Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 36) permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the next of kin or personal representative of Raoul Wallenberg.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the concurrent resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the concurrent resolution, permitting the use of the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the next of kin or personal representative of Raoul Wallenberg.

The issuing of the Congressional Gold Medal is in recognition and in honor of this individual's heroism and selfless humanitarian actions.

Raoul Wallenberg was born on August 4, 1912, in Sweden; and in 1931, Mr. Wallenberg attended college in my home State of Michigan, at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

In the years that followed his graduating at the top of his class in architecture, he quickly established himself in business in his home nation of Sweden, and like so many others, then he also witnessed the ever-growing threats coming from Germany.

At the age of 32, Mr. Wallenberg was recruited by the U.S. War Refugee Board, a board that was established by then-President Roosevelt and whose mission was to rescue the Jewish from occupied territories and to provide relief to those sent to concentration camps.

Mr. Wallenberg later became known as an individual who led one of the War Refugee Board's most extensive operations.

Mr. Wallenberg was given status as a Swedish diplomat and traveled to Hungary in the summer of 1944, a few months after Nazi forces occupied that nation.

Sweden was a neutral country; and, therefore, Nazi forces or the complying Hungarian authorities could not easily arrest or otherwise harm Swedish citizens. This enabled Mr. Wallenberg to save tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews from concentration camps.

Shortly following Nazi occupation, the rounding up of Hungarian Jews and their transference into Nazi custody began. When Mr. Wallenberg arrived in Budapest that summer, the Nazis had already deported nearly 444,000 Hungarian Jews, with almost all of them being sent to the Auschwitz or Birkenau killing centers.

We now know that the SS killed approximately 320,000 of these individuals upon arrival and used the rest as forced labor. When Mr. Wallenberg made it to Budapest, only about 200,000 Jews remained in the city, but there were plans made by the Hungarian authorities under Nazi rule to deport those as well.

Provided with diplomatic credentials and the authorization from the Swedish Government, Mr. Wallenberg took heroic action to save as many of these individuals and families as he could by creating and distributing protective Swedish certificates.

Through the War Refugee Board and assistance from Sweden, Mr. Wallenberg was able to use funds to set up hospitals, nurseries, a soup kitchen, and dozens of safe houses for the Jewish of Budapest. These safe houses actually formed the international ghetto, holding some of the same protective Swedish certificates that Wallenberg handed out.

Faced with the further breakdown of the Hungarian Government and increased Nazi control, deportations of the Jewish population resumed; but this time, the authorities decided to force tens of thousands to march toward Austria, due to the railroad being cut off by the Soviet troops.

That fall, Mr. Wallenberg personally worked to stop the further deportation

of many by securing the release of those who had already had some of the same protection certificates that he had worked to distribute, and he was able to help them return to safe houses within the city.

Mr. Wallenberg was not alone. He worked with many of his colleagues and other diplomats who participated in the same types of rescue operations and issued their own neutral countries' protective certificates to Jewish people and found ways to house them.

By the end of 1944, Mr. Wallenberg and others were able to keep the authorities from destroying the ghetto and the individuals who resided there.

By the beginning of 1945, Soviet forces came to Budapest and liberated the city in February. More than 100,000 Jewish people remained.

But what happened to Mr. Wallenberg, like so many others during this time, is unknown. Mr. Wallenberg was last seen in Soviet custody, and it is thought he may have died in prison.

Mr. Speaker, the end of Mr. Wallenberg's life remains a mystery, but the life that he led and especially the actions he took while living in Budapest for those 6 months and saving as many as so many innocents are forever, forever remembered.

Raoul Wallenberg is a hero, not just for those who were in Budapest at that time, but a hero that the world remembers.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Wallenberg's memory lives on and serves as the best kind of reminder for what it means to serve and accomplish the greater good for all of humanity, and it is certainly fitting that we gather, as a Congress, in the rotunda of the United States Capitol, to formally remember and pay tribute to this man, a man who used the tools he was given to work tirelessly for the lives of others, a man who did so much, even at his own peril.

Awarding Mr. Wallenberg the Congressional Gold Medal is the very least that we can do as a grateful Nation and as a grateful member of the world.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, as well, I would urge all of my colleagues to support S. Con. Res. 36, which is a resolution authorizing the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the next of kin or personal representative of Raoul Wallenberg.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, as the only member of Congress from Michigan appointed to the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) conference committee, my role was to be a steadfast advocate for the Great Lakes and I am pleased that our final bill includes provisions that will significantly benefit these national natural treasures.

