Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 10 veterans from Oregon who will be visiting their memorials this Friday in Washington, D.C. On behalf of a grateful state and country, we welcome these heroes to the nation's capital.

The veterans who fought in World War II are Francis Lake, U.S. Army; Loyal Miller, U.S. Army; Earnest Walston, U.S. Army; and Henry Hemholtz, U.S.Navy. Malcolm Grizwold, U.S. Army fought in the Korean War. The veterans who fought in the Viet Nam War are

Leroy Ellis, U.S. Army; David Gibons, U.S. Army; Larson Kalama, U.S. Army; Janice Smith, U.S. Army; and Michael Williams, U.S. Navy.

These 10 heroes join more than 98,000 veterans from across the country who, since 2005, have journeyed from their home states to Washington, D.C. to reflect at the memorials built in honor of our nation's veterans.

Mr. Speaker, each of us is humbled by the courage of these soldiers, sailors, and Marines who put themselves in harm's way for our country and way of life. As a nation, we can never fully repay the debt of gratitude owed to them for their honor, commitment, and sacrifice in defense of the freedoms we have today.

My colleagues, please join me in thanking these veterans and the volunteers for their exemplary dedication and service to this great country. I especially want to recognize and thank Michael Williams for his tireless work in organizing this group visit to Washington, D.C.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 50 World War II veterans from Oregon who will be visiting their memorial this Friday in Washington, D.C. through Honor Flight of Eastern Oregon. On behalf of a grateful state and country, we welcome these heroes to the nation's capital.

The veterans on this flight from Oregon are as follows: Lloyd Harry Bigler, U.S. Air Force; Gordon L. Case, U.S. Air Force; Marion Elza Hill, U.S. Air Force; Robert Verdell Lance, U.S. Air Force; Glenn M. Lee, U.S. Air Force; James Minturn, U.S. Air Force; Arthur H. Moon, U.S. Air Force; Earl Thompson, U.S. Air Force; Charles M. Williams, U.S. Air Force; Richard K. Blackwell, U.S. Army; Lawrence Bloom, U.S. Army/U.S. Navy; Merle J. Cooper, U.S. Army; Ambrose Denfeld, U.S. Army; Robert F. Dougherty, U.S. Army/U.S. Air Force; Jack E. Lawrence, U.S. Army; Frank James Mackey, U.S. Army; Jack Marsh, U.S. Army; William Ross Maslen, U.S. Army; Joanna S. Painter, U.S. Army; Frank M. Rinella, U.S. Army/U.S. Navy; James Souza, U.S. Army; Harvey Wieprecht, U.S. Army; Charles Johnson, U.S. Coast Guard; Eldon Lewis Cedergreen, U.S. Marine Corps; Richard J. Courson, U.S. Marine Corps; Milton R. Emerson, U.S. Marine Corps; Harold G. Lowry, U.S. Marine Corps; Arthur Edward Tinker, U.S. Marine Corps; Harold E. Wyman, U.S. Marine Corps; Francis H. Bagley, U.S. Navy; Everett H. Belcher, U.S. Navy; Kenneth Ray Book, U.S. Navy; John C. Drake, U.S. Navy; Richard E. Ernst, U.S. Navy; Galen L. Goodale, U.S. Navy; Elmer LeRoy Grady, U.S. Navy; Leroy J. Hennrich, U.S. Navy; Leland P. Johnson, U.S. Navy; Vernon O. Keiper, U.S. Navy; Andrew Doyle Knox, U.S. Navy; Richard A. Leibham, U.S. Navy; James Frederick Leitch, U.S. Navy; Erwin A. Marsh, U.S. Navy; Richard Guy Miller, U.S. Navy; Addison Parry, U.S. Navy; Walter Prosser, U.S. Navy; Chester Leroy Smith, U.S. Navy; John E. Van Laning, U.S. Navy; Robert J. Wyatt, U.S. Navy; Alice Maxine Tatone, U.S. Navy WAVE.

These 50 heroes join more than 98,000 veterans from across the country who, since 2005, have journeyed from their home states to Washington, D.C. to reflect at the memorials built in honor of our nation's veterans.

Mr. Speaker, each of us is humbled by the courage of these soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who put themselves in harm's way for our country and way of life. As a nation, we can never fully repay the debt of gratitude owed to them for their honor, commitment, and sacrifice in defense of the freedoms we have today.

