Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Rock Island, Illinois for being named a project winner for the 2017 Governor's Hometown Award due to its outstanding Kids Invested in Natural Growth (KING) Program.

The Kids Invested in Natural Growth Program is provided by the Martin Luther King Center. The program provides a variety of activities for youth ages 6 through 18, including homework help, sports and recreation, service learning, mentoring, life skills, and character development. The program's goal is to provide safe and enriching activities and encourage academic success. The Kids Invested in Natural Growth Program reaches approximately 1,200 kids each year. Thirty-five dedicated volunteers make the yearlong commitments to the sports component. An additional 15 volunteers are involved in the afterschool and summer programs.

The generous and caring volunteers and leaders of the Kids Invested in Natural Growth (KING) Program in the City of Rock Island make me especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Rock Island, Illinois for being

named a finalist for the 2017 Governor's Hometown Award and recognize all who organize and contribute to the Kids Invested in Natural Growth (KING) Program for their outstanding efforts and accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The Riverdale Rams' Golf Team for winning the state championship in the Class 1A tournament.

Riverdale won by six shots over Hillsboro. The boys played through gusty winds and occasional rain showers and witnessed their lead slip to a mere two shots, but held strong to pull out a victory. This title makes school history, both as the Rams' first-ever golf title and first-ever state team title. I congratulate the Rams on their outstanding victory in their Class 1A win--a testament to the impressive leadership provided by Coach Trent Groves and teammates Tyler Bussert and Anthony Ruthey.

Mr. Speaker, as a former athlete, I understand how important this is to the young men, the coaches and the community. Their efforts and resilience should inspire us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Salvation Army on its 125th anniversary in Rock Island County, Illinois.

The Salvation Army opened in Moline in 1892, 27 years after it was founded in London. The Moline Salvation Army was started after immigrants from Europe and Sweden came to the area in the 1890s in order to find work at John Deere. After arriving in the region, a group of Swedish men wrote back to their home country to ask that officers be sent to start a church. The Salvation Army's first services were held in a rented space above a saloon in the Browning Block Building on the southwest corner of 15th Street and 5th Avenue in Moline in 1892. A Rock Island Salvation Army opened just one year later. In 1993, the two merged to become the Moline Salvation Army, which has been in its current location since 2000.

The Salvation Army has given women the same leadership opportunities as men. Women serve as pastors, Bible teachers and social service workers; they also lead ministries and carry the same rank as male counterparts.

The Salvation Army's original mission has evolved over the years. It was first founded with the basic social services principles of taking care of the physical and emotional needs of the hungry and homeless, but has grown to take on disaster relief services, child care centers, summer camps, holiday assistance, services for the aging, veterans programs, shelters for women and children, family and career counseling, vocational training, correctional services, and substance abuse rehabilitation.

Mr. Speaker, I again want to congratulate The Salvation Army on its 125th anniversary in Rock Island County and wish it another successful 125 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tom Thoms, Jim Millman and Tom Rowe for their extraordinary service to children and families.

These three bicyclists took a 1,827 mile, 21 day bicycle ride from Itasca, Minnesota to Venice, Louisiana. These men set out on this journey with one common goal: to help break the cycle of child abuse by raising money and bringing attention to this pressing issue. They originally set a goal of raising $42,000, but they drastically exceeded that goal by raising a total of $108,494. All of the money raised went to three Quad-City charities--Alternatives, the Child Abuse Council, and Bethany for Children & Families. The men spent 146 hours on their bikes, which is the equivalent of six days and one night. Collectively, their bicycle tires spun more than eight million times.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Thoms, Mr. Millman, and Mr. Rowe, once again, for their outstanding efforts and selfless community service. The generous actions of individuals such as these men make me especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Tyler Bussert, a senior at Riverdale High School, for earning the Class 1A title for the Illinois State Golf Championship.

Tyler Bussert shot a 36-37-73 both days at the state meet for a 146 total to earn his title as state champion, and I would like to recognize Tyler for this tremendous accomplishment. Tyler's first place win follows a ninth place finish as a sophomore and second place finish as a junior in the state championship. As a former athlete, I understand the amount of hard work and commitment it takes to earn such a title. Tyler is a competitor with strong dedication and work ethic. I am proud to see such young talent in our community, and to see him represent Port Byron on a state-wide platform.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Tyler Bussert on his title, and I join the rest of the community in wishing him every success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, you have been hearing a lot about this tax plan, but it is really a tax scam.

It is not a mistake that congressional Republicans are going after hardworking middle class families. In fact, it is an intentional attack against them.

