Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following:

Whereas, with its production of ``Radio Golf'' in February 2015, Seminole State College's Theatre Department completes its 10-year commitment to produce all ten plays in playwright August Wilson's Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning series referred to as ``The Pittsburgh Cycle'', an historic feat that only a few American theaters have accomplished, and

Whereas, Seminole State College has contributed to the region's celebration, and recognition, of Black History Month over the past decade by presenting the ``Pittsburgh Cycle'', which depicts the African-American experience during each decade of the 20th century, and

Whereas, Seminole State College Theatre Department's production of the ``Pittsburgh Cycle'' demonstrates the exceptional power of college theater to promote active learning, and

encourage individual development and growth, and

Whereas, Seminole State College's decade long productions of the plays that make up the ``Pittsburgh Cycle'' provided unique opportunities for student, community, and professional theater members to work with nationally renowned veterans of African-American theater.

Therefore, in recognition of Seminole State College's remarkable completion of August Wilson's ``Pittsburgh Cycle'', I, Corrine Brown, Representative of the 5th District of Florida, congratulate Seminole State College and its Theatre Department, and encourage the Seminole County and Seminole State College community to join in the celebration of this most noteworthy achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I, with my colleagues Sanford Bishop and Charles Rangel, rise to submit a report, written by Ron Armstead, of the 26th Annual Veterans Braintrust at the 44th Annual Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference.

2014 is the beginning of the worldwide celebration of the centennial of World War I, known as the ``war to end all wars.'' Although, the U.S. didn't join the war until 1917, we would like to point out one American Eugene Jacques Bullard, born in Columbus, GA, who enlisted on October 19, 1914 to fight for France. He later, became the first African American, combat aviator in history with the motto: ``All Blood Runs Red'' Also note, 33 years after his death, and 77 years after being denied entry into the U.S. Army Air Corps--Bullard was posthumously commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

Nearly 5 million Americans served during the war, and 116,516 Americans died in defense of democracy overseas. World War I also marked the first time in the nation's history that American soldiers went abroad to defend foreign soil against aggression. During the war to end all wars, the U.S. enlisted 367,710 African American men as soldiers--most from the south--into the Armed Forces. About 200,000 were sent to France and about 50,000 of those saw combat. The vast majority served in the Service of Supply (SOS) units in Europe with the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) on the Western Front, while also encountering French civilians and colonial African troops alike.

U.S. World War I veterans have moved from memory to history. We are reminded that the last American soldier to die in World War I was Private Wayne Miner of Kansas City, and he was but one of the many African Americans, who participated in Black Regiments during the war. This included the celebrated 369th, formerly New York 15th National Guard ``Harlem Hellfighters,'' made up of volunteers, who served more days under continuous fire (181 days) than any other regiment in the AEF during the entire war, and the first American unit to reach the Rhine River, while suffering 40% killed and wounded--with 171 African Americans from the 369th alone being awarded the Croix de Guerre, or French Legion of

Merit for heroism in battle, as well as the entire unit.

Regarding the Black American in the World War for Democracy, are the historic words of Emmett Scott, Special Assistant to the Secretary of War Newton D. Baker. ``The Negro, in the Great War for Freedom and Democracy, had proved to be a notable and inspiring figure. The record and achievements of this racial group as brave soldiers and loyal citizens, furnish one of the brightest chapters in American history.'' American Negroes in the World War, 1919.

This stands in sharp contrast to what Maj. Gen. Robert L. Bullard, Commander of the American 2nd Army during World War I, and an Alabama racist who wrote in 1923 ``Poor Negroes! They are hopelessly inferior . . .'' ``If you need combat soldiers, and especially if you need them in a hurry, don't put your time upon Negroes.''

Thus, the framework for the 26th Annual Veterans Braintrust Forum was African Americans, history, advocacy and legacy. The invocation and benediction was presented by Rev. Dr. Grainer Browning, Jr., setting the tone and sending a message of hope and faith for the discussions to come. Harlem's own Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), senior Member of the House Ways and Means Committee led the remarks by describing veterans as a special fraternity of men and women. While also recognizing WWI icon Capt. Hamilton Fish, and historic places such as Hellfighter Square and the Harlem Armory, home of the 369th Veterans Association and Museum. As he said, ``when the flag goes up, we fight.'' But, for many economically it is their only choice, or chance. He also cautioned that there is a lack of confidence in our government (or trust deficit), despite the arguable threat to national security. And amid White House pronouncements there will be no American boots on the ground, versus the fact that between 1600 to 2000 troops are already on the ground. Equally important, he said, the challenge sent to Congress is whether ``we are at war'' and determining ``what is the actual threat to America.'' Additionally, shouldn't we set aside enough money for those returning from harm's way, and shouldn't everybody be ``on call,'' including those children of those most politically and economically powerful.

