Floor Statements

I rise in support of the 2014 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill being debated this afternoon. I certainly want to applaud the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Rogers, and certainly the chair of the subcommittee, Mr. Carter, as well as Ranking Member Price and the ranking member of the full committee, Mrs. Lowey, for carefully piecing together a bill that appropriately addresses the evolving threats that face our Nation. This bill strikes a proper balance of fiscal responsibility while fulfilling the mission of vital security programs and providing the resources to enforce current law.

Regarding fiscal restraint, we're considering a bill today that provides for a reduction in the Department's annual budget by $613 million, eliminating ineffectual programs. Yet the legislation was crafted in such a way that agencies and programs will receive the resources and flexibility they need to meet the security needs facing communities across the country day in and day out.

For example, in the wake of the Boston bombings this spring, the bill before us restores DHS' Bombing Prevention program and increases counter-IED training. The Disaster Relief Fund, or the DRF, is robustly funded and will meet the disaster needs of Oklahoma, as well as those who were affected by the hurricanes in the Northeast, such as Hurricane Sandy.

The FEMA first responder grants, including fire grants, will receive a 20 percent increase. Further, these SAFER grants will continue to provide additional flexibility to allow communities to use grants to retain or rehire firefighters facing layoffs. As an aside, I want to thank again Ranking Member Price as well as Chairman Rogers for working with me on this critical issue once again.

The bottom line is this is a smart, responsible bill that practices fiscal restraint while addressing our most pressing needs in securing our homeland. I urge support of the underlying bill.

Will the gentlelady yield?

I appreciate the gentlelady bringing the IG report to our attention. As Ranking Member Price can attest, the committee has a long, bipartisan history supporting robust funding for the H-60 conversions. In fact, the bill includes funds sufficient to completely recap two H-60 helicopters. Though I am aware CBP has some reservations about conclusions in the IG report, I am a proponent of not paying top dollar when it is not necessary. Consequently, I would like to have an opportunity to dig into these claims before drawing any particular conclusions.

Will the gentlelady yield?

Again, I thank the gentlelady for raising this issue. Clearly she has some personal experience flying these aircraft, and I'm grateful for her service.

Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Madam Chairman, I do rise in opposition to this amendment. I'm certainly sympathetic with the predicament of the gentleman from New York--and he's doing his best to represent his district--but this amendment would cut funding for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility, or the NBAF, in Manhattan, Kansas, an essential research center for human and animal pathogens, by $404 million and increase funding for research, development, and innovation by an equivalent amount.

The bill has already cut funding by $310 million from the President's request of $714 million. The amount provided in the bill--$404 million--is the amount needed in order to obtain the Kansas cost share and begin construction. I believe Kansas is prepared to offer $202 million in support of this project.

Again, while I understand the gentleman's local district concern--and he's a strong advocate for his district--this amendment is in fact shortsighted. This horse is already out of the barn, so to speak. We have an immediate need to build up our capacity for research into pathogens that afflict animals in our food chain and, by extension, human beings. The Under Secretary for DHS Science and Technology herself has testified the threat of biological attack through our large and vulnerable food chain is a top priority. She has confirmed that NBAF is required to meet this threat. She's also testified that Plum Island, which is in the gentleman's district, of course, cannot meet this need. Yet this amendment would freeze this effort. The amendment would stall a program needed to address a serious, known risk.

I urge opposition to the amendment. We need to get this facility up and running in Kansas.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I reserve a point of order on the gentleman's amendment.

Madam Chair, I withdraw my point of order and rise in opposition to the amendment.

Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment simply because I don't know the impact on security of this amendment. Who would be released? Where would these prisoners be relocated? And who would they be released to? to Yemen? to the United States? I simply don't know by reading this amendment.

It's clear that if these individuals were released to Yemen, they would not likely remain in custody for very long and likely rejoin the fight.

At the outset of the President's first term, an executive order declared the intention to close Guantanamo Bay and bring the detainees to the United States. That proposal was rejected by this Congress, and prohibitions on transferring detainees to the U.S. were enacted by overwhelming bipartisan majorities.

As my colleague and friend Mr. Wolf just discussed yesterday during consideration of the MilCon bill, this amendment could result in very dangerous outcomes. 779 people were detained in the first few years, and at this time it is unknown how many could potentially be released as an effect of this amendment.

As you know, several men who have been released from Guantanamo have gone back into the battlefield and killed Americans. We also know that having these dangerous individuals detained and tried in the United States dramatically impacts the facilities and localities where they're located. You must remember the violent nature of some of these individuals and the social impact on having these people in our neighborhoods.

