Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, Like several members before me, as I prepare to depart, I rise to address this body in which I

have had the honor and privilege of serving for the past 18 years.

I thank God for His grace and guidance and for keeping me fit of mind and body, so that I could faithfully serve my constituents and our country.

I thank my constituents, the people of the Virgin Islands for their overwhelming support at every election from 1996 through 2012, and for their advice, counsel and their prayers during my tenure.

I thank the leadership under whom I have served--Republican and Democrat--for their support of legislation and the concerns of the people of the Virgin Islands. But I especially thank my Democratic leaders for their unwavering support and advocacy on my and my constituents behalf.

Special thanks to the leaders and the members of the Congressional Black Caucus from the first Chair Maxine Waters, all the way to our most recent Chair Marcia Fudge and all in between.

I have been successful in my ability to represent my district and to contribute to their health and wellbeing and that of all of the people of this country and beyond, because of their overwhelming support.

Being named as Chair of the CBC Health Braintrust gave me a national platform that allowed a non-voting member, from a Territory that many members could not locate on a map, the opportunity to influence not only local but national policy. And I thank the leaders and members of our TriCaucus partners--the Hispanic and Asian Pacific Caucuses--and my fellow Delegates for their support as well.

And above all I thank the very best staff anyone could ask for. Without them I could not have accomplished anything and my family who sacrificed so that I could serve.

In these 18 years I served on several committees: Natural Resources where I was a Ranking member on the Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee and chair of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Wildlife, Oceans and Fisheries; the Committee on Small Business, the Committee on Homeland Security and finally with the Support of the CBC, I became the first delegate ever to serve on the exclusive Committee on Energy and Commerce. I particularly thank Chairwoman Fudge, Assistant Leader Clyburn and Leader Pelosi for that honor.

I have been blessed to serve in interesting times and during the terms of three presidents--Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama.

Even without a vote I participated in discussions on every major issue in these 18 years both in Congress and in each White House.

And I have been fortunate with the help and support of the many who I have thanked to have been able through increased rum cover over funds, forgiveness of disaster loans, enabling borrowing and helping to ensure territories were included in the recovery act to help stave off what would have been a far worse impact from the national and global recession.

My staff and I were able to increase funding for roads and provide new funding for wastewater treatment systems and other infrastructure repair. First responder funding reached unprecedented highs.

And even though we were unsuccessful in our efforts to get state like treatment for the territories in the Affordable Care Act, I count as one of my most important legacies is the fact that working with my TriCaucus colleagues I was able to include many provisions for us that will enable coverage, service and protections for the four and a half million of us, as well as health equity and other provisions that benefit all Americans.

I had the privilege of working with others to create and maintain the Minority AIDS Initiative, to improve Ryan White, to expand the Children's Health Insurance, and to create the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities at NIH.

There is more, but most of all I am proud of the individuals and families we have helped in our district and Washington offices.

We helped resolve immigration, veterans, military, TWIC card, VICORP, social security, and Homeland Security issues, some involving saving jobs or getting them thousands of dollars they were owed. We were not 100% successful, but we always pursued the issues on behalf of our constituents to the nth degree.

So again to everyone who voted for me, who supported my efforts and who helped to provide the tools for a better life for the people of the Virgin Islands, thank you.

I will forever be grateful to all of you and will always consider it the highest honor to have been able to serve the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands and my country for 18 wonderful years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an outstanding leader from my congressional district in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Reverend Monsignor Michael F. Kosak, a Roman Catholic Priest, for his many contributions to St. Croix and the Virgin Islands community over 44 years.

Born in Brooklyn, New York on December 7, 1938, the first-born child of Michael and Rose Marnick Kosak, Monsignor Kosak graduated from high school in 1956 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1957, serving for several years before beginning his religious studies. In 1966, Monsignor Kosak earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from St Mary's College in St. Mary, Kentucky and his Masters in Divinity from St Mary's Seminary and the University of Baltimore, Maryland in 1970.

