Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Milford ``Buddy'' Bostick of Waco, Texas, who passed away on January 4, 2017.

Buddy Bostick selflessly served our nation and Central Texas in so many ways, and he will be missed greatly.

Buddy was born on May 18, 1918 in McLennan County, Texas. He graduated from Moody High School and later attended Baylor University, where he started his journalism career as a radio announcer for WACO Radio. Here Buddy planted the seeds of what would become a successful career in media broadcasting.

Upon graduating, Buddy worked as a radio announcer in Tennessee and Arkansas before eventually returning to Texas. He served his country during World War II as part of the Army Air Corps and upon returning home he continued to pursue his goal of owning his own radio station. He would ultimately do so much more. In 1955, Buddy obtained a license to launch KWTX-TV in Waco and two years later he launched KBTX-TV in Bryan. Since their founding, these two CBS affiliates have provided news and entertainment to hundreds of *thousands of families throughout Central Texas. In fact, KBTX was one of the first stations capable of color transmission, and was the first in the Brazos Valley to use color news film.

Buddy would go on to establish other television and radio stations across Texas and even into Louisiana. Then, in the 1970s he and a business partner purchased a controlling interest in the local Beilmead State Bank, changed the name to American Bank, and expanded it to a second location.

Buddy took a risk at the time when he chose to establish a television station in a town with a population of just 20,000. The media landscape in the 1950's was dominated by radio and newspapers. Yet Buddy had a vision and the desire to invest in a new form media to serve the public. In this endeavor, he was the epitome of a businessman and entrepreneur. Above all, he was a family man. He met his wife, Virginia, while attending Baylor University, and they were married for 74 years before she passed away in 2014. They are survived by their two daughters, Ellen and Martha, and ten grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Buddy was often quoted saying, ``nothing lasts forever.'' Though I am confident that one thing will--Buddy Bostick's legacy will have an impact for generations to come.

My wife, Gina, and I offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the entire Bostick family. We also lift up the family and friends of Buddy in our prayers.

As I close, I ask that all Americans continue to pray for our country, for our military men and women, who protect us abroad, and for our first responders, who protect us here at home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Bentley Nettles, who is retiring after more than 30 years of service to our country in the United States Army.

Colonel Nettles served for 31 years as a commissioned officer in the United States Army, where he served peacekeeping tours of duty in Bosnia, and combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. In this capacity, Colonel Nettles served as Infantry Officer, Judge Advocate Officer, Information Operations Officer and Red Team Leader. He also served for 28 years in the Texas Army National Guard, where he was activated for support operations in response to hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and border security.

Over his military career, Colonel Nettles has been awarded 24 awards and badges. Such recognition includes: three Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Action Badge. In keeping with the spirit of the Warrior Ethos, he was awarded the Combat Action Badge, which provides special recognition to Soldiers who personally engage the enemy, or are engaged by the enemy during combat operations. Colonel Nettles has also been awarded the Legion of Merit, one of the United States Military's most prestigious awards. The medal is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.

Mr. Speaker, our Nation's history is grounded in the efforts of our men and women who have served in uniform. We must continue to honor them after they have left the armed services by making sure that they have the access they need to educational, health, and career services. Colonel Nettles truly believes this; and so in 2014 I awarded Colonel Nettles the TX-17 Congressional Veterans Commendation. He received this recognition because beyond the medals and the stars, the pins and the ribbons, Colonel Nettles understands the meaning of giving back. He is a founding member and active supporter of the local Wounded Warriors chapter, which has raised tens of thousands of dollars to support our heroes wounded in the line of duty. He is also the Vice Chairman of Brazos Valley Cares, which works to provide financial support for veterans and their families.

I am also proud to call Colonel Nettles a fellow Former Student of Texas A&M University. He earned his bachelor's degree in business management and has embraced what it means to be an Aggie, especially the core values of excellence and selfless-service. In addition to his significant military service, Colonel Nettles has kept his ties to the university and given back to the Aggie community. Through a large financial gift, he has helped ensure that Texas A&M maintains its global footprint and continues to influence students around the world.

Today, I have requested that a United States flag be flown over the United States Capitol to honor the many contributions of Colonel Bentley Nettles. As I close, I urge all Americans to continue praying for our country during these difficult times, for our military men and women who protect us from external threats, and for our first responders who protect us here at home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Wilton A. Lanning of Waco, Texas, who upon his retirement from the Waco Business League, received the Waco Business League Lifetime Achievement Award. This award was established in 2009 to honor individuals in the Waco community that embody the exemplary ideals and values of society, and have had a substantial impact on the community.

