Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished life and career of William T. Coleman, Jr., a fellow Pennsylvanian, who passed away on March 31, 2017 at the age of 96.

Coleman served our Nation as the fourth Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, from March 7, 1975 to January 20, 1977. He was nominated by and served under President Gerald R. Ford.

Ironically, just one day after the passing of Secretary Coleman, the Department he once led marked its 50th anniversary of operation.

President Ford nominated Coleman, a fellow Republican, to serve as Secretary based in part on his expertise in transportation law. During his tenure at the Department, he worked to strengthen the long-term viability of the U.S. rail industry, oversaw the opening of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's automobile test facility at East Liberty, Ohio, established the Materials Transportation Bureau to address pipeline and hazardous materials transportation safety, and opened the United States to flights of the Concorde aircraft.

As Transportation Secretary, William Coleman was beloved by Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. My father served on the Public Works and Transportation Committee during Secretary Coleman's tenure. The two were good friends, even though they didn't agree on every issue. On one occasion, the previous Congressman Shuster gave the Secretary a particularly difficult time during a committee hearing. Afterwards, my father received a bottle of wine from the Secretary and a note that said, ``I hope we're still friends.'' Although it never crossed my father's mind that they wouldn't be, Secretary Coleman's gesture is one small example of why he was so well respected.

By the time William Coleman was sworn in as the Secretary of Transportation, he had already made his important and indelible mark on U.S. history.

Coleman was the second African American to serve in a cabinet-level post, following Robert Weaver, who served as housing secretary under President Johnson. Appropriately enough, his oath of office was administered by Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, with whom Coleman had previously worked alongside to help end discrimination and secure greater equality for all Americans.

For example, they worked together--Coleman writing legal briefs for Marshall--on Brown v. Board of Education, the case which ultimately ended the doctrine of ``separate but equal'' and segregation in our public school system. This alone would have been an exceptional achievement for an African American from the Germantown area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who attended a segregated elementary school.

However, Coleman also later argued against a law that prohibited interracial couples from living together, and soon after, the Supreme Court ended all prohibitions against interracial marriage in the United States.

Coleman was the first African American to serve as law clerk to a Supreme Court Justice, worked to defend civil rights activists, and served as president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. He also served as a lawyer on the Warren Commission, charged with investigating President Kennedy's assassination. During his career, Coleman served in the military, argued 19 cases before the Supreme Court, co-chaired the White House Conference on Civil Rights, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995.

Ably serving as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation would have been a notable enough accomplishment, but William T. Coleman, Jr. achieved much more than that. He will be remembered as a thoughtful, dedicated, and just man who helped spearhead the fight for equal rights for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Letterkenny Army Depot in my district on receiving its 10th Shingo Medallion for Operational Excellence.

Shingo Prizes are awarded to organizations that not only provide great results, but also go above and beyond to cultivate a culture of enablers and streamliners in the workplace. The high bar set to achieve the award led Businessweek to dub Shingo Awards the ``Nobel Prize of Manufacturing.'' Letterkenny made history in 2005 when it became the first Army Depot to win a Shingo Institute prize, when the depot was awarded the Silver Medallion.

Eleven years later, Letterkenny Army Depot was just awarded this year's Bronze Medallion for its Patriot launcher new-build program--its 10th medallion in 13 years. This is the first time an Army depot built a new Patriot air and missile defense system major end item, and to have it result in a Shingo Medallion exemplifies Letterkenny Army Depot's deep commitment to manufacturing excellence. With more than 20 years of experience in working with the Patriot missile system, and now 10 Shingo Medallions in the last 13 years, it is clear that Letterkenny is delivering outstanding results and support to our national defense.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to congratulate Letterkenny Army Depot on its 10th Shingo Medallion. This is an outstanding achievement, and I encourage all of my colleagues to celebrate Letterkenny's success as a crucial installation to central Pennsylvania and to the security of our nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Cambria County Farm Bureau in Pennsylvania's 9th and 12th Congressional Districts for reaching a huge milestone: its 50th Anniversary.

The Cambria County Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization consisting of members from the local agricultural community who help develop and implement policy for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

Since its founding in 1967, the Cambria County Farm Bureau has been instrumental in providing legislative outreach and information and services for area farmers and rural families. It plays a critical role in representing the local agricultural industry on a wide variety of issues impacting it at the federal and state levels.

