Floor Statements

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

Madam Speaker, I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 5673, the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation--STORM--Technical Corrections Act, which makes necessary corrections to the STORM Act passed late last Congress.

This bill recognizes and implements the latest two installments of the building code and makes additional corrections, including those related to definitions for insular areas, to the mitigation revolving loan fund created in the STORM Act last Congress to ensure parity.

This language reflects previously agreed-upon bipartisan language in the 116th House version of the STORM Act.

I thank Chair Titus for her work and leadership on this bill, and I appreciate the bipartisanship found in this legislation.

I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge that these corrections be added to the law and previously agreed-to corrections to the STORM Act as passed last Congress.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, H.R. 5343, the FEMA Caseworker Accountability Act, requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to examine their case management turnover rates and the average length of employment for employees detailed to disaster response cases.

The goal of H.R. 5343 is to reduce the turnover rates for FEMA employees who have been detailed to disaster recovery.

Consistent turnover only hurts disaster victims as it can prolong the recovery process, especially for small rural communities.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Rice).

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, this bill will assist FEMA by providing data to reduce turnover and provide more consistency for communities recovering from disasters.

Madam Speaker, I support this legislation, and I urge others to do the same.

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

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

Madam Speaker, H.R. 5547, the Care is an Economic Development Strategy Act, will ensure that recipients of Economic Development Administration grants consider the availability of childcare, early childhood education, disability, and eldercare in their comprehensive economic development strategy.

This helps ensure that the children, the elderly, and those with disabilities who live in rural and distressed communities are rightfully included in economic development planning.

Our friend and colleague from Alaska, the late Don Young, cosponsored this legislation as the Republican champion for this bill. It is an example of the commitment he had to bipartisanship and to supporting efforts to help distressed communities not only in Alaska, but throughout the Nation.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, in closing, H.R. 5547 ensures childcare and early childhood education, as well as disability and eldercare are components of local comprehensive economic development strategies.

I thank the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) for championing this issue on our side of the aisle and note our deepest appreciation for his work.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of bill, S. 2938, which designates the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida, as the Joseph Woodrow Hatchett United States Courthouse and Federal Building.

I am an original cosponsor of the companion bill, H.R. 4771, as well as the entire Florida delegation. Judge Hatchett served as the first African-American Justice on the Florida Supreme Court. Later, he was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the United States Fifth District Court of Appeals where he served as Chief Judge from 1996 to 1999 when he retired.

He was a good man, a good friend, and someone I knew very, very well. This is a well-deserved appointment and naming.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, in closing, I again recognize Joseph Woodrow Hatchett and his service to our country. He was a great man, and it will be a great honor for the Federal building and U.S. courthouse to be named after him.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1226, which designates the United States courthouse located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as the Sylvia H. Rambo United States Courthouse.

Judge Rambo was appointed to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter and assumed senior status in 2001.

I thank Judge Rambo for her many years of service.

Madam Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).

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

Madam Speaker, in closing, I again want to commend Judge Rambo for the many years of service to her community and her distinguished legal career.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 233, which designates the United States Border Patrol Station located in Rocksprings, Texas, as the Donna M. Doss Border Patrol Station after the late Agent Doss. After serving the United States Border Patrol for over 15 years, Agent Doss was tragically struck and killed by a vehicle while serving in the line of duty.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Texas (Mr. Arrington) for his leadership in sponsoring the House companion bill.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Arrington).

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

Madam Speaker, in closing, it is appropriate to recognize Agent Doss' service to the Nation by naming this Border Patrol station after her. I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2126, which designates the Federal office building in Cheyenne, Wyoming, as the Louisa Swain Federal Office Building.

Louisa Swain was the first woman to cast a ballot legally, on September 6, 1870, paving the way for all women after her and for greater equality.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, in closing, I recognize the work of Louisa Swain and her historic vote in 1870. I urge support of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, today this House will consider H.R. 3755. To me, this is a heartbreaking piece of legislation. It is an assault on the most fundamental right of a person, and that is the right to life.

Wednesday, I was thrilled with the news of the birth of my 21st grandchild. Little Liberty is her name, although she wasn't really little. She was 8 pounds, 14 ounces, and 22-and-a-half inches long. Her life has started; she was born. However, that right given by God happened long before the day she was born. She is a citizen of the United States, and because of that, she has that right.

H.R. 3755 is also an affront to human rights. I have heard many of my friends on the other side say: We only want in rare and uncommon circumstances the right to have abortions.

