Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6, which we are voting on here today. H.R. 6 includes my legislation, the Caring Recovery for Infants and Babies Act, known as the CRIB Act.

The most innocent victims of the opioid crisis are the precious newborn babies that were exposed to drugs during pregnancy. It simply breaks your heart.

Three years ago, I helped start Lily's Place in my hometown, a healthcare facility that has provided compassionate, loving healthcare to more than 200 newborn babies going through the ravages of withdrawal after birth.

Passing the CRIB Act today will allow this one-of-a-kind program to be replicated around the country so every child gets the best possible chance for a healthy start in life.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my fellow Members to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 6, the CRIB Act.

Mr. Speaker, I have been blessed these last 4 years to represent the people of West Virginia's Third Congressional District, but now country roads are calling me home.

My State is facing a crisis in our judicial system, and I believe back home is where I am needed most to best serve the people of West Virginia. This Sunday, I will be stepping down from the people's House to serve as a justice beginning Monday on our State Supreme Court.

We are proud West Virginians, always working to make sure the State we love is the very best it can be, and taking care of one another when times are tough. In Congress, I have tried to use that Mountain State can-do spirit to help West Virginia grow and prosper. Here are just a few examples.

Helping newborn babies. We have worked to help the most innocent victims of the drug crisis: newborn babies exposed to drugs during pregnancy. The cry of a precious, tiny baby suffering through withdrawal is heartbreaking. We were able to cut through Federal red tape and pass legislation, signed by the President, so facilities like Lily's Place can help children get a healthy start in life.

Protecting miner's healthcare. Our government made a promise to our miners: You go into the bowels of the Earth, mine the coal that fuels our Nation, forge the steel that won world wars, and we will guarantee you a secure healthcare benefit. We kept that promise, passing legislation protecting healthcare for our retirees and their widows.

As go the roads, so go the jobs. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I helped fund the FAST Act, bringing $2.5 billion of funding just to West Virginia. Now, we are fixing our roads and bridges, and investing in water and sewer infrastructure, transitioning the West Virginia economy. We are bringing broadband to our State in rural parts.

Growing more jobs. My motto is a good job solves a lot of problems. You can feel hope and opportunity returning to the hills of West Virginia. In fact, our 2017 economic growth rate was one of the highest in the country.

I will never forget standing in the Oval Office with President Trump, surrounded by our hardworking coal miners, as he signed the legislation I helped pass that saved one-third of all coal mining jobs in America. Coal trains are full again and paychecks are back in workers' pockets.

This has truly been a team effort. I want to thank the incredible staff for their hard work and dedication to our constituents. We have handled over 5,000 constituent service requests these last 4 years.

We were able to help people like Wetzel Sanders, a true American hero. Wetzel was a corporal in the Army and was injured in the attack on Pearl Harbor. He took shrapnel to the knee, was bandaged, and went back into the fight. He is now 95 years old, and I was able to present him with a much-deserved Purple Heart he should not have had to wait 76 years to receive.

We have also helped people through some of their most difficult times. In a matter of hours in late June 2016, 23 people lost their lives and hundreds of homes were destroyed. Thousands of residents were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs, due to devastating floods. We worked hard to help our residents recover and rebuild to get their lives headed back in the right direction.

Let me reassure the people of the Third Congressional District, my dedicated staff will continue to serve the people of West Virginia, and our constituent service won't skip a beat.

Mr. Speaker, I thank West Virginia House Members, my fellow colleagues, David McKinley and Alex Mooney, and Senator Capito and Senator Manchin for the opportunity to serve and work with them. They are dedicated public servants.

I will miss hosting middle school students late at night, right here on the House floor, talking about the greatness of our country, and sharing a quiet moment with our heroes on an honor flight from back home at our war memorials here in Washington.

I will not miss sleeping on a $99 cot each night these past 4 years in my office here in Washington, but I was never here in Washington to get settled in.

Finally, I would like to thank my wife, E.B., and our children, Hollin, Charles, and Olivia, for supporting me each and every step of the way. They have been incredibly patient and understanding about the time public service has taken from our family time. I love them very much.

Again, I thank the citizens of the Third Congressional District for the opportunity to serve them in the United States House of Representatives.

