Floor Statements

``The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any particular State.''

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I will first enter into the Record a letter from the Illinois Restaurant Association in support of the Save American Workers Act.

Illinois Restaurant Association,

Chicago, IL, January 7, 2015.

Hon. Dan Lipinski,

Congressman, Illinois 3rd Congressional District, Rayburn

House Office Building, Washington, DC.

Dear Congressman Lipinski: I am writing you on behalf of

the Illinois Restaurant Association to express my full

support of your efforts to restore the traditional definition

of full-time employee to 40 hours per week with your

sponsorship of H.R. 30, the Save American Workers Act of

2015. This legislation will encourage a business environment

where employers in the restaurant and hospitality can focus

on creating more jobs, expanding their businesses, and

contributing to a robust economy.

The restaurant and hospitality industry is the largest

private sector employer in the state of Illinois, employing

over 517,000 people. As President & CEO of the Illinois

Restaurant Association, I represent over 25,000 restaurants

operating in the state who have expressed the urgent need to

redefine the full-time work week definition of 30-hour-per-

week.

Because of the Affordable Care Act's arbitrary 30-hour-per-

week definition of a full-time employee, restaurants are

being forced to restructure their workforce by reducing their

employees' hours. Employees are losing the mobility and

flexibility in their schedules they normally would enjoy when

working at a restaurant. Opportunities are decreasing for

young and inexperienced workers to gain entry-level

employment and advance into a fulfilling career in the

restaurant and hospitality industry.

The implications of this issue cannot be overstated.

Nationally, restaurants employ over 13.5 million people, and

our industry is a major driver of the economic recovery. If

Congress does not act to address this issue, thousands of

jobs will be lost and businesses will suffer. I encourage you

and your colleagues in Congress to pass the Save American

Workers Act of 2015, a piece of common sense legislation that

will protect jobs and strengthen the American economy.

Sincerely,

Sam Toia,

President & CEO,

Illinois Restaurant Association.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Save American Workers Act, which I join the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Young) in introducing again this year.

I have not supported and I do not support the repeal of the ACA, but some commonsense changes need to be made. The administration has already acknowledged difficulties in implementing the employer mandate by instituting delays and substantial administrative changes.

One problem is that the ACA defines full-time work as 30 hours a week, causing small businesses, local governments, and schools to cut the hours of workers and limit workers' scheduling flexibility. The CBO has confirmed that shifting to a 40-hour full-time definition-- Americans' common understanding of full-time work--would lead to some workers seeing an increase in their take-home pay.

Even the President's former senior adviser, David Axelrod, has suggested that the President consider this change. So let's do right by America's part-time workers, family businesses, local governments, and schools. Let's pass this bill and fix this broken part of the ACA.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Spring Avenue Elementary School for receiving the prestigious 2014 U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School Award.

In 1982, The Department of Education established the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program to recognize public and private schools boasting high or significantly improved achievement. The program's goal is to identify aspects of thriving American schools in order

to replicate their success. I am proud that Spring Avenue Elementary School in La Grange has been honored as one of those exceptional schools.

Led by Principal Elizabeth Webb Peterman, the mission of Spring Avenue School is to empower students to pursue their interests and dreams. The teachers support and nurture the students while they work to empower these talented students to achieve their highest potential in every area. Each student at Spring Avenue School feels that they are a valued member of the school community and will be prepared for their future academic and career success. With the help of the community, the faculty and staff work to create a positive difference for each student.

The key to Spring Avenue School's success is their goal-based school improvement plan. Their professional development is focused around how to help each and every child advance at the expected rate of improvement and beyond. Together with the community, the faculty is helping create a safe, advanced learning environment.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Spring Avenue Elementary School for this significant achievement and congratulating the staff, parents, students, and community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Seventh Avenue Elementary School for receiving the prestigious 2014 U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School Award.

In 1982, The Department of Education established the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program to recognize public and private schools boasting high or significantly improved achievement. The program's goal is to identify aspects of thriving American schools in order to replicate their success. I am proud that Seventh Avenue Elementary School in La Grange has been honored as one of those exceptional schools.

Principal Erin Hall is committed to ensuring success for her students. This begins at the start of the school year with fall tours of the school which give students and parents the opportunity to meet their new teachers. Students and teachers develop a mutual respect for one another which continues to develop until the 6th Grade Farewell event in which the community comes together to celebrate the year at an all-school picnic with families in the park. These and other events, such as service learning opportunities during the first few months of school, bring together students across all grades and backgrounds.

