Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on September 6, 2013, Professor William Gordon McLain III lost his 19-month long battle with lung cancer. On that day, the world lost a champion for the powerless and a brilliant legal mind. Will, as he was known and distinguished from his first born son, William G. McLain, IV, was not unaccustomed to battles. He confronted his cancer diagnosis with the same ferocity, toughness, and wry humor that he exhibited in every fight, especially his lifelong battle to make the ideals of equality and justice under the law a reality for all.

Born and raised in McComb, Mississippi, in 1945, Will, an only child, lost his father who was also a lawyer, at an early age. But the die had been cast--the quest for justice was in his blood. Fueled by memories of his father and his lovingly feisty mother, Doris ``Cleo'' McLain, Will pursued his undergraduate education at Tulane University in his beloved second home, New Orleans, Louisiana. Although he entered the legal profession later than most, graduating from the Antioch School of Law in 1983 at the age of 38, Will lost little time throwing himself behind causes he believed in, no matter how unpopular. Indeed, some would say that the less popular an issue of Constitutional justice, government excess or fundamental fairness became, the more Will was compelled to stand up for it or fight against it. Will surprised many of his liberal friends with his dogged defense of an individual's right to bear arms under the Second Amendment--but that was him, consistent, principled, smart, and especially happy when he could shock folks a little. Clarence Darrow liked to call himself the ``Attorney for the Damned''--well, in our lifetimes that was Will McLain.

I first met Will in the late 1980s when he joined the legal team assembled by my chief counsel, University of Miami Professor Terry Anderson, to represent me in an ongoing impeachment proceeding before the U.S. House of Representatives, a body in which I now serve. Will quickly became an indispensable member of my defense. He continued working behind the scenes providing invaluable strategic advice and exhaustive legal research in the federal case that ultimately declared that my impeachment and Senate trial were in violation of due process. I am told that he found that legal victory and my subsequent election to Congress gleefully gratifying. I will be forever grateful for his contribution.

Many others are indebted to Will for his passion to serve the disadvantaged and powerless in society. He worked tirelessly--often without compensation or recognition--on behalf of death row inmates and other criminal defendants who faced trumped up charges or other government abuses. He deplored racism and homophobia and provided legal counsel to those who were victimized by discrimination. Will was also a staunch advocate for the freedom of the press. Together with his lifelong friend and colleague, Professor Tom Mack, Will successfully represented a journalist against the threat of compelled disclosure of a source. Most recently, he also associated with his former law student, and then soon to be son-in-law, Stephen Mercer, head of the Maryland Public Defender's forensics unit, to devise challenges to state and federal practices that allowed the warrantless collection of DNA of persons who are not convicted of a crime.

Will was very disappointed by the ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2013 that authorized those practices. But he was also encouraged that the 5-4 decision united arch-conservative and liberal Justices in dissent. In his view, that combination holds promise that someday fourth amendment protection will be extended to arrestees and end this practice.

His passion for justice never let up--even in his final months when many would have been understandably preoccupied with their own condition, he would rail about the NSA and the great civil liberties challenges and disappointments of our time.

The litany of cases and clients Will handled over the years, while impressive, are eclipsed by the legion of students he educated and inspired. Following Hurricane Katrina, Will co-created and co-taught Katrina and Beyond: Disaster Law at the University of the District of Columbia's law school. The course included field trips to New Orleans where students were exposed first hand to the devastation and human suffering left in Katrina's wake. Will's legal expertise was multidimensional and superior to most of his peers. But his ability to impart knowledge in digestible and accessible terms to his students and to motivate them to, not only learn but also, yearn was simply unmatched. He was the consummate professor, teaching wherever he found an audience. Will made learning fun, but he was not always gentle. He had an uncanny mix of southern charm, always greeting women with a peck on the wrist, and an unapologetic irreverence, keeping everyone on their toes (and sometimes knocked a bit further back than that!) with his incorrigible, irascible, withering wit. He was passionate, and as many who've worked in these halls know, that comes hand-in-hand with being brutally direct and unwilling to suffer fools gladly. In fact, Will gladly made fools suffer! He was also old fashioned, drafting his briefs by hand on yellow legal pads. He often ``held court'' at the Tune Inn, a Capitol Hill institution, where swarms of law students, colleagues, and more than a few members of our own Institution would parade in and out hungry for the opportunity to gain his insights on law, life, and the future.