Rep. Bishop, in joining with his colleagues Brown, Rangel and Eddie Bernice Johnson in thanking Ron Armstead for his continued support, said to the veterans in the audience--``we owe you an immeasurable debt, for without your sacrifices, our freedom and liberties would not be as secure.'' Further, ``this year marks the 100th anniversary of WWI, and we must remember the many sacrifices made during WWI and African Americans that served during this dark period.''

On May 18, 1917, the Selective Service Act was passed by Congress requiring all male citizens between the ages of 21 and 31 to register for the draft. However, even before the act was passed, African American males from all over the country eagerly joined the war effort. They viewed the conflict as an opportunity to prove their loyalty, patriotism and worthiness for equal treatment in the United States. This is still true today, WWI veterans and the veterans of today give selflessly of themselves for the love of their country, yet some still have to fight to receive the recognition for their actions and earned benefits.

``It is said `those who forget the lessons of the past are bound to repeat them.' War has always been full of unplanned consequences for our service members; we must be vigilant in responding to the needs of our veterans, and our obligations in sharing the same passion for defending our nation. We must learn from the past, work on progress for the future, and continue to work on areas that need improvement. I hope that when you leave today's discussion, the information you have heard will build a lasting bond, and help us work together, improving service members and their families quality of life, as well as expanding the opportunities to our service member's still on active duty, and to our veterans.''

Finally, Bishop emphasized this point as we focus on WWI and the impact it had on those African Americans returning from war, ``A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.''

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson expressed her disappointment at seeing the President's issuing of 24 medals of honor, that did not include a certain individual who truly deserves to be honored--specifically, Petty Officer Doris `Dorie' Miller. Petty Officer Miller was awarded the Navy Cross by President Roosevelt before his death in 1943, although he was never awarded the Medal of Honor, the Navy has concluded that the Navy Cross appropriately recognizes his actions, however, she and many others have always believed this to be distinctly untrue.

Rep. Corrine Brown, who has served on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs for over twenty-two years, announced that she was seeking the Ranking Member position for the House Veterans Affairs Committee in the 114th Congress. She noticed that when the Democrats were in charge, they passed the largest veterans health care budget in the history of this country; passed the largest increase of the GI Bill since World War II; and tried to insure veterans against a Republican government shutdown by providing advanced appropriations for health care programs. ``These advanced appropriations provide veterans with much needed security in the future.''

Brown looks forward to bringing veterans issues back to the forefront of policy in the House of Representatives along with working together with those veterans and veterans advocates represented here today to present a strong voice for our deserving veterans. She finished by quoting President George Washington, who said, ``The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country.''

The keynote speaker was the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs Sloan Gibson. Deputy Secretary Gibson was confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs on February 11, 2014--and on May 30, 2014, was appointed Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

The Deputy Secretary stated, one hundred years ago the first shots were fired that would lead our nation into World War I. The first step in fulfilling President Lincoln's charge to care for those ``who shall have borne the battle . . .'' And on April 6, 1917, the nation called, and Henry Johnson, Needham Roberts and thousands of others answered the call. Their unit was the 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the ``Harlem Hellfighters,'' who served with the French 16th Division in the Argonne Forest on the Western Front. Pvt. Johnson suffered 21 combat injuries, and Pvt. Roberts a grenade wound in hand-to-hand combat. For their valor they were the first Americans to earn the Croix de Guerre, France's highest military honor. Yet, few details are recorded about Needham Roberts, who died in an asylum in 1949. But, much more is known about Sgt. Henry Johnson's transition from military service, discharge records fail to account for his severe wounds--no Purple Heart, no Pension. Debilitating injuries cost him his job, his family, and he died destitute in 1939, only 32 years old. The VA was not there for him.

Even 75 years later we find that still shocks the conscience, prompting the question the Veterans Braintrust asks: a century after sending our national treasure ``Over There,'' are we doing any better supporting their transitions over here?

First, in any effort we have to make sure every veteran, regardless of social and economic circumstances, has the opportunity for a happy and fulfilling life. Second, to really do better, the VA has to look at everything we do through the eyes of those we serve--our veterans. And that is where Secretary Bob McDonald is leading us--to a veteran- centric organization that measures performance by veterans' outcomes and impacts, as opposed to inputs, activity, outputs, or good intentions. The metrics that matter are Veteran outcomes and impacts. We won't attempt to recite all the examples, or accomplishments he cited, of the VA doing better such as Veterans Treatment Courts, Vet Centers. . . .

But here are a number of unfortunate facts: homelessness for veterans of color is disproportionately high. While 20% of veterans are minorities nearly half of homeless veterans in temporary shelters are minorities. Another fact is, a disproportionate number of criminal justice involved veterans are minorities. These and similar health disparities led to establishing VA's Office of Health Equity (OHE) in 2012 under the leadership of Dr. Uhenna Uchendu. With OHE's singular mission being to help ensure all veterans receive effective and equitable health care--regardless of race, gender, age, geography, and culture or sexual orientation. In closing, Gibson said, ``So are we doing better in supporting warfighters' transitions? The short answer is, yes, we're doing better. But we still have lots to do. All of us, together.

