Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and service of Major Caesar Civitella of St. Petersburg, Florida.

With his passing on October 25, 2017, America lost a man who was emblematic of what it means to be a true patriot. Both in defense of his homeland, and when called to protect the homes of our allies, Major Civitella was always ready to answer the call to service. His heroic combat achievements on battlefields across the globe, coupled with his many contributions to our intelligence services, leave a legacy that Florida's 13th Congressional District is proud to uphold.

After joining the United States Army in February of 1943, Major Civitella was quickly selected to serve the Office of Strategic Services. He and his group members were then inserted into Northern Africa to support the Allied invasion of France. After capturing nearly 4,000 enemies in France, Major Civitella's team was deployed to Italy and participated in 21 air operations as ``Bundle Kickers,'' dropping leaflets over civilian populations. By 1945, the Army deployed Major Civitella to the Swiss Alps, and tasked him with reporting German activity, in an effort to capture Benito Mussolini.

In 1946, Major Civitella was discharged from the Army, but quickly reenlisted as a Counterintelligence non-commissioned officer in 1947. By 1952, the Army recruited then 2nd Lieutenant Caesar Civitella into the newly-created Special Forces division. There, he pioneered the creation of training aids, doctrine, and lesson plans for the United States Army Psychological Warfare Center, and was one of the original instructors of air operations and guerilla warfare. After assignments with both the 77th Special Forces Group and the 10th Special Forces Group, Major Civitella returned to the Special Warfare Center and was assigned to work in the Combat Development Office. Beginning in 1961, Major Civitella served three tours in Vietnam, working on enhanced insertion and extraction systems like Scuba, Halo, and the Fulton ``Skyhook.''

A day after retiring from the Army on August 31, 1964, Major Civitella joined the ranks of the Central Intelligence Agency. He worked there until August 31, 1983, fulfilling the roles of Senior Province Officer in Vietnam, Plan's Branch liaison to the Pentagon, and the Interagency Representative to the United States Readiness Command. In addition, Major Civitella coordinated intelligence, training, and interagency operations for the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force at MacDill Airforce Base in Tampa.

Because of his service and expertise in unconventional warfare, Major Civitella received numerous accolades throughout his life including the United States Bronze Star Medal, the Intelligence Medal of Merit, the Bull Simmons Award for a lifetime of Special Operations Forces Achievements, and the prestigious French Legion of Honor, the highest decoration offered by the French government, and an award typically reserved for French nationals.

Mr. Speaker, please join me once again in commemorating Major Caesar Civitella's life; thanking him for his many contributions to the Armed Forces and intelligence community. He leaves behind a bold legacy of true and selfless patriotism that helped make our country a beacon of light in a dangerous world.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the ranking member for her leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this bill. We must get flood insurance right, and that starts with affordability. If families can't afford insurance, they simply will not buy it.

In my home State of Florida, the number of NFIP policies has dropped 15 percent since 2012, when Congress started raising premiums. If you don't think the government should be involved in flood insurance, maybe that is good news, maybe that is the goal here, but not for the good of the taxpayer, when families who can't afford coverage must turn to FEMA after a disaster.

The bottom line is that unaffordable insurance will fail. This bill makes flood insurance less affordable, hiking premiums, surcharges, as well as fees. Beyond that, this bill would decrease access to coverage for vulnerable families, forcing them into a private market that does not exist.

Yes, we absolutely need 21st century flood reform. Our climate is changing, sea levels are rising, floods are getting worse, and sticking our heads in the sand will only make solutions that much more difficult.

This bill leaves behind the best reform ideas from both political parties, like better mapping, as well as mitigation.

Those who have lived through natural disasters know you can't stop the catastrophic force of Mother Nature, but you can prepare.

I urge my colleagues to reject this ideological exercise and put people over politics. Let us come together and pass real, sustainable reform for a strong, affordable National Flood Insurance Program.

Mr. Speaker, I include letters of opposition in the Record from the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners and the City of Clearwater.

Pinellas County,

Board of County Commissioners,

Clearwater, FL, November 8, 2017.

Hon. Charlie Crist,

House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Charlie: On behalf of Pinellas County, Florida, we

urge you to oppose the 21st Century Flood Reform Act, H.R.

2874. This bill, which is the compilation of the seven-bill

package approved by the House Financial Services Committee

this summer, is detrimental to Pinellas County residents and

local governments. Despite the minor changes proposed in the

amendment, the bill will increase costs for National Flood

Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders, create unfunded

mandates by increasing regulatory burdens and

responsibilities for local governments, and lead to fewer

participants in the NFIP, which will undermine the integrity

of the program. We strongly urge you to oppose the bill.

