Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast and the law enforcement officers who keep Citrus County safe every single day.

This week marks the annual observance of Police Week. Though we set aside one week a year to honor law enforcement, I encourage all Americans to join me not only this week, but every day, in recognizing the honor, courage, and commitment of America's law enforcement.

Our law enforcement are heroes in the community. They keep us safe, and are willing to put their lives on the line every day in the course of their duties. It is impossible to fully express our gratitude or adequately recognize the professionalism of the men and women who voluntarily put their lives on the line for our safety and security. It is with deep respect that we pause today to honor the memory of the heroes who gave the last full measure of devotion and made the ultimate sacrifice.

I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast and the law enforcement officers who bravely and selflessly serve Citrus County. It is an honor to recognize them and all men and women in law enforcement.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Sumter County Sheriff Bill Farmer, Wildwood Police Department Chief E.W. Reeser and the law enforcement officers who keep Sumter County safe every single day.

This week marks the annual observance of Police Week. Though we set aside one week a year to honor law enforcement, I encourage all Americans to join me not only this week, but every day, in recognizing the honor, courage, and commitment of America's law enforcement.

Our law enforcement officers are heroes in the community. They keep us safe, and are willing to put their lives on the line every day in the course of their duties. It is impossible to fully express our gratitude or adequately recognize the professionalism of the men and women who voluntarily put their lives on the line for our safety and security. It is with deep respect that we pause today to honor the memory of the heroes who gave the last full measure of devotion and made the ultimate sacrifice.

I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Sumter County Sheriff Bill Farmer, City of Wildwood Police Chief E.W. Reeser, and the law enforcement officers who bravely and selflessly serve Sumter County. It is an honor to recognize them and all men and women in law enforcement.

I thank the chairman for yielding.

I have heard from my Governor, State officials, and providers about the challenges on the ground in Florida and what they are facing. The demographic issues in Florida raise significant challenges for the State of Florida, and it is the Medicaid program.

Particularly, the State Medicaid program and providers face challenges relating to the costs of caring for the most disadvantaged and the elderly in Florida's nursing home program, as well as the rising costs associated with Florida's aging population.

As the process moves forward, Florida's unique challenges must be recognized and accounted for as we reallocate dollars for this important safety net program.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tipton) be allowed to manage the remainder of the time for the majority.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 132) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land and appurtenances of the Arbuckle Project, Oklahoma, to the Arbuckle Master Conservancy District, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise an extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

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

H.R. 132, sponsored by Congressman Tom Cole of Oklahoma, conveys two buildings and two acres of land of the Federal Arbuckle Project to the Arbuckle Master Conservancy District, Oklahoma. The district has operated and maintained the project for decades, and completed repayment of its capital costs for the project in 2012.

While noncontroversial, legislation is necessary in order to facilitate this and other Bureau of Reclamation title transfers. Under current law, these buildings and land remain in Federal ownership until legislation is enacted to transfer the title to the district. Mr. Cole's bill achieves this objective.

This title transfer is a win-win for the district and for the Federal Government. The district will no longer be subject to certain Federal paperwork requirements, and the Federal Government will be relieved of all future liability and financial responsibilities associated with these facilities and land.

I urge the adoption of this measure, which overwhelmingly passed the House on a bipartisan basis in the last Congress.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole).

Mr. Speaker, due to numerous flight delays caused by weather along the southeast, I was not present during the vote series held on Monday, January 23, 2017.

Had I been present I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. H.R. 423 and YEA on Roll Call No. H.R. 582.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the Kiwanis Club of Winter Haven, Florida as they celebrate their 80th anniversary on April 6, 2015.

With the assistance of the Bartow and Lake Wales Clubs, the Kiwanis Club of Winter Haven was chartered on April 6, 1935. Since its founding, the Club has provided educational, community-building and recreational opportunities for Central Florida's youth. In 1942, Camp Kegan was established on the shore of Lake Josephine. Over the years, Camp Kegan has been a destination for Scouts, youth programs and underprivileged children. The Club also established a recreation center on Lake Maude, which has since been deeded to the city.

In the spirit of providing educational opportunities for our community's students, the Kiwanis Club of Winter Haven supports a Student Loan Fund and the Southern Scholarship Foundation of Tallahassee to help make college more affordable. The Club's members also coach little league teams, partner with children in foster care, promote youth agricultural projects and support Key Clubs in local high schools.

I am thankful for the Kiwanis members of Winter Haven for their tremendous contributions to our community. The future of our nation is in the hands of our youth, and the Kiwanis members' investment in them cannot be over appreciated.

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to recognize the 100th anniversary of Kiwanis International. Annually, Kiwanis clubs in 80 countries raise more than $100 million and dedicate more than 18 million volunteer hours to strengthen communities and serve children.

Meeting the needs of children has always been one of Kiwanis members' foremost priorities. Under their new motto, ``Serving the Children of the World,'' Kiwanis members have helped to establish programs that ensure the health and education of young children. In Central Florida, Kiwanis members generously give their time and resources to provide scholarships and community-building opportunities for local students, as well as care for the underprivileged.

Kiwanis members' commitment to serving their neighbors and the self- sacrifice that entails represents what is good and noble in our nation. There are children and others whose lives have been permanently impacted for good by the work of Kiwanis members.

