Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Washington State Republican Congressional Delegation, I rise today to honor the life of Mrs. Fredi Simpson, and recognize her tremendous service and many contributions to Washington State and our nation.

As a longtime leader in Washington State politics, Fredi was well known for her fierce personality and tenacious drive. Fredi served as the Republican National Committeewoman for Washington State, Chairwoman for the Chelan County Republican Central Committee and Chairwoman of the Chelan-Douglas Republican Women's group, among other posts. In politics, Fredi was a force to be reckoned with, crisscrossing the state helping candidates on every level. Fredi's leadership in the state will be missed.

Above all, however, we will miss her friendship. Fredi was beloved by all who knew her, and she spent her life lifting up her community and serving others. There was no more loyal of a friend than Fredi. The hole she leaves behind in our hearts and in our Central Washington community will never be filled. We are forever grateful for the many laughs shared and will always cherish the fond memories of our time together as partners on the campaign trail, and most importantly as friends in life.

As I reflect on the many remarkable contributions that span Fredi's lifetime, I hold close in my heart the family she leaves behind. While Fredi loved her nation and was devoted to its service, there was no love greater than that which she gave to her family. To her husband, Bruce, a small business owner from Wenatchee, WA, and her son, Kane, I say thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I thank them for sharing Fredi with us--we are all better people and our nation is stronger because of her contributions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life, service, and sacrifice of Sgt.

Leandro Jasso, an Army Ranger who grew up in Leavenworth, WA and was assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Sgt. Jasso was killed in Afghanistan during his 3rd deployment protecting and defending our country. The men and women who serve in the military are the very backbone of our nation. The freedoms we as citizens enjoy would not be possible without the courageous sacrifices Sgt. Jasso and countless others have made. Sgt Jasso's commander stated that he was ``a humble professional who placed the mission first, lived the Ranger Creed and will be deeply missed.'' In others words, he had the heart of a servant. While it is with incredible sadness that I make this statement, it is also with immense gratitude for the life of service he lived, the people he touched, and the sacrifice he made. We will be forever grateful.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

This celebration of service began in 1945, when the military men and women returned from World War II with life-altering injuries and disabilities they received during their service in the war. When they returned, they were held back from reentering the workforce because of these limiting disabilities. This sparked public interest and soon after the end of the war, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the first week of October as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.

As awareness grew across the country of the diversity of disabilities individuals have, the week was renamed in 1962 to National Employ the Handicapped Week.

In 1988, Congress passed the Handicapped Programs Technical Amendments Act of 1988, establishing October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Throughout this month, we celebrate and continue to increase awareness of the many contributions of workers with disabilities and emphasize the value of a workforce inclusive of their talents, skills, and unique perspectives.

Employees with disabilities of all types bring the valuable qualities of reliability, dedication, loyalty, a positive attitude, and strong work ethic to their places of employment. This motivates their fellow colleagues and has a profound impact on their workplace. That is why in Congress, we continue to work towards creating inclusive workplace cultures around the country and establishing training opportunities for job seekers and employees with disabilities.

This month, I join all workers with disabilities, their families, and the constituents of Washington's Eighth District in recognizing this special occasion and celebrating the contributions they have made to our communities, state, and nation.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Police Officer Diego Moreno who died in the line of duty on Sunday, July 22, 2018.

On that somber day, Washington State's law enforcement lost one of their own. Officer Diego Moreno from the Kent Police Department lost his life in the line of duty while placing spike strips while assisting to apprehend the suspects in an active vehicle pursuit.

Officer Moreno was loved by his community and his colleagues. Having grown up in Venezuela, Officer Moreno used his fluency in Spanish to help translate between his fellow officers and the large Hispanic population in the community in which they serve. The Kent Police Department said, ``His contributions to our department and positive impact on his coworkers and the community have been significant.''

An eight-year veteran with the department, Officer Moreno served in the civil disturbance unit as a hostage negotiator and a defense tactics instructor, and has been recognized for his heroic actions while serving with the department. After saving an elderly woman from a fire, Officer Moreno received the Chiefs Award for Exceptional Duty in 2016. He was also honored by the Kent City Council with the Lifesaving Medal for saving someone from an opioid overdose in June of last year.

Since his passing, Washington State has greatly mourned his loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loving family that he leaves behind, his wife and his two children. We also remember his colleagues at the Kent Police Department as they face the heartbreak of losing a coworker and friend.

