Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize the 100th anniversary of St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Parish in Rogers City, Michigan. Through its dedication to education, faith, and its local community, St. Ignatius has become an indispensable part of Michigan's First District.

Founded in 1919 by Father C.T. Skowronski, St. Ignatius Church grew rapidly to serve the thriving community and growing Catholic congregation during the early 20th century. Over the next 100 years, St. Ignatius continued its success and worked to fulfill its mission of faith-filled liturgies, hospitality, evangelization, family life, and life-long education. The parish's dedication to its local community serves as an example for every person in Northern Michigan, and its impact on Michigan's First District cannot be understated. As Saint Ignatius of Loyola said, ``Love is shown more in deeds than in words.''

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to congratulate St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Parish and its parishioners for 100 years of success, service, and faith. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such dedicated citizens. On behalf of my constituents, I wish them all the best in its future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the life and service of Rickie Sproule. As a proud Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Rickie has proven himself to be an indispensable part of Michigan's First District.

The Continental Marines were formed by decree of the Second Continental Congress on November 10, 1775. Since the Revolutionary War, Marines served with the American Expeditionary Force on the Western Front of WWI, island hopped in the Pacific, landed on the beaches of North Korea, fought to protect the Republic of Vietnam, and defended Americans from the threat of global terrorism. Rickie served a crucial role during his service in the Marines, maintaining jet engines and ensuring the safety and fighting capacity of our Airmen. His unwavering devotion to duty perfectly exemplifies the spirit of the U.S. Marine Corps. We owe Rickie and his brothers in arms an enormous debt of gratitude. He has served our nation willingly, honorably, and without bias.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor today to acknowledge the extraordinary life of Rickie Sproule. I ask that you join with me and the people of Michigan's First District in thanking him for his unwavering commitment to our nation and its people.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize the Keweenaw Land Trust for receiving Land Trust Accreditation. Through its dedication to wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, and its local community, the Keweenaw Land Trust has become an indispensable part of Michigan's First District.

Locally focused land conservation undertaken by community-based land trusts has become increasingly important across the country. Accreditation by the independent Land Trust Accreditation Commission is given to those organizations that have proven to be trusted, strong, and effective in their land conservation efforts. Through its tremendous work in Michigan, the Keweenaw Land Trust has shown that it is more than deserving of this seal. First started in 1996, the organization protects thousands of acres of forest and wetlands in the Keweenaw Peninsula and throughout the Western Upper Peninsula. Its work to protect wildlife habitats, water quality, working farms and ranches, and healthy communities has been invaluable for the people of Michigan's First District. Our region is home to some of the most pristine natural landscapes in the country, and I'm grateful for the Keweenaw Land Trust's efforts to ensure that future generations can enjoy the same natural beauty we so deeply treasure.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to congratulate the Keweenaw Land Trust for receiving Land Trust Accreditation. Michiganders can take immense pride in knowing that the First District is home to such a trusted organization working to promote land conservation. On behalf of my constituents, I wish the Keweenaw Land Trust all the best in its future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, on Roll Call Vote Nos. 197, 198, 199, 200, 201 and 202 from May 10, 2019 I am not recorded because I was not present in the House. I was presiding over a commissioning ceremony for my cousin, Joe Gutsoke, who was newly commissioned in the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the University of North Dakota's ROTC program.

Had I been present, I would have voted: NAY on Roll Call No. 197; NAY on Roll Call No. 198; NAY on Roll Call No. 199; YEA on Roll Call No. 200; YEA on Roll Call No. 201; and NAY on Roll Call No. 202.

Madam Speaker, on Roll Call Vote Nos. 197, 198, 199, 200, 201 and 202, I am not recorded because I was not present in the House.

Had I been present, I would have voted: NAY on Roll Call No. 197; NAY on Roll Call No. 198; NAY on Roll Call No. 199; YEA on Roll Call No. 200; YEA on Roll Call No. 201; and NAY on Roll Call No. 202.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Brett McVannel for his retirement as chief of the Gaylord City Police Department. Through his exceptional leadership and steadfast devotion to his community, Brett has become an indispensable part of Michigan's First District.

Born and raised in Gaylord, Chief McVannel dedicated nearly 25 years of his life to the people of Michigan, serving in Kalkaska and Otsego County before becoming chief in Gaylord. During his tenure Brett thrived as a leader and communicator, working productively with other local leaders and forming a familial bond in the department he oversaw. His exceptional leadership skills are reflected in the excellence of the officers who have served under him and the trust placed in him by the people of Northern Michigan. Chief McVannel's constant dedication to the public good is commendable, and the impact of his work on the people of Northern Michigan cannot be overstated.

Madam Speaker. it is my honor to recognize Chief Brett McVannel for his decades of service to the people of our state. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such a devoted individual. On behalf of my constituents, I wish Brett all the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Commander Mark Graboski for his retirement as Executive Officer of the Air Station Traverse City, United States Coast Guard. Through his exceptional leadership and steadfast devotion, Mark has become an indispensable part of Michigan's First District.

