Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4467) to require the Federal Air Marshal Service to utilize risk- based strategies, 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 to include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4467, the Strengthening Aviation Security Act of 2018.

Described by Chairman McCaul in his State of National Security Address as ``the crown jewel of ISIS and other terrorist groups,'' the American aviation industry remains a key target of terrorism.

The Transportation Security Administration has made great strides in securing commercial flights, but the threat of evolving terror tactics requires a comprehensive, multilateral approach informed by data collected from industry.

The TSA's risk management strategy for passenger aviation security is characterized by a multilayered approach, whereby the TSA deploys a variety of security countermeasures to detect and deter threats.

Federal air marshals, also known as FAMs, are armed law enforcement officers deployed on passenger flights as part of the TSA's comprehensive security strategy to protect air passengers and crews against criminals and terrorists.

Due to the high volume of passenger flights and limited resources at the TSA, it is imperative that FAM deployment is risk-based and strategic in order to achieve the greatest security value. However, a recent GAO report from September 2017 found that the TSA does not measure data on the efficacy and deterrence value of FAMs.

Without viable metrics, it is impossible for the TSA to truly employ a calculated risk management strategy for passenger aviation security. Accordingly, the Strengthening Aviation Security Act of 2018 requires the Federal Air Marshal Service to utilize risk-based strategies for international and domestic flight coverage.

This bill ensures that FAMs are deployed in a manner that adds strategic value to the TSA's multilayered security approach. As amended, the bill also requires the TSA to take their risk-based approach a step further by ensuring that FAMs are seated in tactical positions when deployed on the aircraft.

Strategic seating arrangements will provide FAMs with a distinct advantage in the event of a threat to aviation security and ensure that they are more relevant to the important mission for which they are tasked.

The Strengthening Aviation Security Act emphasizes the importance of intelligence-driven, risk-based decisions to make the best use of the Federal Air Marshal Service's resources and personnel.

I thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Jody B. Hice) for authoring this legislation, as well the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Katko, for his work on this bill. Additionally, I wish to thank the chairman of the full committee, Mr. McCaul, for moving the bill through the committee process.

This bill will promote public confidence in the security of the Nation's aviation system and ensure that armed Federal law enforcement officers are deployed on passenger flights, where they are most needed.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Jody B. Hice), the sponsor of this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, this bill makes total sense. If you are going to use Federal air marshals where they are needed most, it should be analytical and scientific-based so that we get the most bang for the buck.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5089) to improve threat information sharing, integrated operations, and law enforcement training for transportation security, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have five legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5089, the Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2018.

As evidenced by recent attacks in New York, London, and elsewhere around the world, the threat against surface transportation is real and unwavering. While the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration, and other Federal entities have made significant progress in providing support to State and local surface transportation assets, the current threat environment necessitates a coordinated approach.

Intelligence sharing is the backbone of informed, risk-based security, yet the top-down dissemination of this information is often stymied by bureaucracy and classification barriers.

This begs the question: How effective is intelligence collection and analysis if it does not reach the front line and inform subsequent decisionmaking?

H.R. 5089, the Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2018, requires the DHS Secretary to prioritize the assignment of officers and intelligence analysts and, as appropriate, the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis--or I&A--to fusion centers in jurisdictions with high-risk surface transportation assets.

High-risk surface transportation assets transport millions of people and commodities daily and are critical for the vitality of the American economy. This legislation will streamline and enhance the intelligence- sharing process so these high-risk systems are better prepared to be resilient against emerging threats.

A common complaint from owners, operators, law enforcement, and first responders is that the TSA, and the Federal Government in general, does not provide sufficient information for them to adequately prepare for threats. This is primarily due to issues surrounding classification, where key personnel at the State and local levels do not have access to pertinent security information.

As such, this bill requires the Secretary to make security clearances available to appropriate stakeholders, thereby making important and relevant threat information more accessible to the people who are heavily involved in the day-to-day security operations of surface transportation systems.

H.R. 5089 also requires the TSA Administrator to share with owners and operators a framework for unified operation centers to ensure robust response to security incidents.

Recent terror attacks and plots illustrate the challenges of effective coordination in a ``system of systems.'' This bill will streamline coordination efforts between Federal, State, and local entities to bring the right information to the right people.