Will's future was cut short when in the winter of 2011 he received the agonizing diagnosis that he had terminal cancer. Like he did with all of his legal battles, Will did not take the diagnosis lightly. As he fought through chemo treatments that weakened his body, he altered his routine very little. He continued to teach the students he loved. He read the Washington Post and the New York Times daily. He played Gin Rummy at the Tune Inn sipping vodka and watched the Saints and Redskins on Sundays with his young grandson, Sam, with whom he enjoyed a special relationship. As his body grew weary, Will hosted his own farewell party held in the backyard of what would become his final home in Rockville, Maryland. Over one hundred people attended, including Will's big, complicated, extended family--a world of people from all walks of life brought together by their shared love and admiration of Will. That was the thing about Will--he mattered to the people whose lives he touched, whether they loved him, grudgingly respected him, or found him simply infuriating (but irresistibly so).

Will was elated when his former student, Stephen Mercer proposed marriage to Will's oldest son, William. He never thought he would see the day when same-sex marriage would be a legal reality for his first born. He simply willed himself to find the strength to see that day. And he did. Will was alert, lucid and enthusiastic at the wedding, just weeks ago. Although he had become very frail, he independently raised a glass to toast their union. In his final days, Will spoke sporadically, clutched his New York Times, gripped the hands of his family and friends, and always provided a kiss followed by the words, ``I love you.'' Will passed away five days after the wedding he never thought possible. He was surrounded by the three most important people in his life--his now son-in-law, Stephen, his oldest son, William, and his youngest son, Pierce.

Will McLain lived his life with vigor, commitment and generosity of mind, heart and spirit. On September 6, 2013, the world lost an unsung legal giant. I lost a treasured friend. And his family and close personal friends lost the center of their universe.

I am honored to rise today to salute his memory and leave this permanent record in the annals of our nation of the great man who was Will McLain.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of one of my most distinguished constituents, Mr. William ``Popsie'' Thompson, and the young people who work with him as part of ``The World Famous Rainbow Crusaders'' community musical group. A gifted performer, he uses his talents and abilities to keep our children safe and prepare them for a brighter future.

In 1986, Popsie noticed a group of bored children gathering around his tailor shop in Sunrise, Florida. It occurred to him that what these kids needed was an activity to boost their self-esteem and academic potential. This inspired Popsie to form The World Famous Rainbow Crusaders, a diverse troupe of over 200 young singers and dancers ranging from ages 2 to 20.

The group has since become a fixture at local celebrations and parades in the south Florida area, representing the community values of tolerance and racial harmony. Furthermore, they are the first drug awareness program to be officially recognized by the Boy Scouts of America. Popsie and his Crusaders have traveled throughout the country, with performances in Tennessee, Georgia, and Washington, DC being among their most notable appearances.

Mr. Speaker, due to their continued efforts to promote the values of anti-drug use, education, and racial harmony, I am proud to recognize Popsie Thompson and The World Famous Rainbow Crusaders. Thanks to them, hundreds of children and young adults in south Florida have greater opportunities to excel and make a difference in their community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from Utah, for yielding me the customary 30 minutes and, Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I deem necessary.

Mr. Speaker, the House faces a number of pressing issues that everybody in America knows that we should be addressing. Instead, we are here today on H. Res. 347, a structured rule, and the underlying bill, H.R. 761, the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2013.

I get it that my friends from areas that have these minerals in public spaces would like for us to proceed apace to extract them. I understand their feelings. I come from yet another of the critical areas of our country that we have to protect much of the space of, and that would be the Everglades.

I don't understand why Congress is trying to provide even more breaks to the United States mining operations when we do have these urgent domestic issues that we are confronted with and, somehow or another, that we were unable to undertake.

We haven't done all of our appropriations. We are having difficulty getting a continuing resolution. We will soon be faced with lifting the debt ceiling. And somehow or another, we are dealing with something that, I might add, we have voted on before, that came out of the House of Representatives, that did not pass the Senate, and H.R. 761 is not going to pass the Senate either.

So H.R. 761 guts important environmental protections offered through the National Environmental Policy Act, referred to as NEPA. It fails to require adequate financial assurance, and I will have an amendment on the floor that will address that subject, and offers other benefits to mining companies.

Mining operations in the United States benefit already from multiple Federal tax breaks, exemptions to regulation under existing environmental laws, and no royalty payments to the United States for mining operations, even on U.S. land.

Mining companies limit their liability for environmental restoration and cleanup by operating with U.S. subsidiaries to foreign parent companies. This relationship shields the parent company from liability and has allowed parent companies to draw profits from United States mining operations.

So what happens when companies do not pay for environmental damage caused by their operations?

The people of the United States pay. They pay through a contaminated environment. They pay through sickness, including cancer. They pay through taxes, because taxpayer dollars are ultimately needed to clean up these sites.