Over the next week, in Kent, Washington, his family, friends, colleagues, and community will unite to celebrate his life and honor his service to our country. We recognize that same service here in Washington, D.C. today. I join with his family, friends, and community in thanking Police Officer Diego Moreno for his service.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6124) to amend title II of the Social Security Act to authorize voluntary agreements for coverage of Indian tribal council members, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 6124, currently under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today in support of my bill, the Tribal Social Security Fairness Act. This bipartisan bill supports our community's Tribal leaders and their fair access to the Social Security system and the benefits they have earned by ensuring Tribal governments have the same opportunity to participate in the Social Security Program that so many others across the country rely on. It was unanimously approved by the Ways and Means Committee in late June.

This bill provides a simple solution to a problem facing Tribal leaders across the country, including in my home State of Washington. In Washington State, many Tribal leaders have been paying into the Social Security system with the expectation of future benefits. However, a Social Security Administration policy ruling issued in 2006 prevented them from continuing to pay into the program and have their earnings count toward future benefits.

This problem was brought to my attention a few years ago when I met with Virginia Cross. Virginia Cross is the chairwoman of the Muckleshoot Tribal Council in Washington State. After this meeting, we discovered other Tribal leaders in Washington and across the country face the same challenges, including the Snoqualmie Tribe in Washington. Hearing these examples, it just didn't seem fair that those who wanted to pay into the system could not pay into the system. That is when my staff and I went to work to find a solution.

Thanks to the dedicated advocacy of the Muckleshoot and the Snoqualmie Tribes and the leadership of fellow Washingtonians, Representatives DelBene and Kilmer, as well as Representatives Cole and Schweikert, we were able to find a bipartisan, comprehensive solution to the problem. I would also like to thank Chairman Brady and Ranking Member Neal of the Ways and Means Committee and their staff for all the hard work they have put in on this most important bill.

I urge my colleagues to join me today in righting this wrong so our Tribal leaders can receive the Social Security benefits they deserve.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the

gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Schweikert), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6124, the Tribal Social Security Fairness Act, is a straightforward, commonsense, bipartisan bill. It ensures our Tribal leaders have access to Social Security benefits that they so deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, Friday marked 6 months since the tax reform bill was signed into law. Since that time, we have seen increased paychecks, greater investment, and new job opportunities across the country.

My colleagues and I on the House Ways and Means Committee talked about how best to overhaul our Tax Code. Our goal was always the same: to get our economy booming again.

In Washington State, where I am from, we are already seeing this boom and the positive impacts of tax reform: employee bonuses, savings on utilities, increased wages, and 401(k) matches.

They are people like a young woman in Seattle, for example, who was able to afford a new car, thanks to some extra money in her paycheck each month; or, the mother from Woodinville, Washington, who has been helping her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchild make ends meet while they were living paycheck to paycheck. With tax reform, her son is now taking home more money, which helps them provide for their family much easier.

Tax reform is not only resulting in more take-home pay, but it is making a difference in the workplace, too. Companies are creating new retail and manufacturing jobs and increasing wages and benefits. The Boeing Company is increasing investments in workforce development, facilities and infrastructure improvements for employees, and charitable giving.

But it is not just the employees of big companies who are seeing the benefits. Our local, family-owned businesses are seeing lots of good come from this new Tax Code.

Another example is a delivery driver from Kent, Washington, who works for one of these small, local companies. He shared that just 2 weeks after the tax reform bill passed, his boss gave everyone in that company a raise.

These are encouraging stories from real people living real lives across Washington State. They are hardworking people who see substantial benefits, thanks to tax reform.

Respect and Love Your Neighbor

Mr. Speaker, I want to change topics just for a moment, if I can, and address an issue that is invading all across the country and our communities.

I was in law enforcement for 33 years before I came to Congress, and my job

was to keep people safe and bring people together. I see that as my job here in Congress. This is my 14th and last year. I am not running for re-election.

Some people in this body call themselves leaders. A title does not make you a leader, Mr. Speaker. It is the actions that make you a leader. I believe that true leaders lead from the heart. I believe that leaders have the heart of a servant. I believe that when I got elected to this office, my job was to serve the people of the Eighth District of Washington and to put their needs before my needs.

Mr. Kelly here and I are friends. He comes to work every day putting my needs before his. I do the same. We formed a friendship, a bond, and we want to be honest with each other. Honesty is okay. But honesty is a moment in time. We need integrity and consistent honesty.

