December 17, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 156, Pt. 15 22723 was a request for donations to the First Chair’s prior announcement, further ‘‘I should like to see the time come when Lieutenant Robert Wilson Collins Pa- proceedings on this motion will be women shall help to make the laws. I should triot Spirit Scholarship, care of Bank postponed. like to see that whiplash, the ballot, in the of Georgia, 100 Westpark Drive, Peach- The point of no quorum is considered hands of women. As for this city’s govern- withdrawn. ment, I don’t want to say much, except that tree City, Georgia 30269. it is a shame—a shame; but if I should live Again, certainly the obituary, know- f twenty-five years longer—and there is no ing that this was such an extraordinary RECOGNIZING MARK TWAIN AS AN reason why I shouldn’t—I think I’ll see young person, protecting our country AMERICAN LITERARY ICON women handle the ballot. If women had the by defeating the terrorists overseas, I ballot to-day, the state of things in this town am honored to join in urging support of Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I move would not exist. the legislation. to suspend the rules and agree to the ‘‘If all the women in this town had a vote resolution (H. Res. 1733) recognizing today they would elect a mayor at the next [From the Times-Herald.com, April 15, 2010] Mark Twain as one of America’s most election, and they would rise in their might 1LT ROBERT WILSON COLLINS famous literary icons on the 175th an- and change the awful state of things now ex- 1LT Robert Wilson Collins of Tyrone, GA, niversary of his birth and the 100th an- isting here.’’: Now, therefore, be it was killed in action on April 7, 2010, in Iraq niversary of his death, as amended. Resolved, That the House of Representa- in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 1LT tives recognizes Mark Twain as one of Amer- Collins was born in 1985 in Red Bank, NJ, and The Clerk read the title of the resolu- ica’s most famous literary icons and com- graduated from Sandy Creek High School, tion. memorates him on the 175th anniversary of Class of 2004. After high school he graduated The text of the resolution is as fol- his birth and the 100th anniversary of his from The United States Military Academy at lows: death. West Point, NY, Class of 2008. 1LT Collins H. RES. 1733 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- was the first member of the USMA Class of Whereas, on November 30, 1835, Samuel ant to the rule, the gentleman from 2008 to die in combat. He was serving as a Langhorne Clemens, one of the most prolific Texas (Mr. CUELLAR) and the gen- Platoon Leader in B Company, 1–64 Armor and influential writers and orators in Amer- tleman from Missouri (Mr. LUETKE- Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd In- ica, was born in Florida, Missouri; fantry Division. Whereas Clemens suffered many childhood MEYER) each will control 20 minutes. He is survived by his parents, LTC (RET) setbacks including incessant poor health The Chair recognizes the gentleman Burkitt (Deacon) Collins and LTC (RET) until age 9 and the death of his father at age from Texas. Sharon L.G. Collins of Tyrone, GA; paternal of 12; GENERAL LEAVE grandmother, Susan R. Collins of Laurel, Whereas growing up along the emerging Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I ask MS; aunts, Susan D. Groff of Lancaster, PA; Mississippi port city of Hannibal, Missouri, unanimous consent that all Members Mary Margaret Anderson and her husband watching the frequent steamboat stops and may have 5 legislative days in which to Robert Earl of Ellisville, MS; and Susan G. working as a printer and editorial assistant revise and extend their remarks. Stringfellow of Purvis, MS; childhood sweet- at his brother’s newspaper, Clemens discov- heart and girlfriend of 8 years, Nicolle Wil- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there ered his passion for writing; objection to the request of the gen- liams of Tyrone, GA; best friend, Andrew Whereas Clemens, at the age of 17, moved Gardner of Miami, FL; his Band of Brothers: to St. Louis, Missouri, and became a river pi- tleman from California? 1LT Andrew Collins, 1LT Sean Flachs, 1LT lot’s apprentice, eventually becoming a li- There was no objection. Tim Konze, 1LT Dan McLeod, Greg Maduro, censed river pilot in 1858; Mr. CUELLAR. I now yield myself 1LT Phil Raquepau and 1LT Clifford Walker; Whereas Samuel Clemens then worked for such time as I may consume. Battle Buddy, 1LT John F. Parsons; and nu- several newspapers across the United States Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Com- merous friends, extended family members, after the river trade was halted by the Civil mittee on Oversight Government Re- and Comrades in Arms. War in 1861; form, I am pleased to present House Funeral services will be held Saturday, Whereas Clemens assumed his pen name, Resolution 1733, a resolution recog- April 17 at New Hope Baptist Church (North Mark Twain, based on his experience as a nizing Mark Twain as one of America’s Campus) at 10 o’clock with Rev. Scott Pick- river pilot; ering, Dr. Rick Long, and Chaplain LTC most famous literary icons on the 175th Whereas Mark Twain means two fathoms anniversary of his birth and the 100th Mark E. Fairbrother officiating. Interment or 12 feet when the depth of water for a boat to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in is being sounded, or that it is safe to navi- anniversary of his death. House Resolu- Newnan. In lieu of flowers those desiring gate; tion 1733 was introduced by our col- may make donations to the 1LT Robert Wil- Whereas Twain’s first work to gain noto- league, the gentleman from Arkansas, son Collins Patriot Spirit Scholarship, c/o riety was his short story, ‘‘The Celebrated Representative