Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Richard Peters on his successful career in the U.S. Navy.

Richard Peters selfless service to the U.S. Navy has led to him being awarded a number of awards, such as the China Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal and the National Defense Medal, among other awards. Due to his distinguished career, Richard Peters has also been authorized the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal.

I am honored to have a man like Richard Peters in my district. I can't thank him enough for his service and sacrifice for our country.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Missouri's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to congratulate Richard Peters on his distinguished Naval career. I wish him all of the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, Wednesday, October 11, 2017, Thursday, October 12, 2017, Monday, October 23, 2017, Tuesday, October 24, 2017, and the first vote series on Wednesday, October 25, 2017, I was unable to vote on legislative measures due to a foot injury. Had I been present, I would have voted the following:

(Roll no. 558) On passage of H.R. 1858--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4514 Williamson Trail in Liberty, Pennsylvania, as the ``Staff Sergeant Ryan Scott Ostrom Post Office'', had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 559) On passage of H.R. 2464--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 25 New Chardon Street Lobby in Boston, Massachusetts, as the ``John Fitzgerald Kennedy Post Office'', had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 560) On ordering the previous question providing for consideration of S. 585--Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 561) On adoption of the rule providing for consideration of S. 585--Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 562) On passage of H.R. 452--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 324 West Saint Louis Street in Pacific, Missouri, as the ``Specialist Jeffrey L. White, Jr. Post Office'', had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 563) On passage of H.R. 3243--FITARA Enhancement Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 564) On motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 2810--National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, had I been present I would have voted no.

(Roll no. 565) On motion to Close Portions of the Conference on H.R. 2810--National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 566) On passage of the House Amendment to Senate Amendment to H.R. 2266--Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 567) On motion to recommit with instructions to S. 585--Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection, had I been present I would have voted no.

(Roll no. 568) On passage of S. 585--Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 569) On passage of H.R. 3551--C-TPAT Reauthorization Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 570) On passage of S. 504--Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 571) On approval of the Journal, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 572) On ordering the previous question providing for consideration of H.R. 469--the Sunshine for Regulations and Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2017 and H.R. 732--the Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 573) On adoption of the combined rule providing for consideration of H.R. 469--the Sunshine for Regulations and Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2017 and H.R. 732--the Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 574) On passage of H.R. 2142--International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology (INTERDICT) Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 575) On agreeing to the amendment of Mr. Cohen of Tennessee Part B Amendment No. 2 to H.R. 732--Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act had I been present I would have voted no.

(Roll no. 576) On agreeing to the amendment of Mr. Johnson of Georgia Part B Amendment No. 3 to H.R. 732--Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act, had I been present I would have voted no.

(Roll no. 577) On agreeing to the amendment of Ms. Jackson Lee of Texas Part B Amendment No. 4 to H.R. 732--Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act, had I been present I would have voted no.

(Roll no. 578) On agreeing to the amendment of Mr. Cicilline of Rhode Island Part B Amendment No. 5 to H.R. 732--Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act, had I been present I would have voted no.

(Roll no. 579) On agreeing to the amendment of Mr. Conyers of Michigan Part B Amendment No. 6 to H.R. 732--Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act, had I been present I would have voted no.

(Roll no. 580) On passage of H.R. 732--Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 581) On passage of H.R. 3898--Otto Warmbier North Korea Nuclear Sanctions Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 582) On ordering the previous question providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to H. Con. Res. 71--establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 583) On adoption of the rule providing for consideration of H. Con. Res. 71--establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 584) On approval of the Journal, had I been present I would have voted yes.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, Wednesday, September 27, 2017, Thursday, September 28, 2017, Monday, October 2, 2017, Tuesday, October 3, 2017, and Wednesday, October 4, 2017, I was unable to vote on any legislative measures due to a foot injury. Had I been present, I would have voted the following:

(Roll no. 532) On ordering the previous question providing for consideration of H.R. 2824--Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act, and H.R. 2792--Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 533) On adoption of the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2824--Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act, and H.R. 2792--Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 534) On approval of the journal, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 535) On agreeing to the amendment of Mr. Pascrell of New Jersey Amendment No. 2 to H.R. 2824--Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act, had I been present I would have voted no.

(Roll no. 536) On motion to recommit with instructions to H.R. 2824-- Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act, had I been present I would have voted no.

(Roll no. 537) On passage of H.R. 2824--Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 538) On ordering the previous question providing for consideration of H.R. 3823--Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 539) On adoption of the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 3823--Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 540) On passage of H. Res. 311--Recognizing that for 50 years the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has worked toward stability, prosperity, and peace in Southeast Asia, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 541) On motion to recommit with instructions to H.R. 3823-- Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted no.

