Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Charles Kettles for his outstanding service to the United States during the Vietnam War. LTC Kettles' quick thinking and actions during a firefight with the enemy singlehandedly saved the lives of 44 fellow service members.

LTC Kettles began his military career in 1951 when he was drafted into the Army. He was then commissioned as an armor officer in the Army Reserve in 1953 and subsequently graduated from Army Aviation School, after which time he served active duty tours in Japan, Korea and Thailand. Kettles returned to serve in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, where he demonstrated outstanding heroism and service on behalf of the country.

On May 15, 1967, after an airborne infantry unit was ambushed in the Song Tra Cau riverbed in Vietnam by the North Vietnamese Army, then- Major Kettles led three helicopter flights into extremely hostile territory to deliver supplies, reinforcements, and evacuate the wounded and trapped. During the final flight, shortly after leaving the landing zone, then-Major Kettles was informed that eight soldiers remained on the ground. Without hesitating, he returned on his own, without regard for his own safety and with no other support, to rescue the remaining men. For his actions, LTC Kettles was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 18, 2016, following a large grassroots effort as well as a special Act of Congress to waive the time limit for the award.

LTC Kettles is a true American hero whose bravery and courage under fire are extraordinary and worthy of special commendation. With the efforts of the Veterans History Project, his friends and family, as well as a bipartisan effort from Congress, LTC Kettles was finally able to receive the recognition he deserved. It is a privilege to honor LTC Kettles for his selfless actions that saved so many lives.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring LTC Charles Kettles for record of bravery during the Vietnam War. His actions will stand the test of time as an example of true valor and courage.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dick Thelen for being named a finalist for the Wins for Warriors Veteran of the Year Award at the 2017 Governor's Fitness Awards Banquet. Mr. Thelen served his country with distinction and demonstrated extraordinary courage during the sinking of the USS Indianapolis during World War II.

Mr. Thelen, born and raised in Lansing, Michigan, joined the United States Navy in 1944 at the age of 17. The following year, he was posted on the USS Indianapolis in the Pacific as it was tasked with delivering the first atomic bomb to the Mariana Islands. After completing this task, the ship moved toward the Philippines to meet up with the 7th Fleet in preparation for a possible invasion of the Japanese mainland. However, during its voyage, the USS Indianapolis was attacked and sunk by a Japanese submarine. In the aftermath, Thelen and hundreds of other sailors were forced to float in the water for days while awaiting rescue. Of the crew of 1,197, only 317, including Thelen, made it home.

Thelen is a true hero who endured unspeakable hardship during his service to the United States. His actions and cool head during the aftermath of the USS Indianapolis sinking saved lives, and perseverance and character during these difficult circumstances speaks to his resourcefulness and tenacity. It is heartening to see Mr. Thelen continue to be recognized for his heroism, and events like these provide an important opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices our veterans make for our country and the values that it represents.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dick Thelen for being named a finalist for the 2017 Wins for Warriors Veteran of the Year Award. Mr. Thelen is a true hero who has made tremendous sacrifices on behalf of our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Stout Theatre Company on the opening date of its production of Aladdin Jr. For the past three years, the Stout Theatre has provided entertainment and enrichment activities for Dearborn youth through its production and showcasing of musical theatre.

Founded in 2014, the Stout Theatre Company is a student-led enterprise that provides opportunities for personal expression, growth and creativity through its production of plays and community events. STC began at Stout Middle School in Dearborn, Michigan, but has since expanded and now works with youth in surrounding elementary and middle schools to stage musical and dramatic productions. In addition to performing the musical Aladdin Jr., past STC productions have included Hairspray and a musical adaptation of the film Stand and Deliver. The success of these productions has established STC as an important pillar of the community.

STC has not only provided entertainment to the greater Dearborn community, but its productions help provide opportunities for leadership, growth and personal development for Dearborn area students. The months of rehearsals in preparation for the production are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the students and staff involved, and the creativity and dedication of all involved in this undertaking have been key to making the play a success. The STC continues to distinguish itself through its elaborate production and strong performances of the featured students, and it is my hope that the STC will continue to build on the success of previous productions while providing students with the opportunity to gain teamwork and valuable life skills in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Stout Theatre Company for its record of success on the date of its premiere of Aladdin Jr. The students and staff involved in these and other productions have continued to demonstrate their talent and commitment.