It would seem that we should have learned from our mistakes with the 1872 General Mining Law. Mining companies should be held accountable so that their operations will not impose additional burdens on the American people.

H.R. 761 not only takes away valued natural resources for hiking, fishing, canoeing and other recreational activities, it shifts the burdens of mining cleanup and restoration to the American taxpayer.

Furthermore, H.R. 761 classifies domestic mining operations for strategic and critical minerals on Federal lands as infrastructure projects. Using a broad definition that encompasses virtually every type of mine, this legislation allows mines to take advantage of a Presidential order from 2012 which requires Federal agencies to streamline the permitting process for infrastructure projects.

However, building a mine is not the same as building roads and highways that are much needed in this country, or replacing rotted sewerage that is much needed in this country, which is, in fact, the country's infrastructure.

Bills like this are why, in my opinion, the American people are so frustrated with us here in the United States Congress. We have a number of issues that we could--no, not that we could, that we should be working on--and, yet, we are rehashing a bill that went nowhere last Congress, ain't gonna go nowhere this Congress and, most importantly, is bad for the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I'm very pleased to yield 3 minutes to my good friend from Oregon, (Mr. DeFazio), the distinguished ranking member of the Committee on Natural Resources.

I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

If we defeat the previous question, I'm going to offer an amendment to this rule that will allow the House to hold a vote on the Bring Jobs Home Act. This bill will help to boost the economy by encouraging businesses to bring more jobs to America and discourage companies from shipping jobs overseas.

To discuss our proposal, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), my good friend.

I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask my friend if he's prepared to close. I have no further speakers at this time.

I can make it go as long as you want it to go.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Picking up where Mr. Pascrell left off, which I wasn't intending to do until my good friend from Utah mentioned the timeframe. Tomorrow, we are going to vote on whether or not to cut $40 billion from the supplemental nutrition program for people this country. One of the measures included in that is going to be that people can only qualify for 3 months during a specified period of time if they are able-bodied people.

Well, if you vote for the previous question that Mr. Pascrell offered, there may be some jobs for those people. Otherwise, what we're getting ready to do is put more people in a position of needing the food stamps. And we continue to talk about jobs, but we haven't done anything on the infrastructure.

I predict even if this measure before us today were to become law, which it is not, but if it did by chance become law, we would be lucky if in the course of time we had the kind of jobs and the number of jobs that are desperately needed in this country.

What is wrong with this institution? Don't we understand that we have college kids that are graduating and they can't find a job? We hire kids up here at lower than the minimum wage because they can't find jobs in the private sector. This is crazy.

We can't continue doing nothing when in fact the people are suffering in this great country of ours. We have not only the natural resources that my friends would have us extract from even public lands without paying royalties, but we have the resources as a people to do the things creatively to assist us in bringing jobs here rather than sending them all over the world and causing a diminution of jobs here at home.

Again, for the life of me I don't understand why we are considering this bill today. We're considering virtually every mine on public land, including uranium and coal mines, to operate without adherence to Federal environmental laws, which protect public safety. Our priorities are truly in the wrong place.

As I asked before, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this rule and the underlying legislation, and I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the amendment in the Record, along with extraneous material, immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' and defeat the previous question. I urge a ``no'' vote on the rule, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Let me read the amendment. It's very short:

The lead agency with responsibility for issuing a mineral

exploration or mine permit may not issue such permit until

the applicant for the permit has fully reimbursed the United

States, each State, and each Native American tribe for all

costs incurred by the United States and such State and such

tribe respectively for issuance of the permit. Such

reimbursement shall include costs of all Federal, State and

tribal reviews and approvals required for the permit,

contracting costs and salaries, including benefits for State

and Federal employees and the conduct of reviews by State, a

State that under authority delegated to the State under

Federal law.

Mr. Chairman, the amendment that I offer today to H.R. 761 would reimburse the costs of permitting in order that the National Environmental Policy Act requirements be met. Those who complain about the National Environmental Policy Act permitting--and it has been said here repeatedly on the floor, and when I was managing the rule earlier today, it was said--often cite timing as a concern. With budget cuts, furloughs, and other competing work, it is not possible to meet all the demands. The reimbursement of any and all costs will help to resolve this issue and provide for meaningful public participation in the decisionmaking process for the use of Federal lands.

Mr. Chairman, I would ultimately ask that my amendment be made in order.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I need to make a correction.