On June 6, 1970, Monsignor Kosak was ordained as a Roman Catholic Priest for the Prelature of the Virgin Islands by the Most Reverend Edward J. Harper, Bishop of the Virgin Islands at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Brooklyn, New York. That same year on July 26, Monsignor Kosak became pastor of St. Ann's Church, Barrenspot Hill, St. Croix, Virgin Islands and was appointed Director of Vocations in 1970; Director of Charismatic Renewal in 1977; Director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate in 1981; Director of Communications in 1982; Dean in 1985; and Episcopal Vicar, St. Croix, a position he held until 1987. Monsignor Kosak was appointed to the position of Vicar General of the Diocese on July 30, 1987, and the title of Monsignor was conferred upon him by the Most Reverend Sean O'Malley on March 13, 1989.

Mr. Speaker, through Monsignor Kosak's ministry at St Ann's Church, it grew in stature from a simply country chapel to a significant parish in the community, which offers Christian education classes to children who attend public and private schools in order that they may receive the sacraments. He has always encouraged the training and involvement of youth in the music ministry of the church. As spiritual director at the St. Joseph High School, Monsignor Kosak, was instrumental in obtaining summer youth programs at St. Joseph's in the early 1970s for the youth of the St. Croix community. He presented evangelical seminars to the churches, first in St. Croix and then in St. Thomas and St. John, the impact of which spread to every island in the Caribbean and, since 1982, to Ghana, Uganda, Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

After Monsignor Kosak was appointed Pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands on May 16, 1989, he performed spiritual director service in Trinidad and in Malta from 1990 to 1991; He was again appointed Pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral on August 1, 1992. During the 1990s, Monsignor Kosak oversaw the renovations of the Cathedral which included preserving precious works of art that dated back to the 19th century.

On October 1, 1995, Monsignor Kosak was appointed Pastor of St Ann's Church, where he began major construction of the Sts. Joachim & Ann Church and the renovation of the sugar mill into the Shrine of Our Lady of Barrenspot. Other major construction of the Marian Hall, the paving of new roads and the parking lot, as well as the beautification of the 9.5 acres of parish property at St. Ann's commenced from 1999 to 2007. Always one to continue the path of education and spirituality, Monsignor Kosak took a sabbatical at North American College in Rome 2000 and took a spirituality course at Angelicum, Rome in 2004. The Most Reverend Bishop George Murry appointed him as Vicar General on August 15, 2005 and following Bishop Murry's transfer, Monsignor Kosak was elected Diocesan Administrator.

Mr. Speaker, in January 2008, Monsignor Kosak published his memoir titled, ``Journey of a Homeboy,'' which chronicles his life's journey from his time at a home for boys in Brooklyn to the tropical breezes of the Virgin Islands. He writes of serving as pastor during life-altering events to include the destruction of Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricane Marilyn in 1995 and spiritual experiences along the way, including a mountaintop experience at Mt. St. Benedict in Trinidad on January 6, 1977 that lit the shepherd on fire and there was no turning back in his ministry.

Mr. Speaker, Monsignor Kosak celebrated his 40th anniversary as an ordained priest on June 6, 2010 and later that year, the Holy Father conferred upon him the papal honor of Prothonotary Apostolic, which is dated July 12, 2010 at the Vatican. From June 2012 to December 2013, Monsignor Kosak served as Editor of the Catholic Islander, the Diocesan Monthly Magazine.

Monsignor Kosak retired as pastor of St. Ann's Catholic Church on August 31, 2014 and is now Pastor Emeritus of St. Ann Barrenspot. Monsignor Kosak will remain active as a Diocesan Consulter to The Most Reverend Herbert Brevard, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of St. Thomas to assist him in matters concerning health care, property insurance and pension issues in the diocese. At the conclusion of his memoir, Monsignor Kosak wrote, ``God isn't finished with me yet and I ask your prayerful support so that this `homeboy' will always be a faithful disciple of the Holy Spirit.''