Let me explain briefly. They have laid out a simple three-step process. Here they are:

Step one, pass a tax scam that they know will raise taxes on millions of middle class families in order to give tax cuts to corporate special interests and billionaires. That alone will saddle our children with more than $1 trillion in debt.

Step two, flip out about this new debt.

Step three, then demand cuts to Social Security and Medicare.

For months, congressional Republicans have denied that this is what they are doing.

Well, let me tell you what happened last week. Speaker Ryan said this: ``We're going to have to get back next

year at entitlement reform, which is how you tackle the debt and the deficit.''

He says that entitlements are what he is going to go after.

Well, do you know what entitlements are?

Medicare and Social Security, under his definition.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to reject this tax scam. Instead, let's offer a better deal to the American public.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Bettie Truitt on her retirement from Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois. For 29 years, Dr. Truitt has demonstrated a strong commitment to education. She has influenced the lives of thousands of students over the course of her career, and her efforts have resulted in many improvements to the college and the surrounding community.

Dr. Truitt began her distinguished career at Black Hawk College in 1989 as an instructor in the Mathematics Department, and she has held various academic and administrative positions in the following years. In 2007, Dr. Truitt began working as Dean for Instruction and Student Services, and was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2012. She has served as President of Black Hawk College since 2014. Dr. Truitt played an instrumental role in expanding the programs offered at Black Hawk College. This included the opening of a $13 million Health Sciences Center at the Quad Cities Campus in Moline and a $6.9 million Veterinary Technology Center at Black Hawk College's East Campus in Galva. Dr. Truitt also made a significant impact on Black Hawk College's transfer program, which allows students to seamlessly transfer the college credit that they earned affordably at the community college to any participating four-year college.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize Dr. Bettie Truitt for her commitment to inspiring the next generation of students. Dr. Truitt has undoubtedly made a difference in the lives of her students, and her retirement will be a significant loss to Black Hawk College and the community. I congratulate her on a well-earned retirement and wish her the very best in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, what do these people have in common: a teacher who buys a prom dress for her student; a teacher who buys crayons and pencils for her students; a teacher who buys packages of paper for his students; my mom, who calls me and says, ``Don't cut my Medicare. Don't let them cut my Medicare''; the person who has a heart attack or is paying hard-earned money for his or her cancer treatment?

None of those people will be able to write off their medical expenses or their educational expenses. My mom and other seniors will see a $25 billion cut in Medicare.

What they have in common is that this tax scam will hurt all of them, as opposed to the folks who are the richest among us. The corporations who are doing very, very well, they will see the tax benefits.

This is not a tax plan, it is a tax scam, and our people that we serve deserve better.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, which would designate the post office in Fairview, Illinois, as the Sgt. Douglas J. Riney Post Office.

Sergeant Riney, who died on October 19, 2016, of wounds received from hostile enemy forces in Kabul, Afghanistan, lived a life dedicated to service.

After he graduated from Spoon River Valley High School, Sergeant Riney became a volunteer firefighter with the Fairview Fire Protection District. He was known as a man who could always be counted on by his community, a man who felt a calling to public service. He joined the Army, entering Active Duty in July of 2012.

Sergeant Riney was deployed as part of Operation Enduring Freedom from July 2014 to February 2015. In June of 2016, he was again deployed to Operation Freedom's Sentinel.

As part of the Support Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood, Texas, Sergeant Riney excelled at his work.

Throughout his time in the Army, Sergeant Riney was repeatedly recognized with commendations, including the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Army Commendation Medal.

At home, Sergeant Riney lived with his wife, Kylie, and their two children, Elea and James.

He is survived by his loving family: his father and his stepmother, Dave and Kristie Riney; his mother and stepfather, Pam and Don Boland; his brother, Jeff Budd; his sister, Stacey Budd; two stepbrothers, Bryce and Kole Vaughn; and one stepsister, Ashlie Herrin.

On the fateful day of October 19, 2016, our Nation lost one of its finest, and the community of Fairview lost one of its best.

The naming of the Fairview Post Office is just a small token of our appreciation for Sergeant Riney, who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation.

While we can never fill the hole left in the family, the Fairview community, or the Nation, I hope this post office will serve as a proud commemoration of a man who dedicated his life to serving others and as an inspiration for those who just hear his name.

On behalf of the hardworking men and women of the Illinois 17th Congressional District, I will never forget the service of Sergeant Douglas Riney, and we will always honor his sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for the consideration of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to introduce the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act with my colleague and my friend from across the aisle, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

Paul Simon was a five-term Congressman and two-term Senator from my home State of Illinois. Like me, he believed in bipartisan solutions. In fact, as a Democrat, Paul Simon served as Lieutenant Governor of Illinois under Republican Governor Richard Ogilvie--the only time in modern history that Illinois has elected a Governor and a Lieutenant Governor from different parties.