For the first time, the Greats Lakes will be designated as a single comprehensive navigation system, allowing the Great Lakes to present a unified front when competing against coastal regions for federal funding and resources. The designation will also increase equity for related projects within the Lakes themselves.

It also, for the first time, designates funds from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund specifically for projects' within the Great Lakes and better allocates funds collected for harbor maintenance across the country so that by 2025, 100 percent of the funds collected from users of our ports for this purpose are actually used to improve and maintain America's maritime infrastructure essential to our economy.

Finally the legislation calls on the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Corps of Engineers, the National Park Service as well as the U.S. Geological Survey to work with state and local officials to slow the spread of Asian carp, which we all know pose a huge threat to the Great Lakes' ecosystem.

I have lived my entire life along the shores of the Great Lakes and I understand the threat these invaders pose not only to the multi-billion dollar recreation and tourism industries, but also to our very way of life.

I am so very pleased that my fellow conferees agreed that the Great Lakes are a national treasure worthy of the protections included in this bill. It is an important recognition of the Lakes and their contribution to the national economy, and it takes the steps necessary to ensure they are maintained now and for generations to come.

Mr. Chair, earlier this year, President Obama released his 2015 budget proposal that makes another attempt to eliminate the entire A-10 fleet, which is the most effective weapons system used to protect our combat forces on the ground. I know how effective the A-10s have been in support of our troops because the 107th Fighter Squadron of the Michigan Air National Guard fly A-10s out of Selfridge Air National Guard Base in my district.

This is not the first time that the Administration has attempted to eliminate the A-10s from the inventory. In 2012, the defense budget submitted by the Administration also included a proposal to retire several A10 units, particularly those flown by the Air Guard, without an acceptable alternative to provide the critical ground support mission. That proposal was beaten back by those of us who realize the value of the Warthog and, more importantly, by those who rely on its protection.

Two weeks ago, when testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno told members of the committee that our ground troops ``believe'' in the A-10 ``Warthog'' and have confidence in its ability, above any other aircraft, to protect them in combat.

Throughout this debate, Members of the Senate and the House have reiterated their opposition to the proposed divestment by highlighting the cost efficiency of the A-10, which costs an estimated $17,000 per hour to operate compared to one of its proposed replacements, the B-1, which costs $54,000 per hour to fly, and most importantly, the support of those engaged in combat on the ground.

I am very pleased that during the House Armed Services Committee markup of the bill we are considering today, a bipartisan majority of that committee reaffirmed the importance of these aircraft with the adoption of an amendment that will preserve the fleet through 2015.

Our unwavering support for the A-10 is not based on a perceived reluctance to cut anything military, it is based on facts, the cost effective nature of these aircraft and the strong support of our soldiers who depend on the close air support provided by the Warthog.

I hear it time and time again from our troops who have served in combat in defense of freedom as well as those that operate A-10s out of Selfridge. They all agree that it is the most dependable aircraft. They use words like ``proven, effective and reliable'' to describe it. They say that it is the only weapon system that can do what it does, and what it does, is protect them in combat.

Our troops put their lives in harm's way for our liberty, and we need to make sure we do everything possible to protect them in battle. I am glad that today a bi-partisan majority in the House agreed with me and so many across this nation about the importance of the A-10 to our national defense. It is my firm hope that the Senate will join us and pass similar protections as this process moves forward.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues Congressman Mike Rogers, Congressman Sander Levin, Congressman Kerry Bentivolio, Congressman John Dingell, Congressman John Conyers, and Congressman Gary Peters to recognize the high school seniors from Wayne, Macomb and Oakland Counties that have enlisted in the Armed Forces and will begin their military careers after graduating in June of 2014.