Cambria County has a rich tradition of farming that is being upheld today by hundreds of local farms that help feed and nourish the citizens of Pennsylvania, our nation, and those around the world.

The Cambria County Farm Bureau will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a dinner in Carrolltown on March 29th that includes guest speakers Vincent ``Zippy'' Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation and Rick Ebert, President of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

As such, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate the Cambria County Farm Bureau and its dedicated members on this 50th Anniversary milestone, and wish them an even brighter future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Mason Dixon Homeschoolers Association (MDHSA) on its 30th year of service to families in Pennsylvania and Maryland.

The Mason Dixon Homeschoolers Association was founded in 1986 by two families in Franklin County, Pennsylvania who wanted to homeschool their children. Martin and Mary Hudzinski, along with Barbara and Michael Sniders, were surprised to find out that families all over Pennsylvania were being denied the right to home-educate their children. They began organizing with other families who wanted to see the law changed as opposed to leaving the state to educate their children elsewhere, as some families had done. Soon, the MDHSA had seven families, and its members along with other homeschoolers in Pennsylvania worked for the passage of Act 169, signed by the governor in 1988, which allowed parents and guardians the choice of homeschooling their children.

Today, the MDHSA's membership has grown to support nearly 200 families. In 1997 they were authorized by the PA Department of Education to issue high school diplomas, and their first graduate was in 1998. Today, the MDHSA issues around 200 diplomas each year. In addition to providing their member families learning materials, they also provide their students with monthly assemblies for guest speakers to attend, classes taught by other homeschooling parents or outside experts in a particular field, field trips for its members, and even a yearly high school prom. Their graduates have become physicians, public school teachers, human rights workers, welders, and much, much more.

Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to congratulate the MDHSA on three decades of history and service to the Central Pennsylvania community, and to thank all who have helped this organization continue its success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Donna Gority on receiving the Central Blair Recreation and Park Commission's (CBRC) Respected Citizen Award for 2017.

This is not the first time I have had the honor to congratulate Mrs. Gority. I had the privilege of congratulating her on her retirement in 2012 for 28 accomplished years in public office. Mrs. Gority, the first female member of the Blair County Board of Commissioners, is well known in central Pennsylvania for her extensive track record of dedicated service, advocating strongly for children and human services, and being a loud voice for the citizens of Blair County on all community issues.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that Donna, in her usual manner, has not slowed down. In fact, Mike Hofer, the Executive Director of the CBRC, said that it is possible Donna may be busier now since before her retirement in 2012. This example set by Donna is one we all should strive for. Her willingness to serve her community and Pennsylvania, especially as a private citizen, sets her apart as an outstanding individual and I am honored to represent her in the United States Congress.

Mrs. Gority will be honored February 25, 2017 with the Respected Citizen Award by the Central Blair Recreation and Park Commission at the 8th Annual Community Classic Dinner and Auction at the Bavarian Hall in Altoona. I congratulate Donna and her family on this recognition, and thank her for her extraordinary contributions to the community. I ask that all of my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives join me in congratulating Donna for this achievement and wishing her nothing but continued success.

Mr. Speaker, we started this week with National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. I appreciate every colleague of mine who came to praise our men and women who keep us safe in the most perilous of times. The greatest souls of this nation run towards the danger, never thinking of themselves, but always ensuring those around them are safe. These men and women are our protectors, our guards, our stalwarts. And I rise today to pay tribute to one of the greatest in our nation, who was senselessly and tragically taken from us too soon.

Landon Eugene Weaver was a proud son of Pennsylvania. He was born in Altoona, and graduated from Central High School in Martinsburg. He attended the Indiana University of Pennsylvania until he was accepted into the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey, achieving his life-long dream to become a State Trooper. On June 4th last year, he married his high school sweetheart Macy at Zion Lutheran Church in Williamsburg. Thirteen days later, Trooper Weaver graduated from the State Police Academy and was assigned to Troop G of the Pennsylvania State Police, Huntingdon Barracks where he proudly swore his life to protecting and defending our commonwealth. Like most of us, Landon and his wife had big plans for the New Year and their life ahead. They were going to buy a house and start a family together. Landon was going to continue doing the only job he has ever wanted to do--protect his community as a Pennsylvania State Trooper.

Mr. Speaker, Trooper Weaver's short watch came to an end on December 30, 2016, just 49 days after his 23rd birthday. Trooper Weaver was responding to a domestic incident in Juniata Township, Huntingdon County, when he was shot and killed. He died doing what he did every day, trying to make life for others a little bit better and a little bit safer than the day before.

