Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate the American Legion Riders of Post 114 in Sikeston, MO as they celebrate the completion of their first annual Legacy Run to benefit the Legacy Scholarship Fund.

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. Chartered in 1920, Post 114 embodies this patriotic spirit and serves an important role in the Sikeston community by sponsoring youth baseball leagues, supporting local community causes, and providing unrelenting support to America's servicemen and women.

The American Legion created the Legacy Scholarship Fund to provide college scholarships to children of fallen U.S. military personnel on active duty since September 11th, 2001. On June 22nd of this year, riders from Post 114 embarked on their first Legacy Run, visiting 22 cities throughout my congressional district. The efforts by these Riders will create educational opportunities for many children who would otherwise not be able to pursue a higher education.

It is my great privilege to recognize the American Legion Riders and the entire Legion family before the United States House of Representatives as the organization approaches its centennial birthday next year. I celebrate the community spirit, sense of duty and pride that thrives in this patriotic organization.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dan Overbey for 25 years of dedicated service to his community serving as Executive Director of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority. His positive attitude and problem solving mindset has been a great asset to the Port and the Eighth District of Missouri. He has achieved many accomplishments during his tenure, such as obtaining 12 miles of railroad track for port use, Port expansions, securing businesses and infrastructure.

Dan pursued a business degree and graduated with honors from Southeast Missouri State University and received his MBA from University of Texas. Mr. Overbey worked at Missouri Pacific Railroad, Frisco Railway and BN Transport. For a short time, he was a marketing professor at Southeast Missouri State University. All of these experiences led Mr. Dan Overbey to his role, as Executive Director of Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority. The Port's standing has improved significantly since he took over 25 years ago; there are now over $60 million in assets from companies operating at SEMO Port that employ 155 people. The Port itself now has land, harbor, railroad tracks, and utilities that total to $29 million in assets.

Mr. Overbey is a dedicated husband to his wife Gail and father of their two sons--Jeffrey and Douglas. He looks forward to traveling during his retirement visiting with family and two grandsons, Mattox and Jaxson.

For his many years of dedication and service to the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority and his community, it is my great pleasure to honor Dan Overbey of Cape Girardeau, Missouri today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Dennis Gott of Salem, Missouri for being inducted posthumously into the Missouri Grocers Association Hall of Fame.

Dennis was President and co-owner of Town & Country Supermarkets and co-owner and board member of Town and Country Banks. He is the second Gott family member to be awarded this honor. His father Wayne Gott founded Town & Country Supermarkets in Salem in 1962 and was inducted to the Missouri Grocers Hall of Fame in 2012.

Dennis began working at Town and Country in the 1970s and took over as President and CEO in 1999. Under his leadership, Town and Country expanded to 21 locations in south central Missouri, each one known for friendly customer service and active community involvement.

Dennis loved the grocery store business, and he loved his family and community. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Salem and served on the boards of Harris Baking Company and the Salem Airport Authority. His untimely passing in 2016 shook my hometown of Salem and he is missed dearly.

For his outstanding career and legacy as a loving family man devoted to his community, it is my pleasure to recognize Dennis Gott before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment, which seeks to crack down on the practice commonly known as sue and settle.

When Federal agencies settle lawsuits with outside advocacy groups behind closed doors, the outcome is pretty much what you would expect: costly new regulatory burdens with taxpayers picking up the tab.

That is exactly how sue and settle works. Federal agencies accept lawsuits from outside advocacy organizations and, rather than defend themselves, proceed to settle that lawsuit in a closed-door agreement, resulting in new and more costly regulations.

It is bad enough that the taxpayer ultimately pays for these regulations, but under current law, it is the taxpayer footing the bill for attorneys' fees for these outside organizations. That is absurd.

My amendment prevents American taxpayer dollars from being used to pay the legal fees of outside advocacy groups for settlements under the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Organizations can still sue whomever they want, but they cannot do it on the backs of taxpayers.

Fortunately, we are making progress to end this practice. In the House, we have passed this amendment several times before, and the Trump administration has taken notice of our efforts. The Trump administration sees this practice for what it is: an abuse of our regulator process that must be reined in.

The EPA announced last fall that it will no longer pay attorneys' fees as part of the settlement process and will ensure stakeholders have input and a more transparent settlement process. This amendment will help bolster the administration's efforts to stop this abusive practice.

The Trump administration realizes that nowhere is the cost of these settlements more painful than in the environmental regulatory context. The result of these lawsuits is hundreds of new regulations and tens of millions--even billions--of dollars in compliance costs.

If that isn't bad enough, as part of the agreements, agencies are often required to reprioritize their agendas, allocating limited resources to the priorities of these interest groups rather than priorities designated by Congress or ones that have received public and stakeholder input.

The American people are tired of our unaccountable Federal Government, and we have the opportunity to do something about it. This is a necessary step to rein in overregulation and bring transparency back to the regulatory process.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

I support the Trump administration, but I also support our duty under the Constitution to make sure we tell the executive what to do.

Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Gianforte).

Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert), who is the subcommittee chairman.

Mr. Chairman, the sue-and-settle practice cuts stakeholders and the public out of the regulatory process. It undermines the Article I authority we hold here in Congress.

