Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 7 o'clock and 15 minutes p.m.), the House adjourned until tomorrow, Friday, May 18, 2018, at 9 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Silsbee High School for winning their second-straight Class 4A State Basketball Championship on March 10, 2018 against Dallas Carter at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. There is no doubt it takes an incredible amount of persistence, hard work, passion and skill to accomplish such a feat. These young men have shown all of these qualities and I applaud each and every one of them. I would like to personally recognize each team member, the coaching staff and Silsbee school officials by including their names in the Record:

Players: K'Drian Cartwright, Devon McCain, Braelon Bush, Jordyn Adams, Tre' Lowe, Adonis Thomas, Jadon Bass, Landyn Tyler, Chris Martin, Tyrese Harmon, Aaron Sells, Malik Samuel, Decoby Jones and Kalon Barnes; Head Coach: Joe Sigler; Assistant Coach: Ira Brooks; Assistant Coach: James Collins; Statistician: Jacob Brooks; Athletic Director: Randy Smith; Athletic Trainer: John ``Doc'' Williamson; Student Camera: Johnathan Hageon; Student Trainer: Brittany Stephens; Silsbee High School Principal: Paul Trevino; Superintendent: Richard Bain Jr.; Board of Trustees President: James de Garavilla; Board of Trustees Vice President: Sam Edd Harrell; Board of Trustees Secretary: Janis Holt; Board of Trustees Members: Derrell Ferguson, Dana Hancock, Tom Hardy, and Sherrie Taylor.

I wish each student continued success on and off the basketball court. Go Tigers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of World War II veteran, community leader, and dear friend, R.B. ``Bob'' Taylor who went home to be with the Lord on April 18, 2018 at the age of ninety- two.

Bob was born on October 17, 1926, in Oak Town, Indiana. He served in the United States Army 7th Infantry Division from 1944 to 1946 during the Second World War where he deployed to the South Pacific, with stints in both Okinawa and Korea.

On May 15, 1947, he married his wife of seventy-one years, the former Alice Fox. Together Mr. and Mrs. Taylor raised two daughters, Scarlet and Rhonda, and one son, Michael. The Taylor family has called the Texas Gulf Coast home for many years, having lived in the East Harris, Clearlake, and West Chambers County area since 1953. In 2001, Bob was appointed to an open seat on the City Council in Beach City, and was elected to another term in 2002. He also served as an elected Precinct Chairman for the Chambers County Republican Party. Bob Taylor was also a member and/or director of numerous community and civic organizations including: Arabian Shrine Temple, 32nd Degree Mason, Rotary Club, Lions Club, Cedar Bayou Navigation District Task Force, Bay Area Crime Stoppers, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He was also a founder of both the Clear Lake Boat Parade and the Clear Lake Hydroplane Boat Races. Bob often reflected on participating in the Coast to Coast Antique Automobile Race with his son in the late 1980's. He later served as a Bayou Bowl Director, a member of the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, and as a Director for the Baytown West Chambers County Economic Development Corporation.

A patriot, dedicated public servant, and close friend, Bob will be missed, but his many contributions to his country, state, and community will long live on. Mr. Speaker, my prayers are with the family and numerous friends of R.B. ``Bob'' Taylor.

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

Mr. Chairman, this amendment has bipartisan support, the support of my colleagues from Louisiana, who have also been hit hard by hurricanes, Mr. Richmond and Mr. Graves, and I am from Texas.

Your word is your bond in the State of Texas, and I would hope that everyone here in Congress or across this great country would want to say the same thing about their own State. Credibility, trust, and keeping your promise is always important, but especially in times of disaster and crisis. And when Federal agencies like FEMA are called in to help communities ravaged by a natural disaster, we should expect nothing less.

Anyone who has ever experienced a federally declared disaster knows that after ensuring the immediate health and safety needs of those who are affected, the top priority is to get the hazardous and dangerous storm damage cleaned up.

As long as tree limbs, trash, and other debris remain in the streets, things cannot get back to normal, and they are a health and safety hazard. Kids cannot go back to schools, restaurants and shops can't open for business, the economy is at a standstill. And so when a FEMA employee, like a technical assistance contractor, or TAC, lays out a path for a mayor, a county judge, a county commissioner, or any other State or local official to get the federally funded debris removal process under way, they can and should be counted on to honor their commitment and their responsibility.