The House met at 4 p.m. and was called to order by the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Thomas J. Rooney of Florida).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the University of Michigan in the year of its bicentennial. Since 1817, the University of Michigan has established a reputation as one of the world's foremost centers of learning and research, and has produced generations of leaders, scholars and innovators.

Founded in 1817 in Detroit, Michigan, the University of Michigan has since evolved to become one of the United States' great public institutes of higher education. The university was moved to its current location in Ann Arbor in 1837, where it continued to expand and develop. Today, the University of Michigan contains nineteen colleges, including prominent

graduate schools of medicine, law and business, and educates tens of thousands of undergraduate and postgraduate students each year. Michigan also serves as one of the leading centers of research and played a key role in developing key scientific breakthroughs such as a vaccine for polio. In addition, the University of Michigan is well known for its student activism and was instrumental in the establishment of the Peace Corps. The university has also achieved excellence in athletics, with the Wolverines consistently competing at the highest levels of collegiate sports.

The University of Michigan continues to serve the state and country by attracting some of the brightest educators and scholars and inspiring a new generation of leaders. Its alumni include twenty six Rhodes Scholars, political leaders including former President Gerald Ford, and leading innovators like Google co-founder Larry Page. The university also has a rich literary tradition, having educated prominent writers and journalists including Mike Wallace and Arthur Miller. The University of Michigan has successfully pursued knowledge and truth for two hundred years, and I have confidence that it will continue to build on this outstanding legacy going forward.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the University of Michigan during its bicentennial. The University's record of excellence in scholarship and research is worthy of commendation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Arab American community during Arab American Heritage Month. Arab Americans embody the core values of our country through their initiative, work ethic and dedication to faith and family, and their contributions to the United States are worthy of commendation.

April is widely recognized as Arab American Heritage Month, and it is important that we acknowledge the vital role that this community plays in our country's civic life. According to the Arab American Institute, almost four million Arab Americans live and work through the United States, with a variety of backgrounds and cultures. These individuals have made vital contributions across a variety of fields, including medicine, business and government. Arab Americans represent individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life, and their family values, strong work ethic, dedication to education, and diversity in faith and creed that have added strength to our great democracy.

I am fortunate to represent one of the largest Arab American communities in the country in Dearborn, Michigan. Dearborn is a diverse blue-collar city that is home to a branch of the world-class University of Michigan and an iconic American auto company in Ford Motor Company, and the Arab American community continues to play a key role in their successes and other endeavors in the city. These hard-working individuals exemplify the values that make America great, and we must continue to recognize the heritage and contributions of the Arab American community to the United States. During Arab American Heritage Month, it is my hope that the contributions of Arab Americans throughout the country will be given the recognition and acclaim that they deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Arab American community and their accomplishments during Arab American Heritage Month. Their positive impact on the United States' civic life is deserving of recognition.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Downriver Community Conference on the date of its 40th Anniversary. The DCC has provided workforce training and job resources to Downriver for decades and has been instrumental in improving the quality of life for the area's residents.

Founded in 1977, the Downriver Community Conference is an organization dedicated to promoting enhanced economic growth and well- being through its workforce training, economic development and additional community services available to southern Wayne County and its residents. The DCC has been key to helping increase the quality of life while working to preserve jobs and attract a skilled workforce through its efforts. In 2003, the DCC successfully supported a proposed takeover of

Great Lakes Steel operations in Ecorse and River Rouge, a move that saved hundreds of jobs in the community. The DCC also coordinates emergency services across member communities, and has supported cleanup efforts at the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge. These multifaceted operations undertaken by the DCC have been critical to attracting a talented workforce to the area while making southern Wayne County a desirable place to live.

The DCC has proven to be an effective advocate on behalf of Downriver, and its work has produced tangible results that make a real difference in the lives of individuals in participating communities. Through its affiliation with Michigan Works!, the organization has been critical to helping provide individuals with the skills they need to succeed in trades and other in-demand fields. Additionally, the organization's coordinated approach makes it eligible for federal and state grants that would normally be unavailable to individual communities. The DCC's ability to leverage the unique strengths of the Downriver community has made it a model in effective and sustainable workforce and community development efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Downriver Community Conference and date of its 40th Anniversary Dinner. The organization has played an integral role in the growth and development of southern Wayne County and the surrounding areas.

Mr. Speaker, today, the House will vote on a bill that will take us back in our Nation's history. My family has worked for decades for affordable quality health care for every American. It took a long time to achieve the progress we have made today.