I simply cannot support this amendment. It has high monetary and social costs and could potentially endanger our communities. In fact, a few years ago, it was discussed about releasing some of these detainees--five up into New York City--and that was rejected very, very strongly by both Republicans and Democrats. Any proposal that results in these detainees being sent to the United States is simply the wrong policy.

I urge my colleagues to reject the gentleman's amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman, and I thank the Speaker for allowing me to address the House tonight regarding the Problem Solvers group. I, too, am a proud member of this group--a group of Republicans and Democrats who I think have really one thing in common more than anything else; it's a group of Members of Congress who believe we have an affirmative obligation to govern. That is, we're trying to find a way to get to ``yes'' on some of the big issues of the day because the problems are huge.

Clearly, when the country sees a lot of the mindless bickering and fighting that goes on here, it does not inspire confidence, and it certainly does contribute to greater uncertainty. And while nobody here is checking their ideologies or their philosophies at the door, people understand that we must be practical and pragmatic at times to try to find a solution to a common problem. That doesn't mean we'll always get to a solution; sometimes we will and sometimes we won't. But you know what, it's important that we try. I think that's what this group is about, trying to find solutions to the big problems of the day--not running away from them, not hiding, not each side running to their safe camp and then ignoring the problem and hoping that somebody else at a later date will deal with it.

What I'm most proud about with this group is that many of these Members have demonstrated political courage on both sides of the aisle and have stood up time and again to try to do the right thing for the good of the country.

Like everybody else here, too, I hear from my constituents. My constituents are very much alarmed by what they're seeing happening in Washington. They think that we're in warring camps; no one likes each other and no one gets along, but worst of all, no one is trying, no one is trying to solve the great problems of the day.

I'm really pleased, as has been mentioned previously, that this Problem Solvers group, the first issue out of the box for us was No Budget No Pay--an idea that originated with this organization. And sure enough, within fairly short order, it became law. It's a step. It's an important step. I'm proud that this group was part of it. I know over time, in the near future, this organization will be coming up with more ideas that we can present to the American people in a way that I think they will find very helpful and very useful.

So again, I just want to commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, many of whom I call friends. We're all friends who are really trying to do the right thing. So I just wanted to say thank you, and I commend the efforts. We need more of this, not less of it.

Mr. Speaker, the House will again vote to address the imprecisely named Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Critics say that we're tilting at windmills. Well, Mr. Speaker, let's review:

Within the last month or so, we've heard from the Senator who authored the law refer to it as a coming ``train wreck''--that's right, he called it a ``train wreck'';

We've heard the administration official responsible for helping set up the insurance exchanges worry that the public might be in for a ``Third World experience'' as they try and find health care;

Oh, and let us not forget some of the very same Members of Congress who voted to foist this massive overreach on Americans are now feverishly trying to find ways to exempt themselves and their staffs from its effects.

Let's look at the checklist, shall we?

Premiums shooting up, check;

Small businesses hiring fewer workers and jobs being lost, check;

Employees seeing their hours cut, check;

Faulty cost projections, check.

Everything that opponents of this law listed as a reason to vote against this example of government overreach is actually occurring and happening.

Tilting at windmills, Mr. Speaker, hardly. Working to protect the American people from a horribly disruptive and ineffective law, certainly.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Robert J. Kopecek, president of Northampton Community College from 1977-2003, who passed away in North Carolina on April 25.

Dr. Kopecek's vision was to expand access to education, foster economic development and make Northampton a world-class community college. Dr. Kopecek achieved these goals and much more, establishing a legacy as one of Pennsylvania's pre-eminent educational leaders. Under his leadership, enrollment at Northampton grew from 7,900 students a year to nearly 25,000, and the academic offerings expanded to include programs in more than 100 fields of study.

To allow more people access to an education, Dr. Kopecek led successful efforts to offer classes in downtown Bethlehem, in the Lehigh Valley, and in Monroe County.

As enrollment grew, so did the campus with the addition of Communications Hall and a child care center, the expansion of the College Center and Commonwealth Hall, and growing use of educational technology. In 1986, with private donations, Northampton became the first community college in Pennsylvania to build residence halls, enabling the student body, over time, to become more diverse, including international students.

While leading the college, Dr. Kopecek also played an active role in the community. During his tenure, outreach to the community came to include adult literacy and English-as-a-second language programs, Horizons for Youth, and the Art as a Way of Learning program that became a national model in early childhood education.