At Seventh Avenue School teachers are encouraged to use individual student data to create instructional groups in reading and math so that each student's needs are met. Students are pushed to think critically and overcome academic challenges through problem solving. Parents are thanked for their support and presence and encouraged to participate in assemblies, classroom presentations, and parent conferences. Ms. Hall recognizes that the Blue Ribbon award is due to the successes of the staff, students, and parents and would not be possible without any of them.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Seventh Avenue Elementary School for this significant achievement and congratulating the staff, parents, students, and community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ogden Avenue Elementary School for receiving the prestigious 2014 U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School Award.

In 1982, the Department of Education established the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program to recognize public and private schools boasting high or significantly improved achievement. The program's goal is to identify

aspects of thriving American schools in order to replicate their success. I am proud that Ogden Avenue Elementary School in La Grange has been honored as one of those exceptional schools.

Ogden Avenue School's mission statement is ``we build bridges to the future by inspiring one another to succeed.'' Principal Pattii Waldo does an outstanding job perpetuating this motto by encouraging students to help one another and building a foundation of respectful relationships.

The school features a nurturing environment with a social-emotional learning curriculum which provides for high academic standards. The school's belief is that social-emotional growth is interwoven into academic learning. Also, partnering with parents and the community are essential to the growth of students and the school as a whole.

Ogden Avenue School hosts a cross-grade Buddy program as well as various other programs to enrich students' lives and provide for a better school experience. I commend the school for going above and beyond with their offerings for students and hope that other schools use Ogden Avenue School as an outstanding example to follow.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ogden Avenue Elementary School for this significant achievement and congratulating the staff, parents, students, and community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor St. Cletus Elementary School, an exemplary Catholic school in La Grange, Illinois, for receiving the prestigious 2014 U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School Award.

In 1982, The Department of Education established the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program to recognize public and private schools boasting high or significantly improved achievement. The program's goal is to identify aspects of thriving American schools in order to replicate their success. Only 50 private schools across the country were awarded Blue Ribbons in 2014.

Led by Principal Margaret Hayes, the mission of St. Cletus School is ``to focus on faith, family, and future.'' In addition, ``The Catholic formation of students is strengthened through academic excellence. Self-worth and individuality are respected.'' Since September 1953, the school has offered a rigorous and engaging curriculum. The core academic program is supplemented with instruction in art, music, physical education, hands-on science lab activities, technology, and Spanish classes. This prestigious elementary school offers an integrated curriculum to motivate students to understand the connection between the classroom and the student's call to faith. St Cletus School has made a rigorous effort to improve student performance, while also creating a strong partnership between parents and teachers.

I am delighted that the exemplary work of the teachers and support staff at St. Cletus School, as well as that of the parents and students, has been acknowledged on a national stage. I also want to congratulate and acknowledge the work of the priests of St. Cletus Parish, Pastor Bob Clark and Associate Pastors Ken Baker and Edgar Rodriguez.

Please join me in celebrating the accomplishments of St. Cletus School. Their pursuit of academic excellence is inspiring, and I hope that their success can be replicated across the nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kathleen Therese Meany who will retire from her position as President of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago.

Commissioner Meany is a former professor of Political Science. She taught at Harold Washington College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Roosevelt University and her Master's Degree from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Commissioner Meany was elected to the Board of Commissioners in 1990 and served as Vice President for 16 years. Her eight fellow Commissioners then unanimously elected her to serve as President in January 2013. She also serves as Chairman of the Ethics Committee and the Pension, Human Resources and Civil Service Committee, as well as Vice Chairman for the Federal Legislation Committee, the Finance Committee and the Maintenance and Operations Committee.

One of her accomplishments on the MWRD Board was the introduction of a program to collect and properly dispose of household hazardous waste, which had previously been discharged indiscriminately into the sewage system. I commend Commissioner Meany for always looking out for the best interests of the people she represents and hope that future commissioners will look to her as a fine example.

Commissioner Meany has made it her duty to keep the communities of the Chicago area connected to the MWRD's operations. She is truly a dedicated public official and it is only appropriate that the Kathleen Therese Meany Presidential Garden was dedicated to her on June 20th in Cicero, Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Commissioner Meany for all she has done for the Chicago area and wish her all the best as she moves forward after retiring from the Board.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Salvatore Ferrara II who passed away on November 27, 2014.