My amendment will ensure that that will be the case by holding FEMA accountable to the promises made and the contracts authorized by its own employees. Under my amendment, if a local government entity can show and the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General can certify that a local government was acting at the direction and the consultation of a FEMA technical assistance contractor regarding disaster relief efforts, government bureaucrats here in Washington cannot simply change their minds a few years down the road and decide to foot the locals with the bill.

So while this amendment is certainly about fairness, equity, and certainty for local governments, it is also about accountability for Federal officials. FEMA officials will know that the advice and the recommendations that they offer actually matter. Local officials will rest assured knowing that the contracts and work that they are doing is valid and reimbursable. This means getting disaster-damaged municipalities up and running sooner, shortening the timeframe that their citizens and businesses need Federal assistance, and save taxpayer money.

I urge all of my colleagues to help ensure that our government can be trusted to do what they say it will by supporting this bipartisan amendment and the underlying bill.

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

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman from Oregon's opinion, but, remember that this is an inspector general's. They have to pass on this. This is not just a mistake. All the T's were crossed. All the I's were dotted. The Babin amendment protects our communities because it requires FEMA to keep its word.

Under current practice, a local community can follow all of the FEMA rules and restore your community after a disaster, but then, years later, FEMA can come back and say: Oops, we know we told you to do it that way and we personally approved and reimbursed you for every bill that you sent to FEMA; oh, but we did it wrong. We know that you did exactly what we told you to do; however, we should have told you something differently. Please pay us $3 million.

I think that this is not just pertinent to District 36 in the State of Texas that was hit by a hurricane years ago. This is pertinent to every district across this country that will be suffering from a disaster sooner or later.

Anyone who has a FEMA disaster this year or next, will no doubt be here on the floor in the future to offer this very same amendment. Please join me today in passing our amendment, and let's make FEMA keep its word.

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

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record an op-ed that I wrote in January called ``A one-stop-shop for private space exploration.''

[Jan. 22, 2018]

A One-Stop-Shop for Private Space Exploration

(By U.S. Rep. Brian Babin)

In the inaugural meeting of the reconstituted National

Space Council, Vice President Mike Pence called for an

overhaul of how the U.S. regulates commercial space

activities. The potential of a robust economy in space will

``unlock new opportunities, new technologies, and new sources

of prosperity,'' Pence said.

The American Space Commerce Free Enterprise Act (H.R.

2809), recently passed by

the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee,

accomplishes the vice president's goals. This bill places

authority over private sector space activities in the agency

best equipped to foster economic growth, the Commerce

Department. The bipartisan legislation streamlines regulatory

processes, limits government intrusion, promotes American

innovation and investment, protects national security and

satisfies our Outer Space Treaty obligations.

As chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology

Committee's space subcommittee, and as a member of the

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have the

unique perspective of overseeing both of these agencies.

Because of this perspective, I believe placing this

responsibility at the Commerce Department is a good long-term

decision for the United States and the space industry.

The Obama administration proposed giving the Federal

Aviation Administration (FAA), housed within the Department

of Transportation (DOT), responsibility for managing a broad

interagency review of all private sector space activity

proposals through an opaque process without defined approval

timelines, regardless of how benign those activities may be.

My committee held numerous hearings on this idea to hear

directly from experts and stakeholders. We found that FAA

accomplishes its current mission--managing launches and re-

entry--very well. However, the agency is challenged to meet

its existing obligations to regulate launch and reentry, and

should not be burdened with the additional responsibility of

authorizing and supervising private activities in space.

Moreover, current law actually prohibits DOT from

regulating activities in space. It only has the ability to

deny a launch if no other agency has licensed the activity.

Congress did not intend or design this authority to create

regulatory authority for on-orbit activities, or

authorization or supervision process for Outer Space Treaty

compliance.

In contrast, the Commerce Department's mission is to

``create the conditions for economic growth and

opportunity,'' and that mission runs deep through the

culture. As the space economy develops, in-space activities

will focus more on commerce, less on transportation

logistics. Mining, habitation modules, and satellite

servicing are only a few of the novel ideas that American

innovators are proposing. These activities are not related to

transportation, and DOT has no experience in this field. The

Commerce Department, however, is familiar with the issues

that future stakeholders will need to consider, including

international trade and technology.