Last Thursday, January 5th, was Landon's funeral. It was here, Mr. Speaker, where the true magnitude of our community's loss could be felt the most. His wife Macy, now a young widow, was forced to say farewell to her best friend and husband. Landon's parents had to do the hardest thing a parent ever has to do: put their son to rest. More than 1,000 law enforcement officers from around the nation, representing virtually every state, attended Trooper Weaver's funeral to say goodbye to their brother. Police uniforms of every color and squad cars of every design followed Trooper Weaver, lights flashing, to escort him to his final resting place in Martinsburg.

Trooper Weaver lived up to the call of honor of the Pennsylvania State Police, which states:

I am a Pennsylvania State Trooper, a soldier of the law. To

me is entrusted the honor of the force. I must serve

honestly, faithfully, and if need be, lay down my life as

others have done before me, rather than swerve from the path

of duty. It is my duty to obey the law and to enforce it

without any consideration of class, color, creed or

condition. It is also my duty to be of service to anyone who

may be in danger or distress, and at all times so conduct

myself that the honor of the force may be upheld.

My prayers are with Trooper Weaver's family, and the entire region that is struggling to make sense of this loss. Rest easy, Trooper, and may God bless every man and woman in the law enforcement community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Bishop Guilfoyle Marauder Football team, who capped off an undefeated season beating the Clariton Bears in the Division ``A'' State Championship.

Led by Coach Wheeler, BG's offense plowed through their opponents, posting 715 points this season and while I don't hold it against them, it became obvious BG was destined for a championship when I watched them defeat my nephew Michael Shuster and the Camp Hill Lions 62-21.

But the saying is: Defense wins championships.

And in the final minutes of the PIAA State Championship, the Marauder defense dug in and held the goal-line, defending multiple Clairton red-zone scoring attempts, securing the Maurader's 1-point lead, 19-18 straight to the Title.

And the character displayed by these young men gave all of us another reason to be proud to call Central Pennsylvania home.

I would also like to give special recognition to the seniors for dedicating their time and efforts to a team sport that they love. Many of these seniors have played football together since 4th grade, and for some of them the State Championship will serve as their last game of football, albeit a good note to go out on:

Berger, B. Chadbourn, McCloskey, Gormley, Kitt, Livoti, Luther, Miller, Price, and Wolf.

And the rest of the team: Hagg, Yasulitis, Coyler, Leamer, Degol, S. Donoughe, Little, Kozak, Keating, Irwin, Frederick, Runk, Green, Brumbaugh, Yahner, Callahan, Trexler, E. Chadbourn, Luther, Donnelly, Trybus, Freidenberger, Conrad, Ramsey, Ferrell, Leamer, P. Donoughe, Labroila, Georgiana, Pleva, Wills, Yasulitis, Berish, and Patterson.

And I would be remiss if I did not mention the Marauder's honorary captain, who truly exemplifies the spirit of Bishop Guilfoyle Football--Jorden McClure.

Congratulations to Coach Wheeler, and all of Bishop Guilfoyle for bringing home the State Championship.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on S. 1.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 100, I call up the bill (S. 1) to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1, the Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act. S. 1 passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 62-36. This bill is based on H.R. 3 which, last month, the House passed by a bipartisan vote of 266-153. S. 1 does not change any of the House provisions regarding the Keystone pipeline.

Here we are again on the floor with a bill that has been approved on a bipartisan basis three times in the last 4 months. It is time for the President to approve the Keystone pipeline.

His own administration has found the pipeline would have minimal impact on the environment. Congress has shown that there is Republican and Democrat support for the pipeline. The last remaining excuse for delay--pending litigation in Nebraska--has been resolved. I hope the President reconsiders his veto threat on this bill.

I think he should sign this bill because we all agree we need to invest in our Nation's infrastructure, and pipelines are critical to the economy. America's pipeline network is immense--2.6 million miles of pipe transporting natural gas, oil, and other hazardous materials.

Pipelines transport more energy product than any other mode of transportation in this country. Keystone will be a critical addition to the pipeline network, increasing our Nation's supply of oil and enhancing our energy independence.

This project will create good-paying American jobs. As the President has stated, ``First-class infrastructure attracts first-class jobs.'' Indeed, six unions representing over 3 million workers support this project, including the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, the International Union of Operating Engineers, the Laborers' International Union of North America, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the building and construction trade, and the Teamsters.

