Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Georgetown's 225th anniversary. Founded in 1789 by Bishop John Carroll of Maryland, Georgetown stands as the oldest Jesuit and Catholic University in the United States. For over 225 years Georgetown has educated young scholars of all ages and backgrounds, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to make a difference in the world. What began as a two story old brick building has now become one of the finest universities in the country and I celebrate the University's founding.

Bishop Carroll, in his ``Proposals for Establishing an Academy at George-Town, Potowmack River, Maryland,'' envisioned an institution which gave ``undivided attention . . . to the cultivation of virtue, and literary improvement.'' On January 23rd, 1789 he received the first deed for the land that became the campus of Georgetown University. Then in 1815 President James Madison signed an Act of Congress granting a federal charter to ``The College of Georgetown in the District of Columbia.'' Only the U.S. Military Academy had received a federal charter prior to Georgetown. In 1850 the first Catholic Medical School was established and 20 years later Father Patrick Healy, who was born a slave, became the first African American president of a major American university. Much later in 1919 the university added the Walsh School of Foreign Service, of which I am a proud alumnus.

For over two centuries Georgetown has grown and evolved along with the Nation; today, it is home to students from all fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and the Northern Marianas as well as from 141 countries around the globe. At the university's Centennial Anniversary a speaker noted, ``It has taken a century to develop our country into a mighty nation and a united people. The same century has developed the college founded by John Carroll into a great and prosperous university, fully competent to hold her place among the universities of the world.'' This statement still holds true today and Georgetown stands as one of the most highly ranked educational institutions in the world.

In recent years, research at Georgetown has led to important breakthroughs such as the development of a vaccine against the human papillomavirus, and efforts are being made to improve the Nation's capacity to identify and track the outbreak of diseases. The campus has been home to renowned faculty including the late U.N. Ambassador Jeanne Kirkpatrick and the late Carroll Quigley whom, Georgetown alum Bill Clinton quoted in his first inaugural address.

Today, fifteen Members of the House of Representatives hold Georgetown degrees including our colleague the Honorable John Dingell, who holds two Georgetown degrees and is the longest serving Member of Congress in the Nation's history. It is a distinct privilege to serve in this body with esteemed colleagues who also studied at Georgetown.

Mr. Speaker, I know they, in particular, share my pride in recognizing the 225th anniversary of the university's founding and look forward to a bright future for our alma mater.

I thank the ranking member for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Lowey for their hard work on this funding package and specifically their help in adding a first-time accountability provision to make our Federal Government more efficient and more effective. This accountability language will, for the first time, direct each agency head in preparing funding requests as part of the President's annual budget in consultation with the GAO to directly link the agency's performance plan and performance goals to such funding requests.

It will require that performance measures examine outcome measures, output measures, efficiency measures, and customer service measures. This will provide the American taxpayer with results-oriented government.

This first-time accountability language represents a real step forward for the integration of performance-based budgeting in government operations.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the contributions of the late Gerald Black, former Pleasanton Express news editor and United States Navy veteran. Mr. Black served in the U.S. Navy for 27 years and contributed to the community through his distinguished career as a writer and as an editor for 19 years in Pleasanton, Texas.

Mr. Black was born on March 30, 1946 in San Antonio, Texas and passed away due to heart complications on November 23, 2013. His accomplished career as a news editor stemmed from his humble beginnings. His childhood was spent in Kingsville, Texas with his parents Raymond Elmer and Corrine Byrne. Mr. Black was described as a big hearted, gentle loving, hard worker. This reflected during his college years where he held several jobs for the local radio station, college newspaper, as well as a staff photographer. Soon after, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he was stationed in New Orleans, Memphis, Atlanta and California. Throughout his time in the Navy, Mr. Black continued his work in journalism. Finally, in July 1993, Mr. Black came to the Pleasanton Express where he wrote feature articles and was a photographer covering county and law enforcement news. His work for Pleasanton Express would lead him to win several awards throughout his career.