Mark graduated from the University of Wisconsin--Madison through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1989 and was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. Following deployments in the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf, he transitioned to the U.S. Coast Guard and served in Washington and Alabama. He ultimately landed in Michigan at Air Station Traverse City, which operates Air Facilities throughout the Great Lakes region--performing search and rescue operations and other critical missions along the entirety of Lake Michigan and significant portions of Lakes Superior and Huron.

As Executive Officer and a helicopter pilot, Graboski led a team of 168 personnel and three MH-60 helicopters for search and rescue operations throughout the Great Lakes and Midwest. He has accumulated more than 5,600 flight hours, and his decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, three USCG/Navy Commendation Medals, two USCG Achievement Medals and numerous unit, campaign, and service awards. His exceptional leadership skills are reflected in the excellence of those who have served under him and the trust placed in him by the people of Northern Michigan. Commander Graboski's constant dedication to the public good is commendable, and the impact of his work on the people of Northern Michigan cannot be overstated.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Commander Mark Graboski for his service to the people of our state. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such a devoted individual. On behalf of my constituents, I wish Mark all the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Chair, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 175.

Amendment No. 10 Offered by Mr. Gosar

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Joseph V. Wakeley for his retirement as Crawford County Treasurer. Through his exceptional leadership and steadfast devotion to his community, Joe has become an indispensable part of Michigan's First District.

Joe has dedicated more than 45 years to the people of Crawford County and the state of Michigan. Since first taking office in 1973, Joseph has shown a constant vigilance in his stewardship and responsibility for the tax dollars of the citizens that put him in office. From starting as the youngest county treasurer in the state of Michigan to eventually becoming the longest serving, Joseph has never failed to put the needs of his fellow Michiganders first during his service. The trust that the citizens of Crawford County have in Joe is clear--not once during his 45 years in office has he faced a challenger during elections.

Outside of his service as Crawford County Treasurer, Joe has provided valuable support and expertise in other areas, including Rotary, the Jolly Redskin Canoe Livery, the AuSable River Canoe Marathon committee, Michelson Memorial United Methodist Church, Grayling's Project Rising Tide committee, the Beaver Creek-Grayling Townships Utility Authority, and the Michigan Association of County Treasurers. His impact on the people of Northern Michigan cannot be overstated.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate Joseph Wakeley for his decades of service to the people of Crawford County. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such a dedicated public servant. On behalf of my constituents, I wish Joe all the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor today to acknowledge the observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Established by Act of Congress in 1961, Peace Officers Memorial Day is observed on May 15th of every year to pay tribute to the local, state, and federal police officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty. I can think of no other cause worthier of honoring, or heroes worthier of remembering, than our officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure peace.

Police officers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and throughout the country have devoted their lives to protecting the innocent, preventing violence, and upholding justice. Every day their courage touches the lives of countless members of their communities, and the impact of their heroism cannot be overstated. The observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day reminds us of the ongoing need for vigilance against all forms of crime, and the extreme sacrifices that are made by officers in the line of duty to ensure the safety of every American. A ceremony in remembrance of officers originally from or who served in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan will be held on May 15th at Munising High School.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of Michigan's First Congressional District, I ask you to join me in honoring the lives and service of our police officers, especially those who have given their lives in service to their country and communities. We can never repay our debt to these officers and their families, but by honoring them today, we ensure that their legacy is never forgotten.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the life and service of Richard Sproule. As a proud Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Richard has proven himself to be an indispensable part of Michigan's First District.

The Continental Marines were formed by decree of the Second Continental Congress on November 10, 1775. Since the Revolutionary War, Marines served with the American Expeditionary Force on the Western Front of WWI, island hopped in the Pacific, landed on the beaches of North Korea, fought to protect the Republic of Vietnam, and defended Americans from the threat of global terrorism. Rick served a crucial role during his service in the Marines, maintaining jet engines and ensuring the safety and fighting capacity of our Airmen. His unwavering devotion to duty perfectly exemplifies the spirit of the U.S. Marine Corps. We owe Rick and his brothers in arms an enormous debt of gratitude. He has served our nation willingly, honorably, and without bias.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor today to acknowledge the extraordinary life of Richard Sproule. I ask that you join with me and the people of Michigan's First District in thanking him for his unwavering commitment to our nation and its people.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize the dedication of the memorial to the Italian Hall disaster of 1913. Through their work to make this monument a reality, the village of Calumet and the Italian Hall Memorial Park Committee have ensured that the disaster and its victims are forever remembered by the people of Michigan.

For over 100 years, the area now known as Calumet was the heart of Copper Country, attracting thousands of Americans and immigrants from around the world, and producing more mineral wealth than the California Gold Rush. In response to long work days, low wages, and harsh work conditions, the Keweenaw chapters of the Western Federation of Miners voted to strike on July 23, 1913. The strike would last nine months-- and though unsuccessful in achieving its goals in the short term, it marked a turning point for Copper Country and the rights of the miners that called it home.