He also worked closely with business and industry, leading local manufacturers to rate Northampton as the ``most visible'' and ``most helpful'' organization involved in economic development in Northampton County. Dr. Kopecek led the movement to establish what was then the Northampton County Development Corporation, and served on the boards or advisory committees of the Bethlehem

Chamber of Commerce, the Lehigh Valley Partnership, the Northampton County Industrial Development Authority, the Ben Franklin Partnership, and the Private Industry Council. He twice served as president of the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges, and once as chair of the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Universities whose membership includes almost all of the public and private colleges and universities in the Commonwealth.

Dr. Mark Erickson, current NCC president, noted ``Bob was a true visionary and his impact on this college, our students, faculty and staff will be felt for generations to come.''

An editorial in The Express-Times at the time of his retirement described him as ``a miracle worker.'' Another in The Morning Call credited him with making Northampton and the community better places, noting that one of his gifts was recognizing ``the importance of community colleges to provide near-universal access to education beyond high school'' and ``how vital the community college is to economic development in its supporting region.''

It is truly an honor to recognize Dr. Kopecek and his dedicated service and lasting contributions to the Northampton community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the dedicated staff of Sacred Heart Hospital as they continue to celebrate Sacred Heart's 100th year of providing dedicated service to the community.

Sacred Heart Hospital started in 1912 in response to a diphtheria outbreak when the Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart arrived in Allentown to render nursing service to the diphtheria patients of the Sacred Heart Parish. Since that time, Sacred Heart has answered each and every call from the community.

When Sacred Heart Hospital made a commitment to the Allentown community over 100 years ago, the hospital was a draw to the city and, as a result, a neighborhood took shape. Sacred Heart's response to this neighborhood and beyond has always been simple--they are there to serve. Sacred Heart is personal, different and it is a unique place to heal as a patient. The hospital is also a special, caring place to work each day, with staff and employees who truly believe in the mission of providing nurturing care. Catholic beliefs inspire the Sacred Heart's philosophy of patient care by creating balanced and compassionate paths to well-being. Sacred Heart is focused on providing all persons the personalized approach to medical care they deserve.

Sacred Heart holds the firm belief that it is their responsibility to care for those in need, to promote and to defend the human dignity of each patient, and to create an environment that promotes healing and compassion. These values, and a tradition of commitment to the community, are used to guide the team of nearly 1,300 physicians and medical support staff every day.

Sacred Heart was established as an institution that was truly focused on the patient and that focus will never change. On a personal note, I was born at Sacred Heart Hospital and so were my three children.

Mr. Speaker, I hope Sacred Heart remains a vital part of our community far into the future. I offer my heartfelt congratulations and thanks to the people that make Sacred Heart such a great asset to our community and I wish them continued success and growth.

I seek to offer an amendment and address the House.

Mr. Chairman, our amendment, the Dent-Higgins-Esty amendment, ensures the continued supply of helium for end users while requiring the BLM, Bureau of Land Management, to honor existing contracts for the supply and delivery of this vital resource. Most importantly, the amendment protects American manufacturers who use helium from the uncertainty of a disrupted helium supply. It's absolutely essential.

Some of my colleagues have repeatedly stated that helium has been given away by BLM at rock-bottom prices to ``a monopoly of refiners.'' Respectfully, the current price structure says otherwise.

Since BLM began selling off helium under this program, during most years far less than all the helium available to be purchased was purchased. In fact, during some years, no helium was purchased at all.

If the price were really so low, wouldn't all the available helium have been purchased? Instead, the BLM price set for the purchase of crude helium has been higher than the crude price for helium purchased elsewhere in the United States. Further, there is absolutely no bar to the taxpayer getting much more revenue from helium sales today. BLM can impose higher prices for helium right now. In fact, over the past 3 years, BLM has raised its prices by 30 percent.

When the Congress in 1996 decided to privatize helium in the BLM reserve, a few companies stepped up and spent tens of millions of dollars to build a helium enrichment unit, which the BLM operates, a highly unusual public-private partnership. If there are only a few companies who refine helium out of the BLM reserve today, it is because they, and not their competitors, chose to make investments that have benefited our Nation's manufacturers and society generally.

Our amendment does not seek to preserve a so-called ``monopoly'' over our Federal helium supply. Instead, our amendment seeks to uphold these existing contract and property rights while ensuring a continued supply of helium for domestic manufacturers. In fact, many welders, the Welders Association, Welders Distributors Association, strongly support this amendment because they are deeply concerned. I'm just going to quickly read what they said. They are deeply concerned about ``the effect of the remedies fashioned in H.R. 527 on the stability of the existing market for helium particularly as they affect the ability to meet contractual obligations for product supply.''