The bill also streamlines the federal space bureaucracy

within the Commerce Department itself. It merges the National

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA)

responsibilities over space-based remote sensing into the

already-existing Office of Space Commerce within the Commerce

Department. NOAA is itself housed within the Commerce

Department, so having two separate offices handling the same

responsibilities makes no sense.

Reforming this splintered regulatory process minimizes the

burden on other agencies and makes the Commerce Department a

one-stop shop for Outer Space Treaty compliance. Giving DOT

authority, as proposed by the previous administration, would

split the regulatory system, requiring remote-sensing

satellite operators to seek regulatory approval for their

operations from both DOT and the Commerce Department.

Indeed, placing this authority at the Commerce Department

is a continuation of long-standing law and national policy.

Since 1984, Commerce has been the only federal agency with

the legal authority to authorize and supervise space

activities. While the Federal Communications Commission

regulates spectrum and DOT regulates launch and re-entry,

neither has the authority to authorize and supervise space

activities generally to assure compliance with the Outer

Space Treaty.

Some stakeholders have questioned whether the Office of

Space Commerce can handle remote-sensing licensing and

supervising general space activities. The answer is yes. The

Commerce Department already has expertise authorizing and

supervising remote-sensing systems, and the bill's

streamlined review process is more transparent, quicker, and

less burdensome on staff. Importantly, Commerce also has

expertise in balancing national security with commercial

interests, working with American industry internationally and

in regulating space dual-use technologies through the Export

Administration Regulations.

The American Space Commerce Free Enterprise Act declares

that America is open for business in outer space. The only

agency with the long-standing experience and culture to

regulate and foster the budding space economy is the Commerce

Department.

With this innovative legislation, which builds on that

culture of transparency and clarity, we position the American

space industry as a leader in growing a robust and lawful

economy in space.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in favor of H.R. 2809, the American Space Commerce Free Enterprise Act.

The American Space Commerce Free Enterprise Act is a commonsense bipartisan bill that streamlines the regulatory processes, limits burdensome government intrusion, promotes American innovation and investment, protects national security, and satisfies our international obligations.

One of the fundamental drivers for this legislation has been that innovative American companies are pushing the boundaries. And when the Senate ratified the Outer Space Treaty 50 years ago, free enterprise in outer space was an idea but was not reality.

Today, not only does U.S. free enterprise exist in outer space, but it is innovating at an unprecedented pace. From astroid mining to private Moon missions, to satellite servicing, to remote sensing constellations, there is great promise that American enterprise will soon unlock new wealth and scientific benefits.

But this promise is threatened; threatened by expansive, unchecked regulatory authority, cumbersome non-transparent regulatory processes, and misperceptions about the United States' Outer Space Treaty obligations.

For several years, we have heard concerns from stakeholders that they need greater regulatory certainty to attract investment and to succeed. Stakeholders also reported that while they want to stay in America, due to regulatory burdens and uncertainty, they might need to go overseas.

The American Space Commerce Free Enterprise Act addresses these concerns without compromising our cherished principles of liberty and freedom.

It provides for presumptions of approval and requires the government to take affirmative steps before conditioning or denying proposed space or remote sensing operations.

It places the burden of demonstrating inconsistency with Outer Space Treaty obligations and national security requirements of the United States with the government and not the applicant.

It curtails vague, overreaching regulatory authority and prevents tolling of statutory adjudication timelines. It ensures U.S. industry receives a timely and transparent determination on applications.

The bill recognizes legitimate national security equities and provides for the condition or denial of authorized space activities with remote sensing systems that are a significant threat to U.S. national security in certain circumstances. But it protects against abuses of interagency discretion by requiring an explanation and evidence of the threat before conditions or denial can be made.

In order to ensure the Office of Space Commerce is empowered to represent the interests of our citizens and the private sector, the director of the office is elevated to be the new assistant secretary for Space Commerce.

The act also advances important public policy interests. The bill establishes a mandatory safety consultation between private and Federal Government operators. The goal of this consultation is for the affected parties to reach a voluntary agreement to mitigate safety risks.

For parties subject to U.S. jurisdiction, the act provides for Federal district court jurisdiction for any civil action resulting from certified or permitted space operations.