The interconnected, diverse, and readily accessible nature of surface transportation systems creates unique security challenges that are best addressed by communication, coordination, and collaboration.

H.R. 5089 will create a structural framework to connect the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration, and surface transportation stakeholders, and it will facilitate timely information sharing.

I thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Barragan) for her leadership on this issue. I also thank the chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective Security, Mr. Katko, as well as the ranking member of the subcommittee, Mrs. Watson Coleman, for their dedication to improving surface transportation security.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, if we have important information we can't serve to the right decisionmakers at the local level, we fail, which we have learned from 9/11 and other places where information is bottled up and doesn't get to the people who need it. This bill helps solve that.

Mr. Speaker, I once again urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, in honor of Women's History Month, I rise to recognize a woman dedicated to journalistic integrity, who made history as Omaha's first female TV news director. Rose Ann Shannon recently retired after 45 years in TV news and was a mentor to many local and national reporters.

When Rose Ann started her career at KMTV in 1973, she was one of only three women in Omaha TV news. After KMTV, Rose Ann worked as a communications director for Omaha's mayor, then returned to TV news at KETV. She was then promoted to news director, the first female TV news director in Omaha. KETV's general manager said Rose Ann exemplified ``integrity-first journalism at its core.''

Rose Ann is a trailblazer who shattered a glass ceiling. She served as a mentor to men and women in the industry, ensuring reporters connected to the public through ``integrity-first reporting and truth.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate African-American History Month by posthumously honoring the federal service, accomplishments and communal contributions of U.S. Marshal Cleveland Vaughn, Jr.

He was born on a farm in Earle, Arkansas, skipped a grade in country school and graduated from high school at age 16. He went to college at what is now known as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and graduated with a degree in agriculture education. As a young boy, he dreamed of becoming a game warden.

He began his federal career as a special agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1967, when he was accepted into a federal law enforcement training program. Mr. Vaughn wrote of the experience in an essay for the Omaha World Herald stating ``I was the first black. At the time, I didn't realize what that meant, that it was a tremendous breakthrough. To me, it was a job. Period.'' It is a job he held for half of a 28-year career with the U.S. Department of the Interior. In 1993, Cleveland was the first African-American appointed to be the U.S. Marshal for the State of Nebraska. The U.S. Marshals Service describes the members of its ranks thusly, ``hometown-men and women familiar with local feelings about national issues. They are people comfortable within their own neighborhoods.'' This is a particularly apt description of Mr. Vaughn according to his friends, family and colleagues. Quoting Shirley Vaughn, his wife of nearly 49 years, ``He loved people. He loved his church. He loved to help.''

Cleveland Vaughn was active in his church, Zion Baptist, serving as a trustee. He was a mentor and a confidant for the young and old. Cleveland shared his love of the outdoors and nature with all. He utilized his passion to help coordinate an annual wild game feed at Zion Baptist church, which emphasized fellowship between young men and positive role models. The Douglas County Attorney described Mr. Vaughn as a ``public servant whose public service didn't stop.'' He was known for his generosity, openness and selflessness.

In addition to his wife, Shirley, and other relatives, Vaughn is survived by son Derek Vaughn, and daughters Monica Watson and Janae Vaughn of Omaha.

As we prepare to celebrate Black History month, we recognize the immense contributions African-Americans have made to this country. Trailblazers and public servants like Cleveland Vaughn, Jr. deserve our gratitude and thanks.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize our critical public health programs. Months ago, the House passed a bundle of reauthorizations for key health programs. Amongst them are funding extensions for the community health centers, CHIP, and the National Health Service Corps.

Today, we will vote for CHIP reauthorization for a third time. I will be voting ``yes'' for a third time, and it appears that most of my Democratic colleagues will be voting ``no'' for a third time. Programs like these help ensure that millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Nebraskans receive the care they so desperately need. It is abhorrent that these programs have become a political football, and it is unacceptable that the healthcare that so many depend on has been put to the side.

This upcoming spring, Nebraska will run out of funding for community health centers and CHIP. While a contingency plan may be in the works, these lifesaving programs should not require a fallback. I count on my colleagues in the Senate and the House to pass legislation, to vote ``yes'' today on CHIP and community health centers and many other key programs in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and recognize Father Steven E. Boes, who joined us today to deliver the opening prayer.