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

At this time, I would like to yield 1 minute to my colleague from New York (Mr. Higgins).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlelady from Connecticut (Ms. Esty).

Mr. Chairman, how much time remains?

Mr. Chairman, I just want to quickly address a few of the issues.

My friend, Mr. Holt, said that these reservoirs will be depleted. I agree. The issue is who's going to invest in an enrichment and refining facility at a reservoir that's going to be depleted in 5 years. Nobody's going to make that investment. That's really what's at issue here.

The prices of helium have gone up. BLM can charge more. Our amendment is about respecting preexisting contracts and about protecting property rights while ensuring continued supply of helium to American manufacturers.

Without this amendment, there will be a real disruption of supply for helium because they won't be contractually able to release that helium. They will be under no obligation to release it, so I think that is the greatest threat. This amendment protects the helium supply. As has been mentioned, MRIs, computer chips, and fiber optics all need this. American manufacturing needs this. Support this amendment. Vote for a helium supply. And again, vote to support our welders.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Gases and Welding

Distributors Association,

Doral, FL, April 25, 2013.

Hon. Charlie Dent,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Dent: The Gases and Welding Distributors

Association (``GAWDA'') offers its support to your proposed

amendment to H.R. 527, legislation to reauthorize the sale of

the Federal Helium Reserve.

GAWDA is a national trade association representing the

interests of some 500 companies that distribute compressed

and liquefied gases and related welding equipment, and

includes some 300 additional companies that supply products

or services to the gases and welding industry. GAWDA

distributor members sell a variety of products, including

helium, oxygen, argon, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, as well

as specialty gases and mixtures, to customers involved in

manufacturing, construction, welding, research, health care,

and biomedical engineering.

Most GAWDA members are small businesses. Approximately 85

percent of GAWDA distributors have less than $10 million in

annual gross revenue, so they have limited leverage in

negotiating supply agreements for products. In the vast

majority of cases, GAWDA distributors will contract

exclusively with a single manufacturer (or in the case of

helium, a refiner) for a comprehensive menu of gas products.

The contract generally will provide all of the distributor's

needs for all of those gases.

In addition, the distributor will generally contract with

its customers in an exclusive ``requirements'' arrangement to

supply all of the customer's needs for a variety of gases as

well. A small distributor might have a couple of dozen

contracts to supply helium and other gases to customers,

while a large distributor might have several hundred or more

of these requirements contracts.

The GAWDA distributor will typically purchase bulk helium

in gaseous form from a refiner; the distributor will then

repackage the helium into compressed gas cylinders and

deliver them to customers for their use.

GAWDA distributors are concerned, however, about the effect

of the remedies fashioned in H.R. 527 on the stability of the

existing market for helium, particularly as they affect the

ability to meet contractual obligations for product supply.

A periodic auction mechanism would set up a spot market for

helium. If an established refiner is not able to secure all

of the crude helium that it requires to meet the supply

obligations set out in its contracts, then some distributor

customers will receive less than their contractual allotments

of helium, or perhaps none at all. The distributor will be

forced to seek other sources of supply, presumably only if a

force majeure clause in the agreement allows the distributor

to obtain replacement product from another supplier.

In turn, if the distributor defaults, the distributor's

customers might be forced to seek alternative supplies of

helium for at least part of their needs for that period, and

to pay above market prices to the winning auction bidder(s)

to ensure a continuous supply of product. This also raises

questions of the effect on the contractual obligations to

sell and purchase the other gases in the contracts.

This same scenario will play out each time an auction is

held, several times a year. Refiners, distributors and end

users will not know which parties will have adequate supplies

of helium to meet existing contractual demands. This will

generate legal questions about contract default, partial

product allocations, mitigation of damages, and obligations

to cure, as well as commercial questions about which parties

may be able to meet supply obligations on a consistent basis.

The distributor will have to resolve these issues with each

customer for that auction period; when another auction takes

place, and different sales volumes of helium are awarded by

BLM to new bidders, the distributors will have to go through

the same

legal and commercial exercise to ensure that each of their

customers will receive enough product to meet its

requirements.

An unreliable product stream for helium will make it

difficult for any distributor to entertain long-term,

exclusive supply arrangements with customers that foster

stable commercial relations and support economic growth.

Your amendment would protect those existing agreements

between the Bureau of Land Management and refiners for a

sufficient period to allow refiners and distributors to

develop alternative arrangements and to access new supplies

of crude helium. That approach will help to ensure a reliable

supply of this critical product to all end users.