It is simply time to move forward on this project, so I urge all my colleagues

on both sides of the aisle to vote for S. 1, and I urge the President to sign this bill and allow infrastructure to be built in this country.

With that, Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Denham), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Mimi Walters).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar).

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mooney).

Madam Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves).

I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my friend from Chicago that all infrastructure jobs are temporary. Based on that argument, we shouldn't build roads, bridges, highways, or pipelines. All infrastructure jobs--construction jobs--are temporary. Second, I would like to remind my colleague that he voted against the appropriations bill to fund Homeland Security.

With that, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber).

I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

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

Once again, I ask my colleagues to support this bill, this pipeline, that is said to have been the most studied and will be the safest pipeline. It will help out one of our great allies, and it will help us keep energy costs down in this country. It will create over 40,000 infrastructure jobs. Yes, they are temporary, but as we all know, those jobs will go to helping the families of the construction workers. They will move on to other jobs, and these will also be a spinoff to other jobs to help keep this pipeline viable for years to come.

Let me finish with a final quote from a well-known American--an American respected by the other side of the aisle, an American trusted by the other side of the aisle, an American listened to by the other side of the aisle. He says:

The pipeline increases the diversity of available supplies

among the United States' worldwide crude oil sources in a

time of considerable political tension in other major oil

producing countries and regions; it shortens the

transportation pathway for crude oil supplies; and it

increases crude oil supplies from a major non-Organization of

Petroleum Exporting Countries producer. Canada is a stable

and reliable ally and trading partner of the United States

with which we have free trade agreements which augment the

security of this energy supply.

The approval of the permit sends a positive economic

signal, in a difficult economic period, about the future

reliability and availability of a portion of the United

States' energy imports, and in the immediate term, this

shovel-ready project will provide construction jobs for

workers in the United States.

That American, ladies and gentlemen, is President Barack Obama. He said that in 2009, but he was talking about the Enbridge Alberta Clipper. I don't know what has changed, but this quote could go right towards this pipeline. It does all of the same things, and it has all of the positive impact that that pipeline has. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, to send it to the President, and to ask the President to reconsider his veto threat.

Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton) control the remainder of my time.

Mr. Speaker, as the Co-Chairman of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I want to honor the people of Azerbaijan by recognizing the tragic events of 1990 commonly referred to as ``Black January.''

Twenty-four years ago yesterday, approximately 26,000 heavily armored Soviet soldiers poured into Azerbaijan's capital city of Baku and, with total indifference to human life, launched an assault on a crowd of peaceful demonstrators. Ultimately 131 civilians were killed by the aggressing Soviets. In addition, over 600 were injured, 841 arrested, and 5 went missing.

The Human Rights Watch report ``Black January in Azerbaijan'' described the Soviet's approach as though they were attacking ``an enemy position intended for military destruction.'' It states Soviet soldiers fired on clearly marked ambulances, crushed civilians with armored tanks, and used both automatic weapons and bayonets on the civilian population. Many believe that the destruction inflicted on Baku was a warning to other Republics of the Soviet Union in an attempt to stop the dissolution of Communist rule.

Ultimately, the atrocities of Black January united Azerbaijan like never before. The brutal show of force erased any residual hope for a reformed Soviet Union, such that Azerbaijan declared its independence twenty months later.

I thank the Azerbaijan people for their continued friendship with the United States and extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of those who lost their lives for the independence of Azerbaijan.

Mr. Chair, America is a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation built on the rule of law, and those who enter our country illegally disregard those laws.

Unfortunately, our President does not feel the same way.

Upon discovering he could not get support from Congress, he decided to circumvent the legislative branch through executive action and grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants.

He disregarded the separation of powers that our Founding Fathers laid out for our government, but more importantly he disregarded the American people.

That is why I am proud to stand here today with my colleagues to put a stop to this executive overreach, and to tell this President that he is not above the law.

Mr. Speaker, America is a nation of immigrants. Since the earliest days of our nation, countless generations have come from around the world to build a better life here for themselves, their children and their families.

But we are also a nation built on the rule of law, and those who enter our country illegally disregard those laws.

Illegal immigration is an injustice to every single person who followed the proper procedure when they came to the United States, and in an age of international terrorism and global pandemics, it presents a serious national security risk.