We began with Social Security, then we created Medicare, developed the National Institutes of Health, the children's healthcare program, and many other efforts that have helped every single one of our communities across this country.

Hearing after hearing, amendment after amendment, the Affordable Care Act was eventually developed. Coverage was expanded. Costs were lowered. Certainty was brought to uncertainty.

Let me remind you that before the Affordable Care Act, many had to decide between bankruptcy and death. Children hit lifetime caps. Cancer and being a woman were preexisting conditions where it costs too much money for premiums, or you couldn't get them at all.

Millions now have coverage who didn't, lifesaving screenings, preventative care, and, today, we are talking about taking it back by eliminating essential services. Please vote ``no'' for America's heart and soul.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Alternatives for Girls on the date of its 2017 Role Model dinner. Alternatives for Girls provides critical outreach and support to at-risk youth to help them grow strong and make positive choices to improve their lives.

Founded in 1987 to provide shelter and care for at-risk girls in Detroit, Alternatives for Girls began as an all-volunteer organization that operated a five-bed emergency shelter in a Detroit-area church. As a result of the organization's success and impact, AFG has grown significantly in an attempt to fulfill its mission to empower and improve the lives of disadvantaged young women. Today, Alternatives for Girls has over 50 employees and operates multiple services on behalf of Detroit's at-risk youth. These include after-school programs for young women in elementary school, several shelter programs to provide stable homes and counseling, and outreach services to help teens and young women engaged in high-risk activities like gang involvement and drug use. This comprehensive approach to supporting young women in need has been effective in empowering these individuals to make positive choices and create a brighter future for themselves.

Over the past 25 years, AFG has served over 105,000 at-risk girls, women and family members. Additionally, 99 percent of the young women participating in AFG's Prevention Program have graduated high school and gone on to college. These results underscore the impact that AFG's multidisciplinary and evidence-based approaches to reducing harmful behavior have had for at-risk youth involved in the program. Additionally, AFG's outreach efforts have been critical to raising awareness of the issues these young women face and driving action in state and local government. The progress that AFG has made in improving the lives of young girls has been remarkable and inspiring, and it is my hope that the organization continues its critical work in the coming years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Alternatives for Girls' 30th anniversary on the date of its 2017 Role Model Dinner. The efforts of the group have impacted the lives of countless young women in metro Detroit.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Carol Goss, community activist and recipient of the Alternatives for Girls' 2017 Role Model award. Ms. Goss has helped revitalize the city of Detroit and the surrounding area through her work with the Skillman Foundation and other community organizations.

Ms. Goss has been an outstanding advocate for vulnerable women and children. After receiving a Master's in Social Work from the University of Michigan, Ms. Goss worked for the Stuart Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation as a program manager in support of child welfare efforts. In 1998, Ms. Goss joined the Skillman Foundation, an organization that provides grants to support education, safety and youth development initiatives on behalf of children in Detroit. After distinguishing herself as a senior program officer, Ms. Goss was named President and CEO of the foundation, where she served until 2013. After her retirement from the Skillman Foundation, Ms. Goss participated in Harvard's Advanced Leadership Initiative and continues to serve on the boards of directors of several nonprofits, including the Detroit Children's Fund and Safe Routes to Schools the National Partnership.

Ms. Goss's work has impacted countless lives around the country. During her tenure at the Skillman Foundation, Ms. Goss was responsible for spearheading the Good Neighborhoods Initiative, a ten-year, $100 million effort to improve outcomes for children and revitalize six neighborhoods in Detroit. This program leveraged public-private partnerships to expand access to high-quality youth development initiatives in these neighborhoods. This comprehensive, evidence-based offering played a critical role in providing resources to those in need and helped revitalize the city. It is my hope that Ms. Goss continues to build on this success through her continued involvement in Detroit- area nonprofit organizations.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Carol Goss for receiving the Alternatives for Girls' 2017 Role Model Award. Ms. Goss's impactful leadership has played an instrumental role in providing opportunity and improving the well-being of Detroit's residents.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Cindy Estrada, Vice President of the United Auto Workers and recipient of the Alternatives for Girls' 2017 Role Model award. Ms. Estrada has fought tirelessly for working Americans for her entire career and spearheaded many community programs to benefit working men and women.