The other very special guest speaker was Three Star Gen. Ronald Bailey, USMC, originally from St. Augustine, Florida. In his remarks, he spoke about the 100th Anniversary of World War I being a rare opportunity to reflect on where we have come from, share stories such as Leo C. Chase, the first soldier to die from St. Augustine as a consequence of Vietnam fighting in the battle of the Ia Drang Valley (which story is vividly told in the 1992 book, ``We Were Soldiers Once and Young: Ia Drang--The Battle that Changed the War in Vietnam''). We were also able to extrapolate important lessons, and offer long overdue recognition as part of the healing process. Lastly, he called the Hon. Corrine Brown, the 'Lion of the Marine Corps,' for her unwavering efforts in honoring the Montford Point Marines with the Congressional Gold Medal.

Panelists

Mike Betz spoke highly about the recent report, which was part of the Million Records Project, an initiative of Student Veterans of America (SVA), which measured for the first-time ever veterans' performance in higher education; D. Wayne Robinson, a retired Command Sergeant Major spoke about Student Veterans of America (SVA) Chapters across the country, student veterans return on investment (ROI) to America and his way of giving back as President/CEO; Col. David Sutherland spoke about the importance of connecting with families and community. He also briefly told the story of Staff Sgt. Donnie Dixon, a career soldier who was killed on his second tour of duty in Baloor, Iraq, and the Easter Seals Center that is named after him to address the urgent needs of military service members, veterans and their families, or the homecoming; Sgt. DeMarqus Townsend spoke about his personal struggles with coming home from combat and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Prof. Pellom McDaniels, author of the forthcoming ``Memoir of Royal Christian, a Black World War I Soldier'' (2015), spoke passionately about the importance of WWI, for African Americans social, political and economic advancement; Prof Adriane Lentz-Smith, author of ``Freedom Struggles: African Americans and World War I'' (2009), spoke of African American soldiers returning home to join activist working to gain full citizenship rights as recompense for military service; Prof. Joel Beeson spoke about the striking and uncanny parallels between our present moment in history and the time before, during and after WWI. Journalist Yvonne Latty, spoke about the pride that emerged from writing ``We Were There: Voices of African American Veterans, From World War II to the War in Iraq'' (2004), and later her ambivalence resulting from writing ``In Conflict: Iraq War Veterans Speak Out on Duty, Loss, and the Fight to Stay Alive'' (2006), and last, but not least Dr. Linda Lagemann spoke out about the flood of mind-altering psychiatric drugs being administered by military physicians for service personnel, and veterans.

Afterward during the comments period Tara Johnson, the granddaughter of Sgt. Henry Johnson, WWI Hero, daughter of famed Tuskegee Airman Herman Johnson of WWII, and mother of Sgt. DeMarqus Townsend, USMC, a Iraq combat veteran spoke with heartfelt emotion that her grandfather died alone and destitute never receiving help for his mental and health-related issues from WWI. Saying, while government has made great strides in the care of returning troops, much more work is still needed, particularly at the family, friends and community level-- because we can't afford to throw them (returnees) away.

In recognition of the continuing importance of jobs for returning Iraq and Afghanistan soldiers and their families, the Veterans Braintrust and Disney once again teamed up for a special breakout session highlighting Disney's Veterans Institute's unique ``10 STEPS'' for creating a Veterans Hiring Program; in addition to discussing strategies, tactics and interviewing techniques for bringing on-board veterans.

Now, despite the fact that there are no longer any U.S. veterans left from World War I, there were a number of World War I descendants and relatives, institutions, organizations, historic places and groups. To name a few, such as the Kenneth Hawkins American Legion Post #61 of Atlantic City, New Jersey that contributed to linking the past with the present. At the family level, there were descendants Rev. Dr. Grainger Brown, Jr., the Grandson of Cpl. Clifton Merimon, 372nd, who earned the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), Croix de Guerre and Medaille Miltiare; Tara Johnson, Granddaughter and Sgt. DeMarqus Townsend, USMC, disabled Iraq soldier and Great-Grandson of Sgt. Henry Johnson of the 369th; Charles Hamilton Houston, Jr., aging son of Lt. Charles Hamilton Houston, Sr., WWI Officer, Harvard Law School Graduate Class of 1923, and Civil Rights Hero; Roger Morris, Grandson of Lt. James Morris, Sr., a native of Georgia and Graduate of the U.S. Army's first Class of Black Officers in 1917, Jerry Bowman, Grandson of Ira Bowman, who served with the 369th, and Clarence `Tiger' Davis, who's Aunt, Louvenia Bradley-Harper, traveled to Paris in 1918 to retrieve her son Melvin Harper's body. She came home without his remains, saying, ``that he was in a much better place.'' He is buried in Manheim, Germany.