The bill would increase premiums on homes built prior to

the first flood map by a minimum of 6.5% each year, with

properties that have made two or more claims subject to even

higher rate increases. In addition to this increase, all

policy holders would be assessed new and increased fees and

surcharges with some of these fees, such as the reserve fund

fee, increasing each year. As these increased costs are

passed on to policyholders, the bill acknowledges that an

affordability assistance program is needed, however it

delegates that authority to states and requires it to be

financed through additional charges on the other

policyholders in the state, creating an even greater

financial burden. These increased costs along with the new

restrictions in the bill on types of properties that can

obtain coverage through the NFIP will undermine participation

in the program, further destabilizing it. The bill does

nothing to invest in new flood mapping and technology, which

would result in more accurate maps and does not sufficiently

invest in mitigation. We ask for your continued assistance in

ensuring that this bill does not become law.

Additionally, we want to thank you for cosponsoring H.R.

3285, the Sustainable, Affordable, Fair and Efficient (SAFE)

NFIP Act. The legislation is significantly more consumer-

friendly than the House Financial Services Committee

approach. The SAFE NFIP Act includes provisions to limit

premium rate increases, create means-tested mitigation and

affordability provisions, expand the Increased Cost of

Compliance program, develop accurate flood maps, and

emphasize pre-disaster mitigation programs.

Again, thank you for your continued assistance in ensuring

that legislative efforts detrimental to Pinellas County's

over 130,000 policyholders are not enacted into law. We value

your support and thank you for cosponsoring H.R. 3285. Please

do not hesitate to contact me if I can provide additional

information or answer questions.

Sincerely,

Janet C. Long,

Chair, Pinellas County Commission.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in commemorating the City of Seminole, Florida on earning the designation of a Purple Heart City.

The Purple Heart recognizes members of the Armed Service who have been wounded or killed while serving our country. It is the oldest military decoration awarded by the United States; beginning under General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. As originally conceived, the award recognizes meritorious military service with the Badge of Military Merit. President Washington's merit award was revived with the Purple Heart on his 200th Birthday, to honor those who served the United States Armed Forces with distinction.

The City of Seminole first sought to recognize men and women currently serving, veterans, and those who gave their lives protecting our freedom when the City Council passed the Red, White, and Blue initiative in 2014.

Mayor Leslie Waters and the City of Seminole wanted to display the city's patriotism by fitting every city building and park with a lighted flag pole. Military members were invited to be present at the city's parades and community events, and the city's website was updated to provide instructions for the proper display of the American flag for businesses and homeowners who wished to join in this celebration of patriotism.

After two years of working towards the Purple Heart designation, Mayor Waters secured the honor on March 28, 2017. This distinction publicly acknowledges the City of Seminole's gratitude to the men and women who have served in our military, and continued commitment to recognizing the price they have paid to ensure our freedom. Through civic education programs, military community involvement, and public works honoring the American flag, the City of Seminole demonstrates its commitment to our nation's veterans.

I would like to commend the city of Seminole in its efforts to honor the sacrifices made by our Purple Heart veterans. I am honored and humbled to represent so many veterans in the City of Seminole and across the 13th United States Congressional District of Florida, which is home to over 90,000 veterans and the distinguished C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center in Bay Pines.

Mr. Speaker, please join me once again to commemorate the City of Seminole on gaining the designation of a Purple Heart City, as we continue to appreciate and celebrate those who have sacrificed for this country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor our guest chaplain, Reverend Louis M. Murphy, Sr., of my hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida.

Reverend Murphy truly embodies what it means to love your neighbor as yourself. In his 18 years as senior pastor at the Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, he has been a dedicated disciple of Christ, giving his time, energy, and compassion to lifting up his congregation and the larger St. Petersburg community.

In addition to his duties as pastor of one of the largest churches in Pinellas County, Reverend Murphy has been a leader in economic revitalization efforts in south St. Petersburg, and in supporting job training and outreach programs for at-risk youth.

A native of Florida, truly a man of God, and a man of the people. I personally thank Reverend Murphy for coming to the people's House and providing such a moving, thoughtful invocation. God bless you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of one of the greatest of our generation, World War II veteran Frank Bartlett, who left us last week at the ripe old age of 104.

Serving as a surgical technician for the Ninth Infantry Division, Frank was a hero, awarded six bronze stars, one silver star, and an American Defense Service Medal for his dedication to saving lives on the battlefield.

During World War II, Frank served in the European theater, providing life-saving medical care to his fellow servicemen in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany. As a surgical technician, Frank followed his brothers into battle, serving at their side so they might withstand the attacks of the enemy. On D-Day, Frank was one of the only surviving medics of the Battle of Normandy, risking his life to aid his fallen brothers in the face of incredible peril. His efforts went above and beyond--Frank would often offer his own blood for a patient's blood transfusion in times of need. A talented and tireless surgeon, Mr. Bartlett's courage and humility earned him the respect and gratitude of his commanding officers and his fellow soldiers.