His efforts were helpful to many, including the Atascosa Water Watchers, where he would often attend Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District meetings. As a result of his continued support of the Atascosa water preservation efforts in the local newspaper, he was nicknamed ``Mr. Neptune''. Finally in 2012, he retired after nearly two decades of work in journalism.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the late Gerald Wayne Black, former Pleasanton Express news editor, on his career and community involvement. He has contributed his time, knowledge and efforts to journalism, our country, and serving his community.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 2728 with my good friend, Bill Flores, and, of course, our chairman also.

The U.S. has become the world's largest producer of oil and natural gas, surpassing Russia this year. The transformation of our energy production has rejuvenated our middle class by reviving core American industries and bringing blue-collar jobs back to U.S. soil.

In light of this new American energy revolution, we must ensure that we have a smarter and more focused approach to energy regulation.

This legislation would prevent the Interior Department from enforcing Federal rules related to hydraulic fracturing in States that already have existing oversight rules, like my State of Texas, and the Railroad Commission in my home State.

This legislation is not about more or less regulation. This bill helps our Federal Government work in a smarter and more cost-effective manner. We need to enable States to regulate their own lands--because they know it better--and not try to create a Federal one-size-fits-all approach.

This bill would untangle redundant regulation in States that have created their own regulations that address well design, location, water quality, emissions, wildlife protection, and health and safety.

I represent the Eagle Ford Shale area in Texas, which is one of the largest production areas in the United States. That shale has transformed my area, whether it is Webb County, LaSalle, Atascosa, Wilson, or McMullen County. The other counties there have been transformed by Eagle Ford.

I also worked at the State for many years as a legislator, and I understand the Railroad Commission. I understand they also do a good job.

Therefore, the State of Texas has passed smart regulations by working directly with our communities and with our counties, with our industry, and is leading the Nation in establishing FracFocus, which informs all Texans what materials are used in the fracking activities.

Our State governments know their own land best. Let us improve how our government functions, empower our States to enforce their own laws on their own lands, and continue this energy growth that we have.

With that, I thank the chairman, Mr. Bill Flores, and also the ranking member, Mr. Holt, who allowed me to speak.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Eugenio ``Gene'' Garza Jr. for his retirement from his position as the Director of Field Operations with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Laredo, Texas. Mr. Garza has dedicated his service in protecting our nation's borders and its communities.

As Director for Field Operations for the Laredo Field Office since January 2011, Mr. Garza has lead the agency, providing oversight and guidance to the operation of eight ports of entry extending from Brownsville to Del Rio, including 23 crossings, 6 airports, and one seaport and overseeing more than 2,600 employees and imports exceeding $134 billion annually processed through South Texas.

Previously, Mr. Garza was the Port Director of the Laredo Port of Entry, first with the U.S. Customs Service and then with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. As Port Director, Mr. Garza oversaw the largest inland port in the U.S., managing more than 800 employees, four international bridges, one airport and a railroad bridge, with an annual budget of $12 million dollars and with employees in Laredo, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Roma, Hidalgo/Pharr and Brownsville/Los Indios.

Mr. Garza started his federal career in 1971 with the U.S. Air Force as a Military Policeman, at which time he was introduced to the U.S. Customs Service, Customs Narcotics Detector Dog Training Center at Lackland Air Base in San Antonio, Texas. In 1976, Mr. Garza began his civilian career as a Canine Enforcement Officer with the then U.S. Customs Service at the Port of Laredo. Today, the CBP Canine Program is the largest and most diverse law enforcement canine program in the country.

Mr. Garza has held numerous supervisory positions at the district and headquarters level since his initial appointment, serving an assignment in the Port of Eagle Pass, Canine Enforcement Branch Chief and Chief in Laredo and Acting National Canine Program Director, prior to being selected as the Port Director in Laredo. Under his leadership, the Port of Laredo has earned a number of Commissioner Unit Citations for outstanding performance by the Laredo passenger, trade and outbound, and enforcement teams.