Father Boes is the fifth executive director of Boys Town, which is in Nebraska's Second Congressional District and is celebrating its 100th birthday this month.

Father Boes was ordained as a priest in 1985 for the Archdiocese of Omaha and assumed his post at Boys Town in July 2005. He regularly attends sporting and school events at Boys Town High School and dines with kids in their family homes, and I have joined them.

Under his leadership, the number of children served through Boys Town's on-campus, family-style care and programs serving children in their homes and communities has doubled. The Family Home Program, started in 1974, has served 36,000 children to date.

Boys Town Foster Family Services program has cared for nearly 9,000 youth to date, and the In-Home Family Services program has helped approximately 102,600 youth without having to remove them from their homes. Boys Town also has emergency services that have served over 45,000 youth.

The man who started this all 100 years ago, Father Edward Flanagan, was truly a visionary for changing how America cared for families and children. He worked to close reformatories and juvenile facilities where children were abused, eventually opening Father Flanagan's Boys' Home, which became Boys Town. He has made a lifelong impact on thousands upon thousands who were given a rough start in life.

Boys Town now has nine locations across the country including Nevada; Louisiana; north Florida; central Florida; south Florida; Washington, D.C.; New England; Iowa; and Nebraska.

From Father Flanagan to Father Boes, many lives have been impacted.

I recognize Boys Town for 100 years of service to the community and America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act and commend Chairman Thornberry for his exemplary leadership in our national defense.

I join my House colleagues in sending a strong, bipartisan message to the American people that national security must be and will be a national priority for this Congress.

As a member of the Armed Services Committee and a conferee, I am proud of the strong, bipartisan consensus we have forged in both Chambers to reversing our dangerous decline in military readiness. Yet we must temper any pride we feel with the sober reality of the state we are in today: defense spending as a percent of GDP is at historic lows, operational tempo is at historic highs, and threats are growing more stark.

There have been 31 CRs in 10 years, which is a disgrace: a decade of deferred maintenance and modernization, aircraft that don't fly, ships that don't sail, and vehicles that can't move, shoot, or communicate on the modern battlefield. Mishap rates are rising, fatalities are rising, and training is at an all-time low. We have got to fix this.

Despite the lessons of history, we are simply unprepared to fight a modern war in space, cyberspace, in the air, on land, and at sea.

I served in uniform under the past five Presidents and witnessed this erosion of battle readiness firsthand. For me, this is personal.

This NDAA repairs the damage. The additional funding authorized in this bill makes a credible down payment in preserving the common defense and sends a message to both our adversaries and our military of peace through strength.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for this conference report.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the men and women of the Nebraska National Guard. Whether it is a natural disaster in Nebraska or elsewhere in the United States, or doing combat operations in the Middle East, the Nebraska National Guard is willing and ready to assist those in need and are poised to fight our Nation's wars.

The Army National Guard has approximately 3,500 soldiers stationed throughout Nebraska, and the Air National Guard has approximately 950 airmen. Joining us today in Washington are 60 of those soldiers and airmen.

The Nebraska National Guard is made up of selfless and courageous men and women who continue to make Nebraska and the Nation proud through their rescue and assist efforts and during times of crisis.

The Army National Guard has over 80 units throughout Nebraska. These guardsmen are also called citizen soldiers and they respond to national disasters in the State and around the Nation.

There are two Air National Guard units in Nebraska: the 155th Air Refueling Wing in Lincoln and the 170th Group located at Offutt Air Force Base. The 155th Wing is responsible for refueling aircraft worldwide, while the

170th Group provides support to the 55th Wing by training airmen conducting worldwide missions for our Nation.

In addition, they have become a premier example of total force integration between the Active Duty Air Force and the Air National Guard. In my 30 years in the Air Force, this is the best Active Duty and National Guard relationship that I have seen. I think it is the best in the Nation.

Since September 11, the Nebraska National Guard has deployed over 10,000 soldiers and airmen. The guardsmen not only provide assistance to the United States, but throughout the world. There are dozens of Nebraska soldiers deployed to Guantanamo Bay supporting detainee operations. Next year, the Nebraska Air National Guard will deploy to key locations in the Pacific and Middle East.

Most recently, members of the Nebraska National Guard deployed to Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to assist with the hurricane relief efforts.

The Nebraska National Guard rescued 461 people and 22 pets, and they served 6,000 pounds of bottled water, 3,000 pounds of food, and 1,000 pounds of medical supplies to the people of Texas.