But this bill does not do that. It enables and promotes something far beyond that. It promotes the horrific practice of eugenics by ensuring that abortions are allowed in cases of a possible congenital disorder.

Madam Speaker, it is with sincere appreciation that I recognize Michael J. Georgini for his leadership and service as Chief Executive Officer of Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. for the past 42 years. After more than four decades of service, Mr. Georgini will retire from Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. this June.

Since 1978, Michael J. Georgini has been Chief Executive Officer of Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. Mr. Georgini holds a bachelor's degree in Organizational Management and is a Certified Community Action Professional. He has been a dedicated community action leader and a steadfast servant to our community throughout his career.

Under his leadership Mid Florida Community Services, Inc., now operates eight programs across a vast service area spanning from the west coast to the east coast of Florida, including Hernando, Citrus, Lake, Pasco, Sumter, Polk, and Volusia counties. In addition, services have expanded to include Head Start Programming, Weatherization, Energy Assistance, Senior Services, Children's Advocacy Center, and Emergency Support programs. Growing the organization's capital from $386,000 to its current funding level of nearly $40 million annually, during his tenure, Mr. Georgini has impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of families, individuals, children, and seniors with life-changing services and approaches to help them succeed.

I am honored to recognize Michael Georgini and thank him for his dedication and many contributions to the Central Florida community. His commitment to excellence, leadership and service is to be admired, and may it inspire others to follow in his footsteps. My sincerest wishes and congratulations to him on his retirement.

Madam Speaker, it is with sincere appreciation that I recognize Dr. Diane Culpepper for her leadership and service as Executive Director of Lake Technical College. After more than a decade of service, Dr. Culpepper will retire from Lake Technical College this August.

Dr. Culpepper earned both her bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Marketing and her master's degree in Vocation Administration from the University of Central Florida. She earned her Ph.D. in Workforce Education from the University of South Florida. Dr. Culpepper has taught at all levels of education from elementary to university. Before coming to Lake Technical College, Dr. Culpepper served for twenty-three years in the Career and Technical Education Department for Orange County Schools at both the school and district levels.

In 2010, Dr. Culpepper's passion for education led her to Lake Technical College. Under Dr. Culpepper's leadership, Lake Tech has increased enrollment, fostered new partnerships with business and industry, and enhanced the quality of academic offerings. Most recently, at the direction of Dr. Culpepper, in 2016, Lake Tech entered a partnership with Lake Sumter State College (LSSC) and began offering Practical Nursing, Nursing Assistant,

Paramedic, GED and ESOL programs on the LSSC South Lake and Sumter campuses. And, in the Fall of 2017, Lake Technical College opened the Center for Advanced Manufacturing to meet the growing need to prepare skilled technicians in machining, welding, fabrication, and other manufacturing careers.

Dr. Culpepper has been a dedicated servant to our community throughout her education career. She also volunteers on several boards including CareerSource Central Florida, the Manufacturing Association of Central Florida, Florida Leaders for Career and Technical Education, and the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council.

It has been a personal honor to work with Dr. Culpepper. Her attitude of servant leadership and her dedication to quality education for Lake Tech's students has been a testimony to her personal modesty and humility.

I am honored to recognize Dr. Culpepper and thank her for her dedication and many contributions to the Central Florida community. Her commitment to excellence, leadership and service is to be admired, and may it inspire others to follow in her footsteps. My sincerest wishes and congratulations to Dr. Diane Culpepper and her family on her retirement.

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize LifeStream Behavioral Center as they commemorate 50 years of service in bringing hope to life during the month of March. LifeStream is dedicated to their mission of supporting recovery, promoting health and creating hope. Over the years LifeStream has grown to meet the needs of our communities and become a leader in behavioral health, substance use disorders, and social services.

In 1969, LifeStream began as a component of Waterman Memorial Hospital in Eustis, Florida, providing community-based care as an alternative to institutionalization. In 1971, LifeStream became a non- profit organization, originally founded as Lake/Sumter Community Mental Health Center, with 18 inpatient beds located inside Waterman Hospital and two outpatient clinics located in Lake and Sumter Counties.

Since its founding, LifeStream has expanded to multiple facilities with over 50 programs and 1,000 staff providing services throughout Central Florida, proudly serving the individuals and families of Lake, Sumter, Citrus, Hernando, Marion, Orange, and Hillsborough Counties. As a leader in behavioral healthcare, LifeStream offers a multi- disciplinary approach helping people reclaim their lives and take what for many is their first step towards hope. Their integrated health system provides behavioral health, substance use, primary healthcare, and social services. For 50 years, LifeStream has helped thousands of individuals in our community achieve recovery and reach their highest potential.

