Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished friend from North Carolina (Mr. Price). I appreciate that.

You have already indicated where Mel is going to be going. I hope he won't ignore us when he meets us on the streets or in these Halls. I don't think he will.

Mel and I have shared several counties in North Carolina for nearly two decades. We both sat as members of the House Judiciary Committee for also two decades.

Mel, we wish you and your family best wishes.

Mr. Speaker, on the June 13 of this year, I introduced a bill, H.R. 2357, to provide that Members must complete 12 years of credible service to become vested into the retirement system. I have not professed to be an expert on pensions, Mr. Speaker, but 5 years appear to be very generous. So in my bill I had extended that from the 5-year timeframe to 12 years.

Taxpayers subsidize this plan. I believe by increasing the minimum timeframe, I think it would, obviously, result in considerable savings. I have conducted no survey to support that, but commonsense tells me that. In fact, this is a commonsense proposal.

For example, Mr. Speaker, a Member of Congress now must complete only 5 years of credible service to become vested. I know of no plan, other than this one, that would vest at 5 years. Such a Member would be required, if my bill is enacted, to complete at least 12 years of service prior to becoming vested.

I figured after 4 or 5 weeks I would have attracted at least 20 to 25 cosponsors. Today, I have no cosponsors. So, to walk you through how it would work if my plan is adopted, a Member of the Congress must complete not 5 years, but 12 years of service. That can be done through six 2-year House terms or two 6-year Senate terms or a combination thereof.

It is a commonsense proposal. Meanwhile, Mr. Speaker, I will anxiously await the knock on the door for cosponsors willing to sign up. The welcome mat is out. It is a good proposal.

I thank the chairman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I support the Goodlatte bill, and I oppose the gentleman from Kentucky's amendment.

This is a commonsense provision that cures one of the patent troll abuses. These suits against customers target the wrong people. Patent owners should be suing the people who actually made the product, not the retailer who sold it or the customer who uses it.

How on Earth is the owner of a coffee shop supposed to know how a router works? I don't know how a router works. Why would we expect someone who didn't build it to defend a claim that it infringes?

For this reason, Max Bibo's deli in Wethersfield, Connecticut, supports this legislation. I am not sure any patent bill before the Congress has ever won the support of a delicatessen, but this one does. Chairman Goodlatte's bill addresses it, so I support the bill, and I oppose the amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3626) to extend the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 for 10 years.

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

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 3626, a bill to extend the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 for 10 years. In 1988, Congress passed the original law that makes it illegal to manufacture, import, sell, ship, deliver, possess, transfer, or receive any firearm that is not detectable by walk-through metal detection, or any firearm with major components that do not generate an accurate image before standard airport imaging technology.

The original act passed in 1988, Mr. Speaker, and had a 10-year sunset clause which expired November 10, 1998. Congress renewed the law for 5 years in 1998 and for 10 years in 2003. The law will sunset on December 9, 2013, if it is not reauthorized again.

The original law received overwhelming bipartisan support, and so did each subsequent renewal.

I urge my colleagues to support this extension, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel) for his generous words, and I appreciate them.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3626, currently under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that you accepted our nomination of Surry County minister and commissioner, Larry Phillips from Mount Airy, to lead the House with the opening prayer. In the short time that I have represented Surry County, I have come to know Larry as an outstanding elected official and a principled and thoughtful person.

Reverend Phillips is currently serving in his 25th year as senior pastor of Midway Baptist Church in Mount Airy, which is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. He is a graduate of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, holds a master of arts in biblical studies, and is completing his master's of religious education.

Mr. Speaker, it has been said in North Carolina there are more Baptists than there are North Carolinians, and Reverend Phillips and his family belong to that very distinguished group.

Larry Phillips was born in Cherokee County, North Carolina, and has been married to Melinda Gay Johnson Phillips for 36 years and is father to Andrea and Darren, father-in-law to Meagan, and grandfather to Madison and Branson.

Larry Phillips was elected to the Surry County Board of Commissioners in 2012 and serves on the County Commissioners Economic Development Task Force, including the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and Board of Directors.