I am truly grateful for the Kiwanis Club members of Central Florida. Our community is stronger, and the future of our youth is brighter because of their service.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Rotary International, one of the world's largest non-profit humanitarian service organizations, for its 110 years of service. The Rotary motto, ``Service Above Self,'' inspires members to serve their communities, maintain high ethical standards and promote goodwill and peace. Rotary clubs are active in meeting the needs of their local communities, using funds and volunteer members to provide medical supplies, clean water, food, job training and education to millions in need.

In 1985, Rotary launched PolioPlus in partnership with the World Health Organization, U.S. Center for Disease Control and UNICEF with the goal of immunizing children across the globe against polio. The campaign has been tremendously successful; polio cases have decreased by 99 percent since 1988, and the world stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease.

It is my pleasure to recognize the Rotary clubs of Central Florida as they prepare for ``Light Up Rotary to End Polio Now'' on March 13- 14, 2015, with Rotary International President Gary C. K. Huang. I am grateful to the Rotarians of Central Florida for their service and dedication to strengthening our community.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Pine Castle, Florida.

Pine Castle's rich history begins in the years immediately following the Civil War. Originally, Pine Castle was a private residence erected by Will Harney, a poet and settler from Kentucky. He built his home from the abundant pines of Central Florida and dubbed it his ``pine castle.'' Soon, the areas of modern-day Edgewood, Belle Isle and the Conway chain of lakes came to be known as ``Pine Castle.'' In 1915, the Town of Pine Castle was formally incorporated.

I join the residents of Pine Castle in celebrating this historical milestone. It is truly an honor to serve the residents of Pine Castle in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Orlando Regional Medical Center's Air Care Team as they celebrate 30 years of critical-care service.

Since 1984, the helicopter transport team has flown nearly two million rescue miles and transported more than 29,000 patients to Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC) and other Central Florida medical facilities. The elite crew's service area encompasses a 100- mile radius that includes Orange, Lake, and Polk counties. Highly trained and experienced medical personnel, communications specialists, pilots and mechanics comprise the team that provides emergency medical care on the scene and in flight. The commitment and expertise that the team brings to Central Florida truly saves lives, reaching patients within the critical first hour of injury.

I thank the Air Care Team for their extraordinary work in providing care for the people of Central Florida.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Lighthouse Works, Inc. for being selected to receive the Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) Business Alliance Award for Outstanding Ability-One Program Vendor. As a support agency of the Department of Defense, DLA provides military, federal agencies and joint allied forces with a variety of logistics, acquisition and technical services. The Business Alliance Award recognizes businesses that have made exceptional efforts in partnering with DLA to provide supplies and services to America's defense forces.

Lighthouse Works, Inc. provides material components for the Army's Combat Life Saver Kit and other medical kits. The professionals at Lighthouse Works ensure medical material component shipments are of the highest quality, that they meet all required specifications and that shipments are delivered in a timely manner. The company is well-known for its flexibility and willingness to support the military's dynamic needs.

It is an honor to recognize Lighthouse Works, Inc. for their support of our nation's military and for their contributions to the Central Florida community.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Superintendent Barbara Jenkins and the teachers and staff of Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) for being chosen as a co-winner of the Broad Prize for Urban Education. This year, OCPS will be awarded $500,000 to provide college scholarships to high-achieving, low-income high school seniors.

OCPS students have made remarkable gains in recent years. Among them, the Broad Foundation cites narrowed income and minority achievement gaps, improved college-readiness and academic improvements among low-income middle school students.

Educating America's youth is an investment in our nation's future, and it is imperative that all students have access to quality education. By equipping our students with the tools needed to become successful employers and employees, we fuel technological innovation, wealth creation, and economic growth.

Again, congratulations to Orange County Public Schools for being chosen as a winner of the 2014 Broad Prize. I sincerely appreciate their leadership and dedication to educating the students of Central Florida.

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to recognize Ms. Helen Cisney as she celebrates her 100th birthday on November 22, 2014.

Ms. Cisney was born in Hammond, Indiana in 1914. She married Irvin Cisney, and together they owned a diner in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During World War II, Ms. Cisney worked on the assembly line at General Motors. Upon retirement, Mr. & Mrs. Cisney moved to Zephyrhills, Florida where they lived for thirty years. Today, Ms. Cisney lives in Fruitland Park where she attends Sunday services at Faith Bible Baptist Church and plays dominoes on Tuesday evenings at First Baptist Church of Leesburg. Ms. Cisney is a talented bowler and has won many trophies over the years. She is also a breast cancer survivor and was named Grand Marshall of the Lake County Cancer Walk in 2005.

Ms. Cisney has two daughters, eight grandchildren, six great- grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. I wish her a very happy 100th birthday and all the best to her and her family.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Ms. Coretha Mack of Clermont, Florida as she celebrates her 90th birthday on November 14, 2014.

Ms. Mack was born in Orlando where she spent her childhood and graduated from Jones High School in 1946. She then moved to Hartford, Connecticut where she lived and worked for more than 50 years. In Hartford, she was a member of Faith Congregational Church and served on the church's Diaconate Board and Board of Trustees. Ms. Mack returned to Florida in 2002 and has been an active member of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church. Her faith and dedication to service have been an inspiration to others, and she continues to cherish her relationships with God, her family and her friends.

I wish Ms. Mack a very happy birthday, and all the best in the future.