Equally important, all this served as the broader context for our pre-centennial WWI Forum discussion, which was instructive and insightful. First, many parallels were drawn between WWI and Iraq and Afghanistan returnees, particularly injuries (e.g. PTSD, TBI, suicides and domestic violence), and war's impact on families, both military and civilians.

Second, in answering a couple of historical and philosophical questions such as did WWI end all wars and Save the World for Democracy, and (2) do we learn from history, or repeat it--given that the WWI Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916, or Middle East boundaries continue to fuel conflict, and geo-political fighting in the region today (along sectarian, tribal and ethnic lines on the ground)--we would answer a resounding `no!' Which leads many of us to believe, or say, ``the more things change, the more they stay the same.''

Third, a long overdue bill (S. 2793) to authorize the award of the Medal of Honor to Sgt. Henry Johnson was introduced and passed the Senate on September 18, 2014, with a related bill (HR5459) being referred to the House Armed Service Committee. However, the process is Congress must pass a separate authorization due to the time period for awarding has passed. But, once the legislation is passed it goes to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for verification, and afterward to the President's desk for signing.

Fourth, Dr. Adriane Lentz-Smith says, ``there's actually a deeper and longer story, or view of the origins of the Civil Rights Movement, than that of the 50's Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954 & 60's successful passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.'' New scholarship lends a sense of a longer and harder civil rights struggle, one that dates back to the World War One era (U.S. Supreme Court's Plessy v. Ferguson decision of 1896) and the aftermath of the Civil War. Leading Dr. Pellom McDaniel's to call for, or recommend the creation of a Consortium for the Study of African Americans in World War One with the support of the Veterans Braintrust of the Congressional Black Caucus to leverage and/or attract filmmakers, scholars, supporters, etc.

Finally, the 26th annual gala reception and awards ceremony hosted by Hon. Corrine Brown was held in the Veterans' Committee Hearing Room of the Cannon House Office Building. This year's awards were presented by Ron Armstead before a full house to Linwood Alford, Gregory Cooke, Sgt. Patricia Harris, Col. Conway Jones, USAF, Ret., Will `It Takes a Village' Smith, Robert `Bobby' White, Ellis Ray Williams, Come Home Baltimore, Eastern Seals Dixon Military and Veterans Community Service Center, Fulton County Veterans Court and Mentorship Program, Open Door Resource Center, Inc., Stone of Hope Program, Student Veterans of America, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Inc., Westside All Wars Memorial Building, the ``Parting Way'' Museum of African American and Cape Verdean American Ethnohistory, Inc., the film `Choc'Late Soldiers from the USA,' and World War I soldiers Ira Bowman, Lt. Charles Hamilton Houston, Sr., and Sgt. Henry Johnson posthumously. The Rep. Brown closed the awards segment with a rousing rendition of `God Bless America.'

Special thanks goes to our historians, families, friends, supporters and staff--Profs. Adrian Lentz-Smith, Joel Beeson, Pellom McDaniels, Journalist Yvonne Latty and Dr. Linda Lagemann; Rev. Dr. Grainger Browning, Jr., Tara Johnson, Sgt. DeMarqus Townsend, USMC, Jerry Bowman, Robert Morris and Clarence `Tiger' Davis; Dr. Frank Smith, Jr., Prof. Maria Hoehn and Dr. Krewasky Salter; Ralph Cooper, Morocco Coleman, Carmen Wilson II, Robert Blackwell, Elaine Sacks, Mildred Kidd Smith, Tom Harris, Dr. Dorothy Simpson-Taylor, Howard Jefferson, and Dr. Davine Reed; Dr. Richard Lipsky, Education Corporation of America, Smithsonian Channel, National Archives and Records Administration; Austin Brock, Col. Kevin Preston, USA, Ret., and the Walt Disney Veterans Initiative; and Sydney Renwick, Lee Footer, Stephanie Anim- Yankah, Jonathan Halpern, Vernita Stevens, Hannah Kim, Reba Raffaelli, Ronnie Simmons and Shantrel Brown.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 203, the Clay Hunt SAV Act. This legislation passed the House last month in the closing days of the 113th Congress. I am pleased that we were able to act on this measure as one of the first items of business in the 114th Congress.

Providing the mental health care that veterans need and effectively dealing with the crisis of veteran suicides have been longstanding concerns of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. War is indeed terrible, and the effects of combat and service on our veterans lasts a lifetime. For far too long, society--and the military culture itself--has acted as if the need for mental health care treatment is a weakness and has discouraged adequate treatment. This attitude is changing, but it cannot change fast enough. In the area of mental health for our veterans and returning servicemembers, there is no easy answer or quick fix.