Mr. Speaker, Monsignor Kosak has served his country and my constituency well and on behalf of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands and a grateful flock, I wish ``Father Mike'' continued success and on behalf of the Congress of the United States, thank him for his long, dedicated and bountiful service to the parish of Sts. Ann and Joachim, the community of St. Croix and the Diocese of St. Thomas. May God continue to richly bless him with good health and many more years in service to the Almighty God.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in posthumous recognition of Wadsworth Dickerson, a Friend, Mentor, campaign and personal supporter, who was with me at the beginning of my political career. He was one of those individuals that could be accurately described as ``Larger than Life''! He would enter a room and fill it with a Presence bigger than his person, and begin to talk in that voice that was oh so powerful-- even in a whisper. Many memories come to mind of `that smile' and how he enjoyed a good joke.

He had more than a finger on the pulse of sentiments being felt by the constituency and their concerns that were often not brought to the attention of those seeking public office. His was an absence that was, and still is, greatly and pointedly missed, in every election I have participated in since his untimely demise a decade ago.

Mr. Dickerson was also affectionately known as ``Lalie'', to those that knew him on a first name or nickname basis. He was born on the island of Antigua to parents that came from the island of St. Kitts. He was the only son that his parents had and those who were brave enough to say it, said that he always got his way and succeeded in getting away with conduct that was never tolerated from his sister siblings or other relatives. This privilege helped to give him stellar and sterling attributes that later on became exemplary characteristics that endeared him to many: a care free, head strong and independent person, with a love for life, adventure and animals, which all started at an early age.

As a young boy, Lalie travelled back and forth from Antigua to St. Croix, until he decided that St. Croix was where he wanted to live and raise a family with his then girlfriend, Cavelle. The island of St. Croix, in the early days of their marriage, provided vast opportunities to young people with talent; and Lalie's carpentry craftsmanship allowed him to make a lot of people very happy when he built cabinets, wall aquariums, mahogany beds and other priceless treasures. This is how he began to establish and maintain close connections with the ``grass roots''.

Lalie's eulogy credited his love for democracy and politics as coming from his mother and former Congressman Ron de Lugo, my predecessor. He was always a person who enjoyed a good time and an intense political chat. This was another method that enabled him to keep his hand on the pulse and enabled him to know who was who and how they thought and felt on various subjects. Other characteristics that endeared him to many was his ability to be there for others, always ready to lend a helping hand to others less fortunate, or to those that just needed advice. ``He was steadfast in whatever he believed in even if it meant he was on the losing side''--which was a very rare event.

Lalie became mesmerized with the beauty of St. Croix so much that he enjoyed hanging out with friends on the waterfront or even just to go to take a sail with a friend. In addition to his carpentry skills, he worked at the Department of Sanitation; the U. S. District Court; the Youth Rehabilitation Center and the Department of Education; where a job injury ended his working career. He was also a Lifelong Democrat because his mother told him there could be no other party than the Democratic Party, because it was the Party for poor people. He has also been involved and a member of numerous Democratic Clubs, including the People's Democratic Club and the Democratic Territorial Committee.

I know that many Democrats still deeply miss the presence and unwavering support

from one of our most dedicated party members who also just happened to be the ``Conscience'' of the Party. Even though he seemed to breathe politics, he also had another passion which was gardening. His green thumb caused his family to always be able to have fresh vegetables and even fruits at times.

Lalie was also a family man, proud of his children; loved his grandchildren and was overjoyed being in the presence of his great- grandchildren. His and Cavelle's home was the center and heartbeat of the family.

As I bring my congressional tenure to closure and reflect on the beginning: the joy, happy memories, the sadness of losing him and appreciation of him and all that he brought to me, my life, family and campaigns; always contributed to making it extremely difficult to think and write about him. It is so easy to be sad in nostalgia but, he would not want us to feel anything but happiness for Life and Opportunity to move on and improve. May he rest in peace.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4771, the Designer Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2014.

H.R. 4771 would amend the Controlled Substances Act to expand the definition of ``anabolic steroids'' to include 25 additional chemicals, thereby facilitating their control by the Drug Enforcement Agency. The CSA contains a list of chemicals defined as anabolic steroids. However, chemists, as you have heard, are able to design around the list, creating new anabolic steroids that are not on the CSA list. The DEA, therefore, has a more difficult time making enforcement actions against people using them.

The bill will also make it easier for the Drug Enforcement Agency to add subsequent designer chemicals to the list of anabolic steroids and increases civil and criminal penalties for offenses pertaining to anabolic steroids.

