January 13, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H173 

That leaves 15.1 million youth still in need 

of formal mentoring relationships. We call this 

our Nation’s ‘‘mentoring gap.’’ Mr. Speaker, 

imagine if every child had a mentor—just one 

person whom they could look up to and go to 

for advice and guidance. Imagine how many 

young lives could be positively impacted. We 

could create the avenues and encouragement 

to ensure that all of our children receive the 

proper education. Too many of our youth are 

not being properly advised and guided on the 

importance of getting an education. 

Mentors can help give those youth living in 

poverty to strive towards a brighter future for 

themselves. Every child could benefit from 

having someone in his or her life to turn to for 

advice and help in the time of need. 

The positive relationships and reinforcement 

that mentors provide are clearly effective. 

Young people today are confronted with many 

challenges in life. They can find the confidence to overcome many of these challenges 

through a mentor. The benefits of a mentor 

are immeasurable. 

I am proud to cosponsor legislation that will 

add service before self to our leaders of tomorrow. I urge my colleagues to join me in 

supporting this legislation. 

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 

in support of H. Res. 41, and to recognize all 

those who mentor youth on Guam. Often we 

talk about children in this chamber and we 

sometimes lose sight of a fundamental truth: It 

is beyond the Government alone to truly improve the quality of life for a child. Our ability 

to appropriate funds or authorize Government 

programs does not equal the impact a single 

dedicated mentor can have for a child. We 

cannot buy patience nor can we legislate understanding. The hard work of mentoring, of 

explaining right from wrong, of serving as a 

role model, and helping establish personal 

goals to work toward, falls to the mentor. A 

mentor’s work may be confined to a single 

child and known but to a few, but we cannot 

deny their collective accomplishments throughout our Nation. 

There is no question that we need more 

mentors. Today, more than 15,000,000 children are in need of a mentor. These children 

are growing up in challenging times. We must 

encourage mentoring and express our gratitude to those who perform this invaluable 

service. It is unfortunately, beyond our capability to find every mentor and thank them individually. We can, however, pass H. Res. 41 to 

recognize all of our Nation’s mentors this 

month and to support the goals and ideals of 

National Mentoring Month. I urge support for 

H. Res. 41. 

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, mentoring impacts the lives of so many in our 

country. Three million people currently participate in a healthy, caring mentoring relationship. A quality mentoring program offers a 

young person the strength, confidence, and 

stability they need to mature and grow. Witnessing this growth is the unique reward for a 

mentor’s invested time and energy. 

I believe the best part about mentoring, 

what makes it so successful, is its simplicity. 

There is a basic human need to have another’s care, support, and trust. A mentor can 

provide that to a young person, and that gift 

often inspires a cycle of helping others. 

Unfortunately, there still exists a gaping deficit of mentors. Approximately 15 million new 

mentors are needed, which stems from the 

demand for our Nation’s youth to have positive 

role models in their lives. 

I recently learned of a particularly touching 

mentoring relationship in my district in San 

Diego. 

As an infant, Anthony was in a car accident, 

sadly leaving him without a mother. Since his 

father was in jail, Anthony was left to his 

grandmother’s care. During his childhood, Anthony was diagnosed with Aspberger’s syndrome. His grandmother found him a mentor 

through Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego 

County and now, 11 years later, Anthony is 

one-half of a successful mentoring relationship. Before meeting his mentor, Anthony 

would never go outside and was frightened of 

loud noises. Spending time with his mentor 

every week has given Anthony the strength 

and self-confidence to experience things he 

might never have tried. 

At the basis of a mentoring relationship like 

Anthony’s is a firm and unwavering commitment. Successful mentoring relies on a commitment to show up, to open up, to be vulnerable, to learn, to laugh, to grow . . . So, this 

month and always, let us recognize these millions of important commitments made by 

young and old across our country and offer 

our own commitment to continue to promote 

the goals and ideals of National Mentoring 

Month. 

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I 

urge my colleagues to join us in celebrating 

National Mentoring Month, 2009. 

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I have no 

further requests for time, and I yield 

back the balance of my time. 

