Floor Statements

I thank Ranking Member Waters for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.J. Res. 41 and in support of the SEC rule requiring resource extraction companies to disclose payments to governments.

Historically, payment for resources is a huge source of corruption in developing countries, which, for most of us, is morally abhorrent; but what I want to talk about is the competitive advantage that we gain when we embrace the principles of the democratic rule of law, transparency, and morality that our financial system depends upon. We passed Dodd-Frank to strengthen our financial system in a time of crisis but also to make it more transparent and effective for American consumers and investors.

Section 1504 of Dodd-Frank directed the SEC to publish a rule requiring issuers to disclose the types and amounts of payments for each project and to each government annually. The provision improved disclosures made to financial regulators and to investors.

Private and public institutional investors--representing trillions of dollars invested on behalf of American families--voiced support to the SEC in favor of the rule. There are two main reasons for this support from institutional investors:

First, all investors want to be able to review payments to all governments, to assess the exposure the issuer may have to corruption risk. The SEC has jurisdiction over compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and investors need to know whether fines for potentially corrupt payments could be levied against firms in which they are considering investing.

Investors should always have the right to know material information about the firms, and systemic noncompliance with the law is always material. It should not take an event of noncompliance that has been uncovered by the regulators to inform investors when simple transparency requirements, like the annual reporting of payments, can alert them to the risk.

Secondly, some investors may simply want to stay away from investments in firms that make payments to certain governments. Many resource-rich nations in the developing world lack a democratic rule of law and are often governed by oppressive regimes that exploit their land and environment, extracting resources for their rulers' financial gain at the expense of their citizens. Investors have the right to know this information because they own the company and may feel a moral responsibility for its action.

For these two reasons, extractive payments are information crucial to an investor's analysis of an issuer's securities.

The United States equity markets are the most efficient in the world because we have strong disclosure laws and strong enforcement at the SEC. The disclosure of payments made to foreign governments is a relevant factor in valuing securities and is crucial to avoiding asymmetries in information, which can and will be exploited. These disclosures actually enable the market to police an issuer by punishing excessive payments to questionable governments with a devaluation of its equities.

In short, there are three market-based reasons to disclose payments to foreign governments:

First, these disclosures promote market integrity; second, they provide investors with crucial information for valuing securities; third, they enable investors to make ethical values-based decisions on where they allocate their resources--a right that we should be enhancing rather than eroding.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.J. Res. 41.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh's tenth

annual ``Health for Humanity Yogathon'' or ``Surya Namaskar Yajna.'' Surya Namaskar integrates simple yoga postures in 10-steps that, along with teaching easy breathing techniques, can provide immense health benefits to both the body and the mind.

Each year, Hindus worldwide celebrate January 14th as Makar Sankranti--a day that marks the change of season as the sun enters the sign of Capricorn or Makar. To mark this occasion, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh has organized the ``Yoga for Health, Health for Humanity'' Yogathon from January 14, 2017-January 29, 2017. The 16-day event will raise awareness about yoga and its advantages in achieving a healthy body, mind, and spirit.

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh is a voluntary, non-profit, social and cultural organization, which aims at preserving and passing on the Hindu heritage and cultural values to the next generation of Hindus and raise awareness around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 10th annual Health for Humanity Yogathon.

Madam Speaker, this weekend we saw millions of Americans march in cities and towns across the country and around the world--far more than attended the inauguration the day before.

I joined the march in Chicago, where one of the most visible concerns was women's reproductive freedom. Today, House Republicans, roughly 90 percent of them White males, responded by showing the women of America exactly how little they respect those rights.

Madam Speaker, a party that lost the popular vote by almost 3 million votes does not have a mandate to deny women the right to make their own healthcare decisions.

Perhaps I should remind my Republican colleagues that unless you are their doctor, they don't need your opinion. Women in the Federal workforce, low-income women, women in the military, women employed by small businesses are all perfectly capable of having a conversation with their doctor about their health.

So I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the bill and ``no'' to disrespecting the women of America.

Mr. Speaker, once again, our country is seeing the dangerous effects of failing to listen to science.

In 2000, the United States had effectively eliminated endemic measles--an effort 40 years in the making--but all of that progress is quickly coming undone, not by an act of nature but by willful ignorance.