I congratulate them for this academic achievement and express my most sincere gratitude for their commitment to this nation. By enlisting to serve in our Armed Forces, they are answering the highest calling and joining an elite, honored society of selfless and courageous leaders.

united states army

Allyn, Vincent; Anderson, Clintina; Andrews, Donovon;

Atiyeh, Alecia; Avery Conner, Rhonda; Bakare, Adebowale;

Ball, Jeffery; Bennett, Steven; Berschbach, Alex; Bettner,

Cameron; Bibbs, William; Black, Raquel; Blassic, Devin;

Bratasheva, Lidia; Brown, Reginald; Bryant, Zachary; Bullen,

Thomas; Burns, Nathaniel; Byrd, Jonathan.

Campbell, Samuel; Carlstrom, Christopher; Carter, Malik;

Ceri, Rrigels; Christian, Andrew; Clark, Colin; Coker, Bryan;

Cosby, Erica; Cote, Taylor; Couzens, Nicholas; Cox, Tyler;

Crawford, Christopher; Cummings, Dominic; Davis, Pete;

Dempsey, Brianna; Dixon, Sabrina; Dockus, Anthony; Edghill,

Peter; Ellsworth, Hunter; Farrow II, Kelly.

Frazier, Samantha; Freeman, Alexander; Gackiewicz,

Christian; Gifford, Eric; Gilbert, Christopher; Goins,

Jeffrey; Goode, Tyler; Gordon, Joseph; Gray, Sergei; Green,

Bailey; Green, Jacob; Griffith, Donald; Grimes, Autumn;

Guilmette, Zachary; Hall, Brenton; Heffley, Daniel;

Heythaler, Bethany; Hill, Tayler; Hill, Windall; Holmes,

Alexandra.

Houle, Joseph; Hourmiz, Jonathan; Hudak, Anna; Hurd-

Laskowski, Nathan; Jackson, Aaron; Jackson, Glenn; James,

Robert; Janssen, Chase; Johnson, Malik; Jones, Dante; Jones,

Townesen; Jones, Zachary; Juarez, Abraham; Justice, Kyle;

Justice, Michael; Kalia, Kartik; Kasza, Zachary; Keller,

Jesse; Kelley, Jorden; Kelly, Matthew; King, Jordan.

Kinney, Camdin; Kinney, Michael; Krause, Anton; Kreklau,

John; Kuecken, Lindsay; Kwiecien, Max; Laitis, Dylan; Lange,

Brian;

Lashley, James; Lawson, Brandon; Leach, Tabatha; Lindsay,

Aaron; Lopez, Juan; Lucas, Brandon; Maciejewski, Cameron;

Mack, John; Mason, Angela; Massoud, Mysaruh; Matney,

Jakob; Mawby, Donald; Maybin, Johnny.

McCoury, Jacob; McDermott, John; McKenzie, Kurtis;

McLatchie, Robert; McPherson, Nigel; Medina, Chelsea;

Merrill, Alexander; Milspaugh, Brett; Morgan, Chad; Mullins,

Jason; Mullins, Mason; Neil, Colin; Nimmo, Stephen; Novak,

Michael; Nowicki, Chene; Obi, Charles; Orman, Nicholas;

Orozco, Alexis; Ouellette, Tyler; Overholt, Christopher.

Parker, Johnathon; Patrick, Dejanee; Paulczak, Alexander;

Prush, Steven; Ray, Tanner; Reid, Ashleigh; Retheford, Tyler;

Richardson, Ronald; Robinson, Austin; Rodriguez Morales,

Charles; Rogers, Reign; Salisbury, Calvin; Sarna, Nicholas;

Scott Coles, Lenard; Sergi, Anthony; Short, Laurissa;

Simmons, Brian; Skwierc, Krystina; Smith, Andrew; Smith,

Kyle.

Sonberger, Zachary; Sorathiya, Atulkumar; Staschke, Ryan;

Stennett, Connor; Stoddard, Patrick; Stone, Michael; Stone,

Zeke; Tanner, David; Thill, Joseph; Thomas, Deonte; Thompson,

John; Tokarczyk, Logan; Twigg, Christopher; Vincent, Kenneth;

Walker, Elizabeth; Wallace, William; Wargo, Joshua;

Weatherspoon, Juwan; Weaver, James; West, Garret.

Wilcox, Alexander; Willhite, Samuel; Williams, Rodsalan;

Williams, Shaeley; Wilson, Robert; Windmon, Ahkeim; Winters,

Deshau; Witt, Christopher; Yang, Patrick; Zuccaro, Randy.