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I also 

do not have any further requests for 

time, and I yield back the balance of 

my time. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

question is on the motion offered by 

the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 

HINOJOSA) that the House suspend the 

rules and agree to the resolution, H. 

Res. 41. 

The question was taken. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the 

opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being 

in the affirmative, the ayes have it. 

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, on that 

I demand the yeas and nays. 

The yeas and nays were ordered. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 

Chair’s prior announcement, further 

proceedings on this motion will be 

postponed. 

f 

HONORING THE LIFE OF 

CLAIBORNE PELL 

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I move 

to suspend the rules and agree to the 

resolution (H. Res. 50) honoring the life 

of Claiborne Pell, distinguished former 

Senator from the State of Rhode Island. 

The Clerk read the title of the resolution. 

The text of the resolution is as follows: 

H. RES. 50 

Whereas Claiborne deBorda Pell was born 

on November 22, 1918, in the State of New 

York; 

Whereas after receiving a degree in history 

from Princeton University in 1940 and a Master of the Arts degree from Columbia University in 1946, and after serving in the United 

States Coast Guard during World War II, 

Claiborne Pell continued his career in public 

service as part of the Foreign Service, serving in Czechoslovakia, Italy, and the District 

of Columbia; 

Whereas Claiborne Pell was elected to the 

Senate in 1960 by the people of the State of 

Rhode Island; 

Whereas in 1972, as a member of the Senate, Claiborne Pell was instrumental in creating the Basic Education Opportunity 

Grants; 

Whereas the Federal Pell Grants, renamed 

in honor of Claiborne Pell in 1980, have 

helped over 54,000,000 low- and middle-income 

students attend college and achieve their 

educational goals; 

Whereas during his time in the Senate, 

Claiborne Pell was a supporter of education, 

human rights, workers, international law 

and diplomacy, and the arts, sponsoring the 

legislation that created the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities; 

Whereas the High Speed Ground Transportation Act of 1965, sponsored by Claiborne 

Pell, became the origin for the Amtrak system in the Northeast corridor; 

Whereas Claiborne Pell became Chairman 

of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee 

in 1987, and an important voice in United 

States foreign policy and against international military conflict; 

Whereas after serving 6 terms in the Senate, Claiborne Pell retired in 1996; 

Whereas Claiborne Pell was appointed 

United States Delegate to the United Nations in 1997; 

Whereas on January 1, 2009, at the age of 

90, Claiborne Pell passed away in Newport, 

Rhode Island: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) honors the life, achievements, and distinguished career of Senator Claiborne Pell; 

(2) emphasizes that, among his legislative 

accomplishments, Senator Claiborne Pell 

changed the face of higher education by enabling millions of low- and middle-income 

students to achieve the dream of a college 

education; and 

(3) recognizes the Federal Pell grants, the 

educational grants that bear his name, as a 

significant part of the legacy of Senator 

Claiborne Pell. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule the gentleman from 

Texas (Mr. HINOJOSA) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 

PLATTS) each will control 20 minutes. 

The Chair recognizes the gentleman 

from Texas. 

GENERAL LEAVE

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 

Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 50 into the RECORD. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there 

objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas? 

There was no objection. 

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 

myself such time as I may consume. 

I rise today to honor the life and numerous accomplishments of former 

Senator Claiborne Pell. As a six-term 

United States Senator from Rhode Island and the former chairman of the 

Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, he was a strong voice in educational policy, international policy, 


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H174 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 13, 2009 

and the arts. Sadly, Senator Pell 

passed away on the first of this year at 

the age of 90. 

Born in 1918, Senator Pell committed 

himself to public service throughout 

his life. He served in the United States 

Coast Guard during World War II and 

later in the Coast Guard Reserves. 

Returning to civilian life, Senator 

Pell worked in the Foreign Service in 

Czechoslovakia, in Italy, and right here 

in Washington, DC. Elected to the 

United States Senate from the State of 

Rhode Island in 1960, Claiborne Pell 

quickly became a leading spokesman in 

both international and domestic policy. 