Servanthood and integrity is what this country should be built upon, that is what leaders are, not calling for each one of us to say, you are not welcome here anytime, anyplace, anywhere. That is not leadership. That is division.

Leadership, heart of the servant, integrity. That creates a team that we all want to be a part of. That gives this country the opportunity to be the leader of the world. You can each do that across this country, Mr. Speaker--we can all do that--by being leaders in our community. Beginning in the White House. Beginning from that Oval Office, speak with civility. Beginning here in Congress, speak with civility. If you are a member of a State legislature, speak with civility. Serve with the heart of a servant.

Mr. Speaker, it is simple: respect and love your neighbor.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman, the ranking member, and the entire committee, for that matter, for their support of this legislation that is so critical and important for the State of Washington, especially those people who live in the Eighth District of Washington State.

I am especially thankful for Mr. Bishop's cooperation and for his advice on language to be added to the bill to make it that much better, especially as it relates to protecting the property rights of individuals within the designated heritage area.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to speak today in support of H.R. 1791, the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Act. This is a bipartisan bill that--it may have been stated--was favorably reported out of the House Natural Resources Committee earlier this month. This legislation will designate the Mountains to Sound Greenway in Washington State as a national heritage area.

This greenway spans 1.5 million acres, tracing along Interstate 90, which crosses the country. It crosses the crest of the Cascade Mountains to Ellensburg, Washington, which is in the central part of the State. It is a spectacular landscape that encompasses a vibrant mix of small towns, working farms, lush forests, and rugged mountains, alongside one of the largest and fastest growing metropolitan areas in the county--and in the State, for that matter.

Efforts to protect this area and its amazing views have made this a popular local, national, and international tourist destination where people go to hunt, fish, camp, hike, and bike. Using collaboration, negotiation, and compromise, the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and its public-private membership have maintained a vibrant and diverse economy, while conserving the environment and protecting private property rights.

In considering the future of the greenway, the trust conducted extensive public meetings. There were 145 meetings held, with comments from over 1,000 individuals. In those discussions, the conclusion was reached that the greenway was a special place deserving of national recognition. My bill does just that by designating the greenway as a national heritage area.

National recognition of this landscape's unique historical and natural value will promote coordination, encourage local engagement, and draw visitors to small towns, supporting economic growth.

Based on the feedback we have received over the years, I have strengthened my legislation to include important protections needed to protect individual rights, property rights of private owners and Tribal communities. We are also concerned about their rights. They were also involved in this process in protecting their rights of their Indian Nation.

This is what my bill does not do:

It does not force private property owners to participate in any activity or provide public access;

It does not affect land use planning;

It does not alter, modify, or extinguish treaty rights, affect water rights, or limit the authority of the State to manage fish and wildlife, including hunting and fishing regulations.

The result is a balanced bill that enjoys broad public support. I am proud to say the support continues to grow. Over 6,000, and counting, elected officials, agencies, businesses, and organizations support the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area.

I would like to thank my colleague from Washington State (Mr. Smith), whom I have worked with over the years to get this bill to where it is today, and it has been years.

I would also like to thank former Senator Slade Gorton, Council member Reagan Dunn, and the Mountains to Sound Greenway Coalition, who have been longtime supporters of the greenway, for their tireless efforts to make this a reality.

In addition, I thank, again, Chairman Bishop, Ranking Member Grijalva, and their committee staff for their help in bringing this important piece of legislation through the committee and to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, due to a personal commitment, I was unable to vote on the following: Roll Call No. 267 and Roll Call No. 268.

Had I been present, I would have voted yes

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 934, I call up

the bill (H.R. 5788) to provide for the processing by U.S. Customs and Border Protection of certain international mail shipments and to require the provision of advance electronic information on international mail shipments of mail, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5788, currently under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be here today to speak in support of H.R. 5788, the Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention Act, which is short for STOP Act. By passing this important bipartisan bill today, we are standing up for the health and safety of our communities and families and closing an important loophole allowing contraband to enter the United States through international mail.

In my home State of Washington, there has been a 134 percent increase in opioid-related cases between 2004 and 2016, and opioid-related deaths increased by 33 percent. This increase, shockingly, exceeds our State's population growth, and it is why the work that we have been doing in Congress and in the Ways and Means Committee is so important.

In April, we held a hearing in the Trade Subcommittee with witnesses from the United States Customs and Border Protection and the United States Postal Service. They discussed how synthetic opioids are entering the United States through the international mail system and how we can help them put a stop to this.