To protect against foreign harmful interference, the act directs the President to protect against acts of foreign aggression and foreign harmful interference.

The act also addresses concerns of harmful contamination of the Earth or celestial bodies. Pursuant to our international obligations under the Outer Space Treaty, operations may be conditioned or denied by the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with appropriate agencies such as NASA to address harmful contamination.

The bill posits longstanding U.S. policy, confirmed by both Department of State and NASA, that COSPAR planetary protection guidelines are not international obligations of the United States. This was done to allow all stakeholders, including the scientific community and industry, to work together as activities expand beyond scientific exploration and to address mutual interests, not by proscribing COSPAR guidelines as binding international law, but by allowing the Outer Space Treaty to guide our activities.

I am grateful to have worked with Chairman Smith and Representative

Bridenstine, recently confirmed as NASA administrator, in the development of this bill.

I am also very glad that this is a bipartisan bill, with the support of Representatives Perlmutter and Kilmer and Bera.

I strongly support this bill and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Again, my op-ed is a very, very telltale reason and shows exactly why this is a great bill to put this under the Department of Commerce and take it out from under the Department of Transportation. For many reasons, I hope that this would be a source of debate and where we will get the reasons for what we are doing with this.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the constitutional balanced budget amendment. My constituents sent me to Washington to lower taxes, strengthen our economy, and to cut Federal spending. We have made some progress on the first two, but we have a lot of work to do on the third.

We have passed historic tax cut legislation, which is stimulating job creation and economic growth, raising wages, and allowing the American people to keep more of what is in their paycheck. The unemployment rate has remained low, and over 200,000 new manufacturing jobs have been created in the past 15 months. That is all good news for America's future.

Unfortunately, Washington has an addiction to spending money that it doesn't have, accumulating a national debt of now more than $20 trillion. That is four times more debt than in 1995 when Washington fell one vote short of passing a balanced budget amendment. Politicians in Washington told the American people that Congress could balance the budget on their own and they didn't need a constitutional amendment. That was flat out wrong.

Unless Washington is forced to rein in spending through the discipline of a constitutional amendment, it will never balance the budget. If there is any doubt, simply look at last month's omnibus spending bill, which I voted against. That bill is exhibit A in the case for a balanced budget amendment.

Our national debt undermines our economy and our national security. Washington has a moral obligation to balance its budget. Our amendment gives Washington the discipline that it lacks by ensuring that Congress cannot spend more money than it takes in.

This resolution asks Congress to make the same tough questions and decisions about its budget that the American households and small businesses make every single day. We owe it to

our children and our grandchildren, so let's pass this resolution as a first step toward financial discipline.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th anniversary of the Tyler County Dogwood Festival.

Since 1940, Tyler Countians have paid tribute to the glories of spring and the lovely dogwood tree by creating each year a growing and more beautiful Dogwood Festival. In 1938, Judge James E. Wheat, founding father of the Dogwood Festival, called a meeting of the state's leading officials near the Polk and Tyler County line in hopes of enlisting help in promoting the completion of U.S. Highway 190. The men and women that attended the meeting were so impressed with the beauty of East Texas that Judge Wheat came upon the idea of creating an annual event that would focus attention on the area and bring people to see it. The first festival was held on April 6, 1940 with nearly 300 people in attendance.

The second festival, held in 1941, was first to introduce a pageant with a historical theme. Each pageant is still given a theme to this day. There were no festivals during the years of World War II, 1942 through 1945. The third festival was held in 1946 and they have continued to be held on the first Saturday in April.

Over the decades, the Dogwood Festival has grown and expanded bringing several thousand visitors from across Texas and out of state to help East Texans celebrate springtime. Due to the increasing number of horseback riders who were coming to the county seat of Woodville, TX to join in the Dogwood parade, it was decided they would have a weekend of their own. The first Tyler County Dogwood Festival Western Weekend was held on March 23, 1968. Thousands of trail riders travel to Woodville on horseback and wagon to participate in Western Weekend and strive to preserve the heritage of the East Texas cowboy. Eventually, Western Weekend expanded to include a rodeo and western dance.