My colleagues, please join me in thanking these veterans and the volunteers of Honor Flight of Oregon for their exemplary dedication and service to this great country. I especially want to recognize and thank Dick and Erik Tobiason for their tireless work with Honor Flight of Eastern Oregon.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1580) to affirm the policy of the United States regarding Internet governance.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials into the Record on the bill.

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

I rise in support of H.R. 1580, sometimes called the Internet Freedom Bill.

The Internet is possibly the most important technological advancement since the printing press. Governments' hands-off approach has enabled the Internet's rapid growth and made it a powerful engine of social and economic freedom. This bipartisan bill is designed to combat recent efforts by some in the international community to regulate the Internet, which could jeopardize not only its vibrancy, but also the benefits that it brings to the entire world.

Nations from across the globe met at the December 2012 World Conference on International Telecommunications in Dubai. They considered changes to the international telecommunications regulations. The treaty negotiations were billed as a routine review of rules governing ordinary international telephone service. A number of countries, such as Russia, China, and Iran, sought to use the negotiations, however, to pursue regulation of the Internet through the International Telecommunication Union, a United Nations agency. None other than Russian President Vladimir Putin has been clear in his objective of ``establishing international control over the Internet using the monitoring and supervisory capabilities of the International Telecommunication Union.''

The developments in Dubai were not unanticipated. That is why leading up to the conference last year, the House

and Senate unanimously passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 50. That resolution expressed the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce should advocate ``the consistent and unequivocal policy of the United States to promote a global Internet free from government control and preserve and advance the successful multi-stakeholder model that governs the Internet today.''

Now, under that multi-stakeholder model, non-regulatory institutions seek input from the public and private sectors to develop best practices for managing the content, applications, and networks that make up the Internet. The Internet is organized from the ground up and not from the government handed down. This is not to say that government has no role in policing unlawful behavior. Illegal activity is no less illegal simply because someone has used digital tools to perpetrate the act. Child pornography, for example, is no less illegal if it is disseminated over the Internet rather than in photographs or magazines. There is a big difference, however, between punishing illegal acts committed over the Internet and government control of its management and operation. Refraining from regulating the underpinning of the Internet has allowed it to evolve quickly to meet the diverse needs of users around the world and to keep governmental or non-governmental actors from controlling the design of the network or the content it carries.

Buttressed by the unanimous passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 50, the United States and 54 other countries left Dubai without signing the treaty. Unfortunately, 89 nations did sign. The revised ITRs will be implemented by those nations, and that begins in January of 2015. Now, a number of upcoming conferences will present additional opportunities for countries to pursue international regulation of the Internet, including the World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum in Geneva, which starts today, and the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Busan, South Korea, in 2014.

The growing threat of such regulation prompted the subcommittee of which I chair, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, to hold a joint hearing earlier this year with the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Just as international opponents of an unregulated Internet are redoubling their efforts, so must we. That is why the hearing we held focused on draft legislation elevating the language of last year's resolution from a mere sense of Congress aimed at particular treaty negotiations to a generalized statement of U.S. law.

I want to thank Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce; Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith; and Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Ted Poe for their leadership and their help in calling attention to this important legislation and the issue broadly.

I also want to address the elephant in the room, if you will: the FCC's network neutrality regulations. As the legislation we consider today was moving through the subcommittee and then the full committee, some of my colleagues expressed concern that transforming the exact language of last year's unanimous resolution into law would somehow interfere with the FCC's network neutrality rules. In particular, they saw a conflict with the language in making it U.S. policy ``to promote a global Internet free from government control.''

Let me be clear: while I oppose the FCC's rules regulating the Internet, this legislation does not address those regulations. While statements of policy can help delineate the contours of statutory authority, they don't create statutorily mandated responsibilities. Nonetheless, in the interest of reaching bipartisan consensus and moving this important legislation forward, I agreed to drop the ``government control'' language. The result is the language you see today in H.R. 1580, which I introduced with Ranking Member Eshoo. This bill would make it U.S. policy ``to preserve and advance the successful multi-stakeholder model that governs the Internet.''

Passing H.R. 1580 will show we are united against efforts by authoritarian nations to exert their grip on the Internet. For the sake of the Internet and the social and economic freedoms that it brings, I urge my colleagues to vote for the bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, freedom of the Internet is as essential as America's long held constitutional belief in freedom of the press, and we don't need governments--ours or others--infringing on how the Internet is managed and governed, nor in terms of maintaining the freedom of the press.

So, with that, I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people of Oregon's Second District to offer my deepest sympathies to the families and the victims of this senseless act of terrorism in Boston.

Scripture tells us: blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Our prayers go to those who lost loved ones and to the injured as they recover so that they may be comforted.