Salvatore attended Fenwick High School in Oak Park, IL and later served on the school's Board of Trustees. He then went on to graduate from Loyola University in New Orleans. Salvatore joined his father's company, Ferrara Pan Candy Company, in the mid-1970s and climbed the ranks to CEO. According to Salvatore's father, Nello, Salvatore is the inspiration behind the Lemonheads candy because Nello joked that he was born with a lemon-shaped head. The company is now located in Oakbrook Terrace and is known as Ferrara Candy Company. During his time as CEO, Salvatore managed the merger with Farley's & Sathers Candy Company in 2012 and oversaw a period of steady growth in which the company expanded to over 500 employees.

Salvatore is survived by his wife, Andrea, and is the father of five children as well as a grandfather of three. In his free time, his daughter says he liked to drive his red Ferrari and go out on his boat named Lemonhead.

When Salvatore was diagnosed with cancer, he became a strong advocate for encouraging others to become educated and get doctor checkups. I admire him for his courage as he battled his cancer and commend him for empowering others.

Salvatore's visitation and funeral Mass were held on December 1st at Holy Family Catholic Church in Chicago, IL. As his family grieves through this difficult time, I hope Mr. Ferrara's family finds comfort in knowing that he is with God now and is no longer in any pain. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the inspiring life of Salvatore Ferrara II and extending condolences to his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Nazareth Academy Roadrunners football team. On November 29th, Nazareth Academy captured their first Class 6A state football championship with a 26-7 victory over Lemont High School in Champaign, IL. I want to congratulate all of the players, coaches, trainers, and parents, and commend them on their hard work and on the dedication they have shown to their team, their school, and their community. I also want to congratulate Coach Tim Racki and the principal of Nazareth Academy, Deborah Tracy, for helping lead these young men to victory.

In the championship game, Nolan Dean rushed for 199 yards and two touchdowns and Julian Love added another rushing touchdown. Wide receiver Kevin Jackson also had a touchdown catch from quarterback Jonah Beauduy. The defense held Lemont to only one first quarter touchdown and had three interceptions of quarterback Ryan Dawson, two by Matthew Flach. The victory completed an undefeated 14-0 season for the Roadrunners.

With this championship, Tim Racki became the first coach in the state of Illinois to win titles with two different schools, having won four previously as coach of Driscoll Catholic High School.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Nazareth Academy Roadrunners football team and to congratulate them on their IHSA Class 6A State Championship. And I wish each player continued success as he moves forward.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor La Grange Police Chief Michael Holub for his more than four decades of service dedicated to protecting and serving our nation and our communities. At the end of this year, Holub will be retiring as Chief of Police.

Chief Holub is a native of Berwyn, Illinois, and attended Morton West High School, graduating in 1970. From there he joined the Army and served with the Official Ceremonial Unit and Escort to the U.S. President, which is known as the Old Guard because it is the oldest active duty regiment in the Army. After serving his country, Holub returned to serve his community and joined the Stickney, IL Police Department in 1974. He spent the next twenty years with the Stickney Police Department, rising through the ranks to become Chief of Police. He subsequently served as Chief of Police for the Village of Palos Park, IL, and as the Chief of Police for the Village of River Forest, IL, before coming to La Grange.

Chief Holub has highly valued education throughout his career. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from Lewis University in Romeoville, IL, as well as his Master of Arts Degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. While Chief of Police, Holub continued to serve for 15 years as a member of the adjunct faculty of Triton College in River Grove, IL, teaching courses to undergraduate students in criminal justice. Chief Holub always challenged his officers to get their degrees so that they could move forward, as his mantra has always been ``to always be prepared for the next level.''

In addition to being Chief of Police, Michael Holub has always shown a deep commitment to his community in many other ways. He is a fixture at community events and is active with the American Legion, always helping with charity events and aiding the men and women in our armed forces as well as fellow veterans.

Today I express my admiration for Chief Michael Holub's lifelong dedication to our nation and our communities. I ask my colleague to join me in honoring his lifetime of service and wish him the best in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to thank our colleague, and my friend, Ralph Hall for his years of service in the House of Representatives. I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Hall for many years in the Science Committee, and I have always appreciated the way he has gone about his job. Mr. Hall has always been a public servant in the truest sense of the word. His lifetime of service began with his service in the navy as an aircraft carrier pilot during World War II. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Mr. Hall and other members of the greatest generation for fighting to preserve the freedoms that we all hold dear. Once he left the armed services, Mr. Hall's service continued in the Texas state legislature before moving on to DC to begin his distinguished service in the House beginning in 1981.