We are pleased, Mr. Speaker, to have Larry Phillips as our guest chaplain today.

Madam Speaker, how many times did we hear the President promise the American people that if they liked their health care plan, they could keep their health care plan?

It doesn't matter how many times, Madam Speaker, you say something if it simply isn't true.

The fact is that Americans all across this country are getting letters from their insurance companies telling them their plans have been canceled. These are moms, dads, students, seniors, people who work diligently and who should be able to count on their health insurance when they need it.

What does ObamaCare offer them? Maybe they lose their plan altogether. Maybe their rates are going up. Maybe they can't visit the doctors and hospitals they have been using for years.

Madam Speaker, this has happened.

I urge victims to speak out. Go to the House Republican Web site at gop.gov and share your story.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina for yielding me this time.

Both gentlemen from North Carolina have pretty well covered this issue, and I will try to not be repetitive.

I rise in support of H.R. 2871.

The legislation will realign the Southern Judicial District in Mississippi. It has been reviewed and is fully supported by members of the majority and the minority from Mississippi.

H.R. 2871 was introduced in response to a plan originally developed by a committee of Federal judges from Mississippi, which was charged with formulating a plan to close the Meridian courthouse. This courthouse is the only court facility located in the Eastern Division of Mississippi's Southern Judicial District. The primary goal of the judges' committee was to recommend a realignment that best serves the needs of litigants, jurors, the bar, and the public.

Given the review and endorsement of the Judicial Conference, the Fifth Circuit Judicial Council, the judges, U.S. attorney, and Federal public defender, local bar association, and Inns of Court, it appears that the judges performed their duty in an exemplary fashion.

In brief, H.R. 2871, Mr. Speaker, aligns and redesignates the judicial districts and places of holding court in Mississippi to improve the judicial efficiency.

The CBO estimates that H.R. 2871 will create no budgetary impact. Its enactment will enable the affected judges, bar, and the public to be better served by a more rational structure, organization, and composition of Federal judicial districts in Mississippi and permit the Federal judiciary and the Department of Justice to achieve substantial cost savings.

H.R. 2871 is a good bill, as has been pointed out, and I encourage my colleagues to support that proposal.

Will the gentleman yield?

I thank the gentleman.

Mel, I appreciate those generous words. Thank you for your generous words as well. I won't be verbose or lengthy, but just thanks to all of you.

I have another year, Mel. I won't be gone for another year. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, it is certainly a pleasure to be here on the floor with Chairman Coble. It is just a point of personal privilege to say that, long ago when I was a staff member up here on Capitol Hill, I had a conversation with the chairman and asked him what I should do next. He suggested that I go and be an assistant United States attorney just like he was before he came to Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, if you missed this past Sunday morning TV talking heads shows, you missed the political double standard at work. Time and again, the hosts of the aforesaid programs referred to the recent ``Republican government shutdown.''

Wait a minute. Republican government shutdown?

There were two advocacy groups to this affair: one, President Obama and the Democratic administration and, two, the Republicans.

So it appears to me, Mr. Speaker, that a more accurate description would be the Republicans, President Obama and the Democrat administration and the government shutdown.

The Republicans, in spite of the President's adamant refusal to negotiate, requested a 1-year delay for the controversial health care proposal. The President rejected that proposal but, considering the reviews surrounding his health care proposal, which are, at best, dismal, it was an offer the President should have embraced.

All of us, in and out of the political arena, should dismiss the application of the double standard that oftentimes is used in this town, and we should encourage objectivity to prevail over subjectivity; and, in so doing, our country will become the beneficiary of good government, of fair government. Good government finally will be promoted in the end, and we will all benefit therefrom.

Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, October 5, 2013, the town of Madison, North Carolina, will unveil an historical marker to honor a legendary musical family known as The Hoppers. I am proud to say that The Hoppers live in the Sixth District of North Carolina, and that I have been invited to participate in the unveiling of this plaque.