During the course of his career, Mr. Garza has been widely recognized as an expert in international border security management issues and border trade and recognized by CBP, the trade industry and the Vice President of the United States for his expertise. Under Mr. Garza's leadership, the Port of Laredo has undergone significant facilities enhancements, including lane expansions at the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge and the World Trade Bridge. These projects significantly facilitated processing of passenger and commercial traffic and a boost to economic benefits.

In 2007, Mr. Garza was recognized by Texas A&M International University and the Smithsonian Institute as a Distinguished Alumnus in the Smithsonian Institution's Portraits of Latino Achievement. In 2011, Mr. Garza was recognized as a 2010 Tejano Achiever by LULAC Council 12. In that same year, Mr. Garza was selected to the Senior Executive Service in Laredo. Mr. Garza is an active participant in numerous civic organizations and community activist.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored and privileged to have the opportunity to pay tribute to Mr. Garza for his outstanding service in protecting our communities and his extraordinary commitment to our country. He has truly contributed to this nation in his efforts to protect our borders.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retiring CEO of Workforce Solution Yvonne ``Bonnie'' Gonzalez. She has been CEO of Workforce Solution since 2003 and is ending her tenure after ten years. Her tireless efforts have improved the community and served to better the development and progress for south Texas.

``Bonnie'' Gonzalez was born in Rio Grande City, Texas. Gonzalez earned a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas at Austin in 1981, and was recruited by Harvard University to attend the John F. Kennedy School of Government where she earned a Master of Public Administration in 1993. Prior to becoming the CEO for Workforce Solutions, she served as founding President/CEO of the RGV Empowerment Zone Corporation from 1995-2003. Under her direction, the Empowerment Zone took a $40 million dollar federal investment and leveraged an additional $416 million in local, state, national, and private sector investment into Empowerment Zone communities. From establishing the Teenage Parent Alternative Program, a state recognized program for McAllen I.S.D. in 1988; to being a founding member of South Texas Community College, now South Texas College; to testifying before state and federal officials on development, community and economic development, and education, Ms. Gonzalez continues to be an advocate for the Valley.

As CEO, Gonzalez plays an integral role in leading change and leveraging strategic partnerships within the workforce development industry and in the Rio Grande Valley. Gonzalez is a devoted public servant and community leader. Gonzalez challenges the organization to be innovative, efficient and effective in the programmatic and fiscal oversight of workforce development services for Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties in South Texas. She, together with the Board of Directors, strives to ensure that public dollars go directly to the development of the local workforce, in training, job seeker, and business services. Workforce Solutions was recently recognized as one of the highest performing workforce boards in Texas and one of only 26 national grantees for the 2012 Workforce Innovation Fund.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Ms. Yvonne ``Bonnie'' Gonzalez, retiring CEO of Workforce Solution. Her years of dedication

and commitment to our community have truly impacted the quality of lives for the people of the city. Thank you for this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pleasanton City Council Member Abraham Saenz, Jr. for his 30 years of service to the city of Pleasanton and to the state of Texas.

Councilman Saenz, a Pleasanton native, is a remarkable and highly respected member of the community who has dedicated his career to promoting the quality of life for all residents of Pleasanton. First elected in 1983, Mr. Saenz has served the community as a Member, and now Senior Member, of the Council of Pleasanton.

During his tenure Mr. Saenz has been instrumental in implementing many city projects. Some of the most important include: paving roads throughout his district and other areas of the city, preparing the city to have an ample water supply for the next 50 years, improving infrastructure in the areas of drainage and wastewater collection, facilitated the construction of a sports complex for youth, and the construction of a new City Hall, Police Headquarters, Public Works Facility, Library, and Civic Center. More recently Mr. Saenz represented Pleasanton in Economic Issues with Atascosa County and has been at the forefront of planning initiatives to accommodate the exponential growth of the city due to Eagle Shale Oil and Gas Play.

