July 30, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 153, Pt. 15 21421 Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Re- Department of Homeland Security to work with GENERAL LEAVE connaissance) equipment installed aboard the the United States Navy. These changes to the Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I 123-foot cutters do not meet the design stand- program are necessary to make Deepwater an ask unanimous consent that all Mem- ards set forth in the Deepwater contract. effective homeland security program. bers may have 5 legislative days within Specifically, the contractor did not install low Mr. LATOURETTE. Madam Speaker, which to revise and extend their re- smoke cabling aboard the 123-foot cutter, de- I yield back the balance of our time. marks and to include extraneous mate- spite a Deepwater contract requirement. The GENERAL LEAVE rial on H.R. 735. intent of this requirement was to eliminate the Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there polyvinyl chloride jacket encasing the cables, ask unanimous consent that all Mem- objection to the request of the gen- which for years produced toxic fumes and bers may have 5 legislative days in tleman from Maryland? dense smoke during shipboard fire. which to revise and extend their re- There was no objection. Additionally, the contractor installed C4ISR marks on H.R. 2722, as amended. Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I topside equipment aboard both the 123-foot The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there yield 5 minutes to the distinguished cutters and prosecutors, which either did not objection to the request of the gen- chairman of the committee on Ways comply or was not tested to ensure compli- tleman from Maryland? and Means, Mr. RANGEL. ance with specific environmental performance There was no objection. Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, requirements outlined in the Deepwater con- Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I thank you so much for giving me this tract. On April 17, 2007, the Commandant of yield back my time. opportunity to share with this body the the Coast Guard announced the decommis- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The life of a great American named Ron sioning of the entire 123-foot fleet. question is on the motion offered by Brown, and I’m asking your support to Similarly, there are problems with the Na- the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. have a Federal building, a U.N. mis- tional Security Cutter. On January 23, 2007, CUMMINGS) that the House suspend the sions building if you will, to be named the Department of Homeland Security Inspec- rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2722, as after him. tor General’s Office released a report stating amended. Even though Ron Brown was an Afri- that ‘‘the National Security Cutter, as designed The question was taken. can American from Harlem, his story is and constructed, would not meet the perform- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the more of an American story than one of ance specifications described in the original opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being color, because on the streets of Harlem Deepwater contract.’’ The report also states in the affirmative, the ayes have it. you don’t find too many people exposed that ‘‘The National Security Cutter’s design Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, on to dreams of ever becoming a Sec- and performance deficiencies are fundamen- that I demand the yeas and nays. retary of Commerce, indeed an ambas- tally the result of the Coast Guard’s failure to The yeas and nays were ordered. sador for this great country. exercise technical oversight over the design The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- But Ron never forgot Harlem, and it and construction of its Deepwater assets.’’ ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the was the Urban League that drove him Furthermore, the Inspector General’s Office Chair’s prior announcement, further to do things in the civil rights move- found that ‘‘since the deepwater contract was proceedings on this motion will be ment. It was his dedication to his coun- signed in June 2002, the combined cost of postponed. try that drove him to spend 4 years in National Security Cutters 1 and 2 has in- f the military, but everywhere that Ron creased from $517 million to approximately Brown would go as Secretary of Com- $775 million.’’ The $775 estimate does not in- RONALD H. BROWN UNITED merce, he was there not just to sell clude costs to correct or mitigate the National STATES MISSION TO THE businesses to the country. He was there Security Cutter’s structural design deficiencies, UNITED NATIONS BUILDING to sell the American flag, the prin- additional labor and materials costs resulting Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I ciples of that flag and the thing that from the effects of Hurricane Katrina, and the move to suspend the rules and pass the we stand for. final costs of a $302 million Request for Equi- bill (H.R. 735) to designate the Federal I went with him to South Africa to table Adjustment (REA) that the Coast Guard building under construction at 799 see him negotiating with leaders, polit- is currently negotiating with the contractor. Fi- First Avenue in New York, New York, ical leaders there, but all the time that nally, the report states that the Inspector Gen- as the ‘‘Ronald H. Brown United States he was talking to them, it wasn’t eral’s Office ‘‘encountered resistance’’ from Mission to the United Nations Build- which party was right or which party the Coast Guard and the contractor in its ef- ing’’. was wrong or how to bring about soli- forts to evaluate the structural design and per- The Clerk read the title of the bill. darity. He was asking how could