Jon L. Christensen: “I want to thank some of the people who helped in bringing this legislation to the floor. When Senator Brownback…”

“I want to thank some of the people who helped in bringing this legislation to the floor. When Senator Brownback initially approached me with the idea of introducing this legislation on the House side just a month ago, I was not sure that we could get the needed 290 cosponsors in time for Mother Teresa's visit next month. As of today, we have 327 cosponsors. That is why I want to thank the gentleman from Tennessee, Mr. Zach Wamp, and the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Stupak, and the gentleman from Tennessee, Mr. Bryant, and the gentleman from Nevada, Mr. Ensign, and the gentlewoman from Missouri, Mrs. Emerson, for obtaining the necessary number of signatures and cosponsors because literally this was a team effort. I would also like to thank the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle], for helping expedite this bill through, as well as the gentleman from New York [Mr. Flake]. The cosponsor on this bill is my friend, the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Jesse Jackson. He and his staff have worked hard on this bill. They have helped work the issue on both sides, and I think it is a neat opportunity when two Members from the two different parties can work together in a bipartisan fashion and work together for the good of the country and for a cause that we all believe in. On June 5, a woman who has made it her lifelong mission to serve others will visit this Congress. This woman can be recognized by all as the most important self-sacrificing heroine of our time.”