Ms. Estrada began her career as labor organizer after graduating from the University of Michigan. After successful assignments as an organizer for Detroit-based Mexican Industries and the United Farm Workers, Ms. Estrada was appointed to the UAW International Union's organizing staff in 2000. After overseeing development and implementation of UAW organizing strategy for several years, Ms. Estrada was elected as UAW vice president in 2010 and reelected to a second term in 2014. She currently leads the General Motors Department of UAW, negotiating on behalf of approximately 48,500 union workers. Ms. Estrada has brought a lifetime of experience championing working families to this role, as well as a deep understanding of the challenges workers face in competing in a global marketplace.

Ms. Estrada's efforts have led to better pay and working conditions for tens of thousands of American workers. In addition to leading the contract negotiations with major automotive suppliers like Johnson Controls and Dana Incorporated, Ms. Estrada has also worked on behalf of the 17,000 UAW-represented workers employed by the State of Michigan. These campaigns have resulted in real gains for workers, including providing for increased pay and robust health benefits. Ms. Estrada is known for her tough negotiating ability, and her tenacity has served as a model for labor relations in the automotive industry. She is dedicated to ensuring workers' voices are represented at the negotiating table and forging consensus that protect their interests. It is my hope that Ms. Estrada is able to continue to lead the UAW in working constructively to ensure that American workers and manufacturing prosper in the coming years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Cindy Estrada for receiving the Alternatives for Girls' 2017 Role Model Award. Ms. Estrada has dedicated her career to championing social justice for all people and is deserving of this prestigious award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Rosemary Sarri, a distinguished scholar and recipient of the Alternatives for Girls' 2017 Role Model award. Ms. Sarri's groundbreaking social science research has contributed to a better understanding of criminal justice and child welfare while helping advance social welfare policies that benefit Michigan families.

After receiving her doctorate in Social Work and Sociology from the University of Michigan, Dr. Sarri was named an assistant professor at the University in 1962. Throughout her career, Dr. Sarri was recognized as a leading expert on social policy and poverty among families and children. Her research has focused on the long-term impact of incarceration on individuals, as well as the effects of poverty on families and children. In addition to having published extensive research on these issues, Dr. Sarri has consulted with numerous nonprofits, think tanks and national governments, including those of Australia and South Korea. She also has extensive international teaching experience, including training faculty at schools of social work in China.

Dr. Sarri's work had transformed our understanding of family welfare and has allowed us to enact policies that target the underlying factors that create poverty and modernize criminal justice to reduce recidivism. She has worked with the Michigan Department of Human Services as well as the Michigan Collaborative on Juvenile Justice to translate her research into actionable policy at the state level. Additionally, Dr. Sarri has received many accolades for her innovative research, including the University of Michigan Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award and the National Association of Social Workers' Presidential Award for Research. Dr. Sarri continues to hold a position with the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research, and her research has inspired a new generation of scholars in the fields of social work and family policy.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Rosemary Sarri for receiving the Alternatives for Girls' 2017 Role Model Award. Dr. Sarri's scholarship and real-world impact has benefited Michigan's families while advancing knowledge in a variety of disciplines.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ann Arbor's Boy Scout Troop 4 in the year of its centennial. Boy Scout Troop 4 has been a pillar of the Ann Arbor community and has contributed to the well- being of southeast Michigan through its century of activism and service.

Founded in March 1917 with an original membership of ten boys and three adult leaders, Boy Scout Troop 4 has provided Ann Arbor youth with skills and experience while serving the community at large. The group expanded rapidly during the 1920s and 30s and established itself as a key part of Ann Arbor civic life. The troop has continued to build on its early success and has collectively served over 1,800 boys from Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas since its founding, including over 150 that have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Today, Troop 4 continues to remain active in Ann Arbor through projects like Scouting for Food, which provides nutrition to needy individuals, as well as staffing local events like Kerrytown Bookfest and the Saline Celtic Festival. Additionally, the troop hosts camping events and trips for scouts around the state. These initiatives equip the Boy Scouts with experience and ability to become leaders in the community.

Troop 4's long and distinguished history of service has helped create generations of civic-minded individuals who have the skills and experience that will serve them throughout their lives. Through projects like restoring the St. Helena Light Station and visits to cultural institutions like the Cranbrook Institute and the Jackson Space Institute, the leadership and members of Troop 4 have continued to build on its historic legacy and the accomplishments of its alumni. It is my hope that Troop 4 continues to serve as a model for activism and help inspire leadership and a spirit of service in the community in the coming years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ann Arbor's Boy Scout Troop 4 on

its centennial in recognition of the troop's distinguished history. The troop has played a key role in the growth and development of the state through its service projects and cultivation of a new generation of community leaders.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because war is being declared on the Great Lakes. Those of us who live in the Great Lakes region recognize that the current times are anything but useful.