United States Marine Corps

Babcock, Bradley; Baumgardner, Alan; Beard, Eric; Beck,

Jordan; Belknap, Ryan; Benny, Guy; Bicknell, Christopher;

Blackson, Jared; Bourdage, Bradley; Boyland, Daishaun; Brown,

Matthew; Campbell, Andrew; Cavanaugh, Clayton; Cera, Ardi;

Chavez, Jacob; Clements, Alec; Craven, Jacob; Curtis, Austin;

Dagher, Jacob; Demara, Michael.

Dillon, Robert; Ebert, Brandon; Ellis, Zachary; Gall

Alexander; Giovannetti, Nicholas; Girard, Mark; Gloster,

Tatyana; Grieve, Shane; Hanson, Darius; Heinzman, James;

Hendershot, Jarret; Hendry, Trevor; Hernandez, Rosa; Herrera,

Alberto; Hessling, Nathaniel; Hoover, Jeremiah; Ignasiak,

Mark; Jackson, Toni.

Jones, Kyle; Joseph, Trevor; Julian, Zachary; Kerkhof,

Kory; Kesto, Jonathon; King, Scott; Kroetsch, Tyler; Leplow,

Dalton; Lewins, John; Lind, Nathan; Ludolph, Terrin;

Martinez, Ivan; Mcdonald, William; Moir, James; Monday, Kyle;

Mosley, Donald; Nagy, Tyler; Nelson, Tyler; Nelson, Jerry;

Obrien, Justin.

Pastor, Joshua; Paulisin, Jacob; Perez, Heraldo; Philbin,

Brandon; Phillips, Jacob; Reaves, Daren; Revynwinkler, Jalen;

Rice, Markies; Rojo, Ramiro; Rouse, Marcellos; Ryan, Thomas;

Sappington, Jasen; Schafer, Zackery; Scott, Jody; Setty,

Joshua; Sikes, Joshua; Smith, Shaine; Soto, Mario; Springer,

Andrew; Taperek, Tyler.

Trader, Kristi; Tremble, Gregory; Trueblood, Julian;

Vanpamel, Noah; Vicari, Nicholas; Williams, Matthew; Wilson,

Calvin; Wysocki, Danielle.

United States Navy

Allison, Coshonna; Barrie, Tiffani; Bitzer, Preston; Bork,

Alicia; Branham, Aaron-Anthony; Britton, Delano; Burley,

Christopher; Burtell, Matthew; Calhoun, Devan; Chambers

Lilley, Quintin; Colegrove, Aaron; Cuevas, Carlos; Davis,

Natadjah; Demarois, Olivia; Doederlein, Brinson; Durnen,

Jeremy; Fisher, Carol; Fisher, Trey; Frizzell, Joseph;

Grajcevci, Genc.

Hanosh, Patrick; Harden, Dewane; Harper, Marquis; Haynes,

Tamar; Hilliard, Emilia; Huber, Julia; Jones, Corey; Knapp,

Xavier; Larkins, Argie; Lawrence, Kyle; Love, Darren; Lupi,

Cody; Matthews, Christopher; Matthews, Lee; McCoy, Taylur;

McDaniel, Ahmad; McIntyre, Brianna; Millben, Jasmine; Nagy,

Curtis; Pilver, Grant; Pinter, Christian; Quantrell, Melanie;

Rabideau, Carly; Reed, Jason; Salisbury, Rhiannon.

Sanchez, Eduardo; Scarlett, Joshua; Scherr, Aaron; Sharon,

Elijah; Sharpe, Russell; Sikorski, Benjamin; Singletary,

Damarko; Sum, Fayez; Spann, Arturo; Speiran, Eric; Stamps,

Karnisha; Stewart, Ricardo; Stinson, Marissa; Thompson,

Natalie; Tipton, Matthew; Valdez, Daniel; Valerius, David;

Vasquez, Judaya; Warner, Jenniah; Westerby, Jeffrey; Wilhelm,

Zachary; Wilson, Andrew; Yurik, Nathan; Zacharek, Garret;

Zadorski, Susan; Zendejas Hill, Joseph.