Last year, there were 644 cases of measles in the United States--the highest number in 20 years. Already this year, there have been 102 cases in 14 States, including in my home State of Illinois.

This is a dangerous game and one that some elected officials are encouraging. As leaders, it is our duty to inform the public of the truth. For those of us with scientific and medical backgrounds, this duty falls even more seriously.

When you fail to vaccinate, it is not just yourself and your children that you are putting in danger; it is everyone you come into contact with. And when politicians give voice to misinformation and paranoia, they are putting us all at risk.

Measles may not spread as fast as erroneous sound bites and tweets, but they both have the potential to cause a great amount of damage.

I know that many of my colleagues have reminded us that they are not scientists as they use this as an excuse for their advocacy of bad public policy, but it does not take a scientist to realize that opposing vaccines is wrong.

Absent a valid medical reason for exclusion, vaccines are critical for every man, woman, and child in our country--period.

Madam Speaker, as the 114th Congress continues to set its course for the coming term, I rise today to honor Jerry ``J.R.'' McBride, a member of the DuPage County Board, who died of cancer in October at the young age of 47.

I rise not to dwell on his passing but to suggest that we all may take a moment to learn a few lessons from his life. J.R., as he was affectionately called, lived his life by focusing on the needs of others.

He was a family man. He cared deeply about his wife, Becky, and his five children. He was a community man, helping more area nonprofit organizations than I have time to mention here.

Perhaps most important for those of us in Congress, J.R. was a public servant who put the needs of his community and his constituents ahead of politics and partisanship.

J.R. was an equal opportunity listener and a friend to Republicans and Democrats alike. He knew the importance of cooperation and of compromise, of humor and humanity. He saw in his fellow public servants the common aspiration to do what is right for the people that we have been elected to represent.

Mr. McBride recognized that we are all in this together, and he was committed to working together for the greater good. That lesson, along with his accomplishments for DuPage County and his memory, will live on.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Professor David Hillyer Voorhees and his election as an Education Section Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Mr. Voorhees is an associate professor of earth science and geology at Waubonsee Community College, which has campuses in Sugar Grove and Aurora, Illinois. He is being honored for his contributions as an educator and for his role in creating Geo2YC, a national organization for geoscience faculty at two-year colleges. Geo2YC, a division of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers, brings professors from two-year institutions together for networking, support, and research into geoscience education.

I would like to thank Mr. Voorhees for his commitment to science and quality education in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the firefighters and paramedics of the East Joliet Fire Protection District and to recognize the past 75 years of service to the community of Joliet, Illinois.

Since the formation of the East Joliet Fire Protection District in 1940, the protection of our community has been in the hands of truly dedicated volunteers and professionals. With each alarm, the firefighters, paramedics and support staff of the East Joliet Fire Protection District perform heroic acts to save lives and protect property. If not for its service, many businesses, homes, and members of our community would not be here today.

I would like to thank the members of the East Joliet Fire Protection District for all that they do to protect the community they have set out to serve.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Eisenhower Academy in Joliet, Illinois, which was ranked the best elementary school in Will County by the Chicago Tribune.

I would like to recognize the teachers, administrators, and students of this magnet school for their commitment to learning. The rankings were based on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) and found that over 94 percent of students in grades three through five met or exceeded expectations.

Although 100 percent of the students at the school come from low- income families, through hard work and with the support of teachers and parents, these students have already achieved something remarkable. I look forward to following their progress.

Congratulations to Eisenhower Academy and Joliet Public Schools District 86. I would like to thank the teachers, administrators, parents and students for their hard work and dedication.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor Companeros en Salud/ Partners in Health, a not-for-profit grass roots organization in Aurora, Illinois that is celebrating its 15th Anniversary.

Since 1999, Companeros en Salud/Partners in Health, NFP has provided assistance for members of the Hispanic community and other diverse groups to ensure equal access to health care and other social services in the Fox Valley. I would especially like to recognize Dr. Lulu Blacksmith, Companeros en Salud's founder, for her dedication and leadership of the organization.

Through programs such as the Latina Health Festival, the Men's Health Festival, and Language Access Healthcare, Companeros en Salud has become an important resource for our community. Since its founding, the organization has been expanding its focus into areas such as mental health and diabetes, while still offering high quality service to those who need assistance the most.