God bless America and God bless West Virginia.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Vinson Tigers 8-10 All Stars for winning State Baseball Tournament. This team from Vinson, West Virginia overcame an early loss in the tournament to triumph in the championship game. The tigers defeated South Charleston by 10-2 to win their first title in the team's history. The heart and dedication these young players put into their team is incredible.

I would like to congratulate the players, Eli Richards, Parker Phillips, Colin Dygert, Jonah Harrold, Zander Blankenship, Nyle Dygert, Devon Howard, Harrison Riggs, Isaiah Sanders, Gabe Chambers, Kaiden West, Evan Hagley, and Xander Marlins. Their manager Barry Ellis and two coaches Josh Dygert and Jamie Marlins have all worked extremely hard to win. Their love of baseball has helped them to succeed. I want to commend the players and Parents for the time and sacrifices they have made for their children and the coaches for their commitment to the team. I wish the Vison Tigers the best of luck as they continue in the Regional Tournament in Greenville, North Carolina this week.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues, as you have heard just a moment ago, in support of H. Con. Res. 119, which sends a strong message that a carbon tax would be devastating to the economy of the United States, and especially to my district in West Virginia.

I am so proud to cosponsor this resolution, along with the leadership of Majority Whip Scalise, and thank him for his strong and powerful work on this important issue.

West Virginia is a coal State, unapologetic. Our coal miners and coal communities suffered greatly under the prior administration of Barack Obama and that administration's anti-coal policies.

But now, thanks to President Trump, West Virginia has hope for a better future. West Virginia is the second largest producer of coal in the country. Between January and March of this year, mines in southern West Virginia produced more than 12 million short tons of coal, a signal that the President's policies are having a positive impact on the people of my State.

When miners are put to work in West Virginia, the State's economy flourishes. Check this out: West Virginia's 2017 gross domestic product growth rate was one of the highest rates in the entire country. What a game changer for West Virginia. It shows that the President's economic policies are working for everyday Americans.

A carbon tax would undo many of these good economic results and would increase expenses for everyday Americans, including increasing power rates and the cost of groceries. A carbon tax is a bad idea.

Wages could fall as much as 8.5 percent for American workers, and our manufacturers could see production halted by as much as 15 percent, stifling our economic recovery. Simply put, a carbon tax is an attack on the welfare of all Americans, especially on seniors and families on fixed incomes.

A vote in support of this rule and resolution is a vote supporting the hardworking men and women of West Virginia and America who make this country great.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize John and Benjean Rapp of Summersville, West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Rapp are cornerstones in their community, who have dedicated their lives to bettering our nation and improving West Virginia.

John Rapp served our country in the United States Air Force and returned home to the Mountain State to serve as a West Virginia State Trooper for over 20 years. Outside his time in uniform, John also served as a county commissioner for Mercer County from 1990 to 1996. As a county commissioner, he prioritized growing the economy and investing in infrastructure development.

Benjean Rapp has been an active member of her church and serves as a leader in multiple civic groups. Benjean played an integral part in working to restore the historic Old Main High School in Summersville.

Together, they have made a tremendous team and have had a positive impact on their community and the Mountain State.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Phi Sigma Phi National Fraternity. Phi Sigma Phi is a national social and philanthropic college fraternity with chapters in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and my home state of West Virginia.

The Phi Mu Chapter at Concord University in Athens, West Virginia, is one of the Founding Seven Chapters of Phi Sigma Phi. The organization was founded on the belief that men of modest means could form a brotherhood and help their communities. Over the last 30 years, this organization has made its universities and their communities better places by raising countless funds for charitable organizations, volunteering in the community, and developing college-aged men into leaders.

May God bless the members of this organization as they celebrate their 30th Anniversary. I am thankful for their service to my district, the people of West Virginia, and this great nation.

Madam Chair, I thank the chairman for yielding me the time.

I rise in full support of H.R. 6147 and commend Chairman Calvert on this much-needed legislation.

Back in 1977, Congress established the Abandoned Mine Lands program to

use coal production revenues to fund critical reclamation efforts. Roll forward about 30 or 40 years, and I want to highlight one important part of the funding bill that is before us that will truly make a difference in many hard-hit coal States, including my home State of West Virginia.