Senator Pell campaigned ardently for 

human rights, speaking out against 

genocide occurring around the world. 

As a supporter of the issue of diplomacy and law over military force, he 

advocated against the use of nuclear 

weapons. 

While in the Senate, Claiborne Pell 

sponsored the High Speed Ground 

Transportation Act of 1965, which 

helped create the Amtrak system that 

more than 25 million people ride each 

year. Senator Pell also sponsored legislation creating the National Endowment For the Arts and the National 

Endowment For the Humanities, entities which play a vital role in developing and supporting the arts and historical preservation. 

Perhaps the accomplishment for 

which Claiborne Pell is best known is 

the creation of the Pell Grant. He was 

the architect of the 1972 Basic Education Opportunity grants, which were 

later renamed in his honor by the U.S. 

Congress. 

Senator Pell often remarked that he 

had been inspired to help students pay 

for college by the provisions in the GI 

bill, which had meant a great deal to 

him as a veteran whose comrades were 

propelled to succeed by its educational 

provisions. 

Pell Grants, which have helped more 

than 54 million low and middle income 

students attend college, have changed 

the face of American education, opening doors for millions of Americans, including a great number of our colleagues and friends and families and 

community members. Among all that 

he had accomplished during his time on 

Capitol Hill, Senator Pell often called 

these grants his greatest achievement. 

A consummate gentleman renowned 

for his integrity, Claiborne Pell was respected and loved by his colleagues in 

Congress as well as his constituents at 

home in Rhode Island. On this day I 

would like to commemorate Senator 

Pell’s empowering work and recognize 

his numerous accomplishments. He is 

an inspiration to us all and an example 

of how one person can make a difference. 

Senator Pell had a profound understanding of what truly makes this Nation great. In Senator Pell’s words, and 

I quote, ‘‘The strength of the United 

States is not the gold at Fort Knox nor 

the weapons of mass destruction that 

we have, but the sum total of the education and the character of our people.’’ 

b 1430 

His legacy left the United States 

stronger. His life’s work opened the 

doors of educational opportunity wider 

than they had ever been opened before. 

He is an example of the great character 

of our people. 

I urge my colleagues to support this 

resolution honoring this great Senator 

who did so much to help Americans 

who might otherwise not be able to attend college, pursue higher education, 

and reach for new heights. 

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of 

my time. 

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in 

support of the resolution and yield myself such time as I may consume. 

I rise in support of H. Res. 50, a resolution honoring the life of Claiborne 

Pell, the distinguished former Senator 

from Rhode Island. While I never had 

the privilege and pleasure of working 

with Senator Pell, I know the Senator 

was a force to be reckoned with and 

have seen the impact of his 37 years in 

the Senate in a number of areas I have 

worked on with the Education and 

Labor Committee. Senator Pell was a 

dedicated public servant who served 

our country during a time of war in the 

United States Coast Guard and had a 

career in the Foreign Service prior to 

being elected to serve the people of 

Rhode Island in the United States Senate in 1960. 

Senator Pell was instrumental in creating the Basic Education Opportunity 

Grant program, later renamed the Pell 

Grant Program, in his honor. 

This program was inspired by the GI 

Bill, which had helped World War II 

veterans pay for educational expenses 

after the war. The Federal Pell Grant 

has become the cornerstone of every financial aid package for America’s 

neediest students. 

Since the creation of the Pell Grant, 

the Federal Government has distributed approximately 108 million grants 

to help lower income students achieve 

their goals of a college education. During the past 8 years, Pell Grant funding 

has increased by 86 percent, supporting 

a 28 percent increase in the number of 

students who have benefited from this 

program. Additionally, Congress 

strengthened this vital program during 

the last Congress through the Higher 

Education Opportunity Act. These important reforms allow students who 

want to accelerate their studies to receive a Pell Grant year round, expanded eligibility for the Pell Grant to 

students whose mother or father made 

the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our 

Nation, and included a sensible limit 

on the number of Pell Grants one student could receive over their educational career. 