Anabolic steroids are synthetic variants of the male sex hormone testosterone. They have a number of therapeutic uses but are also used by muscle builders and athletes to improve performance. Long-term or high-dosage use can cause adverse health effects, including damage to the liver and heart, and testicular atrophy.

H.R. 4771 will go a long way toward removing dangerous steroids from the market. We have seen the harm these drugs have caused, particularly in our youth and in professional sports, particularly baseball. The bill will give DEA an important tool to fight the use of hard-to-detect designer steroids.

I want to commend Chairman Joe Pitts and Ranking Member Frank Pallone for their sponsorship of this bipartisan legislation.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting today's legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 2154, the Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act of 2014.

Established 30 years ago this year, the Emergency Medical Services for Children program has supported improvements to pediatric emergency care in all U.S. States, territories, and freely associated States. EMSC grant programs help assess emergency systems and implement quality improvement measures, improve services in

rural and tribal communities, and support a research network that facilitates studies in pediatric emergency care.

Last week, as the chairman said, the House approved a similar bill to reauthorize the Emergency Medical Services for Children program by voice vote. By advancing the Senate's companion legislation today, the EMSC program will be able to continue for another 5 years at its currently appropriated funding level.

I want to thank Senators Hatch and Casey for sponsoring this bill in the Senate, Congressmen Matheson and King for sponsoring the House companion bill, and leaders on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for making it possible to have a consensus bill before us today--Chairman Upton, Chairman Pitts, Ranking Member Waxman, Ranking Member Pallone, Chairman Harkin, and Ranking Member Alexander.

I urge Members to support S. 2154 so we can send this bill to the President for his signature.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I rise in very strong support of H.R. 83, a bill which I introduced on the very first day of this Congress. This legislation, as you have heard, would require the Secretary of the Interior to assemble a team of technical, policy, and financial experts to address our energy needs through the development of action plans to promote access to affordable, reliable energy all while increasing the use of indigenous clean-energy resources in the insular areas of American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the freely associated states.

Before I go any further, I want to take this opportunity to thank Subcommittee Chairman Whitfield and Ranking Member Rush and Committee Chairman Upton and Ranking Member Waxman who, on hearing the high cost of electricity in my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands, immediately offered to support my efforts to bring relief.

I recall the very first time I shared how much we paid for electricity during one of our earlier Energy and Power Subcommittee meetings. Chairman Whitfield actually followed me outside of the room to confirm that he had heard the right figure and then pledged to do whatever he could as chairman to help on this issue.

We thank you for your help and your support. With their support Energy and Commerce actually passed this bill in July of last year, and we have been trying to bring it to the floor for passage since then.

I also want to thank Natural Resources Chair Doc Hastings and Ranking Member DeFazio for releasing the bill from their jurisdiction so that we could bring it to the floor today.

We have come a long way since 2008 when the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, which I chaired at that time, and the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, chaired then by Congressman Jim Costa, held an official hearing in Frederiksted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Its specific purpose was to highlight the high cost of energy in the Virgin Islands and other territories and to explore and offer alternative and renewable sources. It was at that hearing that we first called for a project like the Energy Development for Island Nations which then only existed in Hawaii.

Within a year the Department of the Interior and the Governor brought this project to the Virgin Islands. This initiative is what assisted our water and power authority to plan and implement the transition to propane and solar which will begin to lower costs later this year or earlier next year. It has also prepared the way for wind energy.

Today EDIN is no more, and we still have miles to go before we can see the significant reductions in cost that our families and our businesses must bear, and that is why we are here asking this body to pass H.R. 83 today.

This measure will help my district and our Nation's other insular areas become less reliant on expensive foreign-imported fuel and address our longstanding energy challenges which have become increasingly complicated by price shocks and instability in the oil markets over the past few years.

The bill requires that the energy action plans identify and offer remedies to our immediate, near-term, long-term, and environmental needs along with recommendations on how to improve the performance of energy infrastructure, how to improve overall energy efficiency, and how to set a schedule for implementation of those recommendations.