What we don't need right now is amnesty. Instead, we need strict border security and the proper enforcement of the laws we already have on the books.

Unfortunately, our president does not feel the same way.

Upon discovering he could not get support from Congress, he decided to circumvent the legislative branch through executive action and grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants.

He disregarded both the will of the American people and the separation of powers that our founding fathers laid out for our government.

By ignoring the core parts of our democracy, President Obama has shamefully overstepped his Constitutional authority.

A nation is nothing without total control over the sovereignty of its borders, and this executive action has only made the situation worse by offering a powerful incentive for more people to enter illegally.

Make no mistake: I am and always will be 100 percent opposed to blanket amnesty for illegal immigrants.

In the last election, the American people sent a message and elected Republicans to a majority in both the House and Senate.

Congress is now in a much stronger position to prevent this amnesty from being put in place, and we are working hard for the people to stop it.

That is why I am proud to stand here today with my colleagues to put a halt to this outrageous example of executive overreach, and to tell this president that he is not above the law.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 3.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 19, I call up the bill (H.R. 3) to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline, and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

I enthusiastically rise today to support H.R. 3, the Keystone XL Pipeline Act. And for those who have not heard, according to the administration, the

final hurdle has been removed, and that is that the Nebraska Supreme Court this morning has approved the pathway for the pipeline, the routing of the pipeline, the Keystone XL pipeline.

Again, the administration has said that was the major hurdle. It has fallen. So I hope the President is not going to establish another hurdle, that being himself.

America is undergoing an energy renaissance, and the prospect of securing North American energy independence is in sight. However, to achieve our goal of energy security, we need to make sure we have the infrastructure in place to keep pace with the changing energy landscape. Keystone will be a critical addition to the Nation's pipeline network, increasing our supply of oil and helping to reduce its cost.

The State Department completed its environmental analysis a year ago. However, there has still been no action by the administration on the pipeline.

There is simply no reason to delay this important project. As I mentioned, the President's main argument in this premature veto threat is that the bill would authorize the pipeline despite uncertainty due to ongoing litigation in Nebraska. Well, that uncertainty has ended this morning, and the Supreme Court of Nebraska has allowed the planned route to go forward in Nebraska. Again, there is simply no reason to delay. In fact, the southern leg of the pipeline has already been built.

In March 2012, in Oklahoma, the President expressed his support for expediting construction for the southern leg of the Keystone pipeline, and I agree with the President when he stated at that ceremony that he was directing his administration to cut through red tape, break through bureaucratic hurdles, and make this project a priority to go ahead and get it done. It was the right thing to do then, it is the right thing to do now, and it is exactly what this bill does.

We should move forward because this pipeline will be a tremendous boon to the economic development and one that doesn't require a single Federal dollar. The very nature of infrastructure improvement creates jobs, and Keystone is no exception.

I know my colleagues have made the argument that it is only temporary, but every infrastructure job is a temporary job. When a road is completed, when a bridge is completed, when a pipeline is completed, those construction workers move on to hopefully other construction jobs.

Indeed, five unions representing over 3 million workers--and I repeat that to my Democratic colleagues, five unions representing 3 million hardworking Americans--support this project, and I would like to submit their letter in the Record for support of this project.

International Brotherhood

of Teamsters,

Washington, DC, November 17, 2014.

U.S. Senate,

Washington, DC.

Dear Senator: I am writing to express the support of the

International Brotherhood of Teamsters for S. 2280, a bill to

approve the Keystone XL pipeline. The Keystone XL Pipeline

project has been subjected to over six and one-half years of

scrutiny, including review by 10 federal agencies, as well as

numerous state and local agency reviews. We believe that it

is time to end the delay and to move forward with the

construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. We ask you to

support S. 2280 when it comes to the Senate floor this week.

The Teamsters Union believes that the Keystone XL Pipeline

will contribute to enhanced energy security, economic

prosperity and, of critical importance, the creation of good

paying jobs. Unemployment in the building and construction

workforce remains too high. Construction of the pipeline will

provide much needed and good paying jobs for this workforce.

The utilization of a project labor agreement will enhance the

safety, technical performance, reliability and quality of the

project as well as maximize employment opportunities for

local residents along the proposed corridor. Further, the

fifty-seven special conditions agreed to for the project will

provide an even greater degree of safety than any typically

constructed domestic oil pipeline.