I appreciate the work of my friend from Minnesota, Tim Walz; Chairman Miller; and all of my colleagues on the committee in fashioning a bill that I believe will make a difference in the lives of our veterans.

H.R. 203 takes a number of important steps, including improving the safety net for at-risk veterans, while also introducing some accountability into the VA mental health care and suicide prevention program, using a third-party evaluation. It will provide veterans with a Web site that will serve as a centralized source of information on mental health services.

H.R. 203 initiates a program to help address some of the glaring mental health personnel shortages at the VA. While the incentives in this bill are limited to the psychiatry field, I would like to see this effort expanded in the future to all the mental health professional shortfalls.

H.R. 203 would expand peer support networks, which we have heard are quite effectively used. And I believe the reporting requirement in this bill will confirm that additional resources should be permanently dedicated to fully utilizing peer support.

H.R. 203 would also provide an additional window of eligibility for combat veterans who may have missed the window of opportunity to sign up for VA health care. This extra time will help to ensure that veterans receive the health care, including mental health care, that they need.

I thank the chairman for working to bring this bill up quickly so that the House can act and send this important measure to the Senate. I look forward to working with Chairman Miller, and with Florida being the State with the second-largest population of veterans and the most senior population, I know that the committee will do a good job having two of the leadership team from Florida.

But let me be clear: there are 435 Members of Congress, and each of them have veterans in their district, and we will work to make sure that all veterans get the care that they have earned and deserve.

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

Mr. Speaker, how much time is remaining?

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Walz).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

(Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas.

The last speaker just finished. I have no additional speakers.

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

It is unacceptable that 22 veterans are dying by suicide every day. We need to pull all stakeholders together to work as a group to solve the problem. There is not one cause and not one answer. There are a multitude of answers and a multitude of causes and solutions.

The Department of Defense, the VA, and the veterans service organizations need to work together to come up with many solutions that will meet the needs. There is not one solution but many. I pledge to work with my colleague from Minnesota and Chairman Miller to address the issues in the upcoming session.

Access to mental health care and benefits for our veterans is an issue I plan to focus on in the months ahead, and I look forward to working with all of my colleagues to ensure that veterans are given the benefits and services that they have earned.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson).

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of the Fifth Congressional District of Florida, I rise now to offer my heartfelt condolences and pay tribute to the life of Rev. Thomas A. Wright, a leader, humanitarian, activist and friend.

I am moved and encouraged when recalling the life achievements of this giant in the field of religion and social activism. As a champion for the marginalized and disenfranchised, we remember Rev. Wright for his many achievements, which among them include; creating a scholarship for disadvantaged youth, helping his church acquire an affordable apartment complex for low-income residents and promoting economic development for east Gainesville.

As a man who served his country, Rev. Wright distinguished himself on the field of battle in World War II.

As a community activist, he gave of himself and his talents to benefit both the individuals and the many organizations he served. From being President of the Alachua County NAACP for 17 years to pastoring Mount Carmel church for over 45 years.

These and many other civic activities were distinctive and the accolades received for all his good works.

The life of Rev. Thomas A. Wright was one of accomplishment, service and sharing. And now in his passing we pay tribute to the man and his life of service to all of us. My prayer is that the life he lived serves as an example to each of us.

Rev. Wright is survived by his children, son Philoron Wright of Gainesville; daughters Dr. LaVon Wright Bracy (Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy) of Orlando and Patricia Wright Murray of West Palm Beach; 16 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great- grandchildren.

Thank you, Ranking Member Michaud.

First of all, let me just thank you for your service--your 12 years of service to this Congress--for what you have done for veterans throughout this country and also for working with you on transportation. I want to salute you for all that you have done. Thank you very much.

Mr. Speaker, earlier today, I visited the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where part of the facility is named the Murtha Cancer Center. Jack Murtha was a friend of mine, and he was the biggest advocate in Congress for men and women who serve in our military. I am especially proud of the visitors' center at the Normandy American Cemetery in France.

I had the opportunity to visit this center not long after it opened in 2007. The visitors' center truly pays tribute to the soldiers who stormed the beaches. It gives visitors a true sense of what the men and their loved ones had gone through on that D-day. I am pleased to have worked with John Murtha, and I am pleased that his memory will live on in the Murtha Cancer Center at Walter Reed.

I rise in support of this legislation, introduced by Mr. Walz, to help bring attention to the horrible problems that are affecting our Nation's veterans.

I am pleased that my colleague introduced this legislation, which will require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to arrange for an outside evaluation of their mental health care and suicide prevention programs. I am also requiring any servicemember who is discharged for posttraumatic stress disorder or brain injury or military sexual trauma to get treatment. Twenty-two veterans' suicides per day is too many. One suicide is too many.

Again, I want to thank Mr. Walz for introducing this legislation.