VIC SNYDER, on Novem- Bank of Georgia, l00 Westpark Drive, Peach- Jumping Frog of Calaveras County’’, which ber 18, 2010. This measure enjoys the tree City, GA 30269. Those wishing can make appeared in the New York Saturday Press on support of over 60 Members of the an online condolence at www.parrott November 18, 1865; House. funeralhome.com. Whereas Mark Twain composed 28 books as The family will receive friends Friday Mr. Speaker, Mark Twain was born well as numerous short stories, letters, and as Samuel Langhorne Clemens in the evening from 5 until 8 p.m. at Parrott Fu- sketches, including such classics as ‘‘Life on neral Home and Crematory in Fairburn, GA. the Mississippi’’, ‘‘The Adventures of Tom town of Florida, Missouri, on Novem- I yield back the balance of my time. Sawyer’’, ‘‘The Prince and the Pauper’’, and ber 30, 1835. Famously, he was born 2 Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I again ‘‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’’; weeks after the closest approach to urge my colleagues to join me in sup- Whereas Twain first declared his dis- Earth of Halley’s Comet, which made porting this measure, and I yield back appointment with politics in ‘‘A Connecticut its next approach 1 day after his death the balance of my time. Yankee in King Arthur’s Court’’, where he in 1910. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The depicted the absurdities of political and so- At the age of 4, Twain moved to Han- question is on the motion offered by cial norms by setting them in the court of nibal, Missouri, a Mississippi River King Arthur; town that would inspire some of his the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Whereas Mark Twain was a staunch civil CUELLAR) that the House suspend the rights advocate believing strongly in eman- most beloved works. At age 12, he be- rules and pass the bill, S. 3592. cipation and said, ‘‘Lincoln’s Proclamation came a printer’s apprentice; and at age The question was taken. . . . not only set the black slaves free, but 16, he began working as a typesetter The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the set the white man free also.’’; and and contributor of articles and humor- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being Whereas Mark Twain was an adamant sup- ous sketches for the Hannibal Journal, in the affirmative, the ayes have it. porter of women’s suffrage, saying in his a newspaper owned by his brother Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I object most famous speech, ‘‘Votes for Women’’: Orion. At age 18, he worked briefly as a to the vote on the ground that a ‘‘Referring to woman’s sphere in life, I’ll printer in New York City, Philadel- say that woman is always right. For twenty- quorum is not present and make the five years I’ve been a woman’s rights man. I phia, St. Louis, Cincinnati, taking point of order that a quorum is not have always believed, long before my mother time to educate himself at public li- present. died, that, with her gray hairs and admirable braries in the evenings. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- intellect, perhaps she knew as much as I did. After returning to Missouri at age 22, ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Perhaps she knew as much about voting as I. he was inspired to be a steamboat

VerDate Mar 15 2010 09:45 Nov 04, 2013 Jkt 089102 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR10\H17DE0.000 H17DE0 ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with BOUND RECORD 22724 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 156, Pt. 15 December 17, 2010 pilot, earning significant income, 1835, Mark Twain left school at the age animal, and some of those truths are learning intimate details of the river, of 13 to go to work as a printer’s ap- not flattering. Like all youngsters, I and where he was inspired to give him- prentice. He went on to become an edi- imagined myself to be Huckleberry self his pen name Mark Twain, which torial assistant at a newspaper and Finn, and when Huck Finn chooses refers to the depth of two fathoms, or river pilot, where he gained his famous what he believes will be hell and eter- 12 feet, the right depth for safe passage pseudonym. Mark Twain began writing nal damnation so that his love, loy- of a riverboat. for a newspaper during the Civil War, alty, and friendship with a runaway He worked on riverboats until 1861, and his short story ‘‘The Celebrated slave will be preserved, well, for me, when the Civil War stopped traffic Jumping Frog of Calaveras County’’ being raised in a town with few minori- along the Mississippi River. He then was published in 1865. Twain would, of ties, I learned both about racism and traveled west, working as a miner and course, go on to author ‘‘The Adven- about the power of even young boys to for newspapers in various towns. His tures of Tom Sawyer’’ and ‘‘The Adven- find the real truths and confront con- first success as a writer came when his tures of Huckleberry Finn,’’ among 28 fusing human institutions that allowed humorous short story, ‘‘The Celebrated other books and numerous short sto- racism to persist. Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,’’ ries. A few weeks ago, I saw the news re- was published in a New York weekly, Mr. Speaker, it is altogether fitting port of Tina Fey winning the Mark The Saturday Press, on November 18, and proper that we recognize Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, and 1865. This launched his renown as a Twain and his rich contributions to our it reminded me that this year, 2010, writer, bringing attention across the country’s literary history. This won- should be acknowledged for the 100th country. derful occasion has also inspired me to anniversary of Mark Twain’s death and After traveling to Europe and the Middle East on assignment from a rediscover the great works of Mark the 175th anniversary of his birth. And local newspaper, he moved with his Twain with my granddaughter and con- so even though it was late in the ses- family to Buffalo, New York, and then nect this imaginary world with the re- sion, I filed this resolution on his to Hartford, Connecticut. It was in ality of his boyhood home in Hannibal. birthday to honor Mark Twain. Hartford that Twain wrote his most fa- It is critical for us to foster a love for Mr. Speaker, when parents are away mous works, ‘‘The Adventures of Tom reading among children and our grand- from their babies, particularly during Sawyer,’’ ‘‘The Prince and the Pau- children because it is part of what these holidays, we talk about our kids, per,’’ ‘‘Life on the Mississippi,’’ ‘‘Ad- makes them kids. and so I will. My 4-year-old, Penn, and ventures of Huckleberry Finn,’’ and ‘‘A I am also extremely honored and for- my three 2-year-olds, Aubrey, Wyatt Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s tunate to represent Hannibal in Con- and Sullivan, are the four little boy Court.’’ gress and would encourage folks to Huck Finns in our Arkansas household He gave lectures around the world, visit the area in northeast Missouri geographically not far from Huck patented three inventions, and devel- and discover the inspiration for some Finn’s world, but such a different world oped a lasting friendship with one of of the greatest literary works of Amer- now, one that 19th century contem- history’s most famous scientists and ican history. Mark Twain and the city poraries of a young Sam Clemens inventors, Nikola Tesla. of Hannibal are integral parts of Mis- would not recognize, except, of course, Twain died at age 74 on April 21, 1910, souri’s heritage, and I am proud to rec- for his insights into the strengths and a year after making his famous pre- ognize him on this very special day. weaknesses of human nature. And be- diction: ‘‘I came in with Halley’s To that end, a Mark Twain quote: cause of that genius, that genius ex- Comet in 1835. It is coming again next ‘‘Twenty years from now, you will be pressed with humor, I hope my young year, and I expect to go out with it. It more disappointed by the things that boys, my young Huck Finns, learn to will be the greatest disappointment of you didn’t do than by the ones that you love the world and works of Mark my life if I don’t go out with Halley’s did. So throw off the bowlines, sail Twain. Comet. The Almighty has said, no away from the safe harbor, catch the Mr. LUETKEMEYER. I yield back doubt: ‘Now here are these two unac- trade winds in your sail. Explore, the balance of my time. countable freaks; they came in to- dream, discover.’’ Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, again I gether, they must go out together.’ ’’ I urge all Members to join me in urge my colleagues to join me in sup- William Faulkner called Mark Twain strong support of this resolution. porting this measure, and I yield back ‘‘the father of American literature,’’ I reserve the balance of my time. the balance of my time. and he is rightly remembered as such. Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield The SPEAKER pro tempore. The We can also remember and honor him such time as he may consume to the question is on the motion offered by for his advocacy on behalf of emanci- gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. SNY- the gentleman from Texas (Mr. pation and women’s suffrage. DER). CUELLAR) that the House suspend the In closing, no study of American lit- Mr. SNYDER. Mr. Speaker, as a boy rules and agree to the resolution, H. erature is complete without the works growing up in southern Oregon, Med- Res. 1733, as amended. of Mark Twain. Mr. Speaker, let us, ford, Oregon, I was blessed with a won- The question was taken; and (two- therefore, honor this giant of American derful public school system. Of course, thirds being in the affirmative) the literature on the 100th anniversary of that is about a half century ago now, rules were suspended and the resolu- his death through the passage of House but you only have a good school sys- tion, as amended, was agreed to. Resolution 1733. tem if you have good teachers, and I A motion to reconsider was laid on I urge my colleagues to join me in did: Mr. Merriman and Elsie Butler and the table. supporting it, and I reserve the balance Devere Taylor and John Smock and f of my time. Mrs. Leininger and Irv Myrick, and I Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I do a disservice to all of them by nam- GPRA MODERNIZATION ACT OF yield myself such time as I may con- ing just a few. 2010 sume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support Chuck Nevi was one of those teach- Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I move of House Resolution 1733, recognizing ers, and he helped me explore America to suspend the rules and concur in the Mark Twain as one of America’s most and humanity through the words of Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. famous literary icons on the 175th an- Mark Twain. 2142) to require the review of Govern- niversary of his birth and the 100th an- For a boy growing up in 1950s Amer- ment programs at least once every 5 niversary of his death. ica, the world of riverboats, scalawags, years for purposes of assessing their runaway slaves, and sassy, inde- performance and improving their oper- b 0920 pendent, barefooted boys was magical. ations, and to establish the Perform- Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in The world of Mark Twain taught read- ance Improvement Council. Florida, Missouri, on November 30, ers universal truths about the human The Clerk read the title of the bill.

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