Just to give you a little more context to our ongoing dilemma, on every occasion when I am in my district, I hear business owners tell me that they are not sure how much longer they can hold on before closing. In fact, many have closed, and the high electricity costs make it very difficult to attract new ones at a time when our economy needs the stimulus.

At one social event I recall a mother of five pleading with me to keep seeking help as her almost $500 a month bill is making it difficult for her to provide for the needs of her family. Our seniors are foregoing medicine and basic essentials. Many are living in darkness.

In some communities it would appear as though many have moved away when in actuality they are simply turning to candles and kerosene lamps because they simply cannot afford to turn on the lights. This presents risks to health and safety that are just unacceptable.

According to the Energy Information Administration, the national average cost of energy is 9.94 cents per kilowatt hour in the United States. Residential ratepayers in my district pay around 51.2 cents per kilowatt hour while commercial ratepayers incur a charge of approximately 54.3 cents.

This is nearly 500 times the national average, a cost that is unsustainable and crippling to our economy and the health and safety of our families. Residents in other territories and the State

of Hawaii pay rates that vary from 26 cents in Puerto Rico to over 40 cents in the smaller islands of Hawaii, costs which are still unacceptable and unsustainably high.

Despite our challenges and obstacles, our territories are steadfastly working to identify opportunities to adopt a diverse portfolio of energy options. This bill remains extremely necessary to support us in those endeavors because it recognizes the need for immediate short-term action.

H.R. 83 also recognizes the crisis that the current 30th legislature of the Virgin Islands has declared for energy in our territory and directs focus to the short-term needs of our community as well as to ensuring that, when the transactions are made, we will be putting together the right mix of fuel sources that will provide the most efficient electricity at the lowest possible cost.

As all of these factors converge, we know there is no better time than the present to aggressively pursue the deployment of solar, wind, LNG, LPG, geothermal, ocean wave, and thermal energy as well as storage systems. I am encouraged that this can be made a reality with the guidance of a team of experts dedicated solely to mitigating and resolving these issues.

Given our geographic locations, we don't have the privilege of tapping into nearby grid systems in times of crisis. This bill will arm us with the tools necessary to help us to transition along with the rest of our country to resources that are much more affordable, reliable, efficient, and clean.

President Obama has led the way. Many States have enacted strong energy plans that chart a way forward. Considering all of the options available to them, it is only fair that our territories also join in the race for energy independence and clean energy leadership.

On behalf of my district and all of the other territories and insular areas, I would like to also thank the Democratic leadership for helping me with H.R. 83, a bill that is critically important to the energy future of the U.S. Virgin Islands and all of our Nation's territories and freely associated states.

I also want to thank my colleagues for their support as we work through these challenges and issues. My constituents are encouraged and heartened by the support that we have received thus far.

I ask all of my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 83, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that today the House will consider H.R. 4450 and I rise in strong support of this legislation. I would like to thank Congressman Bilirakis for his leadership in bringing this bill to the House floor, and also the Tourism Caucus and co-sponsors for their support.

One of the most important amendments in H.R. 4450 includes the U.S. territories among the states and the District of Columbia whose benefits the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Travel Promotion plan must ensure. This provision is particularly important to my district- the U.S. Virgin Islands--where tourism is the primary economic activity. The Virgin Islands normally host approximately 2 million visitors a year, many of whom visit on cruise ships.

Tourism is a critical component of economic development in the U.S. Virgin Islands; especially with the closure of the oil refinery, HOVENSA, on St. Croix. The closure eliminated close to 1,200 refinery positions and raised our unemployment rate to the double digits. The ripple effect also included school closures, home foreclosures and a large number of residents leaving the island. As the Virgin Islands struggles to turn around its economy, it is critical that we continue to grow and sustain our tourism industry. Including the territories in the Corporation's promotion plan will significantly support these efforts. The territories are a major destination point for national and international travelers alike and should be a focal point for the Corporation.

H.R. 4450 is sponsored by more than a third of the House of Representatives, and almost equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats. Independent analysis by the Congressional Budget Office and the U.S. Travel Association concluded that the bill would reduce the federal deficit by $231 million over a year and not cost taxpayers a dime, all while creating jobs and economic opportunities in communities across America.