Last night at the White House Christmas ball there were cards available for Members of Congress to sign that would be sent to servicemembers this holiday season. I have placed these cards in the Democratic cloakroom and in the Republican cloakroom, and I am asking for Members who would to sign these cards and send notes to our veterans throughout the world.

Mr. Speaker, I am expressing condolences and commemoration for the life of Mayor Marion Barry, Jr.

In addition, I submit the following:

Whereas, Marion Barry, Jr. was an American activist and politician who served three terms as the Mayor of Washington, District of Columbia, and

Whereas, Mayor Barry served on the Council of the District of Columbia as an at-large member and subsequently in Ward 8, and

Whereas, Mayor Barry was involved in the African-American civil rights movement as a member of the Nashville Student Movement sit-ins and as the first chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and

Whereas, Mayor Barry gave more than 100,000 young people summer jobs and served as a catalyst for thousands of jobs for minorities, and

Whereas, he fought constantly and tirelessly for Home Rule and democracy for the District, and

Whereas, he increased senior citizen involvement and support of their programs, and

Whereas, he worked closely with business leaders to bring increased commerce and recognition to ``America's First City'', and

Whereas, he showed the District of Columbia and the world what resilience and perseverance truly looks like by providing an example of inspiration and hope that a person who falls can indeed rise again, and

Whereas, Mayor Barry was one of the most influential, impactful and savvy local politician of his generation, and will be greatly missed by the community he selflessly dedicated his life to improving, now

Therefore, be it resolved that on behalf of the 5th Congressional District of Florida, I extend my sincerest condolences and deepest sympathy to the family and loved ones of Mayor Marion Barry, Jr., and I wish you God's peace that surpasses all understanding as you take comfort in knowing that he fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Jacksonville Public Library's 100th anniversary as a Member of the Federal Depository Library Program. Since its designation in 1914, The Jacksonville Public Library system has faithfully provided information from the federal government to the citizens of Northeast Florida, providing a better informed and educated citizenry. Additionally, employees of the Library have offered guidance and acted as liaisons to the wealth of knowledge that the Depository contains.

The Federal Depository Library Program was established by Congress to ensure that the American public has access to its Government's information. Materials--whether, print, media or e-resources--are added by cataloging to the library's catalog and can be searched just like anything else. In the past government documents were not automatically cataloged and thus were missing from the records. The Jacksonville Public Library has an array of legacy materials from the 1860's, statistics, reports, newly published titles, as well as a mix of non- print media.

I am proud of the work that the Jacksonville Library has done on behalf of the community. The Library has made accessing information easier and more convenient for those wanting to extend the breadth of their knowledge. This achievement makes me particularly proud to call myself a Jacksonville native.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Kirkpatrick for yielding time to me.

I rise in opposition to this legislation. Let me just say, I understand I am the longest-serving member on the VA--23 years--and I understand--don't confuse me with too many facts--that this bill only includes three projects: Denver, Colorado; Orlando, Florida, one that we have been working on for over 25 years; and New Orleans, Louisiana. These projects, all of them, are far too along in the process to inject a special project manager. The Orlando VA Medical Center is currently 94 percent complete and construction is planned to be completed by the end of this year.

New Orleans is 52 percent complete and completion is scheduled for February 2016. The VA and the contractor have signed an agreement on a firm fixed price and are working closely together on the delivery of this project.

I understand that the gentleman from Colorado is concerned about the Denver VA Medical Center. However, the project is 55 percent complete, and any efforts to change the leadership midstream would only delay things further and cost our veterans time and money that could be better spent on their health care.

As a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I know firsthand the amount of critical infrastructure work that the Corps of Engineers have accomplished around the country. With nearly $6 billion in backlog of authorized civil works projects for the Corps of Engineers and with new, critical port-related projects included in the recent passage of the Water Resources Development Act, there are grave concerns by the Army Corps about their ability to participate in this project, especially the costs that it would relate to the Army Corps.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to put the letter in the Record from the Army Corps.

Mr. Speaker, with prior experience, the Army Corps has indicated that this kind of agreement does not work. They presently have all of the authorization they need to work with VA. And, in fact, they--the VA--spent $377 million at 74 projects they already participate in nationwide, so they don't need an additional authorization.

What this bill would do would only slow down the project in Orlando. I have spent--and all of the Members from the Orlando area and from Florida--we have spent years on this problem, and it is not just the VA's problem. For years, we did not have any construction going on with the VA. These projects, these last projects, we hadn't done any construction in the VA in 15 years, so certainly a lot of the expertise was gone.

But now it is not a benefit to have additional responsibilities placed particularly in Orlando at this time. We have a project that is close to completion. We want to bring this project in on time. By the time this bill is ever passed and signed into law, I am hoping that the veterans will be in the VA facility in Orlando, Florida.