Thank you for your assistance with this issue.

Best Regards,

Richard P. Schweitzer,

General Counsel.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

I do support this legislation.

In our T-HUD subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, FAA Administrator Huerta admitted that he saw no administrative flexibility to help the flying public, so we're giving him that flexibility now with this bill.

The FAA blind-sided the airlines, the airports, the unions, and the flying public by failing to properly notify them specifically about the implementation of the sequester. They only notified them about 1 week ago about the specifics. That's outrageous. That's mismanagement.

This bill fixes the problem at the FAA by keeping air traffic controllers working and the towers operating. This legislation provides the flexibility the FAA needs, and it should have been asked for by the administration. Again, it's a classic case of mismanagement, and I am pleased to support the legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, to honor the people of the Borough of Alburtis, both past and present as they prepare to celebrate the Borough's Centennial.

Mr. Speaker, the Borough of Alburtis is located in Lehigh County. It was formally incorporated on May 9, 1913 out of the neighboring town of Alburtis and the village of Lockridge.

While it was incorporated in 1913, the Borough's history dates back into the 1850's. As with so many communities across the United States, development was sparked by the arrival of the railroads. These included the Philadelphia and Reading, the Catasauqua and Fogelsville and the East Pennsylvania railroads. In fact the Borough takes its name from Edward K. Alburtis, a civil engineer and Board Director of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad.

The railroads were drawn by the presence of iron ore in the area. The village of Lockridge grew as a result of the presence of the Lockridge Iron Company operating an iron furnace, Lockridge Furnace, in the area. Housing and a church sprang up around the furnace.

In a testament to the spirit, skill and entrepreneurial spirit of the people who lived in the area, other industries soon developed including a silk mill, shirt factories, and a shoe factory in the late 1800s.

Alburtis had a population of 700 people in 1914; on the advent of its Centennial, 2,300 people now call the one square mile Alburtis Borough their home.

Eventually, in 1921, Lockridge Furnace ceased operation. Lehigh County bought the property in 1970 and now the former industrial site serves the community as the picturesque Lockridge Park and Museum which opened its doors in 1976, the year of America's Bicentennial.

The Furnace serves the people of Alburtis as a wonderful recreational site and a great draw for those interested in the history of Lehigh County. Indeed, the residents' commitment to their heritage is shown by their outstanding historical preservation efforts on display in Alburtis' downtown.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to represent the people of Alburtis in the Congress of the United States at the time of their Centennial celebration and, with the blessings of Divine Providence; it is my great hope that one hundred years from now another Representative of the United States Congress stands in this Chamber to offer their words of praise in support of the intrepid people of Alburtis on the occasion of its Bicentennial.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of Pennsylvania's most heroic sons, Adam Keys of the United States Army, 618th Engineer Combat Team. On July 14, 2010, while on patrol in his vehicle, a thousand pound IED went off, killing four of Adam's Brothers in Arms, including his best friend Jesse Reed. Adam and Jesse were close friends at White High School and joined the Army together. Close to death, miraculously Adam survived to begin his new battle. Adam lost his legs and an arm in this horrific attack. I have spent time with Adam and his mother, Julie Keys, on a number of occasions. Adam's bravery and Mrs. Keys' strength go unmatched. This poem, ``The Keys to Life,'' authored by Mr. Bert Caswell--a tireless and devoted advocate for our wounded warriors--is

in honor of Adam's courageous sacrifice for our nation and the inspiration he offers to his family, friends, and those he meets along his journey today.

The Keys To Life

Along the road of life. . .

There are some Keys to so realize. . .

That which, we should all so live by!

Up which rise so very high,

up above all else which now so lies!

Where, faith and honor. . .

but so touch the sky!

That which so determines,

who we are as realized!

When, who so lives and so dies!

All in these the short moments of our lives. . .

All in that most magnificent code,

that which we should all so live by. . .

A code of honor,

that which so makes even the Angels cry!

That all in our stead,

so determines if we have so followed or led!

And so left behind!

When, to this world we say goodbye. . .

For The Greatest Things of All,

we find in hearts of courage full who come to call!

Who so serve our country armed with words like,

Strength In Honor, Faith and Courage. . .

who all in the darkest nights will not so be discouraged. . .

With words like Duty, Country, and God,

which so ranks the highest of them all. . .

As The Key To Life is so found,

all in a heart of faith which now so astound!

So very deep down,

inside of one's soul that which comes to call. . .

All in your most splendid life,

as Adam we have so saw. . .

Which brings such tears,

to even the Angel's eyes which now fall. . .