I had two amendments in the Rules Committee last night. The one that I just read into the Record and that my friend and colleague just responded to was the one that was not made in order, but I will be very brief because the one that was made in order, amendment No. 4, which we are addressing, requires financial assurance in the form of a surety bond, a letter of credit, or other instrument that would routinely be accepted in commerce.

In the interest of time, I would only offer, Mr. Chairman, that my full statement on amendment No. 4 be placed in the Record. I am sure my colleague has time to respond to amendment No. 4. If he does not, I would be prepared to yield to him whatever time I have in order for him to respond.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, the amendment that I offer today to H.R. 761, would reimburse the cost of permitting and order that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements be met. Those who complain about NEPA permitting, often cite timing as a concern. With budget cuts, furloughs, and other competing work, it is not possible to meet all demands.

Reimbursement of any and all costs will help to resolve this issue, and provide for meaningful public participation in the decision-making process for the use of Federal lands.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I urge the Committee to make my amendment in order.

At the end of title I (page 12, after line 2) add the

following:

I would just say to my colleague that there are deficiencies and inadequacies of funding in the measures that you cited, and they do not cover the cost of cleanup and accidents. That's why we are addressing it.

Mr. Chairman, I would ask and urge my colleagues to vote ``aye'' on this measure.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the courage and determination of Kyle Weintraub. Kyle, a Davie resident, is currently being treated at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL). Faced with the possibility of spending up to a year in the hospital receiving treatment, he decided that he would not let this obstacle prevent him from attending school.

By continuing to learn and attend school Kyle has demonstrated admirable resolve in fighting this life-threatening disease. He is a shining example. for all students of what dedication and commitment to education looks like.

I would also like to commend his determination in the face of continuous treatments and the support of his family and friends in facilitating that effort. This is especially true in the case of Marni Rosenblatt, who was able to raise $4,000 to help Kyle's parents with the costs for the special technology necessary, to allow him to continue his education.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in sending best wishes and prayers to this tenacious young man, Kyle Weintraub. He exemplifies the strength and courage we all hope to find within ourselves when faced with such a hardship.

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pride to rise today to recognize Mr. Kirk W. Johnson, the founder and executive director of the List Project to Resettle Iraqi Allies, for his continued efforts to safely resettle those Iraqis who have risked their lives working for the United States. I had the distinct honor of first meeting Kirk in 2008, when I began working with him and his organization on legislative remedies to this crisis. He has since been featured in numerous interviews and documentaries on the subject, testified on two occasions before members of the House and Senate on the consequences of our withdrawal from Iraq, and just published his first book. Kirk is truly an amazing individual who has selflessly dedicated himself to helping Iraqis who have worked for the United States in Iraq--and whose lives have been placed in grave danger for that service.

Kirk was born and raised in West Chicago, Illinois. In 2002, he earned a bachelor's degree with general and departmental honors in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from the University of Chicago. During that time, he received a Foreign Language Acquisition Grant to study the Syrian colloquial dialect of Arabic in Damascus, followed by fellowships from the American Academy in Berlin, Yaddo, MacDowell, and the Wurlitzer Foundation. Finally, prior to his work in Iraq, he conducted research on political Islamism as a Fulbright Scholar in Egypt.

In 2005, Kirk served in Iraq with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), first in Baghdad and then in Fallujah, where he was the Agency's first coordinator for reconstruction in the war-torn city. A letter from an Iraqi colleague in 2006, which said, ``People are trying to kill me and I need your help,'' got him involved in helping America's endangered Iraqi allies. After Kirk successfully assisted his colleague, many other pleas for help followed, which led Kirk to found the List Project. The organization has grown to become the largest single pro bono initiative ever undertaken on behalf of refugees.

His recently published book, ``To Be a Friend is Fatal: A Story from the Aftermath of America at War,'' tells the story of the List Project's seven-year struggle to protect thousands of Iraqi allies. It centers on the lives of four Iraqis who stepped forward to help the United States, following them as they flee from Iraq and come up against the challenging bureaucracy of the U.S. refugee resettlement program.

To date, Kirk's writing on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and towards Iraqi allies who approached him in dire need of help has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and Foreign Policy. In addition, he has appeared on 60 Minutes, The Today Show, and World News Tonight. A leading public advocate for Iraqis who assisted the U.S. Government, Kirk's efforts have been recognized by Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he will be continuing his studies next year.

Mr. Speaker, Kirk has so far helped nearly 1,500 Iraqis, which makes him a true American hero in my eyes. He has given a voice to those individuals who were there for us when we needed their help, but were left to struggle through the system when they needed ours. Kirk has faced significant challenges and proven himself to be a leader whose service to this nation has only just begun.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution recognizing the importance of nonprofit organizations and designating May 16, 2014 as ``National Nonprofit Day.'' I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my friend and colleague, Congressman Tom Rooney for introducing this resolution with me.