The Hoppers, known as Hopper Brothers and Connie until 1981, are musical legends

and rightfully deserving of this honor. In the world of Gospel and Christian music, the Hoppers are at the forefront, not only for the quality of their music, but for their commitment to their faith. For more than half-a-century, this Rockingham County family has been spreading musical joy throughout the land.

What was started in humble beginnings in 1957 by Claude Hopper and his brothers, Will, Steve, Paul, and Monroe, came to be known as Hopper Brothers and Connie, when Claude, taking a break from his part-time job at the A&P food store in Madison, spotted Connie Shelton driving through the small town and asked her to join his Gospel group on the spot. Now celebrating 50 years of marriage and music together, they have mentored many musicians and singers over the years. Their sons, Dean and Michael, later joined the group as lead vocalist and drummer/ vocalist.

Kim Greene of The Greenes married Dean Hopper, and in 1989 she also joined The Hoppers as soprano. Soon, The Hoppers scored a string of number one Gospel hits including Here I Am, Milk and Honey, Mention My Name, Anchor to the Power of the Cross, Heavenly Sunrise, That's Him, and Yes I Am. In 1996, Mike Hopper married Denice, who became the group's pianist. In 1998, their version of Shoutin' Time became their biggest hit.

Over the ensuing years, numerous awards and accolades came their way. They have been nominated and received just about every major award in the Gospel music industry. Known as America's Favorite Family of Gospel Music, The Hoppers are not just musicians, but business leaders in music publishing and concert promotions. Best of all, we can claim The Hoppers as North Carolina's own.

On behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we congratulate The Hoppers on more than half-a-century of outstanding Gospel music. Best wishes to everyone gathered on Saturday, October 5, 2013, as a plaque is unveiled in Madison to honor The Hoppers, a true North Carolina musical treasure.

Mr. Speaker, I have heard some criticize the President for having played golf with Tiger Woods because Woods is not a favorable role model. The President's golfing is not my business.

But permit me to tell you what is my business: the frequent use of Air Force One and the related costs thereto. President Obama was the second most traveled President of all time for a single term, spending 95 days on 25 trips. In 2009, President Obama traveled more in his first year than any other President. President Obama spent 41 days traveling to 21 different countries.

The most updated figure, Mr. Speaker, on the cost per hour of operating Air Force One is in excess of $179,000 per hour. This is just a tiny fraction of the President's foreign travel plans, which includes backup aircraft, aerial tankers, motor transport, security and diplomatic personnel, accommodations, and advance teams.

The First Lady also has been actively traveling, making trips to Ireland, Africa, Western Europe, and Copenhagen. When flying solo, Michelle Obama would likely use a C-40B or C with a cost per flight- hour of between $19,000 and $26,000, or a larger C-32 passenger jet, which has a cost per flight-hour of in excess of $42,000.

Presidential entourages have grown quite large in the modern era as well, Mr. Speaker. President Obama was accompanied by more than 500 staff, including security, during his 2009 trip to London. At least 200 security agents alone will be involved in the President's current Africa trip.

I am not suggesting, Mr. Speaker, that we compromise safety or security, but the First Family, it seems to me, treats Air Force One and related aircraft as their personal toys--a very expensive toy, I might add. I will admit, Mr. Speaker, that Air Force One belongs to President Obama and his wife, but Air Force One also belongs to you and me and to every taxpayer in America.

I simply ask the President and his wife to exercise more prudence and discipline regarding their prided aircraft activities. When the wheels of Air Force One are up, the meter is on, and I'm talking about a heap of taxpayer dollars.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, the plague of the soaring debt continues to bother us. I respectively request that President Obama and his wife direct more attention to our soaring debt and deficit and less time on Air Force One.

Mr. Speaker, there is a company in the Sixth District of North Carolina that recently received a distinguished national award for its commitment to American workers and producing fine hand-crafted furniture in the United States. Edward Ferrell/Lewis Mittman (EF/LM) is the recipient of the ``2013 Best: Made in America Award.'' I would like to congratulate all involved in this company's patriotic efforts.