Paul Simon believed in a government that helps people and encouraged Congress to work together to prepare the next generation with the knowledge required to succeed in an increasingly global world.

Our bill would establish a competitive grant program and Paul Simon's name to help do just that.

The program would increase opportunities for college students to study abroad, especially students who don't get to do so, like so many of the rural and community college students in my district.

Paul Simon once said: Some of us still think we can change the world. I am proud to introduce a bipartisan bill with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen to help prepare our students to change the world.

Mr. Speaker, on the Legislative Day of November 7, 2017, a series of votes were held. Had I been present for the first of these roll call votes, I would have cast the following vote:

Roll Call 613--I vote YES.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Quad Cities Student Hunger Drive for its long-time commitment to collecting food for those in need. This annual fundraising event promotes volunteerism, raises awareness for hunger, and collects food and monetary donations for River Bend Foodbank.

The Quad Cities Student Hunger Drive is a local branch of the national Student Hunger Drive, and has been dedicated to collecting and donating food for the hungry for over 3 decades. In 2016 alone, a total of 378,461 pounds of food was collected through the combined efforts of 16 high schools from the Quad Cities and surrounding areas. Since 1986, the Student Hunger Drive has collected over 17 million pounds of food, and its efforts have provided 14 million meals for residents of the Quad Cities and surrounding communities in need. The 32nd annual Student Hunger Drive kicked off on October 2nd, with 17 schools in the area participating. I am proud there are such caring, determined youth in our community, and that our community schools' staff and administrators have continued to stay committed to this important effort year after year.

The generous and ambitious participants of the Student Hunger Drive make me especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally recognize all who organize and contribute to the Quad Cities Student Hunger Drive for their outstanding efforts and accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mrs. Dixie Bigger, who left us on October 20th of this year. She will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends, her community, and her union, United Auto Workers Local 1237.

Mrs. Bigger was born on August 22, 1940 in Oquawka, Illinois, to Harold Wilson and Velma Mea Henshaw. She grew up in Oquawka and attended G&O High School. In 1956, she married Richard ``Dick'' Bigger, who sadly passed away in July of 2009. Mrs. Bigger worked at Champion Spark Plug in Burlington, Iowa for 33 years, and was a dedicated member of U.A.W. Local 1237 and the Champion Council. Mrs. Bigger was also civically engaged as a Henderson County Precinct Committeewoman. After retiring, she became the recording secretary for the U.A.W. Local 1237 Retiree Chapter, a position she maintained until May of 2016. Mrs. Bigger was blessed with three children, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for Mrs. Bigger's contributions to our community, and my condolences are with her loved ones at this difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Senator Dennis ``Denny'' J. Jacobs of East Moline, Illinois on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

Denny was born in Rock Island County, Illinois on November 8, 1937 to parents Oral ``Jake'' and Shirley Jacobs. Denny graduated from United Township High School in 1955 and married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ellen DuffY, shortly after. He is a graduate of Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. Denny and Mary Ellen raised six children.

Following in his father's footsteps, Denny dedicated nearly 30 years of his life to public service. He was elected Mayor of East Moline in 1973, a position he held for 14 years. In 1986 Denny was appointed to serve as Senator for Illinois' 36th District. He served his community in this capacity until his retirement in 2004. Denny not only made a deep impact on his district, but also on the State of Illinois. One of his biggest legislative accomplishments was expanding 9-1-1 service statewide. Denny worked tirelessly to advocate for his community and to bring investment to this region.

I join with his family and friends in congratulating him on this special occasion and wishing him a very happy 80th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor decorated Army veteran Charles LeRoy Dietrich of Pekin, Illinois, on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

Mr. Dietrich was inducted into the U.S. Army on February 15, 1946 at Ft. Sheridan in Chicago, Illinois at the age of 18. After attending basic training at Fort Eustis, Virginia, he was assigned to Fort Warren in Cheyenne, Wyoming for specialized training as a railroad brakeman. Mr. Dietrich was honorably discharged in August 1946, then reenlisted and was promoted to the rank of Private First Class. After receiving security clearance, Mr. Dietrich was assigned to the military police and security details at Los Alamos, New Mexico. While there, he was promoted to the rank of T4 Sergeant and was presented with a World War II Victory Medal for his service. Mr. Dietrich was honorably discharged in September 1947.

The dedicated military service of veterans such as Charles Dietrich makes me especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again honor Army veteran Charles Dietrich for his extraordinary military service during World War II and wish him a very happy 90th birthday.