Safe Schools Act of 2013

Mr. Speaker, as the 113th Congress comes to a close, it is my pleasure to note all of the legislative actions that I have taken in my tenure in this Congress.

In the 113th Congress, I introduced the following legislation:

H.R. 4587--Fifth Amendment Restoration Act. This bill sought to stop the Federal Government from stealing people's property by abolishing the use of civil asset forfeiture.

H.R. 5777--Cryptocurrency Protocol Protection and Moratorium Act. This bill sought to protect cryptocurrencies by imposing a five year moratorium on new cryptocurrency regulations.

H.R. 5755--Safer American Streets Act. This bill sought to withhold certain highway funds from a State that uses an automated traffic enforcement system on a Federal-aid highway.

H.R. 5756--Heller Public Firearms Range Act of 2014. This bill sought to restore a public firearms range to the District of Columbia.

H.R. 5757--Honoring Workers' Rights Act. This bill sought to rename the headquarters of the Department of Labor in honor of right to work activist Reed Larson.

H.R. 5734--Right of Return Act. This bill sought to establish a lasting peace in the Middle East by defunding UNRWA, defunding the Palestinian Authority, and directing the Secretary of State to call for Israel to extend sovereignty of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza with the Arab population residing in those territories to be given a right of return to the countries who controlled those territories from 1949 to 1967.

H.R. 5726--Freedom From Foreign Influence Act. This bill sought to direct the Secretary of the Interior to issue promptly permits allowing energy resources exploration and extraction in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

H.R. 5718--Stockman Effect Act. This bill sought to direct the National Science Foundation to commission a study on the potential impact of a polar magnetic shift on the weather.

H.R. 5717--Report the Costs Act. This bill sought to require annual reports from agencies detailing the cost of multilingual services, to end speculation about the cost of multilingual services provided by the Federal Government, and for other purposes.

H.R. 5473--James Boulet National Language Act of 2014. This bill sought to make English the official language of the United States, require that official U.S. government functions be conducted in English, and require the U.S. government to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the United States.

H.R. 5472--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service currently located at 16281 U.S. Highway 59 in Moscow, Texas, as the ``Anna Stepanovna Politkovskaya Memorial Post Office''. This bill sought to name the post office in Moscow, Texas in honor of Anna Stepanovna Politkovskaya, an American journalist who was assassinated in Moscow, Russia as a result of her coverage of the human rights abuses committed by the regime of Vladimir Putin.

H.R. 5433--Stop Funding Terrorism Act. This bill sought to prohibit any direct U.S. assistance, loan guarantee, or debt relief to the Palestinian Authority.

H.R. 5316--Safely Exacting Cautious Useful Rules for Immigration This Year (SECURITY) Act. This bill sought to secure the border between the United States and Mexico.

H.R. 5202--Personal Information Notification Act. This bill sought to require notification when personally identifying information is disclosed by a Government agency.

H. Amdt. 1033. This amendment to H.R. 4923, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015, sought to prohibit funds made available by this Act from being used for the Department of Energy's Loan Program Office.

H. Res. 664--Providing for the arrest of Lois G. Lerner to answer the charge of contempt of Congress.

H. Res. 649, 648, 647, 646, and 645. This series of resolutions sought to direct various federal agencies to disclose emails transmitted by Lois Lerner.

H. Amdt. 941. This amendment to H.R. 4870, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2015, sought to prohibit the use of funds for any activity that would grant de jure or de facto support of territorial, maritime, or airspace claims made by the People's Republic of China on the international waters or territories of other sovereign nations in the South China, East China, and Yellow Seas.

H. Amdt. 940. This amendment to H.R. 4870, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2015, sought to prohibit the use of

funds for the procurement of weapons systems that contain rare earth materials, metals, magnets, parts, or components that are produced in Cuba, North Korea, the People's Republic of China, or Venezuela.

H. Amdt. 939. This amendment to H.R. 4870, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2015, sought to prohibit the use of funds to destroy Department of Defense equipment or ammunition in Afghanistan without such equipment or ammunition first being offered to independent states of the former Soviet Union and major non-NATO allies that are willing to pay for transportation of such equipment or ammunition to such states or allies.

H. Res. 635--Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must allow taxpayers the same lame excuses for missing documentation that the IRS itself is currently proffering.

H.R. 4883--National Rare-Earth Cooperative Act of 2014. This bill sought to provide for the establishment of a National Rare-Earth Refinery Cooperative.

H. Res. 612--Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government of Mexico should forthwith repatriate Sgt. Andrew Paul Tahmooressi from Mexican prison(s) and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the President of the United States should take actions to impose sanctions on Mexico until such time as Sgt. Tahmooressi is released.