Nonprofit organizations have made many important contributions to our nation. Over the past decade, the number of nonprofits has risen steadily, and there are approximately 2.3 million of them now operating in the United States. Whether these groups are working to improve education or to protect environmental resources, they all have the same goals: to enact meaningful change in our world and to improve human lives.

Many nonprofits support science and research that will have a significant impact on future generations. For instance, there are nonprofit organizations that support research to fight diseases such as Cancer and HIV/AIDS. Many other organizations advocate for vulnerable populations across the globe--for refugees, for the homeless, and for our nation's veterans. They educate and teach, as well as engage with local communities to improve the quality of life for all.

In addition to being a force for change and progress, the nonprofit sector is vital to the economic security of the United States. In fact, the growth rate of the nonprofit sector has surpassed the rate of both the business and government sector. In 2010, nonprofits added nearly $780 billion to our national GDP and employed 1 in 10 working Americans. Nonprofit organizations also facilitate charitable giving and community activism, and the combined donations and volunteer hours of individuals to nonprofits are worth billions of dollars annually.

But perhaps most importantly, nonprofit organizations are founded and managed by people trying to make the world a better place. Whether they are abroad or at home, the work that these men and women do is incredibly meaningful. Without the people behind these organizations-- working tirelessly to change the world, sometimes just one life at a time--the nonprofit sector would not be the force for good that it has become today.

Mr. Speaker, nonprofit organizations advocate for solutions to some of the great challenges facing our nation and the world, and they deserve to be recognized for their valuable contributions to society. No matter their focus, nonprofits play a pivotal role in shaping the future of America. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and to join me in designating May 16, 2014 as ``National Nonprofit Day.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of James Martin of Miramar, Florida, and to honor him as a Hastings Star Student.

At the age of 17, James recently graduated Suma Cum Laude from Florida Atlantic University with a GPA of 3.9. He earned a Bachelor's of Science in Molecular Biology. Having been home-schooled by his mother from a young age, James started college at the age of 14. He is a shining example of what hard work and dedication can accomplish.

While in college, James worked alongside a Nobel Prize winner Dr. Eric Wieschaus at Princeton University. After graduating, James was offered a job with Dr. Wieschaus as a paid lab assistant while he decides which PhD programs to apply to. His goal is to pursue a career as a professor, and I have no doubt he will contribute greatly to the Molecular Biology field.

I would also like to recognize the dedication of Joan Martin, James' mother, to her son's education. The active participation on the part of one's parents is important to a good education, and Joan has gone above and beyond in that regard and is to be commended.

Mr. Speaker, the accomplishments of James Martin are an inspiration to students everywhere, especially within the minority community. I am proud to honor such an outstanding individual. We can all look forward to the bright future this young man has ahead of him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Sean Franklin Sasser. Sean was an educator and an activist, and dedicated his life to speaking out about HIV/AIDS. Sadly, Sean passed away on August 7th, 2013 at the age of 44 after a short battle with Mesothelioma.

Sean was diagnosed with HIV in 1988 when he went to enlist in the Navy, and lived for 25 years with the disease. As a young black homosexual man living with HIV, Sean organized support for the HIV/AIDS community. He was active in Bay Positives, an organization established in 1990 as the first peer-run agency in the world for young people living with HIV/AIDS. In 1993, he was photographed by celebrated American photographer Annie Leibovitz as part of one of the first public awareness campaigns about HIV, organized by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

In 1993, Sean met Pedro Zamora, who gained fame as part of the cast of MTV Real World, San Francisco. Sean and Pedro's on-air relationship and marriage was thrown into the national spotlight, bringing international attention and putting a human face to the realities of HIV/AIDS. Though Sean's on-air presence was short, the impact of their televised relationship was great, and after Pedro's tragic death from AIDS at the age of 22, Sean went on to become an even greater advocate for the HIV/AIDS community.

Throughout his life, Sean travelled across the country to educate others about HIV/AIDS and living with the disease. He spoke at colleges, universities, and many organizations including the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the Human Rights Campaign, Health Initiatives for Youth, and the AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth & Families. Sean was also a celebrated pastry chef, and just last May could be found making homemade ice cream at RIS restaurant in Washington D.C.

Mr. Speaker, this week we lost a great voice for the HIV/AIDS community. There are approximately 50,000 new HIV infections every year, and only through education, public awareness and community outreach can we prevent the spread of the HIV virus. Sean used his voice to bring attention to the HIV community, and as we pay tribute to his life, we must also continue his efforts. One day at a time, we move closer to an AIDS-free generation.