As Executive Director of the Waco Business League, Wilton Lanning utilized his wealth of experience and his love for the city of Waco to support local businesses, grow the economy, and foster opportunity. He also serves as a member of the Board of the Brazos Higher Education Service Corporation, where he furthers their goal of providing students and families with resources they need to make informed decisions about financing their higher education and building a better life.

Some of Wilton's notable past contributions to the Waco business community include serving on the boards of Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, the Waco Industrial Foundation, and the Waco Mammoth Foundation. Wilton is a past Chairman of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, member of the Board of the Vanguard College Preparatory School, and past Chairman of the Board of the YMCA.

Though transcending his influence in the business community, Wilton has built his life on a foundation of serving and giving back to others--a value he learned as an Eagle Scout and certainly reinforced by his father who served as a captain in the U.S. Army. Wilton has been a life-long supporter of Baylor University and an active member of the Baylor Alumni Association. In fact, his family has received the Baylor Alumni Association's First Family of Baylor Award. He has received the National Philanthropy ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' and the Waco Junior Chamber of Commerce has recognized him with their ``Distinguished Service Award.''

Mr. Speaker, Wilton A. Lanning worked tirelessly to better the Waco community. From his 40 years at Waco's then-oldest business, Padgitt's, to his time with the Business League, Wilton has certainly left an enduring impression on Central Texas. He will always be known as a great philanthropist and businessman; but I am confident that above all else he would want to be known first as a husband to LaNell, father to Bill and Robert, and servant of Christ through his leadership at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church.

Today, I have requested that a United States flag be flown over the United States Capitol to honor the many contributions of Wilton A. Lanning.

As I close, I urge all Americans to continue praying for our country during these difficult times, for our military men and women who protect us from external threats, and for our first responders who protect us here at home.

``No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

``No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State.''

Amendment XII:

``The electors shall meet in their respective States and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, . . .''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Royce Hickman, an outstanding individual who has been serving as President/CEO of the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce since 1998.

Royce has held a number of high profile positions throughout his business career. He is a past member of the Executive Committee of the Texas Association of Business. In addition, he served on the Board of Directors and as Chairman of the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives.

Just recently, Royce was presented with the 2014 Distinguished Service Award by the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives. He was awarded this recognition for his leadership as chairman of the state organization. During his time as Chairman he led the organization towards its current thriving position.

Royce is a past Chairman of the Texas A&M Association of Former Students, a past president of the friends of the Sterling C. Evans library and in 2007 was presented with the International Excellence Award in the Community by Texas A&M University. He currently serves on the George Bush School of Government and Public Services Development Council, the Texas A&M Career Center Advisory Council and the Bush School Public Service Organization Advisory Board. He also serves on the local March of Dimes Board and on several committees at his Church.

Royce is a great asset to the Brazos Valley. His service to our community has helped it grow and prosper. He has shown tremendous dedication and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty. Most importantly, he has been a committed husband to his wife, Mary, and a nurturing leader for his children and grandchildren.

Today we are thrilled to recognize and honor Royce Hickman's devotion, dedication and loyalty to our nation, our state, our community, and his family.

Mr. Speaker, before I close, I ask everyone to continue to pray for our country and for our military men and women that protect it.

God bless the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (S. 2338) to reauthorize the United States Anti-Doping Agency, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (S. 3008) to extend temporarily the extended period of protection for members of uniformed services relating to mortgages, mortgage foreclosure, and eviction, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a privileged concurrent resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today on a motion offered pursuant to this order, it adjourn to meet at noon on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in H. Con. Res. 125, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of today, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 3 o'clock and 10 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at noon, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its adoption of H. Con. Res. 125, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Vera Babers on her 100th birthday which took place on June 16, 2014. Ms. Babers has led a remarkable life that is grand in accomplishments through her hard work and dedication. I join her family, friends, and the community of Calvert, Texas in celebrating this event. I wish her more years of happiness, fulfillment, and health. Congratulations to Ms. Babers on her centennial birthday milestone.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Clara Mae Miller on her 100th birthday. Ms. Miller has led a remarkable life that is grand in accomplishments through her hard work and dedication. I join her family, friends, and the community of Calvert, Texas in celebrating this event. I wish her more years of happiness, fulfillment, and health. Congratulations to Ms. Miller on her centennial birthday milestone.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to instruct and yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, the motion to instruct would instruct the House conferees to recede from disagreement with the Senate with respect to section 203 of the Senate amendment to H.R. 3230, which would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to use unobligated balances to hire additional health providers.