As Science Committee Ranking Member and Chairman, Mr. Hall did a great deal to keep up the proud history we have in this country of support for science and space exploration. During Mr. Hall's tenure, the Committee passed the original America COMPETES Act in 2007 as well as its reauthorization in 2010. These landmark bills helped increase funding for science and education to help the US keep pace in an increasingly competitive world. Though we have not always agreed on every issue, I know that Mr. Hall cares greatly about the US scientific enterprise and the economic benefits it has provided our nation over the years. Those of us that know Mr. Hall know him best for his stories and the personable nature that he did business with. He will most certainly be missed in Congress.

Mr. Chair, I hope we can all agree that it is in the nation's best interest to allow EPA to use the best available science to protect our health and well-being. This means the science that EPA uses should be held to the same standards as any other science. I support transparency in scientific research, but it is important to recognize that the data from many of the studies that EPA depends on cannot be made publicly available without violating the privacy of individuals.

As a member of the Science Committee, I have supported increased public access to scientific data in science journals. However, there are exceptions to the types of data that can be shared publicly. EPA studies often rely on personal health records or proprietary computer models to characterize the harmful effects of pollutants. We must not mistake EPA's legally-mandated shielding of personally identifiable information as dubious ``secret science.''

These studies undergo a rigorous review process including peer review and sometimes replication. If the goal is more replication, Congress should provide funds to conduct additional studies, not throw out studies that depend on sensitive information. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that up to 50 percent of the studies that EPA uses rely on such sensitive materials. Through these studies, we gain a deeper understanding of our natural environment that is invaluable to informing public health policy. This bill would eliminate these insightful scientific studies from being used to protect our clean air and drinking water.

This bill could also dangerously impact participation in future public health studies if privacy of study participants cannot be ensured. It is unclear how EPA would make data ``publicly available in a manner that is sufficient for independent analysis and substantial reproduction of research results,'' without divulging identities. With the large amount of personal information available on the internet and in public archives, it can be relatively easy to identify an individual based on limited information.

Our businesses, our environment, and our families depend on EPA to work with the best available science to protect the air we breathe and the water we drink. I cannot support a piece of legislation that impedes their ability to do so.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Blase Joseph Cupich as the ninth archbishop of the archdiocese of Chicago and to thank Cardinal Francis George for all of his years of service to the archdiocese. Archbishop Cupich is being installed today at a mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.

After many years of study in the U.S. and in Rome, including a doctorate at Catholic University, in August of 1975, Blase Cupich was ordained to the priesthood. In his first assignment, he served as associate pastor at St. Margaret Mary Church and as an instructor at Paul VI High School in Omaha.

From 1981 to 1987, he served as secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See to the United States here in Washington, D.C.

Cupich was appointed bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota, by St. Pope John Paul II on July 6, 1998. Pope Benedict XVI appointed Cupich bishop of Spokane on June 30, 2010, and he was installed as the sixth bishop on September 3, 2010.

Cupich has served as chair of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on the Protection for Children and Young People since 2008. He has remained a strong advocate for children, saying that the Catholic Church needs to put children first and foremost. In March 2013, he began a 3-year term as chairman of the National Catholic Education Association.

In addition to his dedication to Catholic education, Archbishop Cupich is committed to Catholic social teaching of reaching out to help the poor and others at the margins of society. Yesterday, at the Rite of Reception, he spoke of the challenges that await him, including immigration reform, violence in the streets, drug problems, and staying connected to the real lives of people.

I look forward to working together with our new archbishop as he addresses these issues and other challenges that we face.

Archbishop Cupich is succeeding Cardinal Francis George, who has been archbishop of Chicago for 17 years. Cardinal George was ordained to the priesthood in 1963 at his home parish of St. Pascal Church in Chicago, Illinois. His older sister, Margaret, remembers a young Cardinal George holding pretend masses in his bedroom as a child.

After earning several degrees, including his masters in theology from the University of Ottawa in 1971, Cardinal George embarked on a journey across the globe as a student missionary. From 1974 to 1986, he served as vicar general of the oblates in Rome.

In this position, he led numerous priests and brothers as they journeyed across the world. Cardinal George then went on to earn two doctorates. In 1997, he was appointed by St. Pope John Paul II as archbishop of Chicago, and in 1998, he was elevated to cardinal.

Despite being diagnosed with polio at age 13 and battling cancer currently, Cardinal George has never slowed down. ``Even illness can be a gift in some way,'' Cardinal George has said.