Our thanks go to the first responders and Good Samaritans who selflessly assisted the victims yesterday. That's what Americans do; they help their fellow men and women in time of need. That's a common bond that unites us.

Boston is the birthplace of the American Revolution, the cradle of liberty for our Nation. That spirit of freedom and brotherhood lives on in us as Americans and brings us closer together in our grief. As Americans, we will care for the victims and their families; we will ensure that justice is done for those behind these cowardly attacks; and we will emerge as a Nation, stronger than ever before.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 21 World War II veterans from Oregon who will be visiting their memorial this Friday in Washington, D.C. through Honor Flight of Oregon. On behalf of a grateful state and country, we welcome these heroes to the nation's capital.

The veterans on this flight from Oregon are as follows: James Chase, U.S. Army; Irene L. Christopherson, U.S. Army; Duane F. Goodman, U.S. Army; Charles V. Heaney, U.S. Army; John J. Kime, U.S. Army; Robert O. Phariss, U.S. Army/U.S. Air Force; Donald M. Rickard, U.S. Army; Donald S. Shilling, U.S. Army; Velma L. Sundet, U.S. Army; Ross A. Turkle, U.S. Army; Warren C. Gilfillan, U.S. Army Air Forces; Floyd E. Goldbloom, U.S. Army Air Forces; Elliot Lovelace, U.S. Army Air Forces; Leslie L. Lawrence, U.S. Coast Guard; Raymond H. Prescott, U.S. Marine Corps; Arthur Nelson Cauble, U.S. Merchant Marines; Arthur H. Cusson, U.S. Navy; Earl Garrett, U.S. Navy; Richard E. Mould, U.S. Navy; Charles A. Potter, U.S. Navy; Wayne W. Stram, U.S. Navy.

These 21 heroes join more than 98,000 veterans from across the country who, since 2005, have journeyed from their home states to Washington, D.C. to reflect at the memorials built in honor of our nation's veterans.

Mr. Speaker, each of us is humbled by the courage of these soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who put themselves in harm's way for our country and way of life. As a nation, we can never fully repay the debt of gratitude owed to them for their honor, commitment, and sacrifice in defense of the freedoms we have today.

My colleagues, please join me in thanking these veterans and the volunteers of Honor Flight of Oregon for their exemplary dedication and service to this great country. I especially want to recognize and thank Gail Yakopatz for her tireless work as president of Honor Flight of Oregon.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express gratitude to August D. Singler, former Sheriff of Jackson County, Oregon. Sheriff August David Singler was killed in the line of duty on April 23, 1913, the first law enforcement officer and only Sheriff in Jackson County to die in this tragic way. He lived with his family in Jacksonville, Oregon, in the ``Wilson House'' located directly behind the old Jackson County Courthouse/Jail when Jacksonville was the county seat. He was a very special individual who during his short tenure in law enforcement gave his life in service for the citizens of Jackson County and the State of Oregon. His place in history is recognized because of his selfless service to his community and respect for the rule of law.

August was born on May 28, 1876, in Millersburg, Indiana, and was one of 13 children of John and Susan Singler. At a later date the Singler family moved to South Bend, Indiana, where August met his future wife Rose Probst. They eventually married November 15, 1898 and made their home in South Bend, Indiana, where their first child was born. August watched the midwife during the birth of their first child and delivered the remainder of his eight children by himself. As the family and quest to support them grew, August decided to head west. As the adventurous soul that he was, he hitchhiked to Southern Oregon twice before he wired for his wife and three children who then came to Oregon by train. Shortly after arriving, August and Rose's fourth child was born.

August performed various small jobs including selling Singer sewing machines and patented medicines for the ``Electric Medical Company.'' August was considered a ``jack-of-all-trades,'' who would go to great lengths to feed and clothe his family. In late 1906, August purchased a small piece of land in Medford on Lozier Lane. Although he knew very little about building houses, he proceeded to erect a two story home for his family.

August was involved in many civic organizations including the Moose Lodge, Redmens, Woodsman of the World, Knights of Columbus, and a charter member of the Elks Lodge. Because of his extensive involvement he was known as a spirited man who gave much of himself and his time to the community.

In 1909 August was appointed Constable of the Medford District and served four years in this position. Upon his appointment, Singler's reputation as keeper of the peace surfaced quickly. His exploits were known from Sacramento to Portland. Singler tracked criminals by horseback, railroad handcar, car, and buckboard--always seeming to capture the offenders. He was called a ``Super Sleuth,'' nervy, imaginative, tough and yet a gentle soul. The citizenry jokingly called him Sherlock Holmes.