I offer my heartfelt condolences to Sean's family and his partner Michael. Undoubtedly, Sean touched the lives of countless friends and strangers alike. He leaves behind a legacy of activism, bravery, and service to the HIV community. He will be dearly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in unwavering support of our nation's great friend and ally, the State of Israel. On July 31, 2013, I voted in favor of H.R. 850, the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act of 2013, which overwhelmingly passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 400-20. I would like to take this opportunity to commend my colleagues, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel, for introducing this important legislation, of which I am a proud co-sponsor. The bill targets human rights violators while increasing effective sanctions to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability.

For more than half a century, the United States and Israel have shared the common bonds of democracy, economic vitality, and cultural affinity. These ties remain as strong today as when President Harry Truman first recognized the creation of a Jewish State in 1948. From religious kinships to shared interests, and from military strengths to commercial relations, the enduring friendship between the United States and Israel is unbreakable.

However, Israel continues to face serious regional threats, concerns which are also shared by the United States. A nuclear-armed Iran represents a direct threat to Israel's existence, the stability of the region, and the security of the entire global community. That is why we must stand firmly with Israel in the struggle against the Iranian regime's ongoing pursuit of nuclear weapons and support for terrorism. Its peace-threatening actions and statements should be taken seriously, and the international community has a responsibility to act.

I have long supported sanctions efforts in Congress, and will continue to do so as long as Iran insists on pursuing its dangerous course of action. Together with the international community, we must increase the pressure on Iran's authoritarian government to give up its nuclear ambitions. Existing United States and European Union measures have already reduced Iran's oil exports by more than half from pre- sanction levels of about 2.2 million barrels per day, bpd. This new round of sanctions cuts that number to near zero within a year, further crippling Tehran's ability to fund its nuclear program.

The United States must work with Iran's neighbors and our allies to hold a hard line against the acquisition of these dangerous, destabilizing weapons. At the same time, we must continue to support the Iranian people's efforts to reform their government to respect the rights of all citizens. Finally, it is essential that the United States remain supportive of Israel's absolute right to defend itself and protect its citizens.

Mr. Speaker, a nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable. It is my sincere hope that one day all people in the region can live with dignity and freedom in peace. Iran's continued pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens that future.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, and I rise in support of the measure that is being offered.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Dan Calloway. Mr. Calloway attended Roosevelt Senior High School in West Palm Beach, from which he was graduated in 1956. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he was in charge of special services, rising to the rank of Captain of Special Services. Dan was the first black captain of the Army baseball team in 1963. For his accomplishments in that sport, he was inducted into the German Hall of Fame.

Following his successful time in the military, he embarked on a career in law enforcement. He retired as a Detective Sergeant with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, where he also served as sports coordinator. In 1965, Dan founded the Youth Recreation Association (YRA) of Palm Beach County, which helps young people through scholarships and mentoring in sports and recreational activities. Numerous National Football League (NFL) stars and other professional athletes credit the YRA as an invaluable resource that helped them toward successful careers in sports. All have returned to Palm Beach County to ``pay it forward,'' helping other young people with scholarships, skills camps and various other events.

Continuing his involvement in sports, Dan was honored as a torch bearer in Palm Beach County for the 1996 Olympics. In recognition of his many important contributions to sports, he was inducted into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission in 1993. The Dan Calloway Recreation Center in Riviera Beach was dedicated in May 2010. In February 2011, Dan was inducted into the Roosevelt Senior High School Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions in baseball and basketball.

He married Delores Oliver in 1981. He calls her ``the love of my life, and my eyes if I ever go blind.'' He is a member of the Singer Island Civic Association and Palm Beach County Community Relations Board. He is among more than a dozen local professionals who have issued a call to black men to step-up as mentors and role models for young people in the community.

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pride to recognize Dan Calloway, for everything that he has done for Palm Beach County, and our nation. He has accomplished so many wonderful things for the community, and I am proud to call him my friend.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment. I want to make sure that my friends who live far, far away from where I live do understand that many of us understand the dynamics that they've presented. Arguably, their argument is unassailable, and I rise in support of their amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, to echo the words of my colleagues, Ranking Members Nita Lowey and Ed Pastor, my good friend, the allocation provided for T-HUD appropriations under the Ryan budget, which was ``deemed passed'' by my Republican colleagues, is simply unworkable.