Amer- formance issues associated with the cutter. The text of the bill is as follows: ica help the people to get clean water, The IG’s findings are very serious and I am H.R. 735 to get medicine, to get food and to let deeply concerned about the Coast Guard’s Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- them know that our multinationals ability to manage the Deepwater program. resentatives of the United States of America in were there, not just for the share- Strict Congressional oversight on the part of Congress assembled, holders of their firm but the share- the new Democratic Congress has forced the SECTION 1. DESIGNATION. holders of the world. Coast Guard to make several significant The Federal building under construction at And so when you come to New York, changes to this much-needed program and 799 First Avenue in New York, New York, where you always see diversity, people continued oversight is needed. The Homeland shall be known and designated as the ‘‘Ron- of different color, different languages, Security Committee has already held one ald H. Brown United States Mission to the different cultures, and you see the Fed- United Nations Building’’. hearing on the Deepwater Program this year, eral mission to the United Nations, SEC. 2. REFERENCES. there could not be a sight that would and more are planned. Any reference in a law, map, regulation, H.R. 2722 makes improvements to the document, paper, or other record of the be more reminiscent of Ron Brown Deepwater program that will refine the process United States to the Federal building re- than the contributions that he made to and make it effective for protecting the home- ferred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be my community, my country, but in- land for decades to come. For instance this a reference to the ‘‘Ronald H. Brown United deed, the entire world. bill creates a process for the Coast Guard to States Mission to the United Nations Build- And so thank you for shepherding become the lead systems integrator for the ing’’. this wonderful bill so that his family program, it opens up competition for procure- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- and his friends and his supporters and ments, requires the Coast Guard to provide ant to the rule, the gentleman from kids to follow would know that out of life-cycle cost estimates, requires the appoint- Maryland (Mr. CUMMINGS) and the gen- Harlem we planted the seed, and he ment of a Chief Acquisitions Officer, estab- tleman from Ohio (Mr. LATOURETTE) died for this country on a mission for lishes testing and certification requirements for each will control 20 minutes. President Clinton. His memory will Deepwater assets, provides design criteria for The Chair recognizes the gentleman never, never be forgotten; and I was the National Security Cutter, and allows the from Maryland. proud to be a desk clerk at the time

VerDate Mar 15 2010 11:26 Jul 06, 2010 Jkt 059102 PO 00000 Frm 00116 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR07\H30JY7.004 H30JY7 WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD 21422 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 153, Pt. 15 July 30, 2007 that he was living in a hotel that his finally pass this bill and pay a fitting tribute to Brown was the first African American to father managed in New York. And he the life and achievements of this extraordinary achieve partner at Patton, Boggs, and Blow in will forever be in my mind and I hope American. 1981. in yours as you think about great Ron Brown was a man who served his In 1989, he became the first African-Amer- Americans who lost their lives for this country in many capacities: lawyer, pragmatic ican to head the Democratic National Com- great country. bridge builder, statesman, mentor, and trusted mittee, marking the first time in U.S. history, a friend. b 2100 African-American had ever lead a major polit- He may be best known for his service as ical party. Mr. LATOURETTE. Madam Speaker, the first African-American Secretary of Com- History was made again in 1993, when I yield myself such time as I may con- merce. In that position, he became a powerful President William Jefferson Clinton nominated, sume. and influential voice for promoting American and the Senate confirmed, Ron Brown as the H.R. 735 designates a Federal build- products and trade abroad. He championed first African-American to serve as Secretary of ing under construction at 799 First Av- expanding markets for U.S. goods and serv- Commerce. enue, New York, New York, as the Ron- ices, in order to increase job opportunities and As alluded to previously, Ron Brown was an ald H. Brown United States Mission to foster job creation here at home. astute, bright, and compassionate individual. the United Nations Building. Ron He also served on President Clinton’s Na- He was a brilliant lawyer, an effective Sec- Brown was born in Washington DC, tional Economic Council, Domestic Policy retary of Commerce, but most importantly he grew up in New York City, and had a Council, and Task Force on National Health was a devoted family man to his wife Alma distinguished career and exemplary Care Reform. He served President Clinton on and their two children, Michael and Tracy. life. This is a good piece of legislation. the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee Sadly, death cheated them and this country Ron Brown was born in Washington, DC and was Co- Chair of the U.S.