Throughout the years, people have heard about Lawmen of the West, yet none surpassed Singler in courage, innovation, and determination. Ironically most of his achievements were accomplished during his tenure as Constable of the Medford District in Jackson County. August was responsible for introducing the art of fingerprinting to Jackson County and was the first lawman to use bloodhounds in this area.

In 1912, August Singler decided to run for Sheriff of Jackson County Oregon to support the needs of his growing family. His campaign slogan read ``Party I am Working For'' and featured August, his wife Rose, and their eight children. An interesting sideline to the campaign came when August's friends sent a campaign card east to former President Theodore Roosevelt.

According to the Medford Mail Tribune's January 15, 1912, edition, President Roosevelt acknowledged receipt of the card with best wishes for August's success. He was successful in the primary election against a tough opponent, Mr. Emmitt Beesen, a descendent of a local pioneer family. In the general election, August defeated popular incumbent Sheriff Wilber Jones. August's term as sheriff began in January 1913. His term was relatively routine until April 22, 1913, when he was advised of the return of a 19-year-old desperado Lester Jones. His promising career as Sheriff was cut short that day as the result of the shootout with the fugitive Jones while the Sheriff was attempting to serve him with an arrest warrant.

In a classic scene out of the old West, August walked slowly toward the two room cabin in the hills southeast of Jacksonville. The young desperado suddenly opened fire. One bullet ploughed through both of the Sheriffs lungs and another through his right hand. As August fell to the ground he opened fired, emptying his weapon. Each of the six bullets hit the fugitive, and he died instantly. Sheriff August Singler passed the next morning April 23, 1913, leaving behind his beloved wife Rose and their 8 children all under the age of 13 years old. He was the first law enforcement officer to die in the line of duty in Jackson County and the only elected Sheriff.

On April 25, 1913, with businesses in the City of Medford closed and flags lowered to half-mast, the last tribute was paid to Sheriff August Singler. The funeral procession was 12 blocks long and so great were the crowds at the church that only half could be seated with hundreds standing along the funeral procession route. It was said to be the largest outpouring of public grief in Jackson County history.

It should be recognized that Sheriff Singler deserves a place in history. His pride for his community, concern for his neighbors, and leadership are still reflected in those who understand what it takes to preserve the peace. He was said to be a gentleman in every way, and carried himself in a way that demanded respect. May his name not be forgotten, but let him be placed among other recognized lawmen of the past. April 23, 2013, represents 100 years since his tragic and untimely death.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the passing of a great Oregonian whose contribution to my State and our nation bears recognition.

Joan Margaret (Kathan) Zerzan was born in Grants Pass, Oregon on June 26, 1927. A child of the Great Depression, she grew up in a house up Evans Creek Road in Rogue River, Oregon that was for a good part of her youth not wired with electricity. And yet, as she was fond of saying, if her family was poor she didn't know it at the time.

A descendent of pioneers and frontiersmen, throughout her life Joan Zerzan demonstrated the indomitable spirit of her forebears. During World War II she served as a civilian spotter of air traffic while working on her sister's ranch. A musical prodigy, she attended Willamette University at the age of 17 on musical scholarship, having been born with the unique ability to play almost any instrument seemingly just by looking at it.

It was while at Willamette that Joan met the great love of her life and husband of 60 years, Charles Zerzan. Almost exactly 5 years ago I memorialized Charles Zerzan's life on this floor, and recounted his many accomplishments. There is no question that these would not have been possible without his beloved wife Joan.

In Joan Zerzan's life she served in many roles--patron of the arts, poll worker on election day, volunteer at school and church. Yet for all her many endeavors, there was no field in which she excelled so much as in being a mother. Joan Zerzan gave birth to 12 children, 8 sons and 4 daughters, and provided each one with the love and succor that only a mother can provide. As the Psalmist wrote, so Joan Zerzan truly believed, ``Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.'' In not only raising fine children, but in teaching them her core values of faith and hard work, she richly contributed to the ongoing success of our nation in the irreplaceable way upon which all of civilization ultimately rests. She provided an example of the matchless power of these two values throughout her life through her words and her actions--beliefs she instilled not only in her own children but in her 32 grandchildren and 12 great- grandchildren.