In addition, we have worked with them--and the people who are handling it are not just the VA--the construction people. It has been a problem all along. I am not saying that the Army Corps could not be helpful, but at this time they absolutely cannot be helpful in this project.

So as we move forward, take Orlando out of what you are proposing. It is too late. We are ready for our VA facility to open up in Orlando, Florida, and to serve the veterans of the central Florida area. May God continue to bless America, and certainly the veterans deserve to be able to move into the VA facility in the Orlando, central Florida, area.

I thank the ranking member. This is certainly a bill that I can support.

H.R. 4276 would improve the reporting requirement for the TBI assisted living pilot program so that we can better gauge its success and expansion of the definition of the community-based residential rehabilitation services so that veterans who have TBI have other residential and home-based assisted living options.

I think it is important for us to go back to what the first President of the United States said about any war that we participate in:

``The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justifiable, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country.''

We are not just talking about this on Veterans Day, but about how we treat them and how we support them every day. I think this bill goes a long way to deal with some of the problems that they are experiencing after returning from the last two wars; so this is certainly a bill that I can support.

I want to say may God continue to bless America. I want to thank the veterans for their service--and not just thanking them, but this is really putting your money where your mouth is.

Mr. Speaker, thank you, Chairman Miller, for your work to bring this legislation to the floor of the House that is so important to so many veterans depending on VA compensation.

This legislation affects the benefits of all veterans, by raising the compensation they receive to allow them to continue to buy the products they need to live.

It is important to pass this clean bill to make sure that those who have sacrificed to protect the freedoms we hold most dear do not suffer in these tough economic times.

In the words of the first President of the United States, George Washington:

``The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country.''

Madam Speaker, Surface Transportation Programs are too critical to our economy to become a political issue. The short- term Highway Trust Fund extension that the House is voting on today will keep workers on the job this summer and fall fixing our bridges, operating our transit systems and making our highways safer.

Unfortunately, we're already behind the 8 Ball in preparing for surface reauthorization and have some serious work to do in deciding how we are going to fund the future of transportation in this country.

Developing a bill based on strong policy is always the best way to write legislation, but the most critical part of developing this next reauthorization bill is clearly finding a way to pay for it. Without that everything else is just talk.

As we prepare for reauthorization of MAP-21 we need to get serious about funding our nation's transportation system. We can't continue to provide grossly inadequate funding for our nation's infrastructure. We're failing to keep pace with our international competitors who are investing heavily in infrastructure, particularly rail infrastructure to move people, goods, and services in their countries. I agree we need to squeeze out every bit of efficiency we can through improved technology and innovation, but we are kidding ourselves if we don't think it will take a significant investment in our nation's infrastructure to truly solve the congestion problems we are facing.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee needs to take the bull by the horns and decide how we are going to fund all forms of transportation for the future. Our committee needs to have all possible options on the table to address our current shortfalls. The American Society of Civil Engineers has given our

nation infrastructure a D grade. That is unacceptable for the greatest country in the world.

Transportation and Infrastructure funding is absolutely critical to the nation, and, if properly funded, serves as a tremendous economic and job creator. In fact, Department of Transportation (DOT) statistics show that for every $1 billion invested in transportation infrastructure, 44,000 jobs are created, as is $6.2 billion in economic activity.

So, as the Transportation & Infrastructure committee prepares the next transportation reauthorization bill, I hope we can develop a long term bill with dedicated funding source for all modes of transportation so we can improve our nation's infrastructure, create jobs and improve the economy, and provide new and innovative transportation options for the traveling public.

Mr. Speaker, as the most senior member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I strongly believe that the VA provides the best care for our Nation's servicemembers returning from protecting the freedoms we most hold dear, and I am committed to VA continuing their critical mission of serving our veterans.

VA has served the special needs of our returning veterans for over 75 years and has expertise in their unique health care needs, including prosthetics, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a host of other veteran-specific injuries. My focus continues to be on ensuring that the VA retains the unique responsibility for the health care our veterans receive, regardless of the provider.

The bill includes critical language that I discussed with Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont to ensure the VA has the final authority over the care that the veterans receive, whether at the VA or at non-VA providers. We need to continue to work with our veteran stakeholders to ensure the VA has all the resources it needs to provide superior health care to our veterans.

I am looking forward to working with the new VA Secretary. And I want to thank the past Secretaries. I have worked with past Secretaries from Jesse Brown to the present one.

I know a lot of people will say that we have given the VA everything they need. But of course many of us don't have institutional memory.

I remember the first time the VA got the real budget they wanted in 2009 under President Barack Obama, when we had a Democratic House and a Democratic Senate. So a lot of us talk the talk, walk the walk, but don't really roll the roll.

So we have got to make sure as we move forward that we don't just talk about providing service, but that we really provide service and we ensure that the veterans have the service that the first President, George Washington, promised the veterans.