(Roll no. 542) On passage of H.R. 3823--Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 543) On passage of H.R. 2792--Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 544) On passage of H.R. 1547--Udall Park Land Exchange Completion Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 545) On passage of H.R. 965--Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park Redesignation Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 546) On ordering the previous question providing for consideration of H.R. 36--Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 547) On adoption of the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 36--Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 548) On motion to recommit with instructions to H.R. 36-- Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, had I been present I would have voted no.

(Roll no. 549) On passage of H.R. 36--Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 550) On passage of S. 782--PROTECT Our Children Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 551) On ordering the previous question providing for consideration of H. Con. Res. 71--FY2018 Budget Resolution, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 552) On adoption of the rule providing for consideration of H. Con. Res. 71--FY2018 Budget Resolution, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 553) On agreeing to the amendment of Mr. Grijalva of Arizona Substitute Amendment No. 1 to H. Con. Res. 71--FY2018 Budget Resolution, had I been present I would have voted no.

(Roll no. 554) On agreeing to the amendment of Mr. Scott of Virginia Substitute Amendment No. 2 to H. Con. Res. 71--FY2018 Budget Resolution, had I been present I would have voted no.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 150th anniversary of the Hazelwood Cemetery, which is located in Springfield, Missouri.

The Hazelwood Cemetery was officially dedicated on October 26, 1867, and was originally located several miles outside of city limits. However, despite the original location outside of the city, over the years Springfield has grown around the Hazelwood Cemetery.

On the 14th of October this year, the Hazelwood Cemetery will celebrate its sesquicentennial anniversary. 150 years of both history and service to the Springfield community will be celebrated on this day. The Hazelwood Cemetery honors John Polk Campbell, the founder of Springfield, John T. Woodruff, the visionary of Route 66 and many other notable members of the local Springfield community.

On behalf of Missouri's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the significant role the Hazelwood Cemetery has played in honoring the lives of the Springfield community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Carthage Lodge 197 on its 150th birthday. On the 7th of October, members of this Freemason lodge will gather to celebrate this landmark occasion.

The first organized Grand Lodge met in 1717 in England. Freemasonry has promoted a strong sense of pride, family values and intellectual development in its members over the centuries. Furthermore, Freemasonry has deep roots in the United States, with George Washington himself being initiated into Freemasonry in the year of 1752.

Freemasonry has been part of Missouri and the city of Carthage for generations. The Grand Lodge of Missouri chartered a lodge in Carthage, Missouri in 1849. In 1861 this lodge was destroyed, but no one is exactly sure how this lodge was destroyed. Most likely it was destroyed in the Battle of Carthage during the Civil War. In 1867, former members of the previous lodge and other Freemasons gathered to organize for the chartering of a new lodge to be located in the city. The current Carthage Lodge 197 was granted its charter on October 19, 1867. Members of the lodge meet in this location to this very day.

I am honored to recognize the 150 years of the Carthage Lodge 197 in southwest Missouri. This is truly a historical achievement. On behalf of Missouri's 7th Congressional District, I ask all my colleagues to join me in congratulating the members of Carthage Lodge 197 on its 150th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Bolivar High School Fishing Team and their recent victory in the National Youth Fishing Association (NYFA) South Division Championship.

Bolivar High School anglers, Andrew Johnson and John Hubbert, emerged as champions of the high school division on Sunday, July 16, 2017.

Taking place at the Pomme de Terre Lake, the NYFA South Division event brought 290 high school and middle school teams to southern Missouri where the anglers from Bolivar took first place. John and Andrew not only brought home a trophy but $2,000 worth of scholarship money as well.

I am honored to both recognize and congratulate Andrew and John, along with the Bolivar High School Fishing Team, on this terrific achievement. On behalf of Missouri's 7th Congressional District, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating this team and these two individuals on their outstanding achievements.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Krystal Caylor on her 2017 gold medal in the 200-yard individual medley race.

Competing in the Missouri State High School State Activities Association swimming championships, Ms. Caylor proudly represented the 7th district's Kickapoo High School located in Springfield, Missouri. Ms. Caylor went on to take the gold and win the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:03.48.

Ms. Caylor has now finished her Kickapoo swimming career and intends to continue her swimming career at the collegiate level at the University of Indianapolis.

I am honored to recognize Ms. Caylor for her outstanding achievement and wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors. On behalf of Missouri's 7th Congressional District, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. Caylor on her outstanding performance.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2017 Strafford High School Girls Basketball Team on an undefeated season that was topped off with a state championship title.

