman high school students as a passionate and higher firing temperature while lowering ni- from Utah for his kind remarks, and I committed teacher, holding his classes spell- trogen oxide and carbon monoxide emissions want to thank both the gentlemen bound with his rapturous stories. But to me, per unit of output; (E) advanced controls and systems integra- from Connecticut, Mr. COURTNEY and and to so many others who call Northwest Mr. MURPHY, and also the gentleman tion; Connecticut home, he was a friend. (F) advanced high performance compressor from New York (Mr. BISHOP) for their While Frank was an Irishman and a New technology; and wonderful work and leadership on this (G) validation facilities for the testing of resolution. York City native to the last, it was in Roxbury, Connecticut, that he spent years with his be- components and subsystems; Mr. MCMAHON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in sup- (2) include technology demonstration loved wife, Ellen, at his side. Frank was dear- port of H. Res. 743 which honors the life and through component testing, subscale testing, work of accomplished Pulitzer-prize winning ly-loved throughout his community as a warm, and full scale testing in existing fleets; author Frank McCourt. I am proud to be a co- friendly neighbor who was always willing to roll (3) include field demonstrations of the de- sponsor of this important resolution. up his sleeves and get involved in local veloped technology elements so as to dem- Frank McCourt was an exceptional author causes and charities. The wit and generous onstrate technical and economic feasibility; spirit that defined his writing was familiar to and and educator whose contributions are valued (4) assess overall combined cycle and sim- throughout America. He is remembered for his anyone who knew Frank—he was a fiery, vital presence. ple cycle system performance. great literary masterpieces, including his well (c) PROGRAM GOALS.—The goals of the mul- known autobiography, ‘‘Angela’s Ashes,’’ Frank spent his life shaping young people’s tiphase program established under sub- which tells his story of growing up in the slums minds as a teacher and sharing his writings section (a) shall be— of Brooklyn, New York and Limerick City, Ire- with the world. This resolution before us today (1) in phase I— land. is dedicated to his memory, and to Ellen and (A) to develop the conceptual design of ad- the McCourt family. On behalf of myself and vanced high efficiency gas turbines that can Frank McCourt’s life is the story of a true achieve at least 62 percent combined cycle American Dream. As a child of Irish immi- Representative COURTNEY, who helped make efficiency or 47 percent simple cycle effi- grants, McCourt grew up during the depres- this resolution possible, as well as the millions ciency on a lower heating value basis; and sion and faced many grave challenges. around the world whose lives he touched, (B) to develop and demonstrate the tech- McCourt was abandoned by his father, who Frank McCourt will be missed. nology required for advanced high efficiency was an alcoholic, at an early age. The family Mr. LYNCH. I yield back the balance gas turbines that can achieve at least 62 per- had seven children, three of whom died from of my time. cent combined cycle efficiency or 47 percent disease. McCourt found himself struggling to simple cycle efficiency on a lower heating The SPEAKER pro tempore. The value basis; and hold down a job in order to feed his mother question is on the motion offered by (2) in phase II, to develop the conceptual and surviving siblings. He worked to provide a the gentleman from Massachusetts design for advanced high efficiency gas tur- stable and healthy environment for his family (Mr. LYNCH) that the House suspend bines that can achieve at least 65 percent during a time of worldwide economic depres- the rules and agree to the resolution, combined cycle efficiency or 50 percent sim- sion. H. Res. 743. ple cycle efficiency on a lower heating value McCourt dropped out of school at the age of basis. 13 and worked a series of janitorial jobs in The question was taken; and (two- (d) PROPOSALS.—Within 180 days after the New York hotels. After serving in the United thirds being in the affirmative) the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall solicit grant and contract proposals States Army, Frank McCourt was granted a rules were suspended and the resolu- tion was agreed to. from industry, universities, and other appro- formal education at New York University even priate parties for conducting activities under though he never received the required high A motion to reconsider was laid on this Act. In selecting proposals, the Sec- school diploma. the table. retary shall emphasize—

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