Though we mourn the loss of Joan Zerzan, we also celebrate the life of a woman whose contributions to this country leave an enduring legacy and inspiration to others. Joan Zerzan believed nothing was impossible and taught her children and grandchildren that, when faced with uncertainty or given a choice between hope and despair, the only reasonable choice was hope. As recounted in the Gospel of Matthew, ``Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.'' The woman who built her own life on solid ground, who grew up in a humble dwelling in southern Oregon, now retires to the mansion that has been promised her. On this solemn but ultimately joyful occasion I know this whole body will join with me in giving thanks for the life of Joan Zerzan.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to Umatilla County Sheriff John Trumbo. Sheriff Trumbo retired on January 1, 2013 after a career in law enforcement that dates back to 1973. Since he moved to Pendleton, Oregon in 1977, Sheriff Trumbo has dedicated over thirty-five years of service to the citizens of Umatilla County.

Born and raised in Oregon's Willamette Valley, John learned how to work hard in the family business and later as a crane ``high flyer''. His love for police service began in 1972 when he joined the Benton County Sheriff's office ``Ride Along'' program. A year later John became a reserve officer, serving Benton County, Oregon for nearly four years. During this time he joined his colleagues in Benton County who traveled to Pendleton, Oregon and lent a hand with security for the world famous Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Pageantry Show. Because of these connections and his work, John was offered a job by the Umatilla County Sheriff.

John took the Sheriff up on this invitation and in 1977 moved to Pendleton, an eastern Oregon wheat ranch and rodeo community which he and his wife Carol never left. His wife Carol, an accomplished school teacher in her own right, was there helping John raise their two sons Nick and Michael who now have blessed them with two loving grandchildren, Presley and Cade. Recently Cade was asked to write about a hero in school and chose his ``good grandpa the Sheriff'' who would be there ``just in case anyone is a criminal.''

For nearly twenty years John served in various roles in the Umatilla County Sheriff's office, officer in the jail, having the first K-9 unit, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Under-Sheriff. In 1997, John was sworn in and began his first of sixteen years of service as Umatilla County Sheriff. Always known for his honest and straightforward approach, Sheriff Trumbo was requested and volunteered to participate in many local and state boards, task forces, and councils, including the Governor's Methamphetamine Task Force and the advisory board for Blue Mountain Community College's criminal justice program. He also served as President of the Oregon State Sheriffs Association.

Sheriff Trumbo also implemented programs to aid the citizen of Umatilla County and the region. He organized the nationally recognized

Umatilla County Neighborhood Watch and Rural Crime Prevention Program that now has 19 units and over 800 active members. Recognizing the rural nature of Umatilla County and the challenges that are posed, especially in the winter, John implemented an all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile patrol program, for search, rescue, and patrols. Whether it was creating a program to take meth off the streets or sending a bill to a foreign county for the care and feeding of their citizens, Sheriff Trumbo has always looked for simple, straight-forward solutions to solving problems.

Although John has retired as Sheriff, I know he won't be ending his service to Pendleton or Umatilla County. In fact, John remains an active volunteer with the Pendleton Round-Up, serving as the Board of Director who heads up security during the world famous rodeo. In this role he spearheads efforts to provide protection and safety of thousands of people attending the performances and visiting the community, including helping those wayward individuals leaving the ``Let'er Buck'' room stay out of trouble!

I also know he will be spending plenty of well-earned time on those things he loves, whether it is traveling horseback across the county with his grandchildren, woodworking, or camping with his family. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Sheriff John Trumbo the best in his retirement. Sheriff, thanks for all your service to Umatilla County, the region, and our fine State of Oregon. You may be able to turn that cell phone off from time to time now!

Mr. Speaker, following is the letter I referred to earlier today.

Congress of the United States,

Washington, DC, August 17, 2012.

Hon. Hilda L. Solis,

Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor,

Washington, DC.

Dear Madam Secretary: In the last two weeks, we have

received reports about Department of Labor (DOL) activities

on Oregon farms which raise significant questions.

Specifically, we have been made aware of three issuances of

``hot goods'' orders (HGO) by DOL to sanction violations of

the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) since August 2nd.

Depending on the case, these HGOs can prevent perishable farm

products from being shipped off-farm, and effectively shut

down harvest activity while the order is in place. We

absolutely do not condone violations of the FLSA. However, in

a phone call with Congressman Kurt Schrader and DOL

representatives on Monday, August 13th, 2012, the DOL

asserted that a HGO could only be considered after thorough

investigation, due process opportunities for response by the

employer, and a finding that the violations were willful,

egregious, and/or repeated. Indeed, DOL's website states that

restraining the shipment of goods is to be used after a

thorough process:

``When all the fact-finding steps have been completed, the

employer and/or the employer's representative will be told

whether violations have occurred and, if so, what the

violations are and how to correct them. If back wages are

owed, the employer will be asked to pay the back wages and

the employer may be asked to compute the amounts due. . . .