I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Companeros en Salud/Partners in Health, NFP as it celebrates its 15th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Patrick B Perez and his tenure as the Sheriff of Kane County.

Sheriff Perez retired on Sunday, November 30th, 2014 after over 22 years of service to Kane County. Since becoming the first Hispanic sheriff of Kane County in 2006, Sheriff Perez had many successes, including his efforts to combat gang violence, heroin and other substance abuse problems in Kane County. During his tenure, the city of Aurora saw a 13-month period from 2012-2013 of no reported murders. Sherriff Perez oversaw the creation of the agency's website, which sees more than one million visitors a year, and the construction of a new shooting range for the 244 officers who must show competence with their weapons twice a year. He also led successful charitable efforts and community outreach programs, such as the citizens' police academy and the annual car show.

He served with professionalism, a strong work ethic, and a sense of duty to the officers under his command and the community they

serve. I congratulate Sheriff Perez on his retirement and thank him for his service to Kane County.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Charles McLimans, the President and CEO of Loaves & Fishes Community Services in Naperville, Illinois.

Loaves & Fishes is a nonprofit community organization that has become an institution for Naperville and DuPage County for both the population it serves and the over 1,500 volunteers that help every year. The Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry provided aid to over 18,000 people in 2012-2013, handling over 3 million pounds of groceries. Additionally, the organization's Pathways to Empowerment program assists people in accessing vital community services and training courses.

Mr. McLimans is stepping down as President and CEO on January 9, 2014 after seven years leading the organization. Under his leadership, Loaves & Fishes has moved to a new home, added additional services such as healthcare counseling and computer classes, and expanded its coverage to serve all of DuPage County.

I would like to thank Charles McLimans for his service to our community and for his tireless efforts in the fight against hunger.

Mr. Speaker, it is far too common for Members of Congress to come to the floor of this Chamber to weave their narrative of incompetent Federal bureaucracies, lazy and unresponsive members of the unionized Federal workforce, and greedy and irresponsible Federal contractors. I rise today to tell a very different story.

On September 26, 2014, commercial flights in nearly every airport around this country were delayed or canceled after the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center, also known as Chicago Center, in Aurora, Illinois, was disabled in an act of sabotage by a disturbed individual.

A fire destroyed the communications equipment that processes flight plan data and enabled air traffic controllers at the facility to communicate with pilots in the 91,000 square miles of airspace for which they are responsible. This could have led to a tragic loss of life. However, due to the efforts of controllers at Chicago Center and adjacent air traffic control facilities, all planes in the air when Chicago Center lost communications were landed safely.

Nearly 200 of the controllers at Chicago Center then traveled to 12 air traffic control towers and terminal radar approach controls throughout the Midwest to help direct air traffic. At the same time, technicians, mechanics, and electricians were working around the clock to replace damaged equipment and restore the Chicago Center facilities.

In total, they replaced 10 miles of cable, dozens of racks of computers, and 835 communication circuits to restore the center's voice communications, radar flight planning, and weather capabilities.

As a scientist who has installed giant experiments and accelerators on tight time scales, I respect what they have accomplished. Professional restoration crews also removed fire, soot, smoke, and water damage from the affected areas, and all of this was accomplished in just over 2 weeks.

Mr. Speaker, despite significant challenges, Chicago airports were able to operate at more than 90 percent capacity within days of the fire. One week after the fire, Administrator Huerta visited Chicago Center with me and my colleagues in the Senate to assess the progress of the restoration.

While it was clear that the damage had been extensive, I drew confidence from what I saw. Everyone understood what they needed to do for the sake of

the traveling public. They set an aggressive schedule for repairs, and they kept it.

The air traffic controllers, FAA employees, and contractors who responded to this crisis performed admirably and deserve our sincere thanks and appreciation. Under difficult circumstances, members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association from throughout the Midwest rose to the challenge and kept the flying public safe. Within 4 days of the fire, O'Hare Airport regained its title as the busiest airport in the world.

I would like to say a special thank you to Toby Hauck, the Chicago Center NATCA Facility Representative; Gerry Waloszyk, the Chicago Center PASS facility Representative; Bill Cound, the Chicago Center Air Traffic Manager; Mike Paulsen, the Chicago Center Technical Operations Group Manager; and everyone else who worked to restore Chicago Center. Because of all of you, by October 13, repairs were completed, and Chicago Center returned to full capacity.