Before joining the Army, Frank worked as a hair stylist in New York, a profession he returned to after completing his military service. Following his move to Pinellas County, Florida, Mr. Bartlett channeled his talent as an artist into opening his own kite shop, sharing the fruits of his creativity with the community he loved. Even after being declared legally blind, Frank's tenacious spirit drove him forward, running his small business, and hiking the mountains of Peru.

Mr. Speaker, at the incredible age of 104 years, Frank Bartlett passed away on July 8, 2017. He will be honored and laid to rest at Bay Pines National Cemetery. Supported by his loving friends, Frank lived out his final days in peace. Please join me in offering the deepest gratitude to Frank for his service to our country, his commitment to his brothers-in-arms, and his ceaseless dedication to his friends and community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the St. Pete Pride Parade for the significance to Pinellas County, Florida, and our LGBTQ community.

Every June, for the past 15 years, the St. Pete Pride Parade has brightened the streets of my hometown, leaving joy, love, and equality in its wake. It has become one of the largest pride celebrations in the country, hosting over 200,000 attendees last year alone; all possible, thanks to our large, diverse LGBTQ community and city leadership that understands this community as a source of our strength.

As we mark 1 year since the 49 souls were taken from us at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, this pride is much more than a celebration. It is a vibrant act of strength for a community that has endured persecution simply for being who they are and who they love.

As St. Pete looks forward to the celebration this weekend, I wish the community happy pride. Be loud and be proud because we are proud of you.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member for her strong leadership in this fight against the ``Wrong'' CHOICE Act.

The bill before us is broken. I was Governor of Florida when the financial crisis and foreclosure crisis rolled through my State like a hurricane. Unrestrained greed on Wall Street caused a preventable disaster because at no point did anyone say: This is simply wrong.

I remember 2008 and 2009: the bailouts, the foreclosures, and the long, painful road to recovery. The financial crisis exposed a broken regulatory system, allowing Wall Street to gamble with Main Street's future.

With this bill, Members are being asked to again trust the very people who brought us to this financial crisis. Don't put them back in charge. Do not let them do it again. Please vote ``no.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Clearwater, Florida's Calvary Christian High School Warriors boys baseball team on their impressive State championship win. Coach Greg Olsen and the Warriors clinched an 11-1 victory against Pensacola Catholic High School to lead them to the Class 4A title, clinching the school's first State championship and capping off a perfect season of 30 wins and no losses.

Such an achievement takes more than skill and talent. It takes steely determination, unwavering focus, and perhaps, most importantly, the ability to work together. These skills are invaluable both on and off the field. What they have learned as teammates will enable their success not just as athletes, but as good citizens. Our entire community is proud of their outstanding sportsmanship and achievements.

On behalf of Pinellas County, congratulations Warriors.

Mr. Speaker, this is a terrible bill. This bill will cut 24 million Americans out of health insurance. This bill will gut Planned Parenthood in the first year, affecting women across the country. And it will cut $850 billion out of Medicaid hurting the poor and the disabled in our country. It is unconscionable.

Mr. Speaker, as vice chair of the Seniors Task Force, I rise in strong defense of Social Security. Recent reports that the White House is considering defunding Social Security and cutting Social Security disability benefits are troubling, to say the least.

Nearly 61 million retirees, veterans, disabled workers, widows, and children rely on their Social Security, including over 186,000 in my district in Florida alone. On their behalf, I have a simple message: Hands off their Social Security.

President Trump promised the American people he would not cut Social Security. That is a promise we are going to help him keep.

Hands off Social Security.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of fallen Navy Hospitalman, 3rd Class, Mr. Mark V. Dennis.

Mr. Dennis was born on September 21, 1946, to Charles and Vera Dennis of Miamisburg, Ohio, where he grew up with his brother and two sisters. He went on to serve in the United States Navy in a Marine unit as a medical corpsman during the Vietnam War. A man of strong faith, Mr. Dennis also served as acting chaplain for his unit, and had dreams of being a missionary after completing his service.

Sadly, those dreams would not be realized. He was killed in action when his helicopter crashed after taking enemy fire in South Vietnam in the summer of 1966. At such a young age, 19 years, Mr. Dennis made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his country.

In 1970, a photograph in Newsweek magazine showed a Prisoner of War with an uncanny resemblance to Mark. Devastated by the loss, and plagued by nagging doubt, his family, led by his brother Jerry, began a quest for answers as to what happened to Mark.

Last August, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency released a report determining through DNA testing that the remains from the deadly helicopter crash are those of Mr. Dennis. Thanks to the Dennis family's determination, and work by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, we now know conclusively that Mr. Dennis died while serving and protecting his country.

Mr. Speaker, the Dennis family has been through a lot over the years. I pray that they will now have the closure they so deserve. Mr. Dennis will soon be laid to rest alongside his parents at the Garden Sanctuary Cemetery in Seminole, Florida, with full military honors.