Edward Ferrell/Lewis Mittman is a home furnishings and accessories company located in High Point, North Carolina. Steve Mittman moved EF/ LM to North Carolina in 1992 from New York City where it was founded by his father in 1953. Today, EF/LM continues to operate in its modern High Point factory designed to nurture and support the great craftspeople of North Carolina.

EF/LM employs approximately 85 people in a variety of roles. The company is a ``sell to the trade only'' company that manufactures products in all categories of upholstered furniture and case goods. These products are showcased by about 15 managers and sales persons who run individual showrooms as their own businesses. The dedicated individuals at EF/LM work to incorporate surrounding local communities into the development of designs, and often volunteer their time and expertise for local non-profit causes. In addition to providing jobs in the Sixth District, EF/LM makes an effort to utilize local suppliers and other businesses for materials and tasks to further help American consumers and businesses.

Recently, EF/LM handcrafted a ``bipartisan'' sofa and hosted an event in which the sofa was staged in the Rayburn House Office Building Foyer. Respective sides of red and blue fabric were sewn together with white fabric to symbolize an invitation for Republicans and Democrats to sit, talk and listen about the importance of creating and sustaining jobs on American soil.

I would like to offer special congratulations to Owner Steve Mittman, President and CEO Crans Baldwin, Vice President of Operations Gregg Arrington, CFO and Controller Steve Wilt, Vice President of Design Phillip Jeffries, Director of Supply Chain Mark Peterson, and Showroom Managers Annie O'Connell and Joanna Mon.

Edward Ferrell/Lewis Mittman is a loyal, reputable and truly American company that has contributed to High Point's reputation as the Furniture Capital of the World. I am proud to congratulate EF/LM on its ``2013 Best: Made in America Award.''

Mr. Speaker, Benghazi matters, and the American people deserve answers.

On the evening of September 11, 2012, terrorist factions successfully attacked America in Benghazi, Libya, when they torched our consulate and killed four Americans. Early in the morning the following day, they attacked our annex.

Secretary Clinton's response to the American people was that these attacks were in response to a video posted on the Internet. The following Sunday, on September 16, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice repeated Secretary Clinton's assertion on five separate television talk shows.

Today is July 10, 2013, and we now know that without question these attacks were strategically planned and had no relation to Secretary Clinton or Ambassador Rice's initial assertions. The investigation into our failure to protect those four Americans who were killed, our consulate, our annex, and the administration's abysmal explanation for informing the American public must continue.

Mr. Speaker, Secretary Clinton appeared before a Senate hearing and was asked about certain facts surrounding the attack. She replied: What difference does it make?

I suggest that Secretary Clinton may want to consult with the survivors of the four Americans who were slain and ask them what difference does it make. I take umbrage with her response, and I think it was done in a rather uncaring and very impersonal way.

Investigating this scandal is our duty and obligation as representatives of the American people and protectors of the public trust. To date, congressional hearings have raised far more questions than answers. We have to look no further than the testimony of Mr. Gregory Hicks before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Mr. Hicks is the former Deputy Chief of Mission in Libya, and his testimony is replete with contradictions from what Secretary Clinton and Ambassador Rice and others have told the American public. The matter, Mr. Speaker, in my opinion, smacks of a coverup. We must continue to pursue and develop answers and explanations as to what happened so we will ultimately know what really did occur on that fateful night and ensuing days.

Mr. Speaker, as I said at the outset, Benghazi matters, and we must continue thoroughly to examine this until the truth ultimately surfaces. It matters, and the American public, Americans taxpayers, here, there, and yonder, deserve a final resolution to this episode. I suggest that we continue to keep our eye on the ball, otherwise this is going to disappear into the wind and that would be inexcusable.

Mr. Speaker, there is a school in the Sixth District of North Carolina that just won its first ever state softball title. I would like to take this time to congratulate all who contributed to this historic achievement.

High Point Christian Academy's softball team has exemplified determination and an exceptional work ethic in its quest for a state title. The HPCA Cougars placed second in the state tournaments of 2011 and 2012. Their continued hard work and perseverance, however, paid off even more in 2013. The team finished the regular season 20-3, and entered the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association 3A Championship Tournament in Gastonia as the first seed.