By restricting the payment of legal fees, we take away the incentive for these environmental advocacy groups to sue the Federal Government, and we protect public input in the rulemaking process.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the sesquicentennial birthday of Bismarck, Missouri, which was founded in 1868. City fathers named the town for Prince Otto Von Bismarck, the `Iron Chancellor' of Germany, in hopes they'd lure German immigrants to live there. Bismarck became a shipping center for the St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railway. Today, the 100-year-old train depot is a treasured landmark.

Bismarck is proud of its community spirit. The desire to serve prompted dozens of residents to join the military in wartime. The drive to succeed helped the town recover from a fire that destroyed its business district in 1901. And the determination to overcome challenges has kept the city working to meet the ever-changing needs of its citizens.

Today, Bismarck's leaders are working to increase services and add businesses. Mayor Seth Radford describes Bismarck as a place that ``looks out for its neighbors,'' offering a family-friendly community that brings people together. They look to the future with optimism, but maintain a strong connection to their past.

It is my great privilege to recognize Bismarck, Missouri before the United States House of Representatives to mark the town's 150th birthday. I celebrate the community spirit, sense of duty and pride that thrives in this St. Francois County town located in the heart of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Pleasant Valley Baptist Church of Salem, Missouri on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary.

The church was founded in 1868, when a small group met in southern Dent County at the home of J.F. Halbrook. The church began with 11 charter members and Rev. John A. Summers was selected as the first Pastor.

The church continued meeting at the home of J.F. Halbrook during the early years. Later they moved to a log school house in the Miner community and in 1878, thanks to Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Orchard, the church moved to its present location in the Doss community. Today, the church has 308 members and is involved in local and nationwide missions.

For continuing its work of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ through 150 years of change and challenge, it is my great pleasure to honor Pleasant Valley Baptist Church today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in favor of my amendment which protects the Mississippi River and Tributaries System and its floodways. The MR&T is our Nation's most successful flood control and navigation system expanding from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, down through Louisiana near the Gulf of Mexico.

Since 1928, the MR&T has prevented $1 trillion in flood damage and protected the lives of millions who live in the Mississippi Valley.

The MR&T's floodways and backwaters throughout the system relieve pressure on the Mississippi levees during flooding and are essential to keeping the system functioning. One of those floodways is in southeast Missouri, the Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway.

In 2011, the Mississippi River experienced historic flooding, leading to the Army Corps' decision to intentionally breach, with explosives, the Birds Point Floodway. As a result, 130,000 acres of land were flooded, destroying people's homes, towns, and crops.

The people of southeast Missouri are resilient and, in the aftermath of this tragic action, tried to pick up the pieces and return to their lives. Unfortunately, it was not until over a year and a half later that the Army Corps returned the destroyed levees back to their original design. There were even some who indicated that perhaps these levees not be built back at all. That is truly unacceptable.

Floodway activation impacts not just residents in the floodways, but all of 4\1/2\ million people protected by the MR&T system. Floodways are a critical part of the MR&T, and their restoration after activation should never be in question.

My amendment ensures that, in the event of activation of any floodway or backwater feature within the MR&T, the Army Corps will prioritize expedient restoration of the damaged floodway's levees back to the original protection.

Activation of any floodway on the MR&T has serious consequences and should only be done as a last resort. This amendment simply ensures activated floodway is restored. My amendment is essential to the peace of mind of all people living near floodways and to the proper function of the MR&T.

I ask my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I would absolutely say that the gentleman from Louisiana is correct. It is for floodways and for restoration that have been activated.

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

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 216.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th birthday of Haline Julian.

On Wednesday, February 28, 2018, Haline Julian of Kennett, Missouri celebrated her 100th birthday with friends, family, and the staff at Kennett OAKS Senior Nutrition Center.

Haline met her husband for the first time in 1942. H.M. Julian was twenty-one and had just entered the military when he was set-up with Haline Overall. They drove to Kennett for their first date, and it was on this date that a romance started that would last well over seventy years.

Haline attended beauty school and after she graduated, opened her own beauty salon. H.M. went to college on the GI bill and received a degree in Vocational Agriculture. Their family began to grow in 1952 with the birth of their first son Chip, and in 1957 with their daughter Judy. Both children were born at Presnell Hospital in Kennett. The Julian family moved all across Missouri over the years, but Haline has always considered Kennett to be their true home.

It is with great appreciation and respect I recognize the 100th birthday of Haline Julian today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Virginia Brown Swindle from Senath, MO.

Virginia Brown Swindle was born in Monette, AR. on May 13, 1927, to Robert Edgar Young and Emmaline Qualls Young. She was the second youngest sibling among eight brothers and one sister.

Working at Wal-Mart in Kennett for 22 years has kept her young and strong. Throughout her life she has owned a grocery store, drove a truck, been an emergency medical technician (EMT) and a certified nursing assistant, cleaned the Senath Baptist Church, and worked as a greeter at the Wal-Mart in Kennett.

Virginia worked all her life and until she earned her general educational development (GED) in her forties. After earning her GED, she trained to be an EMT. She bravely utilized this training when she went to work for the Senath nursing home where she was able to utilize her CPR training to save the lives of some of the residents.

At the age of ninety-one, retirement isn't in her sights yet, because she loves working. Virginia loves life and enjoys all of the people she meets as a greeter at the local Kennett Wal-Mart.

It is with great appreciation and respect, I honor the life of Virginia