Awarding Medal of Honor to President Theodore Roo- Sevelt

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from New York (Mr. LAZIO) is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. LAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana. Mr. BUYER. Moreover, it is my sincerest hope that the award ceremony will be conducted here in Washington as befits a celebration that honors a truly larger than life American. Lastly, I spoke with Tweed Roosevelt today, a direct descendant of Teddy Roosevelt, and I endorse the Roosevelt family’s desire that President Roosevelt’s Medal of Honor permanently reside next to his Nobel Peace Prize in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. That is the working room of the West Wing just off the Oval Office. I can think of no better tribute to the greatness of President Roosevelt than to bring together in one room the accolades that he received as both a warrior and as a peacemaker. What finer example could we offer the leader of our Nation, what better inspiration for our future Presidents to strive for excellence in their quest of the greater understanding. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend Congress for its work to secure the Medal of Honor for Teddy Roosevelt. We have attempted to right a historical wrong and we have come to learn more about why Theodore Roosevelt was one of our greatest historical figures. He displayed the qualities of a great leader: courage, cunning, intellect, boldness and charisma all founded on deep moral purpose. His courage and the enthusiasm that his courage generated motivated his Rough Riders on the battlefield at San Juan Heights and inspired a generation of Americans as they emerged from the chaos of the late 19th century. Mr. Clinton, we urge you to avoid further delay and expeditiously award the Medal of Honor to Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. Mr. LAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Indiana, and I want to begin by acknowledging his terrific work in terms of bringing this issue to the forefront of this Congress and all of his partnership with me in these last 3 years as we have been fighting for this sense of justice. People say why do we care about giving Theodore Roosevelt the Congressional Medal of Honor 102 years after he earned it. I think it comes down to simple justice. The fact is that Theodore Roosevelt is one of our greatest Americans. His face appears on Mount Rushmore. He has been known as one of America’s greatest Presidents. Before that, he was a Governor of the State of New York. He was a great conservationist and a reformer.