Led by Head Coach Jeremy Cecil, the team defeated Wesleyan Christian Academy 10-8 in an elimination game on Friday, May 17, 2013. The Cougars needed three wins on Saturday to claim the championship, but they were not intimidated in the slightest. They began their Saturday win streak with a 14-4 win over Metrolina Christian. The Cougars then swept second-seeded Hickory Grove in a best-of-three final series to clinch the championship, winning 1-0 and 5-4.

The state champions include Lindsay Cecil, Austen Coats, Maddie Faulkner, Sydney Harris, Kirsten Hart, Ashlyn Kennedy, Abigail Lyle, Sloane McPeak, Rachel Norris, Lindsay Payne, Hannah Self, and Nikki Zittinger. Cecil, McPeak, and Kennedy were also named 2013 All-State Team Members.

It has been an exciting season for the students, faculty, staff, and families of High Point Christian Academy. On behalf of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we congratulate HPCA Headmaster Richard Hardee, High School Principal Keith Curlee, Athletic Director Corey Gesell, Head Softball Coach Jeremy Cecil, Assistant Softball Coaches Bryan Coats, Jessica Burcham, Shane Kennedy, and Brad Self. Congratulations to the 2013 softball team on its NCISAA 3A State Championship.

Mr. Speaker, Vandalia Christian School in Greensboro, North Carolina, wrapped up its spring sports season with two more championships--girls soccer and boys baseball. I say two more because this past fall, Vandalia Christian won State championships in boy's basketball, boy's soccer, and cheerleading. It is a year unlike any other, five championships for one school from the Sixth District of North Carolina.

The boy's baseball team finished the regular season with an impressive 15-game-winning streak. This was the first time in school history that the boys won championships in soccer, basketball, and baseball in the same school year. A ton of credit can be given to VCS triple threat athlete, Houston Miller, who was a part of all three championship squads and pitched for the Vikings throughout the season. On May 10, Vandalia defeated Wilson Christian, 8-3, for the championship. This was the boy's baseball second championship in the past two years under Coach Luke Oates. Those who assisted Coach Oates included Assistant/Pitching Coach Ryan Nelson, Statistician Alyce Lentz, and Bookkeeper Laura Joyce. The team roster include the aforementioned Houston Miller, Michael Matthews, Nathaniel Hobbs, Josh McClellan, James Wagoner, Jasper White, Noah Joyce, Ethan Willis, Brayden McMillan, Jordan Mitchell; Bryson Gordon, Jacob Cable, Hunter Miller, Tyler Crook, Matt Hobbs, Henderson Lentz, and Rex Atkins.

On May 11, the Vandalia girls won the State soccer crown with their win over Wilmington Christian after the game came down to a series of penalty kicks (PKs). Katelyn Roop scored in regulation for the Vikings, while Allison Garner, Sydney Mitchell, and Laurie Powell scored the penalty kicks. The Vikings went three for four in PKs while VCS goalie Makayla Miller stopped three of four PKs by Wilmington Christian. The team was led by Head Coach Bobby Kaiser and Assistant Kristen Kaiser. The championship squad includes Katie Talkington, Laurie Powell, Melissa Pando, Ashley Pollard, Sydney Mitchell, Cristan Lewis, Abby Pack, Addy Hargett, Rene Burton, Lauren Chestnutt, Kalie Hazelwood, Elizabeth Fondow, Courtney Wood, Kara Smith, Whitney Dickens, Jill Georgevich, Allison Garner, Madison Ellis, Katie White, Makayla Miller, and Katelyn Roop.

Everyone who calls themselves a Viking should be rightfully proud of the five State championships this year. Congratulations to Principal Jeremy Cordova, Athletic Director Luke Oates, the faculty, staff, students, and particularly, the athletes of Vandalia for winning five sports crowns this year. The citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina are proud to say that we are the home of the champions from Vandalia Christian School.