United States Air Force

Borland, Michael; Bozeman, Carl; Budurowich, Michael;

Carter, Corey; Daprich, Dillon; Favorite, Devin; Hagan,

Daniel; Harris, George; Hartwick, Jessica; Haskett, Anthony;

Hendricks, Winston; Horner, Branden; Jackson, Reid; Johnson,

Joel; Johnstone, Keelie; Jones, Stephen; Kuzara, Caleb;

Livingston, Marc; Mooney, Nathan; Mullins, John; O'grady,

Bradley; Reinwasser, Joshua; Short, Tyler; Steffes, Donovan;

Stevenson, Kaitlin; Vinton, Joshua.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the United States Border Patrol's 90th anniversary of its founding.

First established as the Mounted Guard, founding members came from a large number of disparate groups that included Texas Rangers, sheriffs, and deputized cowboys who patrolled the Texas frontier looking for smugglers, rustlers, and people illegally entering the United States.

A Department of Labor Appropriation Act on May 28, 1924, formally established the U.S. Border Patrol with an initial force of 450 Patrol Inspectors, each patrolman responsible for furnishing his own horse.

Prohibition radically changed the role of the early Border Patrol due to the rampant smuggling of alcohol across the borders. As a result, a formal training regime was initiated for this young organization at Camp Chigas in El Paso, Texas.

In August 1942, the Border Patrol's emblem was officially designated with a circular solid navy blue background surrounded by yellow with the continental United States centered in the middle with the words ``U.S. BORDER PATROL'' embossed in yellow on top, becoming a highly recognizable emblem worldwide.

The original emblem is still in use and is worn proudly by the men and women of the Border Patrol on all of their uniforms. The motto of the U.S. Border Patrol, ``Honor First,'' grew out of the dedication and actions of the first men who called themselves U.S. Border Patrol Inspectors, later to be known as U.S. Border Patrol Agents.

In the past 90 years, Border Patrol Agents have enforced our Nation's immigration laws, provided border security, responded to civil disturbances, acted as air marshals, assisted State and local law enforcement, trained foreign officers, and provided humanitarian assistance. The present force of over 21,000 agents, located in 139 stations within 20 sectors across the southern and northern borders has been given an immense responsibility--protecting more than 8,000 miles of international land and water boundaries.

Whether dealing with the problem of illegal immigration or facing the threat of international terrorism, Border Patrol agents continue to be known for their dedication to duty, integrity, ingenuity, and rugged determination.

The threats have changed over the years but their commitment to the mission has remained steadfast. For nearly one hundred years, they have protected the Nation's borders in unforgiving terrain against all who would do us harm.

Let us never forget the dangerous nature of this work--118 agents and pilots have given their lives in the line of duty.

On behalf of a grateful Nation, I want to commend the men and women of the Border Patrol for their many years of service and wish them a happy 90th anniversary.

Honor First.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules

and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 83) authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha I.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the concurrent resolution.

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

I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 83, which authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall on June 8 to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha, a legendary figure in the State of Hawaii.

Commemorating the life and legacy of King Kamehameha is an opportunity for the Hawaiian people to celebrate their very, very rich history and culture, not just amongst themselves, but with the entire world.

Such a celebration is fitting to take place in our Nation's Capitol, where Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians alike can learn about this extraordinary ruler.

On June 11, the people of Hawaii will celebrate the annual Kamehameha Day, commemorating the life of Kamehameha the Great who, between 1795 and 1810, unified the islands into the Kingdom of Hawaii. The resolution before us today will authorize the use of this space for the celebration of his life and great accomplishments.

History, Mr. Speaker, documents King Kamehameha as a fierce warrior who fought for unity and independence. Many people of his time and for centuries later have placed a high regard on King Kamehameha for ruling with fairness and compassion. He also opened up Hawaii to the rest of the world through his leadership and encouragement of trade and peaceful activity.

He is actually remembered for his law, which is known as the Law of the Splintered Paddle, which specifically protects civilians in wartime and is a model for human rights around the world today.

So it is more than fitting that the statute of King Kamehameha, which was added to the National Statuary Hall collection by Hawaii in 1969, is now prominently displayed in Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center.

I thank the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Gabbard) for introducing this concurrent resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

I reserve the balance of my time

Mr. Speaker, I would just close by again thanking my colleague from Hawaii (Ms. Gabbard) for introducing this resolution. It was our great privilege to serve together on the House Homeland Security Committee. I was somewhat sorry, but glad at the same time, for her to now be a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

I also want to thank her for her service to our country in the military before she came to Congress. It was interesting for me listening to your comments about this great king and this

great leader of the great people of Hawaii.

