Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 115 Part 3.djvu/392

 115 STAT. 2466 PUBLIC LAW 107-136-^AN. 24, 2002 Public Law 107-136 107th Congress An Act Jan. 24, 2002 To name the national cemetery in Saratoga, New York, as the Gerald B.H. Solomon [H.R. 3392] Saratoga National Cemetery, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. FINDINGS. The Congress finds the following: (1) Gerald Brooks Hunt "Jerry" Solomon of Glens Falls, New York, served in the House of Representatives for 10 terms, from January 3, 1979, to January 3, 1999, and during that service gained a reputation for being outspoken and tenacious in presenting his views on a wide range of issues. (2) Congressman Solomon was born in Okeechobee, Florida, and grew up there during the Great Depression before moving to New York in 1945. (3) Congressman Solomon enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the onset of the Korean War and served in the Marine Corps for 8^2 years on active and reserve duty. (4) Before being elected to Congress in 1978, Congressman Solomon was a businessman in Glens Falls, New York. (5) During his 20-year congressional career. Congressman Solomon served as the ranking Republican on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, where he was recognized by the veterans community as one of its strongest advocates. Among his other accomplishments for veterans. Congressman Solomon spearheaded the effort to create the Cabinet-level Department of Veterans Affairs and successfully led a 15-year drive to establish the Saratoga National Cemetery in Saratoga, New York, where he is now interred. (6) Congressman Solomon was also recognized for his efforts to promote pride, patriotism, and volunteerism, and when the Supreme Court ruled that laws prohibiting the burning of the United States flag were unconstitutional, Congressman Solomon was given the assignment to pass a constitutional amendment to prohibit desecration of the flag. The Solomon Amendment passed overwhelmingly in the House, but failed by one vote in the Senate. (7) As chairman of the Committee on Rules of the House of Representatives, Congressman Solomon revamped the rules under which the House operates, abolishing proxy voting, opening all meetings to the media and the public, and making Congress subject to the same laws that the American people live under.

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