A new AML pilot program is in this legislation. Back in 2016, and thanks to the leadership of Chairman Hal Rogers and Chairman Calvert, we worked on establishing this AML pilot program to use some of these funds to help create job opportunities for displaced workers and help diversify the economy.

In the last 2 years, the AML pilot program has brought $80 million to West Virginia, bolstering our economy and creating new jobs. These funds are being put to good use and play a proactive role in diversifying our State's economy, and many other States'.

AML pilot funds, for example, are being used to support the Hatfield- McCoy Trail System, more than 700 miles of world-class ATV trails just in West Virginia. I recently took part in a ride along on one of the trails to see firsthand the economic benefits they have brought to West Virginia. The trails being developed using AML pilot funds will attract thousands of new visitors, bolstering job creation in Appalachia and unleashing our tourism potential.

These funds are also being used to expand municipal water services, which is critical for businesses and agricultural developments, as well as public health. The Coalfield Development Corporation, for example, is using AML pilot funds to build an aquaponics farm to grow sustainable commercial quantities of fish and vegetables.

Simply stated, our towns and counties and States need resources to provide for the future, and this bill does it. It helps us diversify the economies. It helps attract employers and create much-needed jobs, putting West Virginians and Americans back to work.

Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, the opioid crisis touches nearly every family in West Virginia, with too many lives lost to the disease of addiction. It is an issue I hear about every day.

As the opioid epidemic forces increasing numbers of children into foster care, we see more and more grandparents being left to raise their grandchildren. These grandparents face the task of caring for young children while navigating a complex child welfare system.

Many have little support and are also coping even with their adult child's addiction.

We must make it easier for grandparents who love and care for their grandchildren to navigate the system. Bills like the Assisting States' Implementation of Plans of Safe Care Act aim to make it easier for families to gain custody of kids who have been removed from their parents' care due to drug abuse. Allowing these family members to provide critical emotional support and stability to kids who have had their worlds turned upside down seems like common sense.

Once in a stable home, support is still needed. Many of these grandparents never thought they would be raising another young child. The Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act would provide them with information and resources to help them meet the needs of the children that they are caring for.

The opioid crisis cannot be solved overnight, but we must keep fighting. We must enable families to come together to do what families do best, and that is help one another. We need to support those who are unexpectedly caring for young children and provide them with the support they need to raise healthy and happy kids.

Mr. Speaker, due to my attendance at a funeral, I was not present to vote on roll call votes 258 and 259 on June 12th. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 258, and YEA on Roll Call No. 259.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize John and Benjean Rapp of Summersville, West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Rapp are cornerstones in their community, who have dedicated their lives to bettering our nation, and improving West Virginia.

John Rapp served our country in the United States Air Force and returned home to the Mountain State to serve as a West Virginia State Trooper for over 20 years. Outside his time in uniform, John also served as county commissioner for Mercer county from 1990 to 1996. While a county commissioner he prioritized growing the economy and infrastructure development.

Benjean Rapp has been an active member of her church and serves as a local leader through multiple civic groups.

Benjean has played an integral part in working to restore the historic Old Main High School in Summersville.

Together, they have made a tremendous team and have had a positive impact in their community and the Mountain State.

I would like to thank them for their service and dedication to not just their communities but to our nation. I wish them all the best as they continue to work to better our world.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. McKinley).

Mr. Chairman, fossil energy helped make America the great Nation it is today. West Virginia coal, for example, helped forge the steel that built skyscrapers and won world wars.

The DOE Fossil Energy account helps our Nation develop the next generation of fossil technologies. If we don't develop it, other nations will. America must continue its energy dominance and independence, and fossil fuels must play a critical role in our energy strategy.

The Fossil Energy account invests in research and development for coal, oil, and natural gas, which produce, as you have heard, more than 60 percent of our Nation's electricity.

The research being done at the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown, West Virginia, and other locations is paying off. We are seeing breakthroughs in coal use in energy production, as well as carbon capture and storage technology.

These breakthroughs mean the United States does not need to rely on unfriendly nations for energy anymore. Within 5 years, the United States will become the largest producer in the world of crude oil, bigger than Russia or Saudi Arabia.