While many of us know Senator Pell 

for his work on creating the Pell 

Grant, he also sponsored legislation to 

create the National Endowment for the 

Arts, the National Endowment for the 

Humanities and the Amtrak rail system. Senator Pell’s interests were not 

purely domestic. He made important 

contributions in foreign affairs as 

chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and later as a United 

States delegate to the United Nations. 

I know that I speak for all of our colleagues in offering great praise to Senator Pell in honoring him and expressing condolences to his family as we remember his many contributions to our 

great Nation. 

I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘yes’’ 

on this resolution. 

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance 

of my time. 

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I am 

pleased to recognize a new Member of 

Congress who served on the staff of the 

chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee where Claiborne Pell 

was Chair, and I wish to yield the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. GERRY

CONNOLLY, up to 4 minutes. 

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. I thank 

my colleague from Texas, and I rise in 

support of the resolution today. 

Mr. Speaker, I also rise to pay tribute to one of the most gifted and gracious legislators who has ever served in 

the United States Congress, a man 

whose life’s work influenced education, 

culture and diplomacy for generations 

of Americans. He was also a man with 

whom I had the great pleasure of working during my 10 years serving on the 

staff of the Senate Foreign Relations 

Committee. Senator Claiborne de 

Borda Pell may best be known for his 

effort to create a national college tuition grant program, which now bears 

his name, but Senator Pell was also instrumental in establishing the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities and pushing for critical new 

investments in our Nation’s railroad 

system. 

As my colleagues know, Senator Pell 

died early Friday, January 2, at his 

home in Newport, Rhode Island. He was 

first elected to the United States Senate in 1960 and served six terms, becoming the State’s longest-serving Senator. Senator Pell came from a political family that had five members 

serve in the House or Senate, including 

his great-great-granduncle George M. 

Dallas, who was a Senator from Pennsylvania in the 1830s and Vice President under James K. Polk in the 1840s. 

Senator Pell’s version of his family 

genealogy always insisted, when you 

visited his home, that Dallas, Texas, 

was named for this distinguished forebear. 

Senator Pell’s father, Herbert Claiborne Pell, served one term here in the 

House, representing a portion of New 

York. Ironically, he always opposed the 

Federal role in education, an idea with 

which Senator Claiborne Pell broke 

courageously when he came here to the 

United States Congress. 

After being elected in 1960, Senator 

Pell sponsored the preparation of a statistical report that became the basis 


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January 13, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H175 

for the bill creating the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant that eventually produced financial aid for 54 

million low- and middle-income Americans to have the opportunity to attend 

college. That grants program, of 

course, was renamed in honor of Senator Pell in 1980. 

In the early 1960s, Senator Pell also 

had a role in the North American passenger railroad renaissance. He foresaw 

the potential for a resurgence in the 

railroad system, which inspired him to 

draft the High Speed Ground Transportation Act of 1965, recommending that 

the Federal Government pump a half a 

billion dollars into rail transportation 

in the busy Northeast corridor between 

Boston and Washington, DC. He further 

accelerated that construction, realizing how important the magnitude of 

this project was, and increased the 

overall investment to $1 billion. It was 

from this initiative that the modern 

Amtrak system emerged. 

Senator Pell also possessed a keen interest in the arts and was the author of 

the National Foundation of Arts and 

Humanities Act of 1965. That legislation paved the way for the National 

Endowment for the Arts, which makes 

Federal grants to artists and art organizations, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, which is federally funded and dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, public programs in the humanities and projects exhibiting artistic 

excellence. Senator Pell’s vision almost single-handedly revived the arts 

and humanities in myriad communities 

in the United States. 

Finally, Mr. Speaker, on a personal 

note, I had the privilege of working 

with Senator Pell during his tenure as 

the chairman of the Senate Foreign 

Relations Committee, where I served 

on committee staff. Senator Pell was a 

gracious and thoughtful man. He met 

with any and all constituents who requested a meeting, and he did so always on time. 