I am humbled to honor the life of this young man, and all of our servicemen and women who were taken from this Earth too soon. May he, and his family, now finally find peace.

Mr. Speaker, this bill we are talking about takes about $880 billion out of Medicaid. Medicaid is for the poor, and Medicaid is for the disabled. We are in Lent. It is supposed to be the holiest time. I want to read to you from Matthew 25, verse 45: Whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto Me.

Think about that before you vote for this bill. Please vote against it. God bless.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a fallen hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Lost on the battlefields of Europe during World War II, the remains of Army Air Force 2nd Lieutenant. John Donald Mumford have finally returned home to St. Petersburg, Florida.

On June 6, 1944, the same morning U.S. forces stormed the beaches at Normandy, 2nd Lt. Mumford bravely led a squadron of B-17 Flying Fortress bombers on a successful air raid over Germany. Returning to base, his plane was attacked by 10 Nazi warplanes, sent crashing into Ukrainian farmland. A mortally wounded 2nd Lt. Mumford was last reported seen by Romanian villagers in 1944, 73 years ago.

Cold War tensions prevented the timely recovery of 2nd Lt. Mumford's body. But the historical office at the Department of Defense never gave up. They began anew the search for 2nd Lt. Mumford's remains, and from 2007 to 2016, the POW/MIA Accounting Agency investigated the alleged crash site, ultimately finding proof of a downed WWII-era U.S. aircraft. With help from Ukrainian Armed Forces and local farmers, they uncovered the remains of 2nd Lt. Mumford.

Mr. Speaker, the United States of America never leaves a fallen soldier behind. When brothers Ronald and Lynn Woolums stood on the Tampa International Airport tarmac last week to accept the remains of their uncle, 2nd Lt. John Donald Mumford, it represented a proud tradition that defines who we are as a people.

I want to express my gratitude for the Defense Department's investigation team who made this day possible. 2nd Lt. Mumford is an American hero, and his family should beam with pride at his sacrifice. And what an amazing story to pass along from generation to generation-- we honor our men and women in uniform by never forgetting.

Mr. Speaker, we salute Army Air Forces 2nd Lieutenant John Donald Mumford, and all the men and women who have given their lives protecting the freedoms we so dearly cherish. God bless our troops, and God bless America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to 24 million Americans losing their health insurance, including 60,000 residents in my home of Pinellas County, Florida. Florida is the number one State with Affordable Care Act enrollments--number one. We stand to lose the most with this repeal.

But what we are debating this week is far worse than just a repeal. It is how the new bill treats the least among us. Medicaid, which the poor and disabled depend on, would be devastated, leaving an estimated 3.5 million children and 720,000 disabled Americans without care.

There are a lot of people here today in the Nation's Capital in wheelchairs, trying to make this point to all of us. What could be more cruel than taking away health care for all of them?

This is a misguided proposal. We must work together to improve health care, bring down costs, expand access, and protect the most vulnerable in our society.

Mr. Speaker, people's lives are on the line with this vote tomorrow. Let's do the right thing. Reject this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the courageous men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, located in Florida's 13th District, and a brave St. Petersburg resident, Andrew Dillman.

Last week, amid high winds and rough seas, the U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, led by its Commander, Captain Holly Najarian and Deputy Commander Randall Brown, responded to multiple search-and-rescue calls. Within a 12-hour timespan, they assisted 18 individuals in distress, seven of which were pulled from the water.

Pinellas County is a peninsula, on the peninsula of Florida. As such, we are fortunate to have three major Coast Guard Commands, Sector St. Petersburg, Station Sand Key, and Air Station Clearwater, that patrol our waters every day. The work they do is indispensable, and to those seven people pulled from the water last week, it was the difference between life and death. I salute the Coast Guard for their service, protecting our people, property, and national security along our coastline. And I will fight for them, providing the resources needed to carry out their critical mission. Their budget should be strengthened, not depleted or diminished.

Sadly, last week we were also reminded of the importance of the U.S. Coast Guard through tragedy. One of my constituents, Andrew Dillman, a brave young man and crewman for a local boat charter company, perished in the turbulent waters off Shell Key attempting to rescue a college student under his care. A powerful rip current overtook Andrew and Chinese student Jie Luo. I offer my deepest condolences to their families, and our prayers are with their loved ones during this most difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, putting service before self is a hallmark of the U.S. Coast Guard, and Mr. Dillman exhibited that same spirit with his actions. This willingness to sacrifice represents the best of who we are as human beings. We give thanks for their courage, may it inspire us to always be our brother's keeper.

I am humbled to have this opportunity to honor the service of our U.S. Coast Guard and the life of Mr. Andrew Dillman. May he rest in eternal peace.