In response to Hurricane Irma, 102 Guard members were in Florida providing an aviation task force for support operations. Currently, there are 58 soldiers and airmen providing support to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. These efforts range from rescuing people to cleaning up St. Croix's Ricardo Richards Elementary School.

The Nebraska National Guard's value to Nebraskans and Americans across the Nation cannot be understated. Our soldiers and airmen risk their lives to save our neighbors in need.

I thank the Nebraska National Guard for their service to the Nation and Nebraska. All Nebraskans are proud of their service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate National Native American Heritage Month by honoring a dedicated community leader and warrior from Nebraska's Second Congressional District.

Growing up on the Umonhon Nation Reservation in Macy, Nebraska, Dr. Rudi Mitchell was one of eight children raised by a single mother. Rudi's mom, Mary Lieb Mitchell, was a strong woman and a major influence in the lives of her children. Her focus was education and ensuring her children had the opportunities that she did not have.

It was because of her that Rudi and his siblings all went out to pursue

higher education. Including nieces and nephews, 15 members of his family have earned degrees ranging from bachelor's to doctorate, to medical degrees.

In 1964, Rudi felt the call to serve our Nation at a time of war and enlisted in the United States Army Medical Corps. As he will tell you, Native Americans consider it an honor to serve as a warrior, and he was proud to do so in the U.S. Army. He was a part of the Army Medical Corps and served a total of 3 years and 13 months of which he deployed to South Korea, providing medical support to troops.

Once his service was complete, Dr. Mitchell used the GI Bill to attend the University of Nebraska Omaha, and in August of 1973, he earned his bachelor of general studies with an emphasis on social work. He then pursued and received his master of social work in August of 1975.

With his degrees in hand and inspired by his mother's dreams, Dr. Mitchell worked for the Nebraska Indian Intertribal Development Corporation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs for Winnebago. After that, he returned to the Umonhon Nation Reservation in Macy, Nebraska, and was the acting director of the outpatient mental health-social services department at the Carl T. Curtis Health Education Center. Rudi then earned his doctorate of education and counseling and psychology from the University of South Dakota in December of 1987.

Dr. Mitchell continued to serve those residing at the Macy and Winnebago Reservations, including as interim president of the Nebraska Indian Community College and, most recently, as the assistant professor of Native American studies at Creighton University. He is also listed as a qualified expert witness in Indian child welfare cases in the courts of the State of Nebraska.

His deep compassion for the youth of the Umonhon Nation inspires him to continue to make an impact. With the high suicide rate and many suffering from depression, Dr. Mitchell has made it a mission of his to interact with the youth as a social worker and mental health therapist. As an elder of the Umonhon Nation, Dr. Mitchell participates and leads traditional Umonhon prayer ceremonies in welcome and graduation ceremonies.

Rudi continues to preserve his native language, which his mother did not allow to be spoken in his childhood home because she wanted them to learn English. He also is working to revive the lost culture of his Nation, including the importance of his Indian name. His is Sihi-duba of the Buffalo Clan.

As a direct descendant of Chief Big Elk, the last hereditary chief of the Umonhon Nation, Dr. Mitchell followed his great-great-great-great- grandfather's legacy of leadership, and has served as a Native American leader on the local, State, and national level. From 1992 to 1995, he was the Tribal chairman of the Umonhon Nation and the chief elected governmental representative of his people. He presided over the elected Tribal Council at all official meetings and represented their interests with county supervisors, the Nebraska Unicameral, the United States Congress, State Governors, the President of the United States, and international leaders.

In addition, Dr. Mitchell serves on the board of directors for the Big Elk Native American Center, a nonprofit that is working to provide a multitude of services to more than 8,000 Native Americans from over 130 Tribes that reside in the Omaha area. Currently, the nonprofit provides language services, teaching the Umonhon language, and providing expert witnesses.

Dr. Mitchell is a lifetime member of the VFW Post 1581 and the American Legion Post 1, and although he has officially retired, he still serves as an elder of the Omaha Tribe. Through his lifetime of dedicated service, he has helped many youth and members of the Umonhon Nation overcome depression and learn about their heritage.