I think it is a Win-Win situation for our nation's economy and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4450.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my hometown stars, Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs.

Tim is a five-time champion, a 14-time all star, a two-time MVP, and a three-time finals MVP. He grew up on my home island of St. Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and he graduated from St. Dunstan's Episcopal School

with my eldest daughter. That is where a tall, thin, and shy Timmy began playing basketball, and let me just say: they were not the winningest team.

From his time at Wake Forest, where I attended his last game, we, in the Virgin Islands, have followed his career with pride. Beyond the games, we appreciate the way he stayed in touch with his classmates and friends these 22 years, the way he has given back to us, to North Carolina, and to San Antonio through his foundation--the character program in our schools--and his support of youth sports and health awareness and research.

Tim Duncan is a champion in basketball and in the lives of the communities that he continues to give back to.

On behalf of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands: Thank you, Timmy, for making us proud and for being the role model that you have been for our young men and for young men everywhere.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend a medical colleague who has been a trailblazer for over 30 years, in the area of health care in my district of the U.S. Virgin Islands, in the wider Caribbean and in the national arena as well.

Dr. Cora L.E. Christian was the first native female to become a medical doctor in the Virgin Islands and this Saturday, June 14th, she will be honored for a lifetime of dedicated public service, by the Virgin Islands Medical Institute, (VIMI), a group that she founded in 1977 to improve the quality of health care for all territorial residents. Today I join them in paying tribute to a fellow physician, administrator and public servant for her vision, courage and diligence as she worked to make a difference in the lives of the people of our community.

Dr. Christian completed her medical studies at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, her residency in Family Practice at Howard University Medical Center and her Masters in Public Health at Johns Hopkins University.

Upon completion of her studies, she returned to the Virgin Islands to serve the economically depressed area of Frederiksted, St. Croix. There, she served as emergency room physician, and Physician in Charge of the Ingeborg Nesbitt Clinic. In 1977, she became Assistant Commissioner of Health for the Virgin Islands, and served in that capacity for over 15 years, spanning three political administrations. She was in charge of health services on the island of St. Croix as well as having territory wide responsibility for ambulatory

care, chronic diseases, immunization, maternal and child health, public health laboratories, neighborhood health centers, the sexually transmitted disease program, the HIV program and family planning programs. Dr. Cora Christian is credited with the development of the Frederiksted Health Center, both its renovations from the old hospital into a functioning health center and its staffing with qualified professionals. She also spearheaded and managed a regional system of preventive and health promotion activities for the territory.

In 1991, Dr. Cora Christian became the Medical Director of HOVENSA, one of the largest oil refineries in the Western Hemisphere located on St. Croix and served as the Chief Medical Consultant until its closure in 2012. She is board certified in forensic medicine and is President of the V.I. Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians. She has been President, Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the Virgin Islands Medical Society, past Public Relations Chair of Project Impact--St. Croix, Board Member of the St. Croix chapter of the American Cancer Society and Board Member of the Interfaith Coalition. Dr. Christian chaired the Foundation of the University of the Virgin Islands for 10 years, and is currently still a Board Member. Dr. Christian continues to lead the Virgin Islands Medical Institute, which brings over $3 million to the territory with each contract cycle.

On the national level, Dr. Christian has served as Vice-Speaker and member of the Board of Directors for the American Health Quality Association, the national quality improvement organization. She was consultant to the NY/VI AIDS Education and Training Center and was past Chair of the by-laws committee and member of the Commission on Government Advocacy for the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). She is delegate to the Congress of Delegates of AAFP and Sergeant of Arms for the Congress. In 2013, she received the AAFP Humanitarian Award for outstanding community service. From 2004 to 2010, she served on the National AARP Board overseeing over 36 million members. She was a member of the Health Insurance Trust and numerous committees of the AARP National Board.

Dr. Christian has also served as President of the Caribbean Studies Association, an association of scholars from across the Caribbean, Latin America, the United States, Canada and Europe that studies Caribbean issues. She is well published and a frequent presenter and public speaker.

Dr. Christian has been honored as the Virgin Islands Physician of the Year in 2003, the VIMI Physician for Community Service in 1997, and Best Doctor in American in 1999. She is a Paul Harris Fellow.