The Dogwood Festival has been a proud tradition for Tyler County for over half a century. The focus has always been on preserving the history and heritage of Tyler County while paying tribute to the natural beauty East Texas has to offer. I am proud to call this county my home and am excited to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Tyler County Dogwood Festival with its 2018 festival, ``Diamonds and Dogwoods--75 Years of Memories''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize First Baptist Christian Academy (FBCA) of Pasadena, Texas on its 25th anniversary.

Through the vision of Dr. Charles Redmond and the members of First Baptist Church, FBCA opened its doors to 45 Pre-K through second grade students and five teachers in August of 1993. FBCA's first graduating class received its diplomas in May of 2003. Currently, FBCA hosts 600 students and offers a variety of award-winning extracurricular activities including academics, athletics, and fine arts. FBCA's dedication to its students is exemplified by a 99 percent graduation rate for all senior classes with approximately 97 percent of all graduates attending a college or university upon graduation.

I commend the students, families, faculty, staff, and First Baptist Church for keeping God at the center of FBCA's beliefs, values, and teachings. An ``unapologetically Christian'' and ``academically excellent'' education creates a foundation that is crucial, as FBCA students go out to make a difference in the world. FBCA is educating our future doctors, lawyers, legislators, factory workers, and educators, among other professions. If there is one thing the world could use more of, it is young Christian men and women who are engaged in serving and leading their communities.

25 years is quite an accomplishment and as someone who helped establish a Christian school in my hometown, I know it takes dedication from those behind the scenes. I commend the parents of FBCA students for the sacrifices they make to ensure their children receive a quality Christian education. To the faculty and staff, I commend you for imparting Christian wisdom and serving as a role model to your students.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to recognize First Baptist Christian Academy on this important anniversary. May God continue to bless and grow FBCA and the community it serves.

Mr. Speaker, I seek to recognize the Deer Park Art Park Players on the occasion of the Texas Non-Profit Theatre Annual Conference. The City of Deer Park Parks and Recreation Department, The Art Park Players, and The Friends of the Art Park Players are hosting the conference on Thursday, March 15th. Theatre companies from across the State of Texas will be in attendance.

In early 1979, a small group of Deer Park residents, led by Jeff Smith and Jean Riggs, met at the Deer Park Community Center to form a script-reading club. Later that year, they staged their very first production, Once Upon a Mattress, at Deer Park High School's Gaines Mason Auditorium. The City of Deer Park recognized the community's love of theatrical arts and hired Sue Fenley Meyers as the full-time Artistic Managing Director of the ``Not-Yet-Named-Theatre Company.'' The theatre officially became The Art Park Players in 1980. In December 1986, the current theater facility was opened by the city. Longtime theatre performer, Junior Art Park Player director, and volunteer, Susan Mele, was named director in April 2004 following Meyer's retirement.

After nearly four decades, The Art Park Players have grown in number and spirit. Their success relies heavily on their staff, families, and more than one hundred volunteers. With four mainstage productions, concerts, and youth productions, The Art Park Players engage over 12,000 patrons each season, enriching the Deer Park community artistically and financially. The Art Park Players hold the distinction of being the only year-round dinner theatre in the Greater Houston area and is truly one-of-a-kind in the State of Texas.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to recognize the Deer Park Art Park Players.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Paul Mitchell for this opportunity to talk about our historic tax cut legislation and the great benefits that are flowing to small businesses and the tens of millions of Americans who work for them.

This is especially true in the great State of Texas and the nine counties that I represent from Houston to the Louisiana State line, which has more petrochemical refining facilities than any district in the entire United States, and their employees benefitting from lower taxes. But the gains and the headlines that we have seen say so much more than that. The gains extend far beyond just employees benefitting from lower taxes. I am also hearing from hundreds of individuals and families about how their tax bills are being cut and what they plan to do with their larger paychecks.

ExxonMobil has announced a $50 billion investment in its U.S. operations and employees over the next 5 years. Walmart has already boosted hourly wages and provided employees with a bonus. Boeing, Incorporated, has announced $300 million in employee-related investments and charitable giving.

Let's break this down even further to the stories that aren't making the headlines of major papers but which are improving lives and growing businesses all across southeast Texas.

Juan and Leigh both owned small businesses in Houston and were able to hire additional employees with the money that they are saving from their tax cuts. That is putting Americans to work immediately.