As a former Foreign Service Officer 

and Coast Guard serviceman, he was a 

strong and passionate voice for the 

men and women who serve our country 

abroad and in the Coast Guard all of 

his distinguished career. He had his eccentricities, but they did not characterize the man. What characterized 

Claiborne Pell, Mr. Speaker, was a 

sense of duty and his devotion to his 

country, his citizens, his high moral 

principles and, despite his wealth, his 

desire to spread opportunity to the average man and woman of this country. 

His loss will be a source of grief for 

me personally and all who knew him. 

Mr. HINOJOSA. I have no further 

speakers. 

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I had a 

speaker arrive after I had already 

yielded my time back. 

I would ask unanimous consent to reclaim my time. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there 

objection to the request of the gentleman from Pennsylvania? 

There was no objection. 

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 

such time as he may consume to the 

distinguished Member from California 

(Mr. DREIER). 

Mr. DREIER. I thank my good friend 

from Pennsylvania and my friend from 

Texas. 

Mr. Speaker, I wasn’t planning to 

speak about Senator Pell until I heard 

the very thoughtful remarks of our 

new colleague on the other side of the 

aisle, and I was thinking when he mentioned the term ‘‘eccentricities’’ not 

defining Claiborne Pell, it immediately 

brought to mind one of my first opportunities to have an exposure to an 

elected leader. I was in the 1970s an undergraduate in college in California, 

and we had, as a speaker on our campus, Senator Claiborne Pell, who was 

flying in. I was charged with the task, 

Mr. Speaker, of actually picking him 

up at Los Angeles International Airport. 

I will never forget when he arrived, 

and looking like the New England gentleman that he was, he came to Los 

Angeles wearing a hat, carrying a great 

big overcoat, and someone confronted 

him at the airport. I was reminded, 

when my friend was just speaking 

about the fact that he would meet and 

talk to everyone, I had a car waiting, 

and he stopped and spoke at length 

with this gentleman there. 

Then, just a very few years later, Mr. 

Speaker, I was very privileged to be 

able to have the opportunity to be 

elected to serve here in the Congress, 

and I reminded Senator Pell of my first 

introduction to him just a few years 

before when I was an undergraduate, 

and he recounted very fondly his visit 

then. And I had a chance, during that 

period of time, to develop a friendship 

with him and work with him on a number of issues. 

So I rise in strong support of this resolution. He was a great public servant 

and a fascinating human being, and I 

urge my colleagues to support this resolution. 

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I want 

to say that I am so happy to hear Congressman DREIER make those kind remarks. As I listened to him, it reminded me of 2 years ago when I was 

chosen by members of the Democratic 

Caucus to be the chairman of the Higher Education Committee, and one of 

the first things that I did was to invite 

presidents and chancellors of different 

universities throughout our land to 

come into our office and tell us about 

what they consider to be the priorities 

that they had on higher education. 

I am pleased to say that the chancellor from California, Cal State system, came by to visit me. He pointed 

out that through the association of 

presidents and chancellors that there 

was no question that the highest priority that they had for the 110th Congress was that we do something about 

increasing the amount of Federal investment in Pell Grants. 

I am pleased to say that we heard the 

message and we did something about 

it, and that we have, in this Congress, 

the 110th, and we pledge in the 111th 

Congress, to continue paying attention 

to the need for funding for Pell Grants. 

Because if we are to address the affordability and the accessibility of higher 

education for many of the children of 

working families, it requires that additional Federal investment as we now 

talk about the Pell Grants. 

With that, I urge everyone to vote 

‘‘yes’’ on this suspension bill. 

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 

to pay tribute to Claiborne Pell, the great 

former Senator from Rhode Island. Senator 

Pell’s life was defined by service, from the 

Coast Guard, to the Foreign Service, to 36 

years in the United States Senate. He was a 

model statesman, willing to listen and compromise but never straying from his commitment to fairness and equality. 

Senator Pell has left a long list of achievements, but his greatest legacy is the Pell 

grant, which has opened the doors to college 

for over 50 million students. He also introduced legislation to create the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. He was an ardent 

environmentalist, working to protect oceans 

from nuclear testing. 