-Russia Busi- at a most unexpected hour; however, we all and grew up in New York city. After attending ness Development Committee. can take great pride in knowing that Ron Middlebury College, he commanded several Secretary Brown served on the Board of Brown’s legacy shall endure. units in the United States Army and served Trustees for Middlebury College and received In closing Madam Speaker, I would like to with distinction. Following his service in the his law degree from St. John’s University in commend Transportation and Infrastructure Army, Ron Brown attended St. John’s Law New York City. Prior to entering public service, Chairman, Mr. OBERSTAR, Subcommittee School. he worked as a welfare caseworker in New Chairwoman, Ms. NORTON, and my dear friend After finishing law school, Ron Brown began York City. Representative RANGEL for their collective a career as a lawyer and a lobbyist. He In addition to his many talents and leadership in advancing this long overdue served as chief counsel for the Senate Judici- strengths, Secretary Brown was a passionate piece of legislation. ary Committee under the chairmanship of civil rights activist with a distinguished record This fine measure is a fitting tribute to one Senator TED KENNEDY. In addition, he chaired of service to his community. His commitment of this country’s greatest public servants. the Senior Advisory Committee of the Institute to this Nation and its citizens provides a model Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I of Politics at the John F. Kennedy School of for us all. yield back the balance of my time. Secretary Brown’s life was tragically ended Government, Harvard University and was an The SPEAKER pro tempore. The in April 1996 when he was killed in a place elected member of the Council on Foreign Re- question is on the motion offered by crash in Croatia while on an official Depart- lations. the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. ment of Commerce trade mission. Ron Brown’s career culminated in his ap- CUMMINGS) that the House suspend the The Department of State had requested that rules and pass the bill, H.R. 735. pointment as Secretary of Commerce by Secretary Brown personally undertake the President Bill Clinton. Tragically, his life ended The question was taken; and (two- trade mission to highlight and find opportuni- thirds being in the affirmative) the abruptly while on a trade mission to Croatia in ties for U.S. businesses to boost economic re- 1996. Secretary Brown was an accomplished rules were suspended and the bill was construction of the war torn region of former passed. politician and diplomat. Yugoslavia. I would like to note that after the Committee A motion to reconsider was laid on Congress has previously designated Federal the table. on Transportation and Infrastructure marked buildings that serve as Department of State fa- up this bill, the State Department raised con- cilities on four separate occasions. In 2000, f cerns about setting the precedent of naming a Congress designated the Department of State ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER U.S. Embassy. I hope the chairman could headquarters as the ‘‘Harry S Truman Federal PRO TEMPORE work with the State Department to resolve this Building’’ (P.L. 106–218). In 2004, Congress The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- issue before this bill is signed into law. designated the Foreign Service Institute as the Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- ant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings ‘‘George P. Schultz National Foreign Affairs will resume on questions previously ance of my time. Training Center’’ (P.L. 108–136). In 2005, Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I postponed. Congress designated the United States Em- Votes will be taken in the following yield myself such time as I may con- bassy Annex in Rome, Italy, as the ‘‘Mel order: sume. Sembler Building’’ (P.L. 108–447) and des- Suspending the rules on H.R. 2750, by I merely want to associate myself ignated the Federal building in Kingston, Ja- the yeas and nays; with the words of the chairman of the maica, as the ‘‘Colin L. Powell Residential Ordering the previous question on H. Ways and Means Committee, Mr. RAN- Plaza’’ (P.L. 109–89). Res. 580, by the yeas and nays; GEL. I urge all Members to vote in Secretary Brown died in service to his coun- Adoption of H. Res. 580, if ordered; favor of the bill. try on a mission undertaken at the request of Ordering the previous question on H. Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise in the Department of State. It is fitting and proper Res. 579, by the yeas and nays; strong support of H.R. 735, a bill to designate to honor this Federal building as the ‘‘Ronald Adoption of H. Res. 579, if ordered. the United States Mission to the United Na- H. Brown United States Mission to the United The first electronic vote will be con- tions Building located at 799 First Avenue, Nations Building.’’ ducted as a 15-minute vote. Remaining New York, NY, as the ‘‘Ronald H. Brown I urge my colleagues to join me in sup- electronic votes will be conducted as 5- United States Mission to the United Nations porting H.R. 735. minute votes. Building.’’ Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. f Consideration of this bill on the House floor Madam Speaker, I would like to take this op- is long overdue. I commend the gentleman portunity to express my strong, support for NASA 50TH ANNIVERSARY from New York (Mr. RANGEL) for his steadfast- H.R. 735, a bill designating the U.S. Mission COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT ness in supporting this bill. Congressman RAN- to the United Nations for my good friend and The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- GEL introduced similar bills to designate the former Secretary of Commerce, the late Ron- finished business is the vote on the mo- United States Mission to the United Nations in ald Herman Brown. tion to suspend the rules and pass the honor of Ron Brown in the 108th and 109th Ron Brown’s legacy is one that will forever bill, H.R. 2750, as amended, on which Congresses. I am pleased that today we will be synonymous with the term trailblazer. Ron the yeas and nays were ordered.

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