If the pipeline is not built, important socioeconomic

benefits will not be realized--the positive impacts of local,

state and federal revenue, spending by construction workers,

and spending on construction goods and services. Building the

Keystone XL Pipeline will enhance U.S. energy and economic

security. It is time to move forward without further delay.

Sincerely,

James P. Hoffa,

General President.

I want to name them off. It is the Teamsters; it is the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; it is the Laborers' International Union of North America; it is the Operating Engineers; it is the pipefitters of the United States and Canada all supporting this project. Again, they see it as positive economic impact.

When these jobs are completed, they will move on to other, hopefully, construction jobs; but what is left behind will have a positive impact to our economy, to job creation for a generation.

Our energy renaissance is helping make North America more secure and energy independent, and, in fact, I want to quote the President:

In this time of significant political uncertainty in key

oil-producing countries and regions, and in the context of a

difficult economic situation, non-OPEC Canada crude oil

supplies advance the energy security of the United States.

Now, I wish he would have said that about this pipeline, but he didn't. He said it in 2009 about the Enbridge pipeline, which started transferring oil sands from Canada to the gulf coast last month. The President, 5 years ago, supported this type of thing. He should support it now. So other than politics, I don't understand why he hasn't approved this project as he did with Enbridge. It is time to build.

Ladies and gentlemen, I especially look to my Democratic colleagues. Let's put down our gloves. Let's do something positive for America, for those 3 million union workers that are out there supporting this. Let's do what is good for the environment. Let's do what is good for energy independence.

Finally, let's be fair to our greatest friends in the world, our Canadian neighbors. They allowed us to build a pipeline across their land. We should allow them to do the same in ours. They are our best allies. They are our greatest friends. They are a great neighbor. So let us, today, pass this bill and build the Keystone pipeline.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I just want to remind my Democratic colleagues that, first of all, I am from Pennsylvania. Punxsutawney is several miles outside of my district. That is where Punxsutawney Phil resides. So I am somewhat knowledgeable on Groundhog Day. And I just want to point out to my Democratic colleagues that in the movie ``Groundhog Day,'' Bill Murray learned from his mistakes the day before and improved his situation each day. So hopefully today, your references to your learning from yesterday and how we can move forward--I think the Nebraska situation improves the whole situation for all of us. And I certainly don't question the wisdom of the Nebraska Supreme Court.

And with that, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hanna).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I just want to say that there have been 15 hearings on the Keystone pipeline. This is the 10th time we have debated it on the floor. This, quite possibly, could be the most debated piece of legislation in the history of Congress. I don't know that for sure. But I do know that it has been out there for 2,303 days, and 60 percent of the American people support it, while 20 percent don't support it. So I think the American people are fully aware of what is going on here. They understand it, and they do support it.

With that, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Emmer).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I would just like to remind the distinguished ranking member of the Transportation Committee, arguably the most knowledgeable man in Congress when it comes to transportation issues, with many years of service plus an intellect that is very sharp--I would never presume to tell him--I just want to remind him that the safest way to move product, to move oil is by pipeline. And I think the gentleman knows that, but I just wanted to remind him of that.

With that, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Cramer).

I yield 45 seconds to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).

I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Denham), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

I yield the gentleman an additional 15 seconds.

It is now my privilege to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Smith), a Nebraskan.

Mr. Speaker, it is now my privilege to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Comstock.)

Mr. Speaker, I now yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Reed).

I now yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Bucshon).

Mr. Speaker, the final hurdle has been removed. The Nebraska Supreme Court has said that the Keystone pipeline can move forward. That should be enough for my Democratic colleagues.

But there is more. It is safe. It is the safest way to transport this oil, this natural resource. It is the most studied pipeline. It is going to be safe and environmentally sound. It will protect the environment. It creates jobs. Don't listen to me; listen to the five unions that represent 3 million workers. Three million union workers say the Keystone pipeline should be built.

Mr. Speaker, it provides energy security for us, it is good for our economy, and it helps our allies--it strengthens our allies, and it weakens our enemies.

The last point is it is fair to our best friends in the world, the Canadians, who have allowed us to build a pipeline from Alaska to the lower 48. We ought to return the favor to our best friend--our best ally--and say: ``Yes, you can build a safe pipeline, you can build a pipeline that will help all of North America, that will help all of our allies around the world and weaken our enemies.''

With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 3, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Will the gentleman yield?

I thank the gentleman.

I am in agreement with the chairman of Energy and Commerce. This is, again, something to be dealt with on a tax bill.