Those are just a few of Senator Pell’s many 

accomplishments. I would like to turn for a 

moment to some personal observations. I had 

the great privilege of working for Senator Pell 

when I was a member of the staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1987 to 

1989. He was a man of both grace and principle. He rarely spoke a word in anger, but he 

didn’t retreat from tough issues. He was a 

gentle soul with a kind word for most. But it 

would be a grave mistake for anyone to interpret his gentle disposition as a sign of weakness. He was passionate about the issues he 

cared about and relentless in pursuing them. 

He was insistent that the United States play 

a leading role in the world. He believed 

strongly in attempting to resolve international 

conflicts through negotiation and diplomacy 

before resorting to the use of force. His approach may have fallen out of political fashion 

for a time, but the passage of time has shown 

the wisdom of his counsel. 

We have entered an age that is often dominated by 20-second sound bites and partisan 

political combat. Senator Pell would not have 

felt as comfortable in this new political environment, nor should he. Rather, we would do 

better to return to the more, deliberate and 

gentle ways he brought to the Senate. We 

have a lot to learn from his example. I will 

miss him, but our Nation is certainly stronger 

and better as a result of the life he lived and 

the legacy he left behind. 

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 

back the balance of my time. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

question is on the motion offered by 

the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 

HINOJOSA) that the House suspend the 

rules and agree to the resolution, H. 

Res. 50. 

The question was taken. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the 

opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being 

in the affirmative, the ayes have it. 

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, on that 

I demand the yeas and nays. 

The yeas and nays were ordered. 


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H176 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 13, 2009 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 

Chair’s prior announcement, further 

proceedings on this motion will be 

postponed. 

f 

RECOGNIZING THE EFFORTS OF 

THOSE WHO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES ON MARTIN LUTHER 

KING DAY 

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I move 

to suspend the rules and agree to the 

resolution (H. Res. 43) recognizing the 

efforts of those who serve their communities on Martin Luther King Day 

and promoting the holiday as a day of 

national service. 

The Clerk read the title of the resolution. 

The text of the resolution is as follows: 

H. RES. 43 

Whereas the King Holiday and Service Act, 

a law designating Martin Luther King Day 

as a national day of volunteer service, was 

signed into law in 1994; 

Whereas millions of Americans have been 

inspired by the life and work of Dr. Martin 

Luther King, Jr. to serve their neighbors and 

communities every third Monday of January; 

Whereas serving one’s community for the 

betterment of every individual speaks to the 

high character, transformative world view, 

and everyday practice of Dr. Martin Luther 

King, Jr.; 

Whereas the efforts of national service volunteers have been a steadfast foundation of 

our Nation’s infrastructure, supporting not 

only individuals and families in need, but 

acting in response to national catastrophes 

and natural disasters; 

Whereas citizens have the opportunity to 

participate in thousands of already scheduled events all across the country, as well as 

create and implement a community service 

project where they identify the need; 

Whereas the Corporation for National and 

Community Service, is working with the 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, and thousands of 

other nonprofit, community, national service, and education organizations across the 

country to encourage Americans to serve on 

this holiday and throughout the year; and 

Whereas leaders at the Federal, State and 

local level are planning to use the Martin 

Luther King Day and Inauguration Day to 

rally our Nation to commit to serve and to 

make an ongoing commitment to service: 

Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) encourages all Americans to pay tribute 

to the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther 

King, Jr. through participation in community service projects on Martin Luther King 

Day; 

(2) recognizes the inherent value of community service and volunteerism in the creation of civil society and as a means of nonviolent community progress consistent with 

the works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; 

(3) recognizes the benefits of the collaborative work by the many organizations that 

promote, facilitate, and carry out needed 

service projects nationwide; 

(4) encourages its members and colleagues 

to urge their constituents, both in congressional districts and those visiting the District of Columbia on Inauguration Day, to 

participate in community service projects; 

and 

(5) acknowledges that by serving one’s 

country, one’s community and one’s neighbor our Nation makes progress in civility, 

equality, and unity consistent with the values and life’s work of Dr. Martin Luther 

King, Jr. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 

Texas (Mr. HINOJOSA) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 

PLATTS) each will control 20 minutes. 