Not only has Mr. Saenz held an esteemed and honorable career in the Council, he has devoted his life to his family, community, and country. After attending Pleasanton High School, Mr. Saenz joined the United States Air Force in 1952. While in the Air Force, Mr. Saenz fought in the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1956. Upon his return to Pleasanton Mr. Saenz began working as a barber, becoming the sole proprietor of the City Barber Shop in 1971. In 1961 he married Ermelinda Gomez Saenz with whom he now has 5 children, 6 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored and pleased to have had this time to recognize Councilman Abraham Saenz Jr. on his career and community involvement. He has contributed his time, knowledge, and efforts to his community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the celebration of Mrs. Carmen Garcia Barrios de Garza's 100th birthday. With a century passing, Mrs. Garza has dedicated her life to her family, loved ones, and giving back to the community.

Mrs. Garza was born October 6, 1913. Throughout her lifetime Mrs. Garza and her family have lived in Jim Hogg County and Webb County, Laredo, Texas.

Since her marriage to Benito Garza Herrera, Mrs. Garza has been devoted and dedicated to her husband and her family. In the midst of World War II Mr. Garza bravely left to serve in the Philippines with the U.S. Army 5th Air Force. In her husband's absence, Mrs. Garza stayed in Texas caring for their children and keeping busy with her hobbies of sewing, cooking and gardening.

Upon his return from war, Benito Garza served as Deputy Sheriff of Jim Hogg County. It was here that Mr. and Mrs. Garza raised their 6 children--Oscar, Anita, Lidia, Hilda, Benito, and Ciria. Since then Mrs. Garza has been blessed with 19 grandchildren, 32 great- grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had the time to recognize and celebrate the tremendous life of Mrs. Carmen Garcia Barrios de Garza and her 100th birthday celebration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the accomplishments, service, and contributions of Sister Maria Luisa Vera, as a community leader of Laredo, Texas.

Sister Maria Luisa Vera was born on October 7, 1941 in Brownsville, Texas and is a third generation Mexican-American. For over 20 years she resided in Laredo, Texas and has contributed to the community through ministry in health care.

Although she was educated in a public school system, she received religious instruction from her mother and the parish catechist. After graduating from Brownsville High School in 1960 she decided to continue her education by enrolling in Canales School of Vocational Nursing in Brownsville, Texas and became a Licensed Vocational Nurse in 1961. Within the next two years she joined the Sisters of Mercy and applied for membership in 1963.

By 1970, Sister Maria Luisa Vera received her bachelor's in registered nursing and

served as a clinical supervisor at Mercy Hospital in Brownsville, Texas until 1973. She then went on to serve as a staff nurse for another year until she went off to Incarnate Word College in San Antonio, Texas to receive a second degree in Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It was in that same year that she became the Director of In-service Education at Mercy Hospital in Laredo, Texas. In 1978 Sister Maria Luisa Vera was made Emergency Department Supervisor and served in that position for three years. She later became certified in Ministry Training Services, focusing on leadership programs in Denver, Colorado in 1981. Thereafter, she would spend the next four years serving as Pastoral Assistant at the San Martin de Porres Parish in Laredo, Texas. It was there that she had the opportunity to understand church from the ``people in the pews''. During these years she was also able to serve as a member in other ministry centers such as the St. Louis Province Advisory Board and St. John's Regional Health Center.

For the next two decades, Sister Maria Luisa Vera would come to serve, and actively continues to serve, on many different boards of trustees, committees, commissions and networks alike. Included, are the presidencies of Sisters of Mercy of St. Louis Regional Community and most recently, the Republic of the Rio Grande, trustee of the Mexican American Cultural Center, among many others.

Although ``many of [her] transitions have been challenging and most enriching'' she continues to serve the community passionately through ministry. Her contributions to Laredo, Texas have demonstrated dedication and devotion to the community. Moreover, as the current President of Mercy Ministries of Laredo, she is committed to help the religious community grow and continue making a difference.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the dedication and contributions of Sister Maria Luisa Vera, and I thank you for this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late Lilia ``Lily'' Perez for her dedication to the City of Laredo and the 4th Precinct of Webb County.