Dr. Christian is married to Dr. Simon B. Jones-Hendrickson, Ambassador from St. Kitts & Nevis Federation to CARICOM and Latin America and she has two children, Nesha, a practicing attorney and Marcus, a biologist and entrepreneur.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I ask the 113th Congress to join me in congratulating Dr. Christian for her tireless work on behalf of the health and well being of the people of the Virgin Islands.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor from H.R. 3717, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2013.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4005, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014. I want to thank the subcommittee chair, Chairman Hunter, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Garamendi, as well as Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member Rahall, for their leadership on the committee and their willingness to include language in the bill that would rectify a problem that has hurt the charter boat industry in my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Section 312 of the bill would enable U.S.-owned passenger vessels operating in the Virgin Islands to carry up to 12 passengers, provided the vessels, of course, meet certain safety requirements, something our charter boat industry has been advocating for at least 20 years. Because of the existing rule, our once thriving charter yacht industry has gone to the British Virgin Islands, and estimates of revenue losses to the USVI economy range from $70 million to $100 million annually.

I also want to thank the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Council for their invaluable assistance. I have been working on this change since coming to the House. And I can honestly say it is only because of their efforts and the support of Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member Rahall that we are on the cusp of finally resolving the issue. I thank them again, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4005.

I rise in support of H.R. 4005, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014.

I especially want to thank Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member Rahall for their willingness to include language in the bill that would clarify a problem with the Charter boat industry in my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Section 312 of the bill would enable U.S. owned uninspected passenger vessels operating in the U.S. Virgin Islands to carry up to 12 passengers provided the vessels meet certain safety requirements. The Virgin Islands Charter boat industry has been advocating for this change for at least 20 years.

Because of the rule this section will change, our once thriving charter yacht industry has migrated to the British Virgin Islands where regulations are less restrictive. Estimates of revenue losses to the USVI economy because of the damage to this industry, range from $70 to $100 million annually. This is at a time when the territory's economy has not rebounded from the 2008 recession and the closure of largest private employer.

In closing Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Council for their invaluable assistance. I have been working on this change since coming to the House and I can honestly say that it is only because of their efforts and the support of Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member Rahall that we are on the cusp of finally resolving the issue.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4005, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Leslie A. Millin, Sr. a former Director of Personnel for the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands, who recently passed away after a long illness. Leslie A. Millin was a career public servant, a community activist and a man committed to our territory.

He will be remembered for his hard work and dedication to civil service and his commitment to improving the quality of life, not just for government employees, but for all Virgin Islanders.

Leslie Millin, Sr. was first appointed to Director of Personnel, by our first elected governor, the Honorable Melvin E. Evans in 1972. Under his directorship, a voluntary Health Insurance Plan was established. He continued his service during the administration of former Governor Juan Luis, and was the last Personnel Director to administer both the Government Employees Retirement System and the Personnel System of the Virgin Islands government. Under the administration of the Honorable Roy L. Schneider, he served as Director of Human Resources and Comptroller of the Department of Public Works.

Leslie Millin, Sr. came from a family for whom public service was first nature. He is the grandson of the first female Virgin Islands Senator Lucinda Millin, the son of the third elect Lieutenant Governor Henry A. Millin and the brother of sitting Virgin Islands senator Janet Millin Young and the father of current Commissioner of Property and Procurement Lynn Millin Maduro.

As we remember Leslie Millin, Sr.'s example of public service, I offer my condolences to his wife, Daisy-Mae, his sister, Senator Janet Millin Young, his children, to include Commissioner Lynn Millin Maduro and his many other relatives, friends and colleagues who are all saddened by his passing. On behalf of my family and staff, I extend my sympathies. May he rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I also rise to pay tribute to a very special lady, Nicarsia ``Nikki'' Mayes, the first African American woman to serve as a doorkeeper of the House of Representatives. She started her service in September of 1977 and after today will retire after 36 years of service.

She has always served every day with a warm smile, pleasant greeting, encouraging and kind words, and the highest level of professionalism. So we want to just say tonight that we thank you for your 36 years of excellent service to the House of Representatives and to all of us, and wish you a wonderful retirement.