His spirited demeanor is well-known to Catholics. Bishop Francis Kane has said, ``He's involved on so many levels. He's involved nationally. He's involved in our whole archdiocese, and then he loves to go out to individual parishes.''

Cardinal George's outreach goes beyond the Catholic community. He is known to convene interreligious discussions and shows deep respect for other faith communities, and he is deeply committed to social justice that reaches to all corners of our society.

On a personal level, the more that I had the opportunity to get to know Cardinal George, the more I have admired him. He is an intellectual powerhouse who has a special ability to communicate great truths in a simple manner.

Every time I hear him speak, I learn something that enriches both my mind and my faith, but his intellect is not a distant intellect of a philosopher in an abstract world, but it is well-grounded in an understanding of the everyday life of his people, and as someone who appreciates straightforwardness, I have always liked his directness. Maybe that is because Cardinal George and I both come from Chicago.

I will never forget the time he took my wife, Judy, and me 2 years ago in Rome on the eve of the installation of Pope Francis. He truly is a remarkable man and a great shepherd.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in welcoming Archbishop Cupich and honoring Cardinal Francis George. I offer both men my prayers as they enter into a new phase of their new calling by God and the Catholic Church to the service of others.

Thank you, Mr. Davis.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor two of our former colleagues, Phil Crane and Lane Evans.

First, I didn't have the opportunity to serve with Mr. Crane, but Phil Crane was certainly a giant, as some of our previous speakers have said--a giant of the conservative movement. He certainly served here in this institution but also just in the wider circles, especially in the eighties. He ran for President in 1980 but lost to Ronald Reagan. Yet many of those things that Ronald Reagan brought forward and saw through were things that Phil Crane stood for. While I may not agree with everything that Phil Crane did, there is really no denying the fact that he stood up for what he believed in. He fought very hard for what he believed in, and he was a great American patriot. I really, truly believe that.

I also want to honor our former colleague and a friend and a mentor of mine, Lane Evans.

From his time in the Marine Corps to nearly a quarter century in this House, Lane always put his country first. He bravely served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam war. His experience in the military and his firsthand knowledge of veterans' issues led him to become a leading advocate for veterans during his time in Congress. Certainly, many would say he was the leading advocate on issues critical to veterans, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, the effects of Agent Orange, and homelessness. He was consistently a leader in crafting real policy solutions. In addition to the great work on veterans' issues, Lane always dutifully served his constituents in the State of Illinois. He was a strong advocate for working people, and he was one of the first to see the need for renewable energies.

Personally, my own experience in Congress began about 30 years ago when I interned for Lane Evans. During my time in his office, he certainly showed me how to be a truly compassionate and effective leader in the House. Lane really cared about people, and that showed through in everything that he did. He was very passionate in all that he did. During his final years, he again showed his courage and strength in his fight with Parkinson's disease. If this terrible disease had not afflicted Lane, I am sure he would still be here today, fighting for his constituents, for hardworking families, and for all of our veterans, especially those who are coming home today.

I send out my prayers to Lane and his family. We truly miss him. I had the opportunity to serve 4 years with Lane before he had to retire because of Parkinson's, but I really miss having Lane around. I think the example that he gave is truly something that we can look up to and emulate in what he did for the State of Illinois, along with what Phil Crane did for the State.

We had two men who were very passionate. They had very different ideas, but they were very passionate about what they believed in. They fought hard for those things, and that certainly deserves our great respect. Our prayers go out to their families on this loss.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the John F. Kennedy High School Girls Volleyball team. On October 17, the Crusaders won the Chicago Public League Championship and became the first non-selective enrollment school to win in nearly a decade. I appreciate all of the incredibly hard work and dedication everyone on the team puts into their sport and would like to congratulate them on this tremendous achievement.

The 25-21, 22-25, 25-20 win over Whitney Young Magnet School was a monumental victory for neighborhood schools. Coached by Tim Laughlin and Kimberly Thinnes, the Crusaders finished the season with a 16-1 record, securing the top seed in the tournament. To get to the championship, the Crusaders had to get through Young High School and Payton High School, who between them have won 7 city championships. The Crusaders are composed of seniors Grace Jurevis, Nebal Algoleh, Dana Majerczy, Sydney McCarthy, Melissa Mazur, and Morgan Paske, along with freshman Johanna Hoefling.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this impressive accomplishment made by the John F. Kennedy High School Girls Volleyball team and to congratulate them on their city championship win.