Investing in fossil energy programs will fuel the next generation of innovation and do so responsibly. Cutting this funding will only set America back. We have abundant, reliable, domestic energy resources, and abandoning this research will put our energy future in severe jeopardy.

President Trump, just last week, took action to strengthen our Nation's coal-fired power plants to protect our national security and grid reliability.

Cutting this funding is irresponsible and jeopardizes our energy independence. Therefore, I urge Members to vote against this amendment, which would impose significant cuts to R&D funding for fossil energy technology.

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

Mr. Speaker, due to a family issue I was not present for votes on May 24, 2018. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 229 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 230.

Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman, for yielding.

Today, we are voting on H.R. 3663, which would rename the Huntington VA Medical Center in honor of Corporal Hershel ``Woody'' Williams.

I first met Woody more than 20 years ago when I was elected to the State legislature. Over the more than two decades I have known him, Woody has never stopped fighting for his fellow veterans. I am honored to call him a constituent and a friend.

At 94 years young, Woody is still a vocal advocate for our veterans and their families. Whether it be at countless legislative committee hearings, veterans recognition and appreciation events, or Veterans Day and Memorial Day commemorations, Woody is there fighting for our veterans.

Woody is an unbelievably brave and kind man. Not only did he demonstrate extraordinary heroism at Iwo Jima, but he has dedicated his life to serving veterans and our community. Each year our local Boy Scouts--our local Scout council--gets all newly elected Eagle Scouts together and Woody is invited to come and spend time with the boys to share a few thoughts.

When my two sons became Eagles, Woody shook their hands. He looked them in the eye and challenged them to conduct their life according to the Scout oath and motto, to do their duty to God and country, which is exactly how he has lived his life.

Throughout West Virginia and the Nation, Woody is best known for his brave efforts in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

Corporal Williams was a demolition sergeant serving with the 21st Marines, 3rd Marine Division when American troops landed on Iwo Jima.

I would like to read now from Corporal Williams' Medal of Honor citation: ``Quick to volunteer his services when our tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for the infantry through the network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines, and black volcanic sands, Corporal Williams daringly went forward alone to attempt the reduction of devastating machine gun fire from the unyielding positions.

``Covered only by four riflemen, he fought desperately for 4 hours under terrific enemy small arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flamethrowers, struggling back frequently to the rear of hostile encampments to wipe out one position after another.

``Corporal Williams' aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.''

Woody Williams believed in something greater than himself. His country asked, and he answered. Corporal Williams was there, in that place, at that time, when his country needed him the most.

Following his military service, Woody continued to serve our Nation as a veterans service representative for the Department of Veterans Affairs. He also founded the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation to recognize the sacrifices of our Nation's Gold Star families.

Woody is an example of the best that West Virginia and our Nation have to offer, and he is, quite simply, an American hero. Renaming the Huntington VA Medical Center to honor his service would be a fitting tribute for all he has done for our veterans and their families.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for this opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, I joined the U.S. Surgeon General during his visit to my congressional district in Huntington, West Virginia, to speak at the Cabell Huntington Hospital Regional Health Summit. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 178; YEA on Roll Call No. 179; and YEA on Roll Call No. 180.

Mr. Speaker, as our Nation honors National Police Week, I rise today to remember a fallen officer, Lieutenant Aaron Crook of the Bluefield Police Department.

This week, the name of Officer Crook, along with 359 of his fallen brothers and sisters in blue, will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial here in Washington. As our Nation honors our police officers for their sacrifices, we give thanks to the life of Officer Crook, whom we sadly lost last May.

Lieutenant Crook was born in Summers County, graduated from Bluefield State College, and proudly served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve for 6 years. After serving his Nation, he exchanged his Marine uniform for that of the Bluefield Police Department in 2008.

Lieutenant Crook was an outstanding police officer and devoted family man. He loved the outdoors and would never pass up an opportunity to go fishing. In fact, the city of Bluefield is planning to rename a lake in his honor so his legacy can carry on through one of his favorite pastimes.

His memory is kept alive by his wife, Whitney; his kids, Brycen and Paislee; his extended family; the Bluefield Police Department; and so many others.

He will never be forgotten. Our State and country lost a good man, and Officer Crook is missed each and every day. May he rest in peace.