In the absence of an employer voluntarily correcting the

violations, the Wage and Hour Division may seek to restrain

the shipment of the goods.''

We are concerned that Oregon farmers have presented us with

a narrative and supporting documentation that indicates that

DOL may have abandoned the normal due process mechanisms and

remedies in favor of a significant sanction. In one case, a

farmer was told that the HGO would only be lifted after a

large sum was paid to DOL and after he signed a consent

judgment. The consent judgment included a waiver of any

recourse if findings of fact or law later exonerated him. It

required a waiver of the right to contest the finding. All

this took place before the farmer was ever informed in

writing what the alleged violations were.

We are not asking you to address these specific cases and

cannot verify their credibility, but rather, we are writing

to ask you for additional clarification of DOL procedures and

practices for issuing HGOs on agricultural enterprises and

enforcing the FLSA, including:

Is it the policy of the DOL to not disclose alleged

violations to employers before issuing hot goods orders?

What test or standard is the DOL using to determine the

need for a hot goods order?

Why does the DOL ask employers to waive rights for future

findings of fact or law in its consent judgments?

What opportunity is there for an employer to respond

without having his/her perishable crop under threat?

On farms and elsewhere throughout the economy, DOL serves a

vital function in communicating and enforcing rules and laws

to protect all working people. Statutes and rules give the

Department the tools necessary to apply remedies commensurate

with the severity and/or frequency of violations of the law.

It is our hope that the fairness and due process provided by

law is available to all employers and employees alike.

Please consider this request consistent with all applicable

laws and regulations. We thank you for your consideration and

look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Kurt Schrader.

Peter DeFazio.

Ron Wyden.

Greg Walden.

Jeff Merkley.

Suzanne Bonamici.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to pay special tribute to Hood River County Chief Deputy Sheriff Jerry Brown. Chief Deputy Brown joins Sheriff Joe Wampler in retirement from the Hood River County Sheriff's Office on January 1, 2013, capping a career in law enforcement and public service going back to the 1970's. Chief Deputy Brown has dedicated his life to duty, honor, and service to the citizens and visitors of Hood River County, Oregon.

Jerry Brown has served his country and his community for decades. He is not only a long time veteran of law enforcement, but also he is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who served our country in Vietnam. In 1978 he took the reins of ``The Next Door,'' a non-profit organization in Hood River that provides care and support for children and families in the area. During his time with The Next Door, Jerry coordinated week-long hikes and camping trips for youth, diligently fundraised, and secured accreditation through the Youth Care Association. His efforts helped form the program into a model for other areas to follow that endures to this day.

The pull to serve and protect citizens of my home town, Hood River, Oregon, drew Jerry to his full-time career in law enforcement. He started as a patrolman with Hood River Police Department and spent 20 years working to ensuring the community's safety. During his career with Hood River Police Department, Jerry also served as a detective, sergeant, and attained the rank of lieutenant before joining the sheriffs office in 2006.

For the past six years, Jerry has served as Sheriff Wampler's chief deputy, lending his knowledge and experience to the position. The positive impact Chief Deputy Brown has made on the sheriff's office, and his community, will continue to inspire others to serve their nation, state, and community long into the future.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my fellow colleagues join me in recognizing Jerry Brown. He has earned the thanks of a grateful nation for his service and the thanks of our community for his unwavering commitment. Please join me in wishing Chief Deputy Sheriff Jerry Brown a very long and happy retirement.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to pay special tribute to Hood River County Sheriff Joe Wampler. My long time friend, Sheriff Wampler is retiring on January 1, 2013, capping a career in law enforcement that dates back to 1973 when he began working for Hood River County at the age of 19 as a seasonal Marine Deputy. Sheriff Wampler has dedicated nearly four decades to duty, honor and service to the citizens and visitors of Hood River County, Oregon.

Joe began his full-time career in law enforcement in my home town of Hood River as a patrolman with Hood River Police Department, steadily rising through the ranks to that of captain. He was elected sheriff and took office in 1993. At that time, the entire patrol division had four vehicles to share, prompting Sheriff Wampler to institute a vehicle replacement program that endures today. Every deputy on his watch now has their own dedicated vehicle, improving response time and reducing vehicle maintenance.