That gives one the strength to so courageously stand tall!

While, all those darkest of all nights of all!

As we so see Adam's fine heart so come to call!

But, to wear that uniform. . .

of The United States Army,

and march off to war with hearts of courage warm. . .

To so face of death,

but For The Greater Good all in a Heroes quest!

All in your most heroic sheen,

To But Be The Best!

And Adam,

when in that moment of truth,

as there you were so close to death!

As your fine life hung by just a thread. . .

As four of your Brothers In Arms,

now beside you so heroically lie dead!

And you so saw,

what this war had done. . .

and you so began to cry for your lost loved ones. . .

As it was all in that moment of truth,

as when you so gallantly denied death!

As your fine heart so chose to fight,

to rise up with not much left!

As you so dug deep down inside,

and so reached for the skies!

But, to Live or Die?

As somehow,

you so found that faith and courage to so survive!

As Pennsylvania's Pride,

as you so wiped away all of those tears from your eyes!

And you so began your new battle cry!

As all out on your road to recovery,

as you so passed them all so by!

As somehow we must catch up to you,

so try!

For it's all within your great heart of faith,

that you found the way. . .

But where The Key's To Life So Lie!

As you so unlocked all of that heartache and pain,

and would not compromise!

As your fine heart got up,

and so began to rise!

And for all of your fallen Brothers In Arms,

you so carry with you now inside!

As you so honor them all in this way,

all in what your most courageous life now portrays!

As you are Army Strong in every way!

Hoo. . . ah. . . as you so rebuild your life day after day!

For a heart can take us to places,

to where dreams are so made this!

Can so help us to win wars,

and bring us back from the dead as the world we so amaze!

Even without legs, and arms. . .

can help us walk again and hold the world in our arms this

day!

For Adam they may take your strong arm and legs!

But, they can not so touch Adam,

what's within your fine heart of faith so armed!

Because, Adam you are Army Strong!

And your fine life is but a song,

a song of character and faith to us which now belongs. . .

With The Keys To Life to keep us strong!

So we better start running,

if we want to catch up to you!

Because, some people are put upon this earth. . .

To So Teach and So Beseech Us All In Their Great Worth!

So surely Adam,

as you have so shown us all what so truly comes first!

And your fine Mother,

who through thick and thin stood. . .

Has so stood by you in the very worst!

And helped you with your rebirth!

For these are The Keys To Life,

chapter and verse!

And if ever I have a son,

I wish he could be as courageous as this one!

Who with his fine heart of gold,

so shines like the morning sun,

for all of us to so behold!

Because Adam,

all in what your fine life is about. . .

Are also found the keys to Heaven no doubt!

As you have so bravely shown us all,

how to so live with and without!

But, up in Heaven. . .

you need not arms nor legs. . .

And Adam my son,

that's where you're going one fine day. . .

Up with our Lord where you will run. . .

For you have so shone us all,

The Keys to Life,

my son!

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 47, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, which passed the Senate with a strong bipartisan majority. I do support that underlying bill.

The programs funded under this landmark legislation have proven effective over the past two decades in achieving real and meaningful reductions in domestic violence. Victims' advocates in my district and around the country rely on funding made available through VAWA for training programs, rape prevention and education, battered women's shelters, support for runaways, and community programs directed at ending the cycle of domestic violence.

In my home State, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape currently operates 50 rape crisis centers that provide services to victims of sexual violence. These centers also utilize public awareness campaigns and prevention education to combat the root causes of sexual assault. Essential institutions such as these are counting on us in this body to ensure that VAWA funds remain available to support their often lifesaving work.

I am proud to serve as a board member of the Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley. This private, nonprofit organization provides free, confidential assistance to victims of violent crime and their significant others to help them cope with the traumatic aftermath of victimization.

Another outstanding institution in my district is Turning Point of Lehigh Valley, which maintains a 24-hour help line that serves as a constant resource for victims and their loved ones. Turning Point offers empowerment counseling, safe houses, court advocacy, prevention programs, and transitional assistance to ease former abuse victims into independent life. Our community depends on these organizations, and these organizations depend on VAWA.

VAWA is also improving law enforcement's response to domestic violence. In 2007, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency conducted an evaluation of VAWA's Services Training for Officers and Prosecutors program, commonly called STOP grants. This program is designed to promote an enhanced approach to improve the criminal justice system's handling of violent crimes against women.

The final report indicated that police with STOP training are more likely to work in concert with professional victims' advocates. Court personnel, including prosecutors and judges, are demonstrating a heightened level of sensitivity towards victims of abuse.