From funding for the Federal Aviation Administration, TIGER grants, public transit programs, Amtrak, high-speed rail, Community Development Block Grants, and the HOME affordable housing program, House Republicans are offering a bill that not only makes devastating cuts to our Nation's transportation infrastructure but to vital programs in housing, health care, education, labor, and other services that millions of Americans rely on, in order to spare defense spending from sequestration.

In particular, this bill makes detrimental cuts to aviation programs and investments in our national air system. It cuts FAA operations by $185 million below the President's budget request. It slashes $575 million, 21 percent, from the FAA's Facilities and Equipment account, and it casts doubt on the future hiring of air traffic controllers and inspectors.

NextGen is a full, multiyear effort to modernize our Nation's air traffic control system by transitioning from a ground-based navigation system to a satellite-based navigation system. As it is implemented, NextGen will help reduce delays, expand air traffic system capacity, and mitigate aviation's impact on the environment while ensuring the highest levels of safety. Currently, the FAA is moving from NextGen program development into baseline and operational programs, and passengers and operators are beginning to experience the benefits of these investments. However, while the bill preserves funding for the NextGen programs currently under deployment, it forces the FAA to greatly slow down its NextGen modernization of the air traffic control system.

My amendment restores funding for NextGen programs to the fiscal year 2013 level within the Operations Planning account. It really does represent a small amount, approximately $3.5 million, over the FY 2014 House funding level of $56.6 million for a total of $60.1 million. The increased funding would help ensure that the FAA remains on schedule with regard to NextGen implementation while giving it the flexibility to decide how best to move forward in this challenging budget environment.

I do recognize that the chairman and ranking member were given a difficult task, and I respect that, but we cannot fail to recognize the future of our NextGen implementation, so I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I do wish to point out that the bill before us today makes deep cuts to FAA facilities and equipment. Make no mistake that these reductions will directly impact and delay the implementation of NextGen. I've spoken to this issue. This particular amendment makes available approximately $870 million for NextGen capital programs, which is at the FY 2013 enacted level. This increased funding would help ensure that the FAA remains on schedule with regard to NextGen implementation.

Let me make it very clear. I fought very hard, along with my colleagues, both current and former--Republican and Democrat--to bring the NextGen facilities to the West Palm Beach airport. We were very successful in that regard, but I am troubled that we might not get to full implementation if we continue the reductions that I see that are set forth.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise once again to offer an additional amendment to H.R. 2610, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (T-HUD) Appropriations Act for FY 2014.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), by the end of the NextGen mid-term in 2020, NextGen improvements will:

Reduce delays by 41 percent;

Cumulatively save 1.6 billion gallons of fuel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 16 million metric tons; and

Provide $38 billion in cumulative benefits to aircraft operators, the traveling public, and the FAA through delay reduction, fuel savings, and other efficiency improvements.

However, the bill before us today makes deep cuts to the FAA's Facilities and Equipment account in the amount of $575 million, or 21 percent.

Make no mistake. These reductions will directly impact and delay the implementation of NextGen.

Certain NextGen activities currently underway face significant reductions in this bill.

One example is the Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in the Metroplex (OAPM) program, which is the FAA's fast-track initiative to implement new navigation procedures and airspace improvements to reduce fuel consumption and aircraft emissions in some of the United States' busiest airspace.

This could delay the completion of their designs and the beginning of the implementation phase.

My amendment makes available approximately $870 million for NextGen capital programs, which is the FY 2013 enacted level.

This increased funding would help ensure that the FAA remains on schedule with regard to NextGen implementation, while giving it the flexibility to decide how best to move forward in this challenging budget environment.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, in Switzerland yesterday, there was a collision of trains--one moving north and the other moving south. A good friend of Mr. Wolf's and of Mr. Pastor's and mine served as chairman and ranking member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, James Oberstar. In addition to the many things that Jim suggested during his tenure here, I think back to some of the things that would have put us in a better position than we are today, particularly with regard to overall infrastructure, roads and rail.

I can't understand--and I was saying to the young staffer working with me--what it is that causes the rail industry, both abroad and here, to not have the necessary equipment that would allow one train on the same track to let the other train coming from the opposite direction, and vice versa, know that they are both on the same track. There just seems to be something wrong with that when we have the kind of sophisticated equipment that we do.

NextGen, in the air area of the world, allows for us to avoid those kinds of problems and to increase efficiency and safety. It ultimately reduces delays and saves fuel, particularly if we get on with what I'm asking for, which is $62 million for NextGen research and development activities from the FAA's Research, Engineering and Development account.

