Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for the following votes because I was very ill and remained in my congressional district in Miami to recuperate. Had I been present, I would have voted YES on Roll Call Vote No. 231; YES on Roll Call Vote No. 232; YES on Roll Call Vote No. 233; NO on Roll Call Vote No. 234; NO on Roll Call Vote No. 235; NO on Roll Call Vote No. 236; YES on Roll Call Vote No. 237; YES on Roll Call Vote No. 238; and YES on Roll Call Vote No. 239.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of amendment No. 73, requiring a report to relevant committees on the missions, operations, and activities of the Department of Defense in Niger and the broader region.

I believe that key components of the amendment are necessary to obtain critical, tactical, operational, and strategic improvements in U.S. Africa Command's efforts to achieve stability and security in the region, and most importantly, keep our troops safer.

As evidenced by the tragic deaths of the four soldiers who were ambushed by ISIS near Tongo Tongo, Niger, last October, improvements throughout the chain of command and military services are necessary, and DOD must provide greater transparency and communication with Congress regarding legal, operational, and funding authorities for military operations in Africa.

The amendment requires DOD to specify its objectives in Niger and justify their relevance to U.S. national security. For the safety of our troops, the amendment also requires DOD to identify measures to mitigate operational risk and increase the preparedness of members of the Armed Forces in Niger and the broader region.

It will also mandate that DOD assess the command and support relationships of U.S. Africa Command with subordinate commands like Special Operations Command. This will help to ensure improved command and control throughout the chain of command, that the commander's intent is clear, and that operational guidance is consistent and concise.

Indeed, the tragic deaths of the four soldiers killed in action affected me personally in an overwhelming way. One of the four soldiers killed was a dear constituent of mine, Sergeant La David Johnson of Miami Gardens.

Sergeant Johnson, who was killed while bravely defending our country, was 25 years of age. He left behind a lovely extended family, a beautiful wife, and three young children. He was a member of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence, and 50 members are visiting us here today.

Mr. Chair, I am hopeful that with actions currently being taken by the DOD, along with the prescriptive elements of this amendment, our Nation will not have to suffer another tragic loss like we did last October.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 188.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life and legacy of a true ``son of Florida,'' Cyrus M. Jollivette.

Mr. Speaker, Cyrus M. Jollivette, whom we affectionately called ``Russ,'' was for many decades a powerful and transformational force in the fields of health and higher education. He was a pillar in our community who worked tirelessly to help improve the lives of others through education. He was a civic leader, wise mentor, loving father, doting grandfather, and incredible friend.

Russ is most recognized for his 24-year tenure at the University of Miami, where he

helped to advance the university's goal to become one of the nation's preeminent research institutions. He served in several senior-level positions, including executive assistant to President Edward T. Foote II and as vice president for government relations during one of the most dynamic growth periods in the university's history. Russ was so well regarded that his influence stretched across political divides, enabling him to successfully lobby lawmakers for funding. His advocacy helped secure millions of dollars for the university when he represented the institution in Tallahassee and in Washington, D.C.

Russ's tenure at the University of Miami was followed by various executive roles at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, where he spearheaded efforts to bestow a generous gift to the university's School of Nursing and Health Studies to provide scholarships for minority nursing students.

Russ was a genuine advocate for African-American children, women, and men. He supported minority education and training to advance diversity in health science, specifically nursing schools and cancer centers throughout the country. He was especially supportive of the nation's historically black, Hispanic, and minority-serving colleges, including Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Florida International University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.

Russ's contribution to higher-education extended far beyond the University of Miami. He worked with many of Florida's schools, colleges and universities, including Florida State University, University of Florida, University of North Florida, Jacksonville University, Eckerd College, Barry University, and St. Thomas University, to improve the students' learning experiences. Russ also served as the director of Florida Enterprise, helped establish the Florida Education Fund, and chaired the National Council for the Advancement of Secondary Education and the Southern Governors' Education Board, to name a few.

Russ also had a successful academic career. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration at Long Island University's C.W. Post campus and a Master of Business Administration in management from Long Island University. He also holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law.

Russ has served many roles in his lifetime, but the one that he cherished the most was friend. Friendship was a special gift that Russ shared with so many, and those who've had the privilege of knowing him understand exactly what I mean.