And I do want to thank our chairperson, Mr. Miller of Florida, for his leadership and the way he has conducted our meetings, and also our ranking member.

Mr. Speaker, today on the House Floor, the Republican leadership is taking a dangerous and unprecedented action by bringing up H. Res 676, a bill to move forward with a lawsuit against President Barack Obama.

Beyond a doubt, the move to sue the President is yet another example of the failed leadership of the Republican Party. If the Republicans had acted on critical issues to move our country forward instead of wasting time and taxpayer money by taking over 50 senseless votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act or shutting down the Federal government, the President would not have needed to use Executive authority in the first place.

With fewer than 150 bills enacted into law to date, the 113th Congress is on course to be the least productive in our nation's history. Undeniably, this Republican led Congress is the worst, and least productive, in our nation's history.

Instead of spending time passing partisan bills that attack working Americans, weaken environmental protections and retreat on education and job training opportunities, this Congress should be working to create jobs and strengthen the middle class, not wasting taxpayer dollars on yet another political stunt.

Congress should instead be focusing on the issues that matter: creating jobs, fixing our broken immigration system, restoring unemployment insurance for 3 million Americans, and raising the minimum wage to help workers and their families to have access to opportunities. Along with my Democratic colleagues, I strongly urge House Republicans to work with Democrats to help create jobs and opportunities for the American people, not engage in political tricks.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4838, which designates Amtrak's 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the William H. Gray III 30th Street Station.

For those who did not know him, Bill Gray was a tireless advocate for both the people of the Second District of Philadelphia and Amtrak. He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1978 and served with distinction until 1991, when he went on to serve as president of the United Negro College Fund, before founding Gray Global Advisors.

During his tenure in the House, Bill Gray served as the first African American to chair the Budget Committee and the first to serve as the majority whip from 1989 to 1991. His role on the Budget Committee and, later, the Appropriations Committee enabled him to help boost Federal spending on public housing and revitalize Amtrak's 30th Street Station, one of the busiest intercity passenger rail service in the United States.

I want to thank Congressman Chaka Fattah for introducing this important legislation recognizing the chairman's great accomplishments.

In 2011, Amtrak renamed its Wilmington station stop the Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Railroad Station. Amtrak was able to accomplish this without any disruption to operations, including its ticketing and reservation systems, training, schedule, and other references to the station, and we expect Amtrak will carry this renaming in the same manner.

Mr. Speaker, again, I want to congratulate and thank Congressman Fattah for honoring the great legend

of Bill Gray's strong leadership and steadfast support of Amtrak. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Congressman Chaka Fattah.

Mr. Speaker, I have one quick question.

Mr. Fattah, were you aware that the gentleman was raised on the campus of Florida A&M University where his father was the president?

I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

Were you also aware that he was one of the most outstanding preachers that this country has ever known?

I thank you, and I thank his wife, his children, and his family.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I'm glad that the House is restoring a little sanity to this body by bringing up a clean extension of our nation's Surface Transportation Programs. These programs are too critical to our economy to become a political issue. The short-term Highway Trust Fund extension that the House is voting on today will keep workers on the job this summer and fall fixing our bridges, operating our transit systems and making our highways safer. Unfortunately, we're already behind the 8 Ball in preparing for surface reauthorization and have some serious work to do in deciding how we are going to fund the future of transportation in this country.

Developing a bill based on strong policy is always the best way to write legislation, but the most critical part of developing this next reauthorization bill is clearly finding a way to pay for it. Without that everything else is just talk.

As we prepare for reauthorization of MAP-21 we need to get serious about funding our nation's transportation system. We can't continue to provide grossly inadequate funding for our nation's infrastructure. We're failing to keep pace with our international competitors who are investing heavily in infrastructure, particularly rail infrastructure to move people, goods, and services in their countries. I agree we need to squeeze out every bit of efficiency we can through improved technology and innovation, but we are kidding ourselves if we don't think it will take a significant investment in our nation's infrastructure to truly solve the congestion problems we are facing.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee needs to take the bull by the horns and decide how we are going to fund all forms of transportation for the future. Our committee needs to have all possible options on the table to address our current shortfalls. The American Society of Civil Engineers has given our nation infrastructure a D grade. That is unacceptable for the greatest county in the world.

Transportation and Infrastructure funding is absolutely critical to the nation, and, if properly funded, serves as a tremendous economic and job creator. In fact, Department of Transportation (DOT) statistics show that for every

$1 billion invested in transportation infrastructure, 44,000 jobs are created, as is $6.2 billion in economic activity.

So, as the Transportation & Infrastructure committee prepares the next transportation reauthorization bill, I hope we can develop a long term bill with dedicated funding source for all modes of transportation so we can improve our nation's infrastructure, create jobs and improve the economy, and provide new and innovative transportation options for the traveling public.