The bipartisan legislation that we will vote on today supports their work by requiring advance electronic data on international mail shipments and allowing the Border Patrol to target for opioid shipments. It also holds these agencies accountable to do so much more than they have been doing by using hardline deadlines and mandates, as well as penalties. Ultimately, the bill will require the Postal Service to refuse packages for which this information is not provided unless there is compelling reason.

The opioid crisis must be addressed from every angle, and that includes stopping illicit synthetic opioids from entering our country. We must do more to protect our families, our communities, and this bill would do just that.

I want to thank Chairman Brady and Ranking Member Pascrell, Representative Mike Bishop, Representative John Faso, and many of my colleagues who have worked together on this bill. I would also like to thank the staffs of each one of these Members who have worked so hard and dedicated so much time on this critical issue.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the STOP Act.

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

House of Representatives,

Committee on Homeland Security,

Washington, DC, June 6, 2018.

Hon. Kevin Brady,

Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Brady: I write concerning H.R. 5788, the

``Securing the International Mail Against Opioids Act of

2018.'' This legislation includes matters that fall within

the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Homeland

Security.

In order to expedite floor consideration of H.R. 5788, the

Committee on Homeland Security agrees to forgo action on this

bill. This is conditional on our mutual understanding that by

foregoing consideration of H.R. 5788 at this time, the

Committee on Homeland Security does not waive any

jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or

similar legislation and will be appropriately consulted as

this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may

address issues in our jurisdiction. Our Committee also

reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate

number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving

this or similar legislation, and asks that you support any

such request.

Please place a copy of this letter and your response

acknowledging our jurisdictional interest into the

Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on

the House floor. Thank you for your cooperation in this

matter.

Sincerely,

Michael T. McCaul,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bishop) be permitted to control the time of the majority.

Mr. Speaker, this week is National Police Week. Yesterday was National Peace Officers Memorial Day, a day that we stop and pause

and honor the fallen officers across this Nation who have given their lives to protect our families and communities across this great Nation.

Some of you, last year, experienced this bravery and courage firsthand. All of us were affected by the friends who were present when they were in danger and our Capitol Police came to their rescue.

As some of you know, I had a 33-year law enforcement career before coming to Congress. I lost two of my best friends. One was shot and one was stabbed.

These are brave, courageous people, but they are not only that. They have been blessed with the heart of a servant. They have been blessed with that gift to put other's lives before theirs, and that is what you saw last year, those of you on the baseball field. There was no hesitation. They were there for you, as were my friends for the citizens that lived in their patrol district.

Mr. Speaker, I have embraced the families, the friends, the partners, the children, and the spouses, and there are no words in that moment when the world is spinning out of control. There are no words when the world comes crashing down. There are no words. There is only silence and tears.

Mr. Speaker, this is my last year in Congress. This is my last time that I will ask you all to join with me in a moment of silence and tears with the families who have lost their loved ones in the line of duty.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4403) to amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to protect personally identifiable information, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4403, currently under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to speak today in support of H.R. 4403, the Moving Americans Privacy Protection Act, a bipartisan, commonsense bill, authorized by Congressman Jeff Denham and gentleman Bill Pascrell. It was favorably reported out of the Ways and Means Committee by a voice vote last week.

This legislation will help put an end to the inadvertent disclosure of personally identifiable information, such as Social Security numbers and passport numbers that are transmitted on certain shipment documents to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

CBP, as it is called, is required by law to make certain shipment data available to the public, but that information should not include personally identifiable information which may be erroneously included on shipment documents by carriers.

CBP maintains procedures for individuals to request confidential treatment for their personal information, but that process is slow. Plus, individuals probably would not seek confidential treatment if they don't realize that their personal information was included on shipment documents in the first place.

Even if the release of such information is unintended, Federal agencies should not be putting Americans at risk for identity theft, credit card fraud, and unwanted solicitations. We can, and should, do more to protect Americans from such risks and hold Federal agencies accountable.

This legislation would do just that by requiring CBP to ensure that such personal information is no longer disclosed.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Denham and my good friend, Congressman Pascrell, the ranking member on the Subcommittee on Trade, for introducing this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Denham), the coauthor of this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, while I respect my good friend's right to voice his opinion and I respect the fact that he shared that information with us, I am disappointed, however, that he chose this moment to make those comments.