As a graduate of the University of Miami, I am honored to recognize Russ for his dedication to education, academic excellence and creating access and opportunity where it did not previously exist. Russ was an exemplary public servant and will be missed by many. He leaves to cherish his memory one daughter, Lynn Jollivette Johns, and two grandchildren; his sisters, Regina Jollivette Frazier and Cleo L. Jollivette; and countless family and friends.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues and all Americans to please join me in paying homage to the life of a great man, a great leader, a great father, and a great American, Cyrus M. Jollivette.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for the following votes because I chose to remain in my congressional district in Miami for an important district event.

Had I been present, I would have voted: ``No'' on rollcall Vote No. 162, ``no'' on rollcall Vote No. 163, ``yes'' on rollcall Vote No. 164, ``yes'' on rollcall Vote No. 165, and ``no'' on rollcall Vote No. 166.

Mr. Chair, I was not present for the following votes because I chose to remain in my congressional district in Miami for an important district event.

Had I been present, I would have voted: ``yes'' on rollcall Vote No. 155; ``no'' on rollcall Vote No. 156; ``no'' on rollcall Vote No. 157; ``no'' on rollcall Vote No. 158; ``no'' on rollcall Vote No. 159; and ``yes'' on rollcall Vote No. 160.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for the following votes because I chose to remain in my congressional district in Miami for an important district event.

Had I been present, I would have voted:

Yes on Roll Call Vote No. 130;

Yes on Roll Call Vote No. 131; and

No on Roll Call Vote No. 132.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 135.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for the following votes because I chose to remain in my congressional district in Miami because of health reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall Vote No. 104; ``no'' on rollcall Vote No. 105; ``yes'' on rollcall Vote No. 106; ``yes'' on rollcall Vote No. 107; and ``no'' on rollcall Vote No. 108.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 88.

I was not present for the following votes because I needed to return urgently to my congressional district in Miami. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall No. 49 and ``yes'' on rollcall No. 50.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for the following votes because I chose to remain in my congressional district in Miami due to a family emergency.

Had I been present, I would have voted

Yea on Roll Call No. 2;

Yea on Roll Call No. 3;

Yea on Roll Call No. 4;

Yea on Roll Call No. 5;

Yea on Roll Call No. 6;

Yea on Roll Call No. 7;

Nay on Roll Call No. 8;

Nay on Roll Call No. 9;

Nay on Roll Call No. 10;

Nay on Roll Call No. 11;

Yea on Roll Call No. 12;

Nay on Roll Call No. 13;

Yea on Roll Call No. 14;

Yea on Roll Call No. 15;

Nay on Roll Call No. 16; and

Yea on Roll Call No. 17

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind Congress and the Nation that there are still many questions surrounding the October ambush

in Niger during which my constituent, Sergeant La David Johnson and three members of his unit were killed by Islamist militants.

This week, two news organizations reported disturbing details that raise questions about the true nature of the unit's mission in Niger. There also is a question of who exactly was making the decisions on that fateful night: Was it the soldiers or their commanders back at base?

According to one report, after being separated from the unit for 48 hours, Africa Command believed that Sergeant Johnson was still alive and may have been captured, tortured, and executed.

The true story of what happened to Sergeant Johnson may be, in the end, a source of embarrassment for the Pentagon and this Nation, but the agency owes his family and the American people the truth, however ugly it may be.

Mr. Speaker, I am committed to keeping this issue on the front burner and in everyone's mind until we know what happened to Sergeant La David Johnson.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to share sad news from my district. Miami is mourning the loss of another young American hero who died while serving our great Nation.

Specialist Carlton Butler from North Miami, who was just 22 years old, was found dead at Fort Bragg in North Carolina last Saturday evening. He was a paratrooper assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The circumstances of his death are under investigation and are very troubling to me and to his family.

Like Sergeant La David Johnson, my constituent who was killed last month during an ambush in Niger, Specialist Butler made an immediate and overwhelmingly positive impression during his short tenure in the military. Like Sergeant Johnson's family, Specialist Butler's family is left wondering why and how their soldier's life ended in such a suspicious manner.

They have many questions, and so do I. I am determined to help get the answers they need to heal. Both families need answers in order to heal. I will not stop pushing until these families are satisfied. When such devastating losses occur, we owe it to them to find answers as quickly as possible.

These answers are not acceptable: ``We really don't know.'' ``We are investigating.'' ``We can't say that.''

Mr. Speaker, we seek the truth and our military families deserve the truth.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 637.