Mr. Speaker, important lessons have been learned, that the fire that crippled Chicago Center not only affected flights departing and arriving in the Midwest, but also those flying through Chicago's airspace to reach their destinations.

Between Friday and Sunday, more than 3,000 flights were canceled at O'Hare alone. The estimated cost to the airlines has been reported to be more than $350 million in total. However, what made this crisis unique wasn't the number of delays or cancelled flights. It was that just one person was able to disrupt the travel plans of so many thousands of people.

The systems that protect the flying public must be made more robust. Although the fundamental redundancy had been built into the system--the ability for nearby radar systems to see into the Chicago airspace--the FAA must and is improving contingency plans to restore service much faster than it was able to do.

In the long term, the best way to ensure the safety and reliability of the National Airspace System is to facilitate the transition to the NextGen air traffic transportation system.

Mr. Speaker, currently, the ground-based radar system is the foundation of the National Airspace System. NextGen will rely on GPS satellites that are more accurate than ground-based radar. It will also include a transition from radio voice communications to a digital network that is similar to the mobile phone service. This transition to NextGen will enable air traffic controllers to reestablish air traffic control services much more quickly after this type of disaster.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in commending the FAA's response team on a job well done and to support the President's request for full funding for implementing NextGen in the 114th Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support my resolution to establish December 3 as National 3-D Printing Day. As an entrepreneur, myself, who built a manufacturing company from the ground

up, I know firsthand how invaluable this technology is. Advances in 3-D printing are creating unprecedented opportunities for entrepreneurs and manufacturers to develop new products and bring their ideas to life.

When I think of the long hours that my brother and I spent in the machine shop building parts for our first prototype, parts that could now be built quickly and easily with 3-D printing, it makes me envious of today's startups.

From biotechnology to food production to advanced manufacturing, 3-D printing is creating endless opportunities for innovation. Additionally, 3-D printing technology is a great teaching tool for students. There is nothing like the look of awe on students' faces as they watch a 3-D printer build something that they designed, something that started out as their idea that they can now hold in their hand. It is also a great way of teaching them the value of coordinate geometry.

So it is critical that we continue to develop this technology and recognize the importance in the modern economy and in inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in STEM and advanced manufacturing.

Again, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing December 3 as National 3-D Printing Day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Union School District 81--a single school district in Joliet, Illinois--for winning an Award of Merit from the Illinois State Board of Education for outstanding improvement and effort.

This district has undergone a transformation that would have seemed impossible 2 years ago. Since then, in addition to a renewed focus on academics, the school has built its first playground, provided computers for all students in the third through eighth grades, and added 18 days of school for

students, all while improving its financial rating. The teachers, administrators, staff, parents, and students of Union School District 81 deserve this commendation for their hard work and for their dedication.

I would also like to recognize the efforts of Superintendent Tim Baldermann for his dedication to providing a top-quality education for all of his students. I congratulate them on their important achievement.

I would like to thank the ranking member for her leadership on this issue.

Mr. Chairman, we frequently hear my colleagues across the aisle say, ``I am not a scientist,'' in response to a stance they may be taking on a matter which has a strong technical or scientific aspect to it. Well, I am a scientist, and that is why I am standing today in strong opposition to the Secret Science Reform Act.

Even my colleagues in the House who are not scientists, when they have a question of law, they will consult a lawyer, but that doesn't seem to be the case where science is concerned. I think that it would be good if in this House we spent a little while listening to the scientists who are concerned with these issues.

Today, a letter was introduced into the Record from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, signed by 42 organizations representing scientific organizations and research universities. In the letter, they state that the research community is concerned about how some of the key terms in this bill could be interpreted or misinterpreted, especially terms such as ``materials,'' ``data,'' and ``reproducible.''

Would the Environmental Protection Agency, for example, be excluded from utilizing research that involved physical specimens or biological materials that are not easily accessible? How would the Agency address research that combines both public and necessarily private data?

These are all important questions which this legislation and, sadly, this debate have not addressed, so I stand alongside thousands of my colleagues in science in opposition to the Secret Science Reform Act and in support of what has been referred to in this debate as ``so- called peer review.'' Let us scientists set the scientific standards and not Washington politicians.