H.R. 4774--Veterans' Health Accountability Act. This bill sought to improve the quality of care offered by the Veterans Health Administration.

H. Res. 602--Recognizing the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan.

H.R. 4651--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 601 West Baker Road in Baytown, Texas as the ``Specialist Keith Erin Grace Jr. Memorial Post Office''. This bill sought to name a post office in Baytown, Texas in honor of Keith Erin Grace Jr.

H.R. 4650--European Union Religious Freedom Act. This bill sought to recognize the prohibition of homeschooling, religious methods of meat production, circumcision, or wearing of religious garb as being infringements on religious freedom.

H.R. 4602--Virtual Currency Tax Reform Act. This bill sought to change the status of virtual currencies from property to foreign currency.

H.R. 4581--Prohibiting Discrimination Against Israel Act. This bill sought to prohibit federal funds from going towards international projects that discriminate against Judea and Samaria.

H.R. 4520--Aircraft Positioning Modernization Act. This bill sought to require passenger aircraft to transmit GPS location data.

H.R. 4518--Parental Protection Act. This bill sought to protect the constitutional rights of parents and children.

H.R. 4380--Gun Confiscation and Registration Prevention Act. This bill sought to prohibit gun confiscation and registration.

H.R. 4381--Biometric Information Privacy Act. This bill sought to prohibit firms from selling personal biometric information to third parties.

H.R. 4343--Write the Laws Act. This bill sought to end the unconstitutional delegation of legislative power which was exclusively vested in the Senate and House of Representatives by article I, section 1 of the United States Constitution, and to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to issue a report to Congress detailing the extent of the problem of unconstitutional delegation to the end that such delegations can be phased out, thereby restoring the constitutional principle of separation of powers set forth in the first sections of the United States Constitution.

H.R. 3199--Safe Military Bases Act. This bill sought to safeguard military and civilian personnel on military bases by repealing bans on military personnel carrying firearms, and for other purposes.

H.R. 3156--Responsible Implementation of Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2013. This bill sought to reform the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 to responsibly protect homeownership.

H. Res. 333--Expressing the firm conviction of the House of Representatives that any continuing resolution or debt ceiling increase it may approve for the duration of the 113th Congress shall affirmatively include a provision specifically prohibiting the expenditure of any federal funds in support of or in implementation or effectuation or enforcement of any provision of the Affordable Care Act (``ObamaCare'').

H. Amdt. 397. This amendment to H.R. 2397, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014, sought to prohibit funds appropriated or made available in this Act from being used for United States military exercises which include any participation by the People's Republic of China.

H.R. 2764--Sanctity of Life Act of 2013. This bill sought to declare that human life shall be deemed to exist from conception.

H. Res. 306--Providing for the consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 36) establishing a select committee to investigate and report on the attack on the United States consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

H.R. 2625--Student Protection Act. This bill sought to prohibit the use of appropriated funds for any educational institution which punishes a child for brandishing food which is partially consumed in such a way that the remnant resembles a gun; possessing a toy gun two inches or less in length or made of plastic snap together building blocks; using a finger or hand to simulate a gun; vocalizing imaginary firearms or munitions; wearing a T-shirt that supports Second Amendment rights; drawing a picture of, or possessing an image of, a firearm; or using a writing utensil to simulate a firearm.

H.R. 2606--Stabilization and Reconstruction Integration Act of 2013. This bill sought to establish the United States Office for Contingency Operations.

H.R. 1815--Union Coercion Prevention Act. This bill sought to protect workers from the corrupt and coercive ``Card Check'' system of organizing labor unions.

H.R. 1144--Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Equal and Fair Opportunity Settlement Act. This bill sought to restore an opportunity for tribal economic development on terms that are equal and fair.

H.R. 1143--Federal Correctional Workers Safety Act of 2013. This bill sought to amend the federal criminal code to require the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to ensure that each prison facility provides a secure firearms storage area for use by all employees who are authorized to carry a firearm, or allow such employees to store their firearm in a Bureau-approved vehicle lockbox.

H.R. 577--Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act. This bill sought to prohibit, in any case arising out of the administration of laws and benefits by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, considering any person who is mentally incapacitated, deemed mentally incompetent, or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness from being considered adjudicated as a mental defective for purposes of the right to receive or transport firearms without the order or finding of a judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that such person is a danger to himself or herself or others.