The Chair recognizes the gentleman 

from Texas. 

GENERAL LEAVE

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 

Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 43 into the RECORD. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there 

objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas? 

There was no objection. 

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 

myself such time as I may consume. 

I rise today in support of the resolution before us, which recognizes the 

critical role of service and those who 

give of their time to give back to their 

communities. 

b 1445 

This resolution also reminds us that 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a national day of service and encourages 

everyone to take part. 

It is fitting that the day named in 

honor of the Reverend Martin Luther 

King, Jr., is also a day for neighbors, 

for friends, young and old, to give back 

to their communities. Dr. King’s leadership in the ministry and public service produced epic and societal change 

to this great nation. He set an example 

for all of us to follow. 

His words offer us very simple directions. In his ‘‘drum major instinct’’ 

speech he said, ‘‘You don’t have to 

have a college degree to serve. You 

don’t have to make your subject and 

your verb agree to serve. You don’t 

have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You only need a heart 

full of grace, a soul generated by love.’’ 

Over the last few years, the United 

States has endured and survived the 

terrorist attacks of 9/11 and hurricanes 

and floods that devastated families and 

communities. Without hesitation, volunteers across the Nation rallied together to help stabilize and to rebuild 

our devastated communities. And just 

as critical, during times of peace and 

calm in communities across this country, people hear the call of service and 

provide assistance in the classroom, in 

hospitals, in parks, and to children, the 

elderly, and to each other. 

I want to thank the Service Caucus 

and my friend and colleague Representative TODD PLATTS of Pennsylvania for 

bringing this resolution forward and 

reminding us that our country was 

built on the idea of service. And while 

we set aside Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Day as a day of service, there are opportunities to give back each and every 

day. 

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of 

my time. 

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in 

support of H. Res. 43 and yield myself 

such time as I may consume. 

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 43 

promotes the Martin Luther King holiday as a day of national service and 

recognizes the efforts of the countless 

Americans who will volunteer their 

services on behalf of many worthy 

causes. I am proud to have introduced 

this resolution with my fellow coChairs of the National Service Caucus, 

Representatives DORIS MATSUI and 

DAVID PRICE. 

In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed 

into law the King Holiday and Service 

Act to officially establish Martin Luther King Day as a day of national 

service in recognition of Dr. King’s 

selfless and courageous service to his 

fellow citizens. Since this time, millions of Americans have recognized this 

holiday as ‘‘a day on,’’ not ‘‘a day off,’’ 

by volunteering in soup kitchens, organizing charity drives, mentoring children or aiding in urban revitalization 

efforts. 

This year, the Corporation for National & Community Service, America’s Promise Alliance and AmeriCorps 

NCCC are hosting a food drive across 

Capitol Hill to restock the shelves at 

the Capital Area Food Bank. Washington, D.C. schools will be closed for a 

5-day weekend with the Martin Luther 

King holiday and the Presidential inauguration this coming week, leaving 

over 50,000 students without nutritious 

meals they would have otherwise received through the school lunch and 

breakfast programs. 

Non-perishable canned food items 

can be delivered through this Thursday, January 15, to either my office or 

the offices of Representatives DORIS

MATSUI, DAVID PRICE and MIKE HONDA. 

On Thursday, AmeriCorps NCCC students will pick up the canned food 

items and ensure their delivery to the 

Capital Area Food Bank. 

Finally, there are numerous opportunities for individuals to serve their 

communities on Martin Luther King 

Day. I urge my fellow Members of Congress and constituents to take time out 

of their daily lives and give back to 

their communities. A list of volunteer 

opportunities is an available online at 

mlkday.gov. 

I cannot think of a more appropriate 

way to honor the heroic life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther 

King than by serving one’s community, 

and encourage all Americans to do so. 

I urge my colleagues to support this 

resolution. 

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance 

of my time. 

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I am 

pleased to yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. MATSUI), who serves on the 

Rules Committee and the Energy and 

Commerce Committee. 

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I would 

like to thank the gentleman from 

Texas for yielding me this time. 


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