This is a momentous year for LifeStream, and I am honored to join my friend, Jonathan Cherry, CEO/President of LifeStream in celebrating this milestone. The community and families of Central Florida are blessed to have a committed behavioral health center such as LifeStream, and I commend them for the measures they are undertaking to support recovery and provide hope to those in need.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 682, the Reopen Schools Act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 53.

Members REcorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress

Buchanan (LaHood)

Cardenas (Gomez)

DeSaulnier (Matsui)

DesJarlais (Fleischmann)

Deutch (Rice (NY))

Frankel, Lois (Clark (MA))

Gaetz (McHenry)

Grijalva (Garcia (IL))

Hastings (Wasserman Schultz)

Horsford (Kildee)

Huffman (McNerney)

Katko (Stefanik)

Kirkpatrick (Stanton)

Langevin (Lynch)

Lawson (FL) (Evans)

Lieu (Beyer)

Lowenthal (Beyer)

Meng (Clark (MA))

Moore (WI) (Beyer)

Moulton (McGovern)

Nadler (Jeffries)

Napolitano (Correa)

Neguse (Perlmutter)

Palazzo (Fleischmann)

Pascrell (Sires)

Payne (Wasserman Schultz)

Pingree (Kuster)

Reed (LaHood)

Rodgers (WA) (Joyce (PA))

Roybal-Allard (Escobar)

Ruiz (Aguilar)

Rush (Underwood)

Speier (Scanlon)

Thompson (MS) (Butterfield)

Vargas (Correa)

Watson Coleman (Pallone)

Wilson (FL) (Hayes)

Amendment No. 19 Offered by Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Pastor Robbin Kuder, and his wife Gail for their lifelong commitment to service in their community. This month, Pastor Kuder will retire after nearly a half-century of faithfully ministering to the residents of Tallahassee, Florida. It gives me great pleasure to recognize his and his wife Gail's service to Floridians, including the Central Florida community.

Raised in Orlando, the son of a minister, Robbin's commitment to service began in 1971 when he joined the United States Navy, where he served as an Operation Specialist. Following his graduation from FSU School of Music Education, Robbin began serving as worship leader and minister at Northwoods Church. He has served here for 45 years, including 16 years as youth minister.

I first met Robbin as we were young men attending First Baptist Church of Pine Hills, Florida where Robbin's dad Roger, served as music minister. As a newly elected member of the Florida Legislature, while in Tallahassee, I attended then University Heights Baptist Church where Robbin served.

A man of quiet leadership, immense patience and quiet sense of humor, Robbin has devoted his life to sharing his passion for music and the love of Christ with people. When not at church, Robbin could be found cycling, sailing, hunting or fishing--usually joined by his beloved wife Gail, one of his seven children or 16 grandchildren. His adventurous spirit and patience are evident in the numerous cross-state cycling trips he organized and led to give Florida youths an outlet for both athletics and adventure, while blessing churches with musical performances and service projects throughout the trip. Robbin and Gail are excellent examples for adults, parents, and young people for how to live a life of ministry.

It is a privilege to congratulate and applaud Robbin and Gail for a lifetime service that has spanned 5 decades. May their character, life, and efforts inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the successful career of Dr. Judy Lynn Genshaft. After 19 years of service as President of the University of South Florida, Dr. Genshaft has retired. Under her leadership, USP has become a world-class institution of learning.

During Dr. Genshaft's tenure as President, she established the University of South Florida as one of the nation's top research universities. It now ranks ninth in size and is formally recognized as ``top-tier'' by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Dr. Genshaft also raised the caliber of study at USF by creating the Honors College in 2002, which has flourished under her guidance. Earlier this year, Dr. Genshaft and her husband donated $20 million of their own money to the Honors College--a generous gift that represents only a fraction of the care she has given the University over the last two decades. Her dedication to the University and the Tampa Bay area earned her the title of the 2008 Tampa Bay Business Journal Business Woman of the Year and an induction into the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame.

Dr. Genshaft's unwavering commitment will have a profound impact on generations of students and Floridians to come. I thank her for everything she has done for the University of South Florida, our region and our state. Sandy and I wish her well and congratulate her on her wonderful career.