H.R. 576--Save Endangered Species Act of 2013. This bill sought to require the Secretary of the Interior to allow for the taking, export or reimport, delivery, receipt, carrying, and transport, shipment, or sale in interstate or foreign commerce, in the course of a commercial activity, of U.S. captive-bred live scimitar-horned oryx, addax, or dama gazelle, including embryos, gametes, and sport-hunted trophies, as long as certain criteria are met, including that the purpose of such activity is associated with the management or transfer of live wildlife or sport hunting in a manner that contributes to increasing or sustaining captive numbers or to potential reintroduction to range countries.

H.R. 575--Second Amendment Protection Act of 2013. This bill sought to prohibit the United States from providing any funding to the United Nations (U.N.) for a fiscal year unless the President certifies to Congress that the U.N. has not taken action to infringe on the rights of individuals in the United States to possess a firearm or ammunition, or abridge any of the other constitutionally protected rights of U.S. citizens.

H.R. 410--Restore the Constitution Act of 2013. This bill sought to provide that any executive action infringing on the Second Amendment has no force or effect, and to prohibit the use of funds for certain purposes.

H.R. 35--Safe Schools Act of 2013. This bill sought to amend the federal criminal code to repeal provisions making it unlawful to possess or discharge a firearm in a school zone.

H.R. 33--Audit The Fed Act of 2013. This bill sought to repeal the authority of the Comptroller General (GAO) to carry out an onsite examination of an open insured bank or bank holding company only if the appropriate federal regulatory agency has consented in writing.

Mr. Speaker, now that the 113th Congress is coming to a close, I would like to recognize my good friend and colleague from Texas' 36th District, Steve Stockman.

Steve and I actually grew up in the same town and went to the same schools. But, when he reached adulthood, his Texas family roots called him to the Lone Star state so it was only years later, in our nation's capitol, that we should meet as Members of Congress.

Congressman Stockman was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas in 1994, defeating a 42-year incumbent in one of the biggest upsets in political history. He was re-elected to Congress on November 6, 2012, with the same vision he'd had in the 90's of limited government, strong support for American families, and a robust national defense.

Steve has built very effective rapport with colleagues on both sides of the isle. His sense of humor and jovial approach to interpersonal relations endear him to us all, while we have come to recognize he has broad, but exceptionally deep understanding of many topics. He always has substantive inputs and bills, not only on specific Constitutional guarantees, but on national defense, freedoms and lack thereof in nations around the world.

You often find individuals with social interaction skills, and others with tremendous knowledge and insights. It is rare to find both qualities in a single individual. But, Steve possesses both.

However, one would never know this about Steve if they only read the press. That's because Steve always stands up and speaks the truth, regardless of whether it's politically expedient. Consequently, he's vilified in the press; but Americans who are tired of business-as-usual here in our nation's Capitol applaud him and greatly appreciate Congressman Stockman.

Congressman Stockman has been a fierce defender of Constitutional liberties, and a leader in defending the Second Amendment. He

introduced the very first pro-gun bill in the House in 2013, H.R. 35, to repeal federal gun free zones.

When the President threatened to bypass Congress and enact gun control through Executive Orders, Congressman Stockman, along with Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky in the Senate, introduced the ``Restore the Constitution Act of 2013,'' which would nullify any anti-gun orders.

The gentleman from Texas blue slipped both the Senate's gun control bill and their immigration bill.

Congressman Stockman serves as Vice Chairman of the House Second Amendment Task Force, and also authored legislation to strip funding to the UN should that body attempt to restrict Americans' gun rights.

As a 100% pro-life supporter, Steve authored the 2013 Sanctity of Life Act, which declares that life begins at conception, and which also limits the federal courts' jurisdiction in cases dealing with the unborn.

Congressman Stockman was the first congressman to step up and introduce a bill to defend the rights of native Americans in southeast Texas. The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas won a Federal claim against the U.S. Government for millions, if not billions, of dollars. Stockman's bill, if passed, would resolve that claim without any impingement on the Federal deficit.

Congressman Stockman's district is home to NASA's Johnson Space Center, the research and training facility for all human space exploration and the location of the famous Mission Control Center.

As a member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Congressman Stockman highlights the importance of a vigorous space exploration program and for keeping the U.S. at the forefront of space technology. He fought to save the arc jet facility at the Johnson Space Center, and advocated for defining a serious timetable and sufficient funding to actually land on and create research bases on the moon and Mars. Further, he understands the strategic necessity to remain the undisputed leader in space, and to not let non-democratic nations like China and Russia dominate the high frontier of space and high technology.

The gentleman from Texas' district has the highest number per capita of oil and gas refineries and downstream petrochemical plants in the world. Steve has worked tirelessly for commonsense regulatory relief for the nation's oil and gas industries, which will lead to less U.S. dependence on foreign oil and more American jobs.