The Strafford Indians maintained absolute perfection throughout the 2017 girls basketball season, failing to lose a single game and finishing with an outstanding 33-0 win-loss record.

Strafford emerged victorious in March 2017 with a Missouri Class 3 girls basketball state championship. This is the Indian's second straight girls basketball state championship in a row after a title in 2016 as well.

I am honored to recognize the Strafford High School Girls Basketball Team on their magnificent season and dedication to hard work and excellence. On behalf of Missouri's 7th Congressional District, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating these impressive young women on their great season.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Sarcoxie High School archery team on their recent victory in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) tournament in which they were named national champions.

The NASP tournament was held in Louisville, Kentucky. The tournament had almost 15,000 young archers competing from 670 different schools. Missouri alone had 857 student archers from 45 different schools.

Sarcoxie's team won the national championship and broke a few records in the process. Sarcoxie is also the smallest school to have won this prestigious national championship. This outstanding archery team also set the record for the highest NASP national tournament team score. The team achieved a score of 3,465 out of a possible 3,600. In addition to Sarcoxie's achievements, a total of five Missouri schools were in the top 10 of this competition

I am honored to recognize the record setting achievements of the Sarcoxie High School archery team. On behalf of Missouri's 7th Congressional District, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in wishing the Sarcoxie High School archery team many congratulations and best wishes for the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Tricia Derges of Springfield, Missouri, on her recent winning of two prestigious awards.

Dr. Derges has been a resident of the Springfield area for 40 years and during this time she has contributed to the community in many ways. Dr. Derges has recently won both the National Jefferson Award for Southwest Missouri and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award. Both of these awards recognize individuals for their public service. The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award is only awarded to five individuals per year across the United States. This clearly highlights the significant work Dr. Derges has taken over the years to help her community.

Dr. Derges set up the mission clinic named Lift Up in Springfield. This clinic provides a range of medical, dental and mental health services to veterans and the poor across Springfield. Dr. Derges and her clinic have helped thousands of people in the Springfield area.

I am truly honored to recognize the work by Dr. Derges and her dedication to improving the lives of others. On behalf of Missouri's 7th Congressional District, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Derges on her recent awards and wishing her all the best.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Better Life in Recovery, an organization located in Springfield, Missouri. Founded by David Stoecker, this organization is a wonderful example of community service and is an inspiration to many across the state of Missouri.

Better Life in Recovery has a mission that is twofold. Firstly, to foster dignity for those who struggle with substance abuse and mental health issues through performing community service. Secondly, the organization seeks to generate more public awareness of the dangers of substance abuse, through the medium of educational presentations, media interviews and public safety announcements.

On September 16 of this year the organization will be hosting a fundraising race to benefit recovery programs. It will begin at Rutledge Wilson Farm in Springfield. The fact that the race is held in September is also very pertinent with regards to the Better Life in Recovery's mission as it is held during National Recovery Month. National Recovery Month runs through the month of September. The purpose of National Recovery Month is to raise awareness and understanding of the various mental and substance use disorders some of our fellow Americans suffer from. It is also a month to celebrate those who have recovered from their addictions.

Mr. Speaker, Better Life in Recovery is an inspirational organization that I am humbled to recognize today. I would like to extend my personal congratulations and admiration on their achievements and hard work over the years. On behalf of the 7th District of Missouri, I wish this great organization the best of luck in all of their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mark Twain Elementary School in Carthage, Missouri, on its 100th Anniversary as well as its principal, Ms. Laurel Rosenthal, on 50 years of service.

On September 17, 2017, Mark Twain Elementary School will celebrate a major milestone in its history, that of 100 years of educating many generations of Missourians. Today this school educates more than 300 students from kindergarten until the fourth grade. This school was the pilot school for the Vision Program, which helps young students with their reading.

Ms. Rosenthal started at Mark Twain in 1967 and has remained in the same building throughout her career. Over the years, Ms. Rosenthal turned down many offers from different school districts, demonstrating her loyalty and dedication to serving the kids of Mark Twain Elementary School. Her leadership through the years has provided generations of young children in Carthage with a quality education.

On behalf of Missouri's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to congratulate Ms. Rosenthal on her years of service, and Mark Twain Elementary School on 100 years of educating the young minds of southwest Missouri.

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

Mr. Chairman, my amendment is very straightforward. It would

make clear that two laws enacted several decades ago to manage the aftereffects of industrial toxic waste spills would not apply to everyday emissions that are simply a way of life on family farms.