And so certainly, Mr. Speaker, I would urge all of our colleagues to support the concurrent resolution as well, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I thank the gentlelady for yielding me time, and I certainly want to thank my colleague from California for offering this very, very important amendment which we are all very supportive of.

This amendment, as has been explained, provides additional funds to the congressional Office of Compliance. This is the agency that really is tasked with making sure that Members of Congress and--very importantly, most importantly--their staff are aware of what their individual rights are and how to protect themselves against sexual harassment in the workplace.

Unfortunately, sometimes it seems like the Members might be protected, but perhaps their staffs are not as well aware and protected as they need to be. This is certainly not a partisan issue. We have seen incidents over the years of Republicans and of Democrats, both sides of the aisle here.

Actually, Madam Chair, this week I met with senior staff at the OOC. I met with all the board members there. We talked about what kind of additional training might be helpful when we put together our new Members orientation program in the fall, various kinds of things that we can do, and, of course, they needed a little bit more cash to be able to really step up, particularly on the Internet and various things, and do awareness training. So this amendment, I think, is very important.

Certainly, Madam Chair, Congress needs to be held to the highest standards, and, at a minimum, we ought to be held to the same standards that we hold private businesses to out in the marketplace and the workplace.

Every employee that works on this Hill needs to work in an environment that they feel is free from sexual harassment, and if they feel threatened in any way, they need to be able to be sure that they understand their rights and what recourse they have to protect themselves without any fear of retribution. I think Congress needs to be a leader on this issue--a leader--and I certainly feel that by conducting awareness training, that will help stop any unfortunate situation, and if we don't stop it, certainly, then, allowing an individual to protect themselves. That, I think, is an important thing for all of us.

So, again, I thank the gentlelady from California for offering the amendment, and I would urge all my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of House Concurrent Resolution 90, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

I thank the gentlelady for yielding the time.

Madam Speaker, helping those without health insurance to get coverage certainly is a very noble goal, but the method that was used to achieve it under ObamaCare has just done so much more harm than good. And a very vivid example of this is a provision that you are talking about today that requires employers to provide health insurance for any employee that works 30 hours or more a week. Their thinking must have been that more part-time workers would receive employer-sponsored care and that employers would not change their behavior and, simply, they would absorb these new costs.

Well, I guess when you think like the government, maybe you would think that you are unconcerned about costs and you are unconcerned about balancing your books, and so that thinking sort of makes sense. But in the real world, it just does not work. Employers need to live in the real world. They are in business to make money, and they have to balance their books. And these very onerous provisions of ObamaCare make it very, very difficult for them to continue with business as usual, to comply with the law and to stay in business. So employers have been forced to cut workers' hours.

We also need to look for a moment, Madam Speaker, at those who have been most negatively impacted by ObamaCare and this particular provision of it. According to a study done by the Hoover Institution, the 30-hour rule puts 2.6 million workers with a median income of under $30,000 a year at risk of losing their job or having their hours cut. And guess what? Eighty-nine percent of the impacted workers do not have a college degree, 59 percent are between the ages of 19 and 34, and 63 percent of these workers that are so negatively impacted are women, Madam Speaker.

So this rule impacts the most vulnerable in our economy who are just starting to make their way in the world or who are working hard to support their families. And do you know I didn't need a study to actually tell me that because I am hearing it directly each and every day from those whom I am so proud to serve.

I will just give you one example--a vivid example--of many, many that we got, especially women who have contacted my office. This is from a mother named Tracy in Macomb County, Michigan, who said:

My daughter who is a single mom and struggles to make ends

meet has had her hours at work cut by over 50 hours a month

so that her company doesn't have to provide her with health

care. So she is now looking for a second job, which means

less hours for her and less time, of course, that she is able

to spend with her children.

Madam Speaker, being a single mom is tough--it is really tough, and what we do here in Washington shouldn't make it tougher. Being a small business owner and a job creator is tough. Again, what we do here in Washington shouldn't make it tougher. The 40-hour workweek has been the bedrock of our economy for decades, and workers and families have come to depend on it--that is, of course, until ObamaCare changed the rules.