Amy in Polk County shared with me that she was able to purchase new equipment to run her business much more efficiently. Helen in Tyler County took her tax savings and plowed it back into her business to help it grow. Julie in Orange shared that she will save enough from the tax cuts to purchase a larger inventory for her business.

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and I am hearing story after story just like this about small businesses growing and hiring our friends and our neighbors. The individual tax rate cuts are making a huge difference for east Texans as over 90 percent of Americans are getting a tax cut.

Robert from Highlands wrote to tell me that he is using his tax savings to help his daughter get a college degree. Alan in Houston has decided to put his tax cut into savings for his retirement. Ms. Drake is now able to buy a new stove, while Justin from Harris County is paying down credit card debt.

Scott is using his savings to help him buy a brand new home. Mr. Woods told me that with his tax savings, he is spending it on his wife. He may be the smartest of us all.

The tax cuts are even helping in Hurricane Harvey recovery. Judy from Orange County shared with me how the tax cuts have enabled her to replace household items destroyed by Hurricane Harvey, and Jason from Baytown is able to now repair his home.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is making a real difference in the lives of our friends and our neighbors in southeast Texas and all across this Nation.

These decisions add up to tens of billions of dollars of investments in our economy, in small businesses, in education, and in the improvement of our lives.

Tens of millions of Americans are seeing lower payroll deductions resulting in bigger paychecks, more retirement savings, bigger family budgets,

and relief at every level. This tax cut bill is benefiting families, job creators, and our economy.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from Michigan, Mr. Paul Mitchell, for giving us this opportunity to speak about this wonderful historic tax package.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th Anniversary of Memorial Baptist Church, located in the city of Baytown in East Harris County.

This area was mainly a farming and ranching community known as Goose Creek, until oil was found there in 1907 and it quickly became a rowdy and untidy camp. In 1918, Reverend J. W. Anderson felt that God was calling him to organize a church in Goose Creek. At this time a group of Christian women held a prayer meeting in their homes and the First Baptist Church of Goose Creek was organized with eight members. Reverend Anderson was named the pastor and the first building was built. In 1927, the church had grown to 614 members and Reverend J. D. Fuller became the new pastor. Due to their increased size, the congregation needed a larger building. This building cost $50,000 and they had a hard time making payments during the depression. On December 7, 1945, the cities of Pelly annexed Goose Creek and Baytown. At this time, the church changed its name to Memorial Baptist Church and built a new sanctuary on Sterling Street.

In 2008 Memorial Church and Trinity Baptist Church voted to donate their church buildings on Highway 146 to Memorial. This new area became the North Campus of Memorial Baptist Church and Reverend Andrew McDaniel was named pastor. On 25 August 2017, Hurricane Harvey came ashore in Texas. It flooded Baytown and other areas along the coast. Memorial Baptist Church's gym was used as a shelter for over 180 people. A deacon of the church named Robby Davis along with a team of other church members helped to clean out homes to be repaired. They moved furniture, cabinets, flooring and sheet rock. Some people did day labor, furnished food, washed clothes and provided places for victims of the storm to stay. Memorial North Campus was also flooded and on November 4, 2017, they were able to worship at that location again.

On 25 February 2018, this church will celebrate being a century old. God has used Memorial Baptist Church as an amazing witness for 100 years and I am privileged to have such a place of worship in my district.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of World War II veteran and dear friend, Dr. Billy Joe Westbrook of Channelview, Texas. Dr. Westbrook went to be with the Lord on February 13, 2018 at the age of 91.

He was born on November 8, 1926 in a house three miles west of Electra, Texas. His parents were caring and hardworking people who instilled those same qualities in their sons. His long life was defined by determination and honor and like his parents, he worked hard and gave much.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a medic, which led him to dentistry. He graduated from Midwestern University with a B.S. in Chemistry then earned a D.D.S from the University of Texas, graduating in the top 10 percent of his class.

During the Korean War he entered the Air Force as a dental officer. After serving honorably, B.J. opened a dental practice in Columbus, Texas then moved to the Northeast area of Houston where he became heavily involved in its civic, political, medical and educational communities. In 1958, he and a group of local businessmen founded the Rotary Club of North Shore, Houston, Texas. Their signature event, the Rotary Club Catfish Crawfish Boil currently raises over $300,000 annually.