It would also instruct the House conferees to recede to the Senate position on all other matters.

This is the fifth such motion that has been introduced in the last 10 days. None of them have brought us any closer to reaching the compromise our veterans deserve in the fiscally responsible manner that respects the rights of our taxpayers.

In addition, none of them have brought us any closer to correcting the systemic bureaucratic deficiencies that have led to thousands of veterans waiting for weeks, months, or even years to get the care that they need.

Today, our attention is best spent devoted on working in tandem with our Senate counterparts to find a true compromise. Instead, here we are, yet again, debating an unnecessary, unhelpful, and unbinding motion to instruct.

Mr. Speaker, just yesterday afternoon, Chairman Miller offered a formal proposal to the conference committee that would do the following:

First, it would accept title I through title VII of the original Senate bill, along with additional amended language to include the Oklahoma lease authorization that was included in the House-passed bill, H.R. 3521, but that was left out of the Senate language.

Second, it would provide the VA with $102 million for fiscal year 2014 to address the Department's internal funding shortfalls.

Third, it would provide $10 billion of no-year, mandatory emergency funding to cover the cost of the Senate's choice provision, with the remaining Senate provisions subject to appropriations on an annual basis.

I am supportive of Chairman Miller's proposal, and I, like him, continue to remain optimistic that the House and Senate conferees will be able to successfully accomplish our mission and come to an agreement in advance of the August district work period which is scheduled to begin next week.

There are many important aspects of the bill where the House and the Senate do agree. Recently, however, Senator Sanders, who is the chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and the cochair of the conference committee, has indicated his desire to expand the scope of the conference to include the VA's recent request for as much as an additional $17.6 billion.

The VA health care system has not yet proven itself able to make effective use of the resources that it has been provided. Increasing those resources significantly at this time would be irresponsible, particularly in light of the insufficient details that the VA has provided about how it arrived at this request and how, specifically, this money would be used to increase access for our Nation's veterans and increase accountability for VA bureaucrats.

This summer, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee has received hours of testimony from VA leaders and key, outside stakeholders in an effort to thoroughly understand and evaluate the access and accountability failures of the VA and, by extension, our Nation's veterans, the problems that they have been experiencing.

Those hearings have confirmed that the problems the VA is facing today require long-term and large-scale reform that more money, more people, and more buildings will not bring, by themselves.

Mr. Speaker, we are continually trying to work out a deal with the Senate, and I would argue that these motions to instruct have become not just tiresome but, in fact, they have become very counterproductive.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the motion to instruct, and to allow the conference committee the time and the latitude to work and reach the best possible compromise for the benefit of America's veterans. Our veterans deserve nothing less.

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to know that politics have not been part of this discussion in the conference committee, and any assertions to that standpoint are not true.

In terms of the manana comment, I will say this. We have worked diligently on the conference committee, on both sides of the aisle, to try to get to a solution with the Senate. We will continue to do that.

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

I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, the gentleman made a profound comment, and that is that money alone is not a guarantee of quality care for veterans, and that is one of the issues at stake here in the negotiations.

The Senate has decided to use this crisis to grab more money for the VA, when we are not sure the VA can handle the money it has appropriated today, which is substantial.

We want to make sure that we fix the VA right and do it right the first time. That is the crux of the issue. That is the objective that really gives our veterans the quality care that they deserve, and that is what the conference committee is committed to do.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I urge all Members to oppose the motion to instruct. The conference committee is working diligently on both sides of the aisle to try to reach agreement with the Senate, and we want to do it in a responsible manner that puts the interests of our Nation's veterans at the forefront of the negotiations, but also is respectful of the resources required from our taxpayers to meet that objective.

So, again, I urge Members to oppose the motion to instruct. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall 433 I inadvertently voted ``nay'' when I intended to vote ``yea.'' I would like to make it clear that I support H.R. 4450, the Travel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act of 2014.