It is time for us to correct this mistake and repeal this terrible provision.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 32) providing for the reappointment of John W. McCarter as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chair, in our Republic, Congress debates and passes the laws, the President signs and enforces the law, and the judicial branch interprets the law. These checks and balances protect freedom and prevent the kind of tyranny which our revolution defeated by keeping any single branch or individual from gaining too much power.

Article II, section 3 of the Constitution says the President ``shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed,'' and not maybe or not if it isn't really working the way that he would like. It says the President ``shall faithfully execute the law.''

The ENFORCE Act that we are debating today will simply give a House of Congress standing in Federal court to bring suit to make certain that the President upholds his constitutional responsibility to faithfully execute the law.

I have been listening to this debate. If my friends on the other side of the aisle and the President believe that all of the actions this administration has taken on ObamaCare are constitutional, then they should have no fear, Mr. Speaker, of giving Congress this standing.

I would urge all of my colleagues to join me in standing up for our Constitution and ensuring that the rule of law is followed in our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 506) honoring the life and legacy of Vaclav Havel by directing the House of Representatives Fine Arts Board to provide for the display of a bust of Vaclav Havel in the United States Capitol.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the House resolution.

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

I rise in support of H. Res. 506, directing the House Fine Arts Board to place a bust of Vaclav Havel in the United States Capitol, which will serve as an honor of his exemplary life and legacy.

Vaclav Havel was a man of many talents and contributions to the world. He was a Czechoslovakian playwright, essayist, and poet.

Born and raised in Prague, during his formative years, Havel and his family were among the countless who fell under oppression when the Communists came to power and confiscated all their property; yet, still, he carried on, finding his way professionally working in the arts, but he knew he had more to give.

Havel's contributions to society are without measure. Havel used his gifts of the written word to rally his countrymen behind the true meanings of freedom and the need for the human spirit to break free from the clutches of the communist empire.

Within his well-known essay, ``The Power of the Powerless,'' he insightfully pointed out how citizens under communist regimes were forced to ``live within a lie.'' He stood as someone who would not be oppressed and served as a lead negotiator, actually, in what would be the end of more than four decades of communist rule.

Many remember him for his instrumental role in the Velvet Revolution, where he became a dominant figure in the final push for a democratic government.

Havel fought for his home, Czechoslovakia, with words and with ideas, and he aided the fight for the oppressed, and he won. Havel became a leader when his countrymen and women needed him the most.

He was so respected by his peers in Czechoslovakia that he was chosen to lead postcommunist Czechoslovakia first as an interim President and then was voted unanimously to become President of Czechoslovakia in December of 1989 by its Parliament.

In today's environment, it is somewhat awe inspiring that he was so respected that he was unanimously elected to President. You don't find that too often these days.

Six months later, Havel was elected as President at a popular election in July of 1990; and through his leadership and influence, Mr. Havel helped guide states from underneath the Soviet regime to their place in respected democracies in Europe. He helped bring down the Iron Curtain, and he aided his country's transition into a free market economy. He certainly deserves to be honored with his bust in this building that celebrates our own democracy and supports democracy, liberty, and freedom across the globe.

So I urge my colleagues to support the resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, it is my privilege to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), who is the distinguished chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he might consume to the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, I would simply close by saying Vaclav Havel passed away on December 18, 2011, in the Czech Republic. He was 75 years old. And what an incredible life this man led, and I think certainly displaying his bust in the United States Capitol is certainly an appropriate and fitting tribute. So I would urge my colleagues, as well, to unanimously support this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this bill reauthorizing the hopelessly indebted, unworkable, unfair and failed federal flood insurance program.

The National Flood Insurance Program is hopelessly in debt, over $25 billion in fact, due to the fact that politics are responsible for setting rates, not actuarial cost. Because of this many Americans across this nation are paying rates far below what actual risk would dictate in the marketplace while others, including many who I represent, are being forced to pay into a program that they do not need or want to help subsidize lower rates for other favored groups whose risk is far greater.

In fact, over the life of the federal flood insurance program the people of my state have paid multiple times more in premiums than has been paid back in claims.

That is wrong. And this problem is expanding across the nation as the flood insurance program sinks deeper into debt.

This problem reminds me of the ``risk corridors'', also known as the insurance company bailout, included in Obamacare.