Again, I am not asking for anything that I think would do anything less than help all of us. We don't just live in these places. We fly there. The aviation industry contributes nearly $1.3 trillion to the United States economy. Furthermore, the FAA's air traffic controllers manage nearly 70,000 flights per day, which, on an annual basis, carry more than 730 million passengers.

With such a vital role in our economy, now is not the time to underfund our Nation's air traffic control system. I urge my colleagues to make a real investment in our Nation's transportation infrastructure by supporting this NextGen amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and memory of Rev. Lance Chaney, who led St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Boynton Beach, Florida, as its pastor for many years. Words cannot express how deeply sorry I am to hear of his untimely passing at the age of 56, following a long battle with prostate cancer. As a pastor, civic leader, and anti-violence activist, Rev. Chaney leaves behind a legacy of service that reflects his true dedication to the church and community.

Before moving his family to Boynton Beach in 2002, Rev. Chaney served as the pastor of the Greater Antioch Baptist Church of Rock Island in Illinois. There, he helped establish a health clinic and a bookstore, which attracted hundreds of new worshipers. Rev. Chaney also served on the school board and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's (NAACP) board of directors.

After a nationwide search, Rev. Chaney became the seventh pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church on the occasion of its 94th anniversary. He was an active pastor who will be remembered not only for his passionate sermons from the pulpit, but for working to expand the 104-year-old church's services and outreach. Under his leadership, a teen Bible study and church newsletter were established. In addition, Rev. Chaney was also a mentor to other clergy in the area, helping them grow their congregations.

Rev. Chaney was a well-known and very popular figure in the Boynton Beach community. He helped thousands of families by opening and serving as the chairman of the Day Star Academy of Excellence, a K-5 public charter school, and Pathways to Prosperity, a non-profit rehabilitation center. He also hosted several back-to-school drives, parenting seminars, and health care screenings, and was known for giving out free bus passes and scholarships.

Furthermore, Rev. Chaney worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life in Boynton Beach, as well as make it safer and more inclusive. He was an influential member of Boynton United, a community organization that works to prevent violent crime, and served on the Correction Task Force for the Criminal Justice Commission of Palm Beach County and Boynton Beach's Community Redevelopment Agency board until 2007. Additionally, Rev. Chaney was a speaker and panelist for countless other causes, including the Roots Cultural Festival, Martin Luther King Community Celebration, Save Darfur Coalition, and Haiti relief efforts.

While battling cancer over the past five years, Rev. Chaney, who graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, continued to pursue a master's degree from Howard University's School of Divinity. And, during his chemotherapy treatment, he constantly urged men to get screened for prostate cancer.

Rev. Chaney is survived by his wife, Marilane, and his children, Lance Alexander, Ashley, and Allison. My thoughts and prayers go out to them, friends of the family, members of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, and the entire Boynton Beach community at this most difficult time.

In Lance Chaney, God Almighty gave us a man of vision, courage, wisdom, and understanding. Each of us knew him in a different way, but he knew each of us in the same way, with great compassion and love.

Mr. Speaker, Rev. Lance Chaney dedicated his life to serving his fellow man, and will be remembered for his tremendous ability to bring people together. It has been my great privilege to know his friendship. I now join all those whose lives he has touched in saying that he will be dearly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mr. John B. Boy, the former President and C.E.O. of the U.S. Sugar Corporation, who died on July 16, 2013 at the age of 96. He spent 41 years at U.S. Sugar, serving as its President for 17 years until his retirement.

John held a degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Under his leadership, the Bryant Sugar House was built in Canal Point, Florida. Additionally, John acquired the South Bay Growers vegetable and sugar cane operations, where he began growing oranges and producing orange juice. Among his lasting contributions while serving as an engineer in his company's agricultural equipment shop, are the many important mechanical advancements in Glades agriculture that are still used today.

During World War II, John served in the U.S. Navy, becoming captain of three ships. After the war, he moved from Ohio to Clewiston, Florida, where he began his employment in the sugar industry. John contributed immeasurably to his community, and encouraged employees at U.S. Sugar, as well as those around him, to do the same.

As a measure of their appreciation for all that he did for the sugar industry, Clewiston's civic auditorium, located within sight of the U.S. Sugar plant, is named after him.

John is survived by his daughter, Betsy Terrill (Jim); sons, John Boy, Jr. (Connie) and H. Lane Boy; grandchildren, Jamie Terrill, Christopher Smith, Jennifer Price, Suzanne Boy, Stephanie Crawford, and Rachael Boy; and 10 great grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, words cannot express how deeply sorry I am for John's passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and all of those in the sugar community. I was privileged to know him and call him my friend. He will be dearly missed.