We are proud to recognize Dr. Mitchell as a true warrior, patriot, and selfless servant; one that not only fought for his Nation, but also for those impacted by mental health issues, and continues to keep his Native American culture and heritage alive for future generations.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 3897) to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the issuance of the Gold Star Installation Access Card to the surviving spouse, dependent children, and other next of kin of a member of the Armed Forces who dies while serving on certain active or reserve duty, to ensure that a remarried surviving spouse with dependent children of the deceased member remains eligible for installation benefits to which the surviving spouse was previously eligible, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues in the Climate Solutions Caucus in recognition of a problem that concerns many of us--climate change.

It is hard to deny that our climate is changing. Whether caused by cyclical weather changes or impacted by man's role, it is clear we are seeing changes in the polar ice and a rise in temperatures. It is one of my goals in Congress to keep the momentum we have seen in previous decades of continuing improvement in our environment. We all want to leave our planet cleaner for our children and grandchildren.

It is my hope to advance the dialogue and advocate for more renewable and diverse energy sources. Top defense authorities, such as Secretary Mattis, have been vocal on how climate change has affected the DoD's threat assessments, resources, and operation readiness, but Congress must do more to combat this threat.

As an incoming freshman in the 115th Congress, I have made it my mission to get things accomplished. I have joined the Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, and have advocated for an incremental improvements approach to address climate change, while recognizing that the issue is a matter of national security. During the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act debate, I as well as some of my other House colleagues, led the charge to ensure adoption of Section 336, which recognizes climate change as a national security issue, and allows the DOD to assess its risks and determine next steps to mitigate such threats. This section ensures that the Armed Forces are prepared to handle the effects of a changing climate as it relates to military operations. By conducting studies within the Services and Combat Commands, DoD will be able to better understand the problem. Congress has a duty to ensure that the DoD is resilient and prepared for anything that may threaten its mission and operations and I hope to see the text of Section 336 in the final NDAA bill.

It is in America's best interest to improve clean energy technology and expand production of renewable energies. Environmental practices do not need to come at the expense of economic growth though. We must encourage greater environmental stewardship amongst the private sector and foster economic success. Omaha now has 30 percent of energy from wind and it's growing. I support continued use of solar, ethanol, and sources of hydrothermal.

As members of the Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, we proactively seek pragmatic

solutions to address environmental concerns. It is a priority of mine to have all members recognize the impacts of climate change and our role to leave a cleaner planet for our children and grandchildren. I am committed to ensuring energy independence for our country and North America and ensuring that the use of renewable energy gains a larger share of our overall energy production.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend a distinguished serviceman and member of the 55th Wing, CMSgt (ret) Larry W. Meade. Chief Master Sergeant Meade served our country with honor, dedicating the past 44 years of his life to the 55th Wing, as a loyal Airman and a contractor with L-3 Technologies.

During his time as an Airman, Chief Meade always exceeded expectations and established himself as an invaluable piece of the 55th Wing's history. He oversaw all mission system maintenance in the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR) throughout the early days of Operations DESERT STORM and DESERT SHIELD. Because of his work, the Rivet Joint cemented Its role as key player in the development of the Air Force's Electronic Order of Battle, enabling air-strike planning and the elimination of countless high value enemy targets.

Armed with his wealth of experience, Chief Meade continued his service to our nation and our military as a contractor. During his 18 years with L-3 Technologies, he again proved to be a critical part of the 55th Wing's success. He oversaw the seamless upgrade of 10 minor and 11 major RC-135 mission system baseline updates, an amazing feat. Additionally, Chief Meade facilitated over 150 one time inspections, 200 contract field team visits, 450 maintenance bulletins and 600 engineering technical assistance requests.

Chief Meade has a long, proven, track record of accomplishment and devotion to the 55th Wing, of which I have been a member. Chief Meade leaves behind a legacy of mission success, and countless successful Airmen that he has been able to mentor during his career. I am more than honored to commend him on the floor today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Small Business Cybersecurity Act, a bill that I am proud to cosponsor. This legislation will help promote stronger cybersecurity practices amongst our Nation's small businesses, and it is fiscally responsible.

The well-being of our small businesses is important to the overall health of our economy. According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses account for 55 percent of total jobs in the United States. In my home State of Nebraska, small businesses employed 390,000 people in 2016.

Some small businesses are not able to prioritize cybersecurity efforts over other aspects of their business or they lack the resources to secure their networks and systems. We must promote greater preparedness to protect small businesses from cyber attacks.