A court decision earlier this year overturned the EPA exemption for agriculture from reporting requirements under the Superfund and emergency planning and community right-to-know laws. This court decision means that over 100,000 farmers and ranchers will be forced to report odor emissions from livestock and poultry manure.

If farmers and ranchers don't submit these reports, they face potential lawsuits from the government and any citizen who wishes to sue them, subjecting them to penalties as high as $53,907 per day for not filing paperwork. Farmers will lose time and money that would otherwise be spent growing our Nation's food supply.

Mr. Chairman, I think that it is important that I note that the Obama administration as well as the Bush administration defended this exemption. This is not a partisan issue. This is simply a case of reaffirming congressional intent under the law, as the EPA already tried to do several years ago.

Mr. Chairman, I urge all Members to vote in favor of my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).

Mr. Chairman, I say this is a nonpartisan issue, and I would like to point out that the organization, National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials, back in 2012, in an earlier version of a similar amendment, had opposed this. Back on May 28 of this year, they announced that they are no longer in opposition. So I don't really think it is controversial at all.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Kenneth Johnston for his years of service in the United States Army.

Mr. Johnston, a native of southwest Missouri, was born in 1925. He was only 19 years-old when he began his service in the military. His dedication led him to become a highly-decorated soldier over the years due to his bravery and selfless commitment to defending the lives of others.

Mr. Johnston fought bravely in the Battle of the Bulge and on various other fronts. In addition to this, Mr. Johnston was the second man to go through the gates of Dachau as allied forces liberated the Jewish people from the brutality of the Nazi camp. His gallantry led him to be awarded the Bronze Star for his service. In addition to this he earned a variety of other medals and served in three different countries in Europe.

I am honored to recognize Mr. Johnston's service to the U.S. military over the years and his astonishing achievements. On behalf of Missouri's 7th Congressional District, I ask all my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Johnston on his many years of service.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, June 26, 2017, Tuesday, June 27, 2017, Wednesday, June 28, 2017, Thursday, June 29, 2017, and Friday, June 30, 2017, I was unable to vote on any legislative measures due to having surgery on my foot. Had I been present, I would have voted the following:

Roll No. 323, On passage of H.R. 2547--Veterans Expanded Trucking Opportunities Act, I would have voted yes;

Roll No. 324, On passage of H.R. 2258--ADVANCE Act, I would have voted yes;

Roll No. 325, On ordering the previous question providing for consideration of H.R. 1215--the Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017, I would have voted yes;

Roll No. 326, On adoption of the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 1215--the Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017, I would have voted yes;

Roll No. 327, On approval of the journal, I would have voted yes;

Roll No. 328, On passage of H. Res. 397--Solemnly reaffirming the commitment of the United States to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's principle of collective defense as enumerated in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, I would have voted yes;

Roll No. 329, On passage of H.R. 497--Santa Ana River Wash Plan Land Exchange Act, I would have voted yes;

Roll No. 330, On passage of H.R. 220--To authorize the expansion of an existing hydroelectric project, I would have voted yes;

Roll No. 331, On ordering the previous question providing for consideration of H.R. 3003--the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, I would have voted yes;

Roll No. 332, On adoption of the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 3003--the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, I would have voted yes;

Roll No. 333, On approval of the journal, I would have voted yes;

Roll No. 334, On agreeing to the amendment of Mr. Hudson of North Carolina No. 4 to H.R. 1215--the Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017, I would have voted yes;

Roll No. 335, On agreeing to the amendment of Mr. Barr of Kentucky No. 5 to H.R. 1215--the Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017, I would have voted no;

Roll No. 336, On motion to recommit with instructions to H.R. 1215-- the Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017, I would have voted no;

Roll No. 337, On passage of H.R. 1215--the Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017, I would have voted yes;

Roll No. 338, On passage of H.R. 1500--the Robert Emmet Park Act, I would have voted yes;

Roll No. 339, On ordering the previous question providing for consideration of H.R. 3004--Kate's Law, I would have voted yes;

Roll No. 340, On adoption of the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 3004--Kate's Law, I would have voted yes;

Roll No. 341, On motion to recommit with instructions to H.R. 3003-- the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, I would have voted no;

Roll No. 342, On passage of H.R. 3003--the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, I would have voted yes;

Roll No. 343, On motion to recommit with instructions to H.R. 3004-- Kate's Law, I would have voted no; and

Roll No. 344, On passage of H.R. 3004--Kate's Law, I would have voted yes.