Miss Lilia ``Lily'' Perez was born March 11, 1932 and passed away on September 11, 2013. ``Lily'', as she was affectionately known by her friends and loved ones was a lifelong resident of Laredo, Texas.

During her lifetime she was involved in retail business as an employee for S.H. Kress Department Store and as a manager with J.C. Penney. Miss Perez also became one of the most recognizable figures in her parish of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. For many years, her determination and leadership helped make numerous parish fundraisers major successes. She was also passionately involved in the collection and distribution of food and other necessities to the families and people of need in the area.

Apart from her services to the community through her parish and the retail sector, she became the first woman to be the Commissioner of Webb County's 4th Precinct. She proudly served from November 8, 1982 to December 31, 1984. To thank her for this great accomplishment and her activities as a humanitarian, Webb County officials named a neighborhood center or ``concilio'' after her. The Lilia Perez Neighborhood Center offers vital services and counseling to the community such as, utility assistance, rental assistance, grocery and meal distribution.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had the time to recognize the dedication, accomplishments, and commitment of the late Lilia ``Lily'' Perez. Thank you for this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize San Antonio Journalist Monica Navarro, an award recipient of the San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists--Henry Guerra Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Journalism.

For 30 years, Monica has been a reporter and anchor for San Antonio's Univision Channel 41, and her name has become synonymous with community news. Before joining Univision in 1983, she worked in Mexico City for seven years as a national sports reporter and anchor. A two-time Emmy Award winner, Monica was named the 2003 National Journalist of the Year by the Hispanic Media Awards.

Over the years, she has reported on stories that have a direct impact into people's lives, becoming a reliable source for Latino news. As a result of a California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowship at the University of Southern California, she produced an award winning four- part project titled, ``El Peso de la Obesidad,'' which focused on the impact of obesity and diabetes on the Latino community. She now has a crucial health segment in the newscast called ``Reforma de Salud'' to inform the Hispanic community about the recent health reform.

I am honored and pleased to have had this time to recognize Monica Navarro on her career and community involvement. She has contributed her time, knowledge, and efforts to journalism and to serving her community.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for his time, the gentleman from North Carolina also, and I certainly want to thank Chairman Issa, Ranking Member Cummings, and the staff, both the Democratic and Republican staff, for helping pass this bill out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and all the work and the compromises we worked out to make sure that we got a bipartisan bill.

The primary goal of the Federal Government is to serve taxpayers. Currently, U.S. law does not require Federal agencies customer service standards, which is long overdue.

Every day taxpayers interact with the Federal Government on a regular basis, whether it is through the passport services to travel, student loans through the Direct Loan Program to pay for higher education, health insurance under Medicare to get benefits, or Social Security for retirement planning. All these services are vital to operate a good government, especially in times when Americans are relying more on these types of services.

Too often we hear veterans are waiting months to get critical medical

services or Federal employees experience long waits for their retirement benefits. These are just two examples, but millions of Americans rely on Federal agencies for vital services, which is why we must usher in a new chapter to accelerate response time and overall performance for better customer experience.

With only one-third of Americans holding a favorable opinion of the Federal Government, according to a 2012 report from the Pew Research Center, this is a necessity that we must change. The bill is simple and necessary.

First of all, H.R. 1660 improves customer service standards across the board. It does this by requiring the Office of Management and Budget, the OMB, to develop performance standards to determine whether Federal agencies are providing high-quality customer service and improving service delivery to agency customers.

Second, the bill raises the bar for enhancing quality and access for customer service. This is accomplished by requiring agencies to collect information from their customers regarding the quality of service and ensures that there is customer feedback, which will be used to develop the standards.