Finally, the strategy of employing dedicated personnel to follow these crimes from beginning to end has resulted in improved arrest policies, investigations, prosecutions, hearings and follow-up. This study demonstrates the positive effect that STOP grants have had across the board in Pennsylvania's criminal justice system where domestic violence is concerned.

VAWA has substantially improved our Nation's ability to combat violent crime and protect its victims, providing a strong safety net for women and children across the United States. According to the FBI, incidents of rape have dropped by nearly 20 percent from the law's enactment in 1994 through 2011. The rate of intimate partner violence has declined by 64 percent over that same period.

However, much work remains to be done. The CDC estimates that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime.

Congress must reauthorize VAWA to prevent more innocent Americans from becoming victims and to provide critical services for those who do.

Further delaying this crucial legislation does this Congress no credit and leaves State and local service providers facing uncertainty about their ability to continue protecting some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

The Senate voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act with a strong bipartisan majority, and I would strongly encourage the House of Representatives to do the same, to support that underlying bill. Voting ``yes'' on the underlying bill will move the reauthorizing legislation to the President's desk immediately. It's the right thing to do, and it's about time we do it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleague, Representative Jim Gerlach (PA-6), to honor the County of Lebanon, Pennsylvania which we jointly represent. The citizens of Lebanon County are celebrating the County's Bicentennial this month.

The first German-speaking settlers came to the Lebanon Valley area in the early 1720's. Purchased from Native Americans by the Penn Family in 1732, the area that would become Lebanon County quickly drew the interest of both German and English immigrants seeking rich and inexpensive farmland. Those initial settlers would be proud to know 200 years later that the land they settled is still being used productively in agriculture. To this day, Lebanon County ranks in the top ten of most categories of crop and livestock production in Pennsylvania.

By 1810, the Lebanon Valley area had more than 16,000 inhabitants and they were a civic-minded people. Shortly after the American Revolution the six townships that would become Lebanon County--Annville, Bethel, East Hanover, Londonderry, Heidelberg and Lebanon Townships--felt too removed from the distant seat of government in Harrisburg and sought greater control over their own local affairs. They began petitioning the General Assembly for recognition as a county. On February 16, 1813, Lebanon was granted county status by the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Two hundred years later, those men and women would be astounded to know that the 2010 census indicated that 133,568 people are living within the County's nearly 363 square miles.

They would be proud to know that Lebanon Valley College, founded in 1866, has consistently provided quality liberal arts education to thousands of students.

The people of the Lebanon Valley region were great patriots and supporters of the American Revolution. The area served as a supply depot for American forces during the War. During the Civil War, the people of Lebanon County raised the 93rd Regiment to support the Union's cause.

They would be proud to know of the role that Ft. Indiantown Gap plays in the role of supporting the Pennsylvania National Guard and the United States Army.

Mr. Speaker, Congressman Jim Gerlach and I are honored to represent Lebanon County in the House of Representatives. We congratulate the people of Lebanon County on their proud heritage and on their numerous contributions to the history and culture of not only the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but of the United States as well.

With the blessings of Providence, may it be that another Congressman from Pennsylvania stands in the Capitol one hundred years from today enjoying the privilege of honoring the people of Lebanon on their Tercentennial.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Christopher M. Thomforde, who has ably served as the 15th President of Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, for the past seven years, and will be stepping down in July.

When Dr. Thomforde announced his intention to retire, he expressed that Moravian College and Seminary needs a president with ``abounding energy, aspiration, and imagination.'' He has surely exemplified those values in his years of service to Moravian College, its students, faculty, the Bethlehem community and the greater Lehigh Valley.

One of Dr. Thomforde's most steadfast pursuits during his tenure has been recruiting and supporting a diverse student body that reflects the surrounding community and honors the College's founding principles and mission. The Moravian tradition is exemplified by the words of the Unity of Brethren Bishop John Amos Comenius, the ``father of modern education,'' who wrote in 1632 that ``not the children of the rich or of the powerful only, but of all alike, boys and girls, both noble and ignoble, rich and poor, in all cities and towns, villages and hamlets, should be sent to school.'' Dr. Thomforde has continued to challenge Moravian College to live by those values even during difficult economic times.

During his presidency, Dr. Thomforde has overseen the renovation of the Collier Hall of Science, the construction of the 231-bed Hurd Integrated Living and Learning Community between East Church and Lehigh streets, the construction of a state of the art Fitness Center and the renovation of the Haupert Union Building on the main campus. His vision has been instrumental in establishing Advancing Into Moravian, a three- week summer program that helps incoming freshmen transition from high school to college life, and IN FOCUS, a year-long program to promote in-depth examination of complex issues, such as poverty, sustainability, health care, and war & peace, from multidisciplinary perspectives.