His tireless efforts were instrumental in expediting the building permits for state-of-the art new petrochemical plants to be built in his district that will bring in billions of dollars in new investment. The gentleman from Texas has used his position on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology to question the EPA's technological criteria for evaluating applications on hydraulic fracking. Also, legislation he's promoted will facilitate improvements in current technologies used in shale oil and gas production.

Congressman Stockman has spoken out about the need to dredge southeast Texas ports from which many of the Gulf Coast petrochemicals are shipped. With hundreds of thousands of jobs at stake, these Ports are and will be fueling the Texas economic miracle.

At 3.5 cents per kilowatt hour, Texas has one of the cheapest power costs in the world and Stockman, with fellow members of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, has pressed EPA to release its stranglehold on latest technologies that will keep power costs low in Texas. http://science.house.gov/sites/renublicans.science.house.gov/ files/documents/Letters/121 913_mccarthy.ndf

The National Taxpayer's Union honored Congressman Stockman with the Taxpayers' Friend Award and NFIB named him ``Guardian of Small Business'' in recognition of his outstanding votes for legislation fostering healthy job-creating businesses. Earning a consistent ``100 percent'' rating by the American Conservative Union, my colleague from Texas has been honored with the ``Taxpayers Best Friend Award'' from Citizens for Tax Reform, and ``Taxpayer's Hero Award'' by Citizens Against Government Waste.

Always on the cutting edge of up and coming technologies and economic trends, Congressman Stockman recently introduced a bill in Congress that would not only extend substantial protections to cryptocurrencies, but would also require that cryptocurrencies be classified as a ``currency.'' The bill, entitled the Cryptocurrency Protocol Protection and Moratorium Act (CryptPMA), begins by placing a five-year moratorium on any state legislation concerning, or taxation on, cryptocurrencies.

Stockman believes in the future. He has predicted that three technologies will change the world. He forecasts that nanotubes, 3-D printers, and cryptocurerncies will revolutionize and change the world in fundamental ways. Furthermore, Congressman Stockman has called for a study of magnetic poll shifting, resultant fluctuation of magnetic fields, and their impact on the earth's climate.

With his broad knowledge of geopolitical and socioeconomic affairs, it is appropriate that Congressman Stockman sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where--among other important actions--he's for greater openness about what really happened in the 2012 assault on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi. He has also been a strong voice in the House in support of the Ukrainians' passion for strengthening liberties in their country.

Congressman Stockman co-founded the House South Sudan Caucus, in support of the world's newest nation. South Sudan, which is a majority Christian nation, suffered decades of oppression and genocide from North Sudan, and still endures attacks, despite the existence of a peace agreement. Congressman Stockman grieves the fact that now a simmering civil war is ongoing in the new nation. He has traveled to Juba, the South Sudan's capital, and led a Congressional delegation to Nigeria to investigate how the U.S. might better help that country end the brutal atrocities of Boko Harm. Steve has also visited other parts of Africa, in support of medical missionary work.

As the 113th Congress comes to a close, the Conservative movement will lose a great friend to liberty and individual rights in Congressman Stockman. I and many of our friends will miss working alongside my good friend and colleague who has been a staunch ally and supporter for life, liberty and country.

Mr. Speaker, the first high-profile school shooting in modern memory occurred in Stockton, California, where a gunman took the lives of five innocent children and injured 29 others.

Robert Young, just 7 years old at that time, was one of the injured. He came up here last week to talk about gun control. This is part of his testimony:

I remember what it sounded like, as the bullets flew past

my body. I remember the feeling of my feet literally being

swept out from under me as a round traveled through my right

foot. I remember the slap of the round that hit the pavement

an inch or so in front of me, prior to lodging itself in the

left side of my chest.

Today, Rob is a sworn law enforcement officer in the State of California. He came to Washington, not to urge Congress to pass more gun control, but to exhort this body to protect the Second Amendment.

In the 22 years prior to the 1990 enactment of federally dictated ``gun-free school zones,'' there were only two mass shootings on school or university campuses. In the 22 years since, there have been 10, a five-fold increase. Not only have so-called ``gun-free school zones'' proven not to be ``gun free,'' they appear to have placed our children in even greater danger.

The time has come to end this very deadly experiment of disarming peaceable, law-abiding citizens near schools. That's why I introduced H.R. 35, the Safe Schools Act, to repeal these deadly, so-called ``gun- free school zones.''

Law-abiding adults, including parents, teachers, and administrators who are allowed in their States to carry a firearm, should not be required to be disarmed. Our children are too precious to be turned into unprotected, soft targets for dangerous people. Passing the Safe Schools Act is the first step toward protecting our children.