This bill also requires the development of a customer service feedback system, the results of which must be included in annual performance reports. Just like the private sector strives to provide excellent customer service in business, the Federal Government should also embed better service to bring efficiency.

H.R. 1660 has no cost.

This bill also has precedent. We passed this last session, and now we are hoping that with enough time that we are passing this, we'll get it over to the Senate so we can get it passed.

This effort to examine agency customer service is also bicameral. Senator Warner and Senator Johnson dropped a companion bipartisan bill, as well.

H.R. 1660 seeks to operate a better Federal Government to provide the taxpayers--who fund them--better quality service, which they deserve.

I thank you for the time, and I encourage my colleagues to support and pass this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of Miguel Timoshenkov, for 42 years in the field of journalism. He began his career in Mexico; after 12 years and various publications, he joined The Laredo Morning Times. After 30 years he ended his tenure with the Morning Times.

Mr. Timoshenkov received his degree in Communications from the Valle de Mexico University. Additionally, he has obtained various degrees from other prestigious institutions such as the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas and Texas A&M International University.

After publishing an article in the '80s about the Mexican government and its role in media censorship during the elections, he was penalized and forced to leave his job, after which he was recruited by The Laredo Morning Times. Mr. Timoshenkov, by means of investigative journalism, has enlightened not only our southern neighbors but Americans alike.

Mr. Timoshenkov's fearlessness and sense of commitment to his craft have garnered him many obstacles, security risks and multiple court appearances for his words. However, each and every time the charges lacked merit and one by one they were dropped. To many that would suffice as a deterrent, but he continued to delve and search for the facts.

His extensive resume includes El Diario and El Manana and Grupo Radio Mil and Radiorama where he served as their news director.

Mr. Timoshenkov's work has been recognized not only by the cities of Laredo, Nuevo Laredo but also by government agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, the Chamber of Commerce, and United States Border Patrol.

Over the years he has received many awards and accolades from various institutions, including a first, second and third place awarded by The Hearst Corporation.

Mr. Timoshenkov has demonstrated a dedication to excellence for over 40 years, and should take great pride in the work he has accomplished.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the commitment to service to our communities exhibited by the journalist Miguel Timoshenkov.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1613, the Outer Continental Shelf Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreements Authorization Act.

Over 3 years have passed since President Obama and then-President Calderon agreed on the need to finalize a transboundary hydrocarbon agreement which now needs to be approved by Congress. This agreement would establish a cooperative process for managing the Gulf of Mexico to promote joint utilization of transboundary reservoirs.

The transboundary hydrocarbon agreement set to be enacted after decades of indecision between the Republic of Mexico and the United States allows oil and natural gas production on 1.5 million acres that was previously off limits because of border issues. The Mexican Legislature has already acted on this agreement, and we are now waiting on Congress to act.

The transboundary agreement is good for the United States and is good for our relationship with the Republic of Mexico and is good for economic growth and good for environmental protection.

This agreement would allow the American industry to work directly with PEMEX, instituting cutting-edge technologies.

I ask Congress to approve this.

Madam Chairman, I rise in support of the importance of passing the new 5-year farm bill into law.

I first want to thank Chairman Lucas for all the good work that he has done, and my ranking member, Mr. Peterson--I still call him my ranking member, Mr. Peterson--for all the work that he and the other members of the Agriculture Committee, in a bipartisan way, have done, including the staff that worked so hard to make sure that we get this farm bill done.

As you know, we did pass an extension, which was not the right thing to do, but we did an extension. We need to provide some sort of continuity with a 5-year program. As you know, this is something that needs to be done in a bipartisan way, and this is what the committee has done after having numerous bill hearings, after making some changes that provide some reform, reform that will save the taxpayers over $40 billion in funding over the next 10 years through important reforms to our commodity, conservation, and nutrition agencies.

I don't like the cuts to the nutrition, but I do understand this is a process. We have to get into a conference committee and work with the Senate. Therefore, I'm asking the Members to support the process and get this bill to where we can support it as bipartisan.