During Sheriff Wampler's five terms in office, the agency acquired much needed, specialized equipment to assist with rural law enforcement and search and rescue needs. Today, the office has three airplanes, a snow cat, snow machines, ATV's, a mobile command vehicle and a mobile command trailer just to name a few.

This equipment has aided the sheriff's office in numerous search and rescue operations, including a December 2006 mission that gained national attention. Sheriff Wampler led the search effort for three missing climbers on Mt. Hood, personally piloting the department's Piper Cub airplane to look into one final tip before making the difficult decision, after two weeks of searching, to focus on recovery of the climber's remains. His personal passion for the residents and visitors of Hood River County is an inspiration.

Additionally, Sheriff Wampler was one of the founding members of Northern Oregon Regional Corrections (NORCOR), the regional jail facility in The Dalles. NORCOR, which opened in 1999, replaced Hood River and Wasco Counties' aging jail facilities and gave Sherman and Gilliam Counties a dedicated jail. NORCOR gave Hood River County over 40% more jail space with minimal financial impact.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my fellow colleagues join me in recognizing Sheriff Joe Wampler. He has earned the thanks of a grateful nation not only for his dedication to service, but also for his unwavering commitment to his community. Please join me in wishing him a very long and happy retirement.

Mr. Speaker, over 2 weeks ago, I came to this floor to ask for answers from the Department of Labor on behalf of Oregon farmers. Well, yesterday, I did get a letter from the Secretary, which I appreciated, but it was not answering our questions from the delegation. It was congratulating me on my reelection.

122 days ago, nearly every member of the Oregon delegation, Republicans and Democrats, wrote the Labor Secretary after hearing reports of so-called ``hot goods'' enforcement tactics that stopped shipments of highly perishable berries with little opportunity for appeal.

One farmer was told verbally that a shipment was on hold because the inspector determined it was impossible for an individual picker to pick as much as records showed. But to lift the hold, the farm was directed to pay an undetermined amount in fines and back wages and sign a consent judgment requiring the farm to ``waive further findings of fact''--without even getting an explanation of alleged violations.

The farm was left with the choice of paying the fine and signing the consent judgment or allowing a few hundred thousand dollars of perishable produce to spoil. In the end, the farm felt it had little choice but to pay the $170,000 and sign the consent judgment so that the fruit could be shipped.

In light of these and other complaints, our delegation asked the Department for detail on its policies and procedures for making these decisions; 122 days later, we've yet to get an answer. That's not right.

I thank my colleague and friend for the time.

I rise today in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 50, which, as you've heard, opposes international regulation of the Internet. It is virtually identical to the language that our friend and colleague Representative Mary Bono Mack put forward in H. Con. Res. 127, which was introduced earlier this year and passed by my subcommittee and in the full Energy and Commerce Committee and went on to pass this House without opposition. With this vote, we unify that language and we send a strong bipartisan, bicameral signal about America's commitment to an unregulated Internet.

I want to thank Representative Bono Mack for championing this important legislation to keep the Internet free from government regulation. I also wish to thank FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell, who has tirelessly sounded the call, not only about the peril we face if we stand idly by as countries like Russia and China seek to exert control over the Internet, but also about how FCC's own actions adopting network neutrality rules regulating the Internet undermine America's case abroad.

I also fear that recent talks of cybersecurity executive orders here at home may be cited back to us by some foreign nations with them accusing us of telling them to do as we say but not as we do.

The historical hands-off regulatory policy has allowed the Internet to become the greatest vehicle for global, social, and economic liberty since the printing press. And despite the current economic climate, it continues to grow at an astonishing pace.

FCC Commissioner McDowell and Chairman Genachowski are in Dubai this week as U.S. delegates to the World Conference on International Telecommunications. Our committee has also sent representatives from both parties to keep an eye on the proceedings. There, the 193 member countries of the United Nations are considering whether to apply to the Internet a regulatory regime that the International Telecommunications Union created in the 1980s for old-fashioned telephone service, as well as whether to swallow the Internet's nongovernmental organizational structure whole and make it part of the United Nations. Neither of these are acceptable outcomes and must be strongly opposed by our delegation.

Among those supportive of such regulation is Russian President Vladimir Putin, who spoke positively about the idea of ``establishing international control over the Internet,'' to use his own words. Some countries have even proposed regulations that would allow them to read citizens' email in the name of security, require citizens to register their email addresses for tracking purposes, and to charge for Internet access to their countries on a per-click basis.

This resolution rejects these proposals by taking the radical position that if the most revolutionary advance in technology, commerce, and social discourse of the last century is not broken, as you've heard others say, there's no reason to ``fix'' it.