This is a bipartisan bill. In fact, last week, in the Ways and Means Committee, the information and the comments shared by members on both sides of the aisle were ideas that were shared that were bipartisan in nature. The bill was talked about in a positive way, and it was my hope today that we could have that same congeniality on the floor today rather than take a left turn into the land of the President's taxes, because today we are talking about Americans and the need to protect their identity, and I think that is what Americans want to hear, is how is Congress able to help them today.

So from this side of the aisle today, Mr. Speaker, we are focused on just that. We are focused on passing H.R. 4403, the Moving Americans Privacy Protection Act.

It is a straightforward, commonsense, and once again I will say it, bipartisan, unusual in this day and age, but true in this case.

It puts an end to the inadvertent disclosure of personally identifiable information contained on shipment documents to CBP and holds the agency accountable.

The American people want to know that we are doing this kind of work.

This is a good piece of legislation that protects their identification, and helps the CBP and Congress by giving the language to Congress to hold the CBP accountable.

We are committed to providing legislative solutions that help protect Americans from having their identities stolen, and this bill does just that.

I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this bipartisan bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4979) to extend the Generalized System of Preferences and to make technical changes to the competitive need limitations provision of the program, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4979, currently under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak today in support of H.R. 4979, a bill to

extend the Generalized System of Preferences and to make technical changes to the competitive need limitations provision of the program. This bipartisan bill helps keep U.S. companies globally competitive by eliminating tariffs on certain imports from developing countries in a manner that does not hurt U.S. producers.

GSP saved U.S. companies more than $865 million in import duties in 2017, providing benefits to thousands of companies and their employees as well as their customers. GSP also provides an important enforcement tool to require all 121 beneficiary developing countries to continue to make progress on eligibility criteria set by Congress. These include critical issues like intellectual property protection, market access for U.S. exporters, and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.

In my home State of Washington, GSP saved companies about $11 million in import duties in 2017, and that is up 30 percent from 2016. As just one example, TRInternational, a small but quickly growing, veteran- owned chemical distributor in Seattle, relies on GSP to obtain certain chemical raw materials at globally competitive prices. Our last renewal of GSP in 2015 allowed TRI to hire more employees and invest in more equipment. Many of TRI's customers are U.S. manufacturers, and TRI's use of GSP to obtain raw materials at lower prices also makes these manufacturers more competitive.

For TRI and other Washington companies like Rain City Music that use the GSP program, their employees, and American consumers, GSP provides significant benefits.

And of course, I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this bill, and I am pleased to be working with my good friend Bill Pascrell, who joins us here tonight.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady), the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Walorski), one of the distinguished members of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Curbelo), another member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Norman), who has been a leader on this issue.

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

I thank my friend from New Jersey because we have worked on a lot of issues together over the past almost 14 years now, and I do agree with him. There are few moments where we have a chance to sort of have a kumbaya moment. MTB, a week or two ago, was one of those.

Tonight, on GSP, is another one that doesn't sound--you know, GSP, people ask: What is that? And we tried to explain it tonight.

It is a complicated issue, but the bottom line is that this is good for American businesses. It creates jobs, energizes the economy. Coupled with tax reform and fair trade agreements that we are also working together on, I think we can look forward to a bright, bright future here in the United States for our working men and women and our families.

So our last renewal of GSP in 2015 allowed TRI to hire more employees, as I said. So we are looking forward to, you know, more jobs being created. And TRI, I know, is going to be very pleased by the fact that this is going to be voted on tonight.

It is clear that H.R. 4979 has strong bipartisan support, and for good reason. Renewing GSP will benefit U.S. companies, workers, and consumers. Any additional delay in renewing this important program has real costs in

my home State, as I mentioned, and throughout the country.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Wesley Peder Jensen on his 100th birthday.

Born on February 6, 1918, Wesley has lived a full life, filled with adventure and service. He has witnessed many extraordinary historical events, from the Great Depression to the technology boom.

Wesley is part of the greatest generation. He served our country in the United States Army as a Tech Sergeant from 1942 through the end of World War II in September of 1945. During that time, he served in Australia and New Guinea.

In his dedication to his country and his community, Wesley has continued to make the world around him a better place throughout his lifetime.

I join with his family, friends, and Washington's Eighth District in congratulating him on this special occasion and wishing him a wonderful birthday.

Mr. Speaker, due to a personal commitment, I was unable to vote on the following: Roll Call No. 35 and Roll Call No. 36. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''