Two things that are good have happened today. One, the Nebraska Supreme Court has removed the final hurdle to move this bill forward; and number two, my good friend from California and I agreed today on something--that this thing should be dealt with. But this is not the place or the time to deal with it.

Moving forward, we want to make sure that this is dealt with in the proper way, and I believe that the Ways and Means Committee will do that.

Madam Speaker, today I recognize the Bishop Guilfoyle Marauder football team, who capped off an undefeated season, beating the Clairton Bears in the Pennsylvania Division A State championship.

Led by Coach Wheeler, BG's offense plowed through their opponents, posting 715 points this season. While I don't hold it against them, it became obvious that BG was destined for a championship when I watched them defeat my nephew, Michael Shuster, and the Camp Hill Lions.

But defense wins championships, and in the final minutes of the State championship, BG's defense held the goal line, defending multiple Clairton scoring attempts, securing a 1-point lead, a 19-18 victory to the title.

The character displayed by these young men gives us another reason to be proud of the central Pennsylvania that we call home.

I would like to recognize the seniors who played their last games: Berger, Chadbourn, Gormley, Kitt, Livoti, Luther, McCloskey, Miller, Price, and Wolf, and especially the Marauder's honorary captain, who truly exemplifies the spirit of BG football, Jorden McClure.

Congratulations to Coach Wheeler and all of Bishop Guilfoyle for bringing home the State championship. If you are watching today, take notice; I have the team colors on.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Peter H. Stephaich on the occasion of his receipt of the River Bell Award for his contributions to our nation's water transportation infrastructure.

Mr. Stephaich has devoted his talents to serving the maritime industry for over 30 years. During this time, he has held a number of important roles that make him a trusted figure, and someone who the industry looks to as a leader on transportation issues. He currently serves as Chairman and CEO of Blue Danube Incorporated and Campbell Transportation, which together employ hundreds of people, and operate over 500 vessels and four shipyards across the inland waterway system. In addition, he has served in a number of notable positions that have made him a steward of the industry. From his chairmanship of the National Waterways Foundation and the Board of American Waterways Operators, to his position as Commissioner and Vice Chairman of the Port of Pittsburgh Commission, Peter Stepaich is renowned across the nation as a stalwart advocate for America's water transportation professionals. Furthermore he has extended this advocacy to Capitol Hill, where he has been a notable voice for legislation to update and modernize our infrastructure. His testimony before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was an important part of the process that led to the passage of The Water Resources Reform & Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA), and his input is thoroughly valued among the halls of Congress.

Transportation of goods and services across America's waterways has never been more crucial to the economic wellbeing of our nation than it is today. Leaders like Peter Stephaich help expand this important industry, and in doing so help speed the flow of materials and commodities that are the fuel our nation needs to grow and prosper. His receipt of the River Bell Award is certainly well deserved, and I invite my colleagues to join me in offering congratulations for his many years of service as a transportation leader.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, and would like to address the following language included in the Joint Explanatory Statement (JES) to accompany the bill:

As operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility draw down, there will be reduced demand for airlift.

The CRAF program was created to ensure the nation can address airlift requirements despite fluctuations in requirements over time. During this transition back to pre-1990 levels of demand for airlift services, we believe it is imperative to maintain both organic and commercial capacities to meet operational demands and unknown future requirements.

Therefore, we direct the Department of Defense (DOD) to work closely with CRAF program partners to ensure that DOD establishes ``appropriate levels for peacetime cargo airlift augmentation in order to promote the effectiveness of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet and provide training within the military aircraft system,'' as directed in the National Airlift Policy.

The Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) has proven critical to assisting the Department of Defense (DOD) meet its defense mobilization and deployment requirements and its humanitarian and disaster relief missions. For that reason, I support the language included in the JES.

The provision states that it is imperative that airlift requirements include both organic and commercial capacities to meet operational demands and unknown future requirements. The JES also directs DOD to work closely with CRAF program partners to ensure that DOD establishes ``appropriate levels for peacetime cargo airlift augmentation in order to promote the effectiveness of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet and provide training within the military aircraft system,'' as directed in the National Airlift Policy.

Maintaining interoperability between CRAF civil air carriers and DOD is key to ensuring the military's readiness to respond to both national and international crises. Therefore, I look forward to working with the Committee on Armed Services and DOD during the next Congress to ensure the effectiveness and viability of the CRAF air cargo program.