The ability of the Internet to grow at this staggering pace is due largely to the flexibility of the multistakeholder model that governs the Internet so successfully today. Nongovernmental institutions now manage the Internet's core functions with input from private and public sector participants, and this structure prevents governmental or nongovernmental actors from controlling the design of the network or the content that it carries. Without one entity in control, the Internet has become a driver of jobs, information, business expansion, investment, and innovation. Moving away from the multistakeholder model would harm these abilities, preventing the Internet from spreading prosperity and the cause of freedom.

As the United States delegation continues its work at the WCIT, this resolution is an excellent bipartisan demonstration of our Nation's commitment to preserve the multistakeholder governance model and keep the Internet free from international regulation. I encourage my colleagues to support passage of this measure.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask Labor Secretary Hilda Solis a simple question on behalf of the farmers of Oregon: When will we get answers about the Department's heavy-handed enforcement tactics?

In August, my colleagues and I from the Oregon delegation-- Republicans and Democrats alike--wrote to the Secretary about reports that the Department of Labor had been discarding rights of due process and appeal in using ``hot goods'' orders to enforce labor laws on farms in the Pacific Northwest. So far, we are still waiting for a written response 108 days later.

We know the Department can move with great speed when it wants to-- when it's trying to shut down a farm with little due process or appeal. So why does it take so long to get answers for Oregon farmers? Again, I ask the Secretary to clarify in writing the Department of Labor's procedures for due process after a farm inspection.

Certainly, no one is advocating for unfair labor practices, but our farmers deserve due process and a clear understanding of what to expect from an investigation. Only the Department of Labor can provide these answers to Oregon's congressional delegation and to the citizens we represent. 108 days later, we and they still do not have those written answers, and that is simply unacceptable.

Mr. Speaker, now that we have returned to our districts before the election, I'd like to highlight a valuable staff member of mine who recently left my office. I rise today to pay tribute and say thanks to Sarah Demaree, a member of my staff who dedicated herself to the people of Oregon's Second Congressional District for nearly three years in my Washington, DC, Office.

Sarah is a talented young woman who filled many different roles in my office, and was up to the challenge for each one. First joining the office as an intern after graduating from Colgate University, Sarah quickly stepped into the role of staff assistant and has continued to take on more responsibility as a legislative correspondent and legislative assistant handling education issues.

Whatever she was asked to do--even if she wasn't asked directly to do it--Sarah was up to the challenge. When she was staff assistant, she went above and beyond to make all Oregonians who visited feel welcome. Each and every one came a long way, and she gave them some of the best Capitol tours on the Hill. As legislative correspondent, she helped me keep in close touch with all corners of the Second District.

Sarah adeptly handled complex policy issues as my education advisor. In that role, Sarah kept in close touch with teachers throughout Oregon and maintained a close relationship to teacher groups and education administrators.

Sarah also organized several visits from a group of special men and women, World War II veterans from Oregon as part of Honor Flight of Oregon and Honor Flight of Eastern Oregon. Each time a group travelled to Washington, Sarah would plan their visits for weeks to make sure each and every one of these heroes had a perfect trip to the nation's capital. She was known to rise early on Saturday mornings to go to the World War II Memorial to greet these veterans, and present them with flags flown over the Capitol. The organizers of these visits, Gail Yakopatz and Dick Tobiason, always singled out Sarah for her help, praising her dedication and Tenacity.

While not a native Oregonian, Sarah has deep ties to the state, whether through her annual family camping trip to Howard Prairie Lake outside of Ashland or her extended family in Portland. These deep connections to the state allowed her to connect with Oregonians from around the Second District.

While Sarah has dedicated herself to public service here in our nation's capital, she has headed back to her native Washington State to enter a new and exciting phase of her life. Sarah has given up the ``maroon and white'' of her alma mater, Colgate University, for the ``purple and gold'' of her home state University of Washington where she began law school this fall.

I'm sure that law school has been keeping Sarah plenty busy, but with her industrious work ethic, and desire to make the world a better place, I can imagine Sarah will soon be putting her energy into public service in Washington State. She's also closer to her mom and dad, Walt and Liz, and to her beloved Seattle Seahawks. I speak for all members of Team Walden when I say Sarah's dedication and talent have been missed, but we wish her best of luck as she begins her new life in ``the other'' Washington.

I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Sarah the best of luck as she returns West and pursues new personal and professional endeavors. Sarah, thanks for exemplary service to the Congress and citizens of Oregon.