On Christmas Eve, 1913, hundreds of striking miners and their families gathered to celebrate the holiday on the second floor of Calumet's Italian Hall. However, a panic broke out after someone falsely shouted ``fire'' in the crowded hall. In the ensuing rush to escape the building, seventy-three people, including fifty-nine children, were killed. One hundred and six years later, the village of Calumet dedicated a new four-ton granite monument inscribed with the names of those lost in the Italian Hall disaster. The site of the Hall now serves as a place for quiet reflection and remembrance of tragedy as well as the history of the Upper Peninsula.

Madam Speaker, the Italian Hall disaster remains fixed in the memories of Michiganders more than one hundred years later. On behalf of my constituents, I would like to thank the Italian Hall Memorial Park Committee and the village of Calumet for their work to ensure that the tragedy and the lives lost there are never forgotten.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, I rise today to offer an amendment to H.R. 840, the Veterans' Access to Child Care Act.

My amendment is simple. It prohibits VA from constructing new childcare facilities using funds made available by this bill. It does not prohibit the VA from using existing facilities.

While I support the underlying bill and believe something as simple as childcare services can greatly improve veterans' access to care, I also understand how bloated VA's infrastructure portfolio has become.

Just last year, Congress passed the VA MISSION Act, which included language to establish the Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission. This commission is designed to assess areas in which the VA can modernize and realign its existing infrastructure portfolio to save valuable money and refocus on its core mission of caring for our veterans.

Madam Chair, offering childcare services has the potential to make VA benefits more accessible and convenient for all families. H.R. 840 allows VA to provide childcare services via private centers and through collaboration with other Federal agencies, thus utilizing already existing facilities.

Until the asset and infrastructure review is complete, it would be irresponsible to allow VA to invest more limited resources in new construction when positive, viable alternatives are available.

I appreciate the work our committee has done to help improve access to care, and I look forward to our continued efforts to realign VA's priorities and its unused or underutilized assets.

Mr. Chair, I urge support of this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. David P. Roe).

Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 2 minutes to the gentleman.

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

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize the Michigan Farm Bureau upon the occasion of its 100th Anniversary. Through its trusted services and invaluable community investment, MFB has become an indispensable part of the state of Michigan.

Founded in February 1919, the Michigan Farm Bureau was formed when representatives of 57 county-level Farm Bureaus gathered on the campus of the Michigan Agricultural College--now Michigan State University. Over the next century, MFB would weave together a fabric and community of farmers from across the state. Today, the organization includes more than 40,000 farmer members that produce hundreds of different agricultural commodities and represent every facet of Michigan's incredibly diverse agricultural industry.

In the last 100 years, the Michigan Farm Bureau and its affiliates have provided its members with a vast array of goods and services, from farm equipment and supplies to commodity marketing, price negotiation and insurance. Today, MFB serves as the voice of Michigan's farmers at the state and national level, speaking on their behalf in Lansing and Washington, D.C. Its Young Farmers initiative helps develop the skills and leadership needed to ready the next generation to take the reins, and Farm Bureau volunteers help take the farm into classrooms statewide--keeping Michiganders informed about where their food comes from. Every year, MFB members donate tens of thousands of dollars' worth of food products and assistance to the needy, working directly with established food banks and other charities throughout the state. Day after day, the Michigan Farm Bureau sets a positive example of what can be achieved when the people of a state work together for the common good.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to congratulate the Michigan Farm Bureau for 100 years of success, service, and community investment. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing our state is home to such dedicated citizens. On behalf of my constituents, I wish MFB all the best in its future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Chief Jeremy Dessellier of the Hubbell Fire Department for his leadership and heroism following the 2018 Father's Day flooding in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Through his actions, Chief Dessellier has shown himself to be selfless, courageous, and an indispensable part of Michigan's First District.

During the 2018 Father's Day weekend, multiple rounds of heavy rain fell across much of the Upper Peninsula. Almost 7 inches of rain came down on the Keweenaw Peninsula overnight, creating flash floods that washed out roads, destroyed homes, and caused massive damage to the area. A state of disaster was declared as the community came together to rescue those in danger and begin recovery efforts. Local first responders joined with state officials, the Red Cross, and hundreds of volunteers to help the region rebuild.

In the days and weeks following the flooding, the leadership of Chief Dessellier was critical to the success of these efforts. He took calls and meetings with residents, organized supplies, led volunteers, and went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the health and well- being of those in his fire precinct and beyond. Under his leadership, volunteers were able to ensure the safety of community members and move significant amounts of earth and water from local homes and streets. The heroic actions of Chief Dessellier and his volunteers serve as an inspiration for those in Michigan's First District. His devotion to public duty has touched the lives of countless Michiganders, and the impact of his heroism cannot be overstated.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Chief Jeremy Dessellier for his exceptional leadership and heroism. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such a selfless and courageous individual. On behalf of my constituents, I wish Chief Dessellier all the best in his future endeavors.