Thank you. I want to begin by thanking you, Congressman Fattah, for bringing us together to dedicate this hour to the life and legacy of an iconic leader, who has truly fought the good fight, has now finished the race, and always kept the faith, our beloved Madiba, President Mandela of South Africa.

And to say to Congresswoman Fudge, as I was honored to join her and my other colleagues and our codel leader, Congressman Aaron Schock, at the funeral of President Mandela in Johannesburg on Tuesday, I am again, honored to join all of you to speak on behalf of my constituents, the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, in tribute to this great man.

Behind me is a picture of the sign that marks the site of Mandela Circle in St. Thomas. It was given that name in jubilant celebration when he was released from prison after 27 years. And through it, the people of the Virgin Islands have paid tribute to Nelson Mandela every day.

I want to especially recognize and remember someone who I honored several years ago, a gentleman named Dale Rodgers, who, from the time the circle was so named until he died, took it upon himself to sweep and maintain the area so that it would always be a fitting tribute. The St. Thomas St. John Environmental Association will host a community gathering at that site on Saturday.

In the days since December 5, the people have gathered there with signs and flowers and have adorned the area with black and purple ribbons. There have been vigils and other ceremonial tributes.

Our flags, like flags across the country, were flown at half staff. And our Governor, John P. DeJongh, Jr., in tribute said, and I quote:

The people of the Virgin Islands have a deep love and

respect for Nelson Mandela and all that he came to represent.

Nelson Mandela was an inspiration to Virgin Islanders and to

aspiring democracies and free nations around the world.

Tomorrow, the Legislature of the Virgin Islands will host a public tribute. Our Senate President, Shawn Michael Malone, said in remembrance, and I quote him as well:

The world has lost a civil and human rights champion and

oppressed people everywhere have lost a splendid example of

sacrifice, discipline, commitment and resolve to end

injustice around the world.

On Sunday, on St. Croix, one of our Senators, Senator Terrance Nelson, will lead a festive celebration of his life in Frederiksted's Buddho Park, which is the historic site where enslaved Africans seized freedom for my ancestors in the then-Danish West Indies in 1848.

But even when these celebrations are ended, it is my hope and prayer that the essence of why we celebrate Madiba remains firmly planted in our hearts and minds, for it would be the real tribute to a man who taught us how to be resolute in our fight for justice and equality to the end, and that love, peace and reconciliation is a better path for us and for the world than hatred, conflict and retribution, in fact, the only way to true freedom.

To his wife, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, to his extended family and all the people of South Africa, we extend our deepest sympathy, but also our deep appreciation, for you have given us, the people of the Virgin Islands, our Nation, and the world, a beautiful gift that has enriched our lives and inspired us to be better human beings.

I consider myself blessed not only to have met him, but just to have lived in the time of Nelson Mandela and to be able to personally bear witness to his life and legacy.

Madiba loved the CBC. The CBC loved and will always love Madiba.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Image Band of the Washington, DC Metro Area on their celebration of their 35th anniversary this week. The Image Band is not just any other Caribbean band, they are a band with roots in my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands, who for the past 35 years have kept the sounds of home alive and vibrant for Virgin Islanders and Caribbean people who have migrated here and for people like me who work here and sometimes need to enjoy the cultural flavor of home.

Mr. Speaker, the Image Band returns to the islands regularly to perform there, most notably New Year's Eve on St. Croix and in other East Coast cities, Canada, and the Caribbean, where the Virgin Islands- Caribbean diaspora resides to entertain and excite and to provoke cultural memory. They have fulfilled their founding mission to ``reproduce, propagate, and improve the dynamism of the Caribbean musical form.'' The Image Band was the first group to win the Best Musical Band Award presented by the DC Carnival and they have been crowned Brass-O-Rama champions at the Trinidad and Tobago Days in the Park in Baltimore. The Washington Post has featured their involvement with the Caribbean Fest Live at the Carter Baron Amphitheatre.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands and the entire Caribbean and Caribbean diaspora, I want to say thank you to the Image Band, led by Sarge for their many contributions to the culture of the Caribbean and for many memorable, enjoyable, moments that they have provided for so many of us.