Dr. Thomforde came to Moravian after a distinguished career which included: serving as the president of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota for five years; president of Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas; chaplain and teaching in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Susquehanna University; pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Dansville; assistant chaplain and instructor in philosophy and religion at Colgate University; and teaching Western languages and medieval European history at Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.

Dr. Thomforde earned a B.A. in medieval and Russian history from Princeton University in 1969. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University Divinity School in 1974, with concentrations in biblical studies, church history, and philosophy. Dr. Thomforde was awarded a D. Min. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2000, and Susquehanna University awarded him an honorary D.D. in 2001.

I wish Chris and his wife, Kathy, the best as they pursue the next chapter of their life, and I thank them for their service to Moravian College, the Moravian community as a whole, and the Lehigh Valley.

My congressional district abuts the State of New Jersey. Hundreds of thousands of people in my congressional district were without power for some time. We were very much impacted, but what I noticed most during this terrible hurricane were all the New Jersey and New York license plates in my congressional district. We were sheltering many of the evacuees who were looking for friends and family and who were just looking to go to a place where they could be comfortable.

I think it would be very wise for leadership to reconsider the decision to adjourn the House before dealing with this legislation. Frankly, I'm not yet convinced that this legislation has adequately addressed some of the concerns we have in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but I'm willing to work with everybody to make it right. In having witnessed what happened to our friends in New Jersey and New York, I think it's imperative that we stay here and address this issue. Obviously, all of us have places we'd like to be right now, perhaps, rather than right here, but it's important. Our friends are struggling and suffering, and I think we need to get the work done.

Mr. Speaker, I am here today to rise in support of H.R. 6223, a bill I introduced earlier this year as well as in the 111th Congress.

I would especially like to thank Chairman Lamar Smith for his service as chairman of this committee for the past 2 years. He has been a great leader, and I will miss him as chairman. I just wanted to thank him for his help with this legislation, as well as his staff, Dimple Shah and others, Kristin Dini from my own office. I wanted to thank them all for their support and help with this measure. They have taken a lot of time to understand the difficulty the current policy poses to highly skilled and committed men and women serving in some of the most volatile regions of the world.

As the chairman briefly described, H.R. 6223 would amend current law to allow legal permanent residents working for the chief of mission in an interpreter, translator, or in an executive or managerial security- related position overseas to count their time of service toward the continuous residence and physical presence requirement for naturalization as a United States citizen.

While this change is seemingly minor in the grand scheme of immigration policy, it is one that should be addressed by Congress--if for no other reason than to recognize the critical contribution these men and women are making for our country in the war against terrorism in unstable regions across the globe.

Quite candidly and truthfully, I didn't give much thought to this issue until a few years ago when I was made aware of the selfless and highly skilled service being provided by a constituent and legal permanent resident from Pennsylvania, George Bou Jaoudeh, who happens to be a Lebanese national working with the State Department security overseas in Iraq since 2005.

Mr. Bou Jaoudeh spends 4 months in Iraq and then 20 days in the United States. As a green card holder with a desire to naturalize as a U.S. citizen, he has been unable to meet continuous residency and physical presence requirements because of his time working abroad in support of our country in a very dangerous place, I think we would all agree.

Consequently, even though he works inside the American embassy in Baghdad, George Bou Jaoudeh has not met his 1-year continuous residency requirement, which is absurd because he is serving our Nation on American territory in the embassy. It's a shame

that we have to use legislation to address this, but that's the situation we find ourselves in.

In September, the world watched as a violent raid on our embassy in Benghazi, Libya, took the life of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other brave Americans, two of whom have served as diplomatic security officers. Committed to serving our Nation, these men gave their lives to provide security for American diplomats in an unstable country, struggling in the midst of historic change.

There is a real enemy working to, at the very least, threaten American ideals and our way of life. Let's ensure the policies shaping our immigration laws do not create a greater hindrance to us in this fight.

With this bill under consideration today, we have the opportunity to recognize the legal permanent residents who have proven their commitment to our Nation's ideals and missions, should they be working with the State Department as executive-level security personnel, interpreter, or translator, regarding their continuous residence and physical presence requirements.

I ask the House to support this commonsense, reasonable legislation to make sure that we recognize individuals who are serving our country, legal residents who are serving in very dangerous places, serving in our State Department, that they be given the recognition they deserve and a proper pathway to citizenship.