H3732 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 14, 2019 for people who served in the sea serv- Bless all former Members who have happy memories of my 26 years serving ices during the Vietnam conflict and died since last year’s meeting—24 in in this august body. who are being denied access to VA ben- all. May their families and their con- For all of us, service in this remark- efits for the scourge of Agent Orange stituents be comforted during a time of able building was the pinnacle of our illnesses. mourning and forever know our grati- professional lives, and I know that for Again, this is a process that has tude for the sacrifices made in service each and every one of us there are taken forever. We passed this measure to Congress. memories that will forever remind us in the last Congress by unanimous Finally, bless those here gathered, of the great privilege we enjoyed as a vote. It was blocked from consideration that they might bring joy and hope to representative of our constituents. by two Senators last December. the present age and supportive com- For me, these memories include Congratulations to MARK TAKANO, panionship to one another. great friendships with colleagues from our new House Committee on Veterans’ Together, we call upon Your holy both sides of the aisle, working with Affairs chairman, for bringing up this name, now and forever. terrific and talented young people as a bill immediately in the new House of Amen. part of my staff, and pushing forward Representatives, to make sure that we PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE pieces of legislation that I know have get this long-overdue justice for people The Honorable Cliff Stearns led the made a huge, positive difference. By serving in Congress, we were who served in the Vietnam conflict Pledge of Allegiance as follows: given the opportunity to serve our taken care of. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the Veterans service organizations that country and its citizens. I am very United States of America, and to the Repub- proud that through FMC we can con- have been relentless in their advocacy lic for which it stands, one nation under God, for blue water Vietnam veterans, such indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. tinue, in a small measure, the public service that brought us to Congress in as The American Legion, Veterans of Mr. STEARNS. The Chair now recog- Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of the first place. nizes the president of the United States My colleagues and I will describe America, Disabled American Veterans, Association of Former Members of later in this report the many projects Vietnam Veterans of America, Congress, the Honorable Martin Frost through which FMC Members continue AMVETS, MOAA, and Military Order of Texas, to address the Members. to give back. of the Purple Heart, are supporting Mr. FROST. Thank you, Cliff. It is As you know, every year during our this legislation. always a distinct privilege to be back annual meeting we seek to recognize a It is going to be important for us to in this revered Chamber and to see so colleague for her or his exemplary pub- get this bill passed out of this Chamber many of my good friends and former lic service before, during and after Con- and force the Senate to do the right colleagues here. gress. This tradition was started in thing and provide justice for those who On behalf of FMC, I appreciate the 1974, when we recognized President served in that conflict and who are still Speaker’s invitation to return to this Gerry Ford with our first Distin- suffering from cancers, from heart dis- wonderful place and to present to Con- guished Service Award and has contin- ease, and from skin ailments because of gress FMC’s 49th annual report. ued annually since. Other recipients in- exposure to a chemical that they had I will be joined by some of our col- clude Tip O’Neill, Bob Michel, Jack absolutely no idea was unsafe. leagues in reporting on FMC’s activi- Kemp, Tom Foley, and many others. f ties and vision for the future. The award rotates between the par- RECESS I also am submitting, for the RECORD, ties, and this year a Republican former a more detailed review of FMC’s 2018 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Member is slated to be recognized. activities. When our executive committee start- ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair First, I would like to ask the Clerk ed considering whom to honor, imme- declares the House in recess until 2 to call the roll. diately Connie Morella of Maryland p.m. today. The Clerk called the roll and the fol- emerged as the clear favorite, and, by Accordingly (at 12 o’clock and 6 min- lowing Members answered ‘‘present’’: unanimous consent, we agreed that she utes p.m.), the House stood in recess. Mr. Blanchard of Michigan should be our 2019 Distinguished Serv- f Mr. Coyne of Pennsylvania ice honoree. PROCEEDINGS OF FORMER Mr. Carr of Michigan I now invite Connie to join me here MEMBERS PROGRAM Mr. DioGuardi of New York at the dais. Mr. Frost of Texas Connie, I have a few remarks, and The following proceedings were held Mr. Gingrey of Georgia then you will have the opportunity to before the House convened for morn- Mr. Goodlatte of Virginia say something also. ing-hour debate: Mr. Green of Texas Connie Morella, former Member of UNITED STATES ASSOCIATION OF FORMER MEM- Mr. Hertel of Michigan the House of Representatives and BERS OF CONGRESS 2019 ANNUAL REPORT TO Mr. Jones of Oklahoma former ambassador, exemplifies like CONGRESS Ms. Kennelly of Connecticut few others a commitment to serving The meeting was called to order by Mr. Kolbe of Arizona her community and her Nation. the Honorable Cliff Stearns, vice presi- Mr. Konnyu of California Her entire career, since earning her dent of Former Members of Congress Mr. Kopetski of Oregon B.A. from Boston University, was fo- Association, at 8 a.m. Mr. Lancaster of North Carolina cused on public service. Initially, that PRAYER Ms. Lincoln of Arkansas service was in education as a secondary The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick Mr. Matheson of Utah school teacher in Montgomery County. J. Conroy, offered the following prayer: Mr. McMillen of Maryland Though impossible to confirm, I would Lord God of history, we thank You Mr. Mica of Florida guess that Montgomery County is the for this day, when former Members re- Ms. Morella of Maryland place in America with the highest turn to Congress to continue, in a less Mr. Murphy of Pennsylvania number of residents able to quote official manner, their service to our Mr. Payne of Virginia Shakespeare, thanks to her. Nation and to this noble institution. Mr. Rahall of West Virginia She became active in politics based May their presence here bring a mo- Mr. Slattery of Kansas on an issue that defined her political ment of pause where current Members Mr. Stearns of Florida career: women’s rights. consider the profiles they now form for Mr. Tanner of Tennessee Little did she know, when she be- future generations of Americans. Mr. Weldon of Florida came involved with the League of May all former Members be rewarded Mr. STEARNS. The Chair announces Women Voters, that she herself would for their contributions to this constitu- that 27 former Members of Congress become a trailblazer, an inspiration, tional Republic and continue to work have responded to their names. and a mentor to countless women lead- and pray that the goodness and justice Mr. FROST. Thank you all for join- ers spanning generations. of this beloved country be proclaimed ing us today. As I prepared for today’s After serving in the Maryland House to the nations. report, it brought back many, many of Delegates for 8 years, she ran for VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:27 May 15, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K14MY7.002 H14MYPT1 May 14, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3733 Congress and commenced a 16-year ca- I reflect with awe on the list of pre- Wall, the Soviet Union, apartheid in reer in the House of Representatives. vious recipients. Some of them were South Africa, but also 9/11. She quickly became known as a mentioned by President Frost: Bob We also witnessed bipartisanship, thoughtful, energetic, and pragmatic Michel, Lee Hamilton, Lindy Boggs, working together, seeking compromise legislator who was able to forge bipar- Amo Houghton, Ray LaHood, and oth- to get results. We respected dif- tisan consensus and bring Members to- ers. Incredible company, people I have ferences, whether party label or con- gether on even the most difficult respected and admired. And I accept stituencies, and we got things done. issues. the honor for all of you. I want to Indeed, when I would introduce a After leaving Congress in 2003, Presi- thank you for your continuous passion measure, I would gather together dent Bush appointed her our Ambas- for the people’s House and for your Democrats to sign on as sponsors, and sador to the OECD, where she served friendship. the Democrats would do the same until 2007. I am a lucky, happy camper. I am the thing with me for sponsorship. And Upon returning to the United States, daughter of immigrant parents. I am why? Bipartisanship got results. In Connie became active in a number of the first in my family to go to college. fact, it is the only way to get desired issues and organizations, and luckily I can boast of a wonderful family.