H.R. 2105 directs NIST to disseminate guidance to help small businesses identify, assess, manage, and reduce their cyber risks based off NIST's extensive expertise. This is a big step towards promoting better cybersecurity practices amongst our Nation's small businesses.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2105.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our fellow Americans who know what it means to give the ultimate sacrifice to the Nation: our Gold Star families.

This past weekend, we observed National Gold Star Mothers and Families Day, a solemn reminder of our sacred obligation to hold dear in our heart and to never forget those in uniform we have lost. Psalm 34 says: ``The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.''

I believe this was on President Lincoln's mind when he wrote to Mrs. Bixby, a mother who lost five of her sons in the Civil War. President Lincoln wrote: ``I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement and leave you only with the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.''

Like many in this Chamber, I have presented and saluted too many flag-draped coffins of our fallen warriors. As we remember them, let us also recommit ourselves to the task of caring for the families they leave behind who forever carry the pain of their loss. As they gave to the Nation, the Nation must give to them.

Today, I urge my colleagues to join me in renewing our obligations to our Gold Star families, a commitment for life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring a dedicated community leader from Nebraska's Second Congressional District with an inspirational story. Alberto ``Beto'' Gonzales' countless stories of overcoming adversity and selfless contribution to the youth of our Hispanic community, serve as a shining example and model for current and future generations.

Mr. Gonzales grew up in the Hispanic neighborhoods of South Omaha, where his father worked in the thriving meat packing industry. His mother cared for him and his six brothers and sisters and was a positive influence in their lives. As a Christian, she also believed in the power of prayer in daily life. Unfortunately, Alberto fell into drugs, alcohol, and eventually depression and thoughts of suicide.

By the time Beto was 11 years old he was already part of his first street gang and in 1977, spent five days in jail for a knife fight where he was defending himself against several male attackers. Had an observer not testified in his defense, he would have likely spent 30 years or more in jail.

At the age of 23, Alberto met a woman who would become one of his most influential mentors; Sister Joyce Englert with the Chicano Awareness Center in South Omaha. Through her efforts, Beto learned about Christ and was able to get off drugs permanently. His memories of his mother praying for him as a child helped him to make the positive life changes. As a result, Beto committed the rest of his life to helping young people overcome the obstacles and influences of living in poverty, as well as the intense peer pressure from gangs. His commitment was sealed in a tattoo on his arm of the scripture found in Psalms 23:4.

Alberto struggled with academics and barely made it through high school, but Sister Joyce was an instrumental part in helping him overcome a learning disability, teaching him to read and write, and eventually convincing him to enroll at Metro Community College in 1983. He recalls being more scared to pick up a college book than a gun. Though Beto took longer than most to complete his Associates Degree in Chemical Dependency, his perseverance would pay off later in his professional career.

As gang and drug activity exploded in South Omaha in the late '80s and 90s, so did the opportunities for Beto to help endangered youth in that community. While most who work in this field burn out after seven years, Alberto has served in this area for more than 32 years. Beto ran drug and alcohol treatment groups while doing extensive outreach with schools through the Chicano Awareness Center. After that, Alberto served as a National

Crisis Hotline Counselor for Boystown and eventually became an Omaha Police Department School Liaison, and Gang Prevention and Intervention Specialist where he still works today. Today Beto also develops and implements outreach programs for at-risk youth as a Youth Counselor for the South Omaha Boys and Girls Club. Through all these efforts, Alberto Gonzales has touched and changed the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of youth in the Hispanic community.

Mr. Gonzales' outstanding accomplishments have earned him several prestigious awards including the Friedman Award for Excellence in Youth Mentoring, Nebraska Hispanic Man of the Year Award, Induction into the Omaha South High School Alumni Hall of Fame, and many others. Alberto has taught us all that how you start out in life is not as important as how you finish. He has taught us we can never give up on the youth in our community, no matter the darkness of their current situation or their past.

Alberto gives credit to God, his mother who always prayed for him, his mentor Sister Joyce, and many of the educators and professionals who encouraged him along the way. He believes that showing unconditional positive regard and spending quality time with at-risk children can make a positive difference. He may not save every kid he encounters, but he believes in a philosophy that says, ``If you plant a seed now, someone else might water and grow it later.''