This Obamacare provision would be used to provide a federal taxpayer bailout to private insurance companies when premiums paid by beneficiaries do not supply enough money to pay claims.

How is the flood insurance program any different? Some have their premiums kept artificially low and then federal taxpayers are asked to pick up the tab when those areas eventually flood.

I think the ``risk corridor'' included in the flood insurance program is just as wrong as the one included in Obamacare.

Both Obamacare and the National Flood Insurance Program are proof that the federal government is a bad insurance company.

That is why I have continually submitted legislation to bring about a responsible end to the federal flood insurance program and allow for the creation of a private marketplace based upon actual risk.

I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing this terribly flawed bill and in finding a better way forward that brings about the end of the national flood insurance program.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Boris Trajkovski.

As the founder and chair of the Congressional Caucus of Macedonia and Macedonian-Americans, and having one of the largest Macedonian communities in my district, I would like to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the tragic and untimely passing of Macedonia's president Boris Trajkovski, who was a great friend to the United States and the American people.

President Trajkovski and his entourage were en route to an international investment conference when his plane crashed near Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina on February 26, 2004. President Trajkovski, aged 47, left behind a wife, Vilma, and two children, Sara and Stefan. His gravestone in Macedonia reads a Biblical verse: ``Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God.''

As a member and pastor of the Methodist Church of Macedonia, President Trajkovski was a tireless advocate for religious tolerance, religious freedom, and conflict resolution. He was a man of great faith. His great faith drove him to be a man who led reconciliation throughout his region of the world. In 2002, he was awarded the World Methodist Peace Award by the World Methodist Council for his role in promoting peace and political stability.

At his inauguration ceremony in 1999, President Trajkovski promised: ``I intend to be the president of all citizens of Macedonia, regardless of their ethnic or religious background, regardless of their political standing. I shall not allow ethnic hatred and intolerance to undermine Macedonia's stability.'' While deputy foreign minister, he supported U.S. and NATO-led efforts against Serbia, and allowed for NATO troops to be stationed in Macedonia, during which time Macedonia took in 400,000 Kosovar refugees.

President Trajkovski demonstrated his willingness to work with all of Macedonia's ethnic groups, which helped to prevent a civil war. He worked to foster peace and integrate Macedonia into the international community.

Under President Trajkovski's leadership, Macedonia was one of the first nations to publicly support NATO-efforts in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom and send troops to both, and under his leadership, Macedonia negotiated an agreement with the United States under Article 98 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, signed the agreement on June 30, 2003, and ratified the agreement on October 16, 2003, thereby helping to ensure United States citizens will not be subject to politically motivated prosecutions.

On March 11, 2004, the House of Representatives passed H. Res. 540 expressing the deepest sympathies and solidarity of the American people to the Macedonian people.

As a tribute to President Trajkovski, then-President Bush and then- Secretary Powell recognized Macedonia under its constitutional name Republic of Macedonia, on November 4, 2004.

President Trajkovski's legacy remains today. His wife Vilma has dedicated her life to working to continue his work in bridging youth of all ethnic groups, promoting peace and dialogue, and religious freedom among all, and she is a tireless advocate for breast cancer research. His daughter, Sara, currently works at the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The American people will forever remember President Trajkovski's friendship, and I hope that one day his dream of Macedonia joining NATO and the EU will become reality.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Linda Kozfkay for 23 years of distinguished and honorable service as the Sanilac County Clerk.

Linda began her career as the Chief Deputy Clerk of Sanilac County in 1981 and was appointed county clerk in 1990 following the retirement of her predecessor.

During her time as clerk, Linda Kozfkay earned the respect and admiration of everyone in Sanilac County due to her incredible commitment to the people she served. In fact, she was reelected six times and became the longest serving county clerk in Sanilac County history.

Linda also earned the respect of her peers across the entire State of Michigan for her dedication to her important work. I had the honor during my time as Michigan's Secretary of State to work closely with Linda as we developed our State's Qualified Voter File, which due to the hard work of her and others, Michigan became a national model for how to ensure free, open, fair, and accurate elections.

On December 27, 2013, Linda decided it was time to enter a new phase in her life and retired as county clerk. I wish Linda nothing but the best in her retirement and I know everyone in Sanilac County joins me in thanking her for 23 years of tremendous service as county clerk and 32 years of honorable public service.