B.J. was passionate about serving people above himself. He served on many state and collegiate boards and was president of the Harris County Fresh Water District 51 for fifty years. In recognition of his many contributions Westbrook Street, located in East Houston, was named after him. Though an avid hunter, fisherman, scuba diver and pilot, his first love was people. His vision, philanthropy and laughter made him an icon and hero to all who knew him.

B.J. was married to Rosalie Westbrook for sixty years until she passed away in 2007. Their middle daughter, Marcie, died in 2015. He is survived by his two daughters Renee

and Mickie, two brothers Ken and Floyd Westbrook, and host of adoring nephews, nieces and friends.

My prayers are with the family and friends of Dr. Westbrook. He had a full life and will be missed

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.

There is no question that the rule of law should require medical practitioners to treat babies born alive after a failed abortion with the same care they would treat any baby born at that same gestational age.

Everyone in this body should agree that it is inhumane to willingly kill a baby who has been born alive. It's time to end this repugnant practice.

Unfortunately, the left spread the lie that pro-life Republicans only care about life when it's in the womb and not once it's born--However, the bill before us is about protecting the born and alive and nearly all of its support comes from Republicans.

No human being should be treated with such violence.

Let's pass this bill and end this horrendous and unthinkable act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember World War II veteran and American Fighter Ace, Lieutenant Commander Charles Edward ``Billy'' Watts, of Baytown who passed away on Friday, January 12, 2018.

Mr. Watts was born November 14, 1921 in Ben Wheeler, Texas and grew up on the family farm. Billy attended Van public schools and attended East Texas State University in Commerce for two years.

At the age of twenty, Mr. Watts enlisted in the United States Navy Air Corps. Watts flew

an aircraft carrier-based fighter, the F6F Hellcat, as a member of fighter squadrons VF-17 and VF-18 in two major operations in the Pacific Theater. With 8\3/4\ confirmed kills, Lt. Cdr. Watts earned the designation as an American Fighter Ace. Of the more than sixty thousand American fighter pilots who have served since World War I, less than 1,500 have achieved the elite status of Fighter Ace.

In 1947, Mr. Watts graduated from Southern Methodist University (SMU) and began work in the Production Department for Humble Oil Company (later Exxon). He lived in and around the Houston area until transferring to Baytown in 1963. Billy finished his career in the Houston Office in 1982.

Mr. Watts served as an active member and treasurer of both Grace United Methodist Church and later Cedar Bayou Grace United Methodist Church. He was a faithful church member and took numerous camping trips with the Methodist Camping Group.

Upon his discharge from the Navy, Mr. Watts met his future wife Wanda Lee Dodson of Van, Texas and celebrated their seventy-second wedding anniversary on December 2, 2017. Billy is survived by his wife Wanda, three children, four grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Lt. Cdr. Watts was proud of his Naval service and was active with the American Fighter Aces Association and was one of four aces invited to the White House for the signing of The American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act. A year later, Mr. Watts returned to the United States Capitol and received his Congressional Gold Medal. As his Congressman, and fellow veteran, it was a tremendous honor and privilege to meet Lt. Cdr. Watts and participate in the presentation of his Congressional Gold Medal. Lt. Cdr. Watts' many military decorations include: the Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Gold Stars, Purple Heart, the Air Medal with seven Gold Stars, and two Presidential citations for serving on the USS Bunker Hill and USS Hornet aircraft carriers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank Lieutenant Commander Charles Edward ``Billy'' Watts for his bravery, sacrifice, and service to our great nation. May God bless Mr. Watts, all of our World War II veterans, and all of those who have served or are currently serving.

Mr. Speaker, some folks in Washington are upset because we just passed the largest tax cut in American history. They think that this money is Washington's money and that politicians and bureaucrats should decide how to spend it.

I couldn't disagree more. You and I know that this money belongs to the American people. It came out of their wallets.

Under our new law, we put hardworking families first by helping them cope with the costs of raising children by doubling the child tax credit.

We also help small businesses by cutting their taxes so that they can compete with foreign companies and create jobs right here in America.

For those folks who don't think that they need an average extra $1,500 or more a year to spend, or who think that politicians and bureaucrats can spend their money better, I have a good solution: go ahead and drop your new refund check in the mail. Send it to the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS will be glad to take your money.