The Great Lakes account for 21 percent of the world's freshwater supply and are a major thoroughfare for transportation, commerce, trade, as well as recreation and tourism. Critical investments over the last decade have helped clean up and protect these waters, and that work is now in danger. Much is preventable and it must be stopped.

President Trump's budget released today virtually eliminates funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which will cause significant harm to our communities, to jobs, and to our way of life. This jeopardizes our ability to fight back against invasive species that threaten the region's biodiversity, including the Asian carp. It also impacts vital cleanup projects that ensure our water is safe to drink. And there are those who want to store nuclear waste in the Great Lakes as well. It is not a partisan issue; it is an American issue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Cynthia Wilbanks, the University of Michigan's Vice President for Government Relations, for receiving the United Way of Washtenaw County's 2017 Woman of the Year Award. Ms. Wilbanks has served Washtenaw County and southeast Michigan with distinction through her involvement in nonprofit and community organizations.

Cynthia Wilbanks has been an effective advocate and leader in southeast Michigan through her work at the University of Michigan and on behalf of the community. While serving as the University's Vice President of Government Relations, Ms. Wilbanks has championed initiatives to strengthen the University community and coordinate the University's policies and responses to federal, state and local legislation. In addition, Ms. Wilbanks serves on the boards of directors of numerous nonprofit organizations, including the Riverside Arts Center Foundation, Center for Michigan, and Ann Arbor SPARK, a startup and business incubator. She is also an active member of United Way and served as the University of Michigan United Way's Campaign Chair for four straight years.

Ms. Wilbanks has also distinguished herself through her outstanding record of public service. She has served on the staff of several U.S. Representatives, including working as Rep. Carl Pursell's district director from 1979 through 1992. During her time as a public servant, Ms. Wilbanks was a tireless advocate who fought for policies to benefit southeast Michigan and its residents. Her record of achievement has helped make Michigan a great place to live and work.

Ms. Wilbanks' leadership and hard work have been critical to the growth and success of the University of Michigan as well as the greater southeast Michigan community. As a result of her efforts, Ms. Wilbanks was named one of the 100 most influential women in Metro Detroit by Crain's Detroit Business in 2002 and has also received the Girl Scouts of the Huron Valley Council's Women of Distinction Award. These accolades, in addition to being named Woman of the Year, are a testament to Ms. Wilbanks' record of success and continued activism in the community. It is my hope that Ms. Wilbanks continues to build on these accomplishments in the coming years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Cynthia Wilbanks and her tremendous work on behalf of the University of Michigan and the community at large. She has distinguished herself through her outstanding professional and volunteer efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Martha E. Pollack, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Michigan as she moves to the next chapter of her life. Ms. Pollack has led a distinguished academic career and helped the university effectively serve its students, faculty and the Ann Arbor community during her tenure with the school.

After receiving her doctorate in Information Science from the University of Pennsylvania in 1979, Ms. Pollack began her academic career with the nonprofit research organization SRI International. She then served as faculty for the University of Pittsburgh until 2000, when she joined the University of Michigan as a Professor of Computer Science and Engineering. Ms. Pollack distinguished herself through her outstanding scholarship and leadership. As a result, she was named chair of the School of Information in 2007 and Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs in 2013. As Provost, she oversaw academic and budgetary affairs for the entire academic enterprise, which includes the 19 schools and colleges within the university, as well as libraries, museums and other institutions in the University of Michigan system.

Ms. Pollack has received numerous accolades for her work as a leader and scholar at the University of Michigan. In 2007, Ms. Pollack received the Sarah Goddard Power Award for contributing to increased recognition and involvement of women in the sciences. She was also elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Association for Computing Machinery for her pioneering research. Under her leadership, the university has made important strides in improving affordability for students and continuing to attract world-class scholars to the University of Michigan community. Her leadership and experience will be missed as she moves on to become Cornell University's president this year.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Martha Pollack and her years of service to the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor community. She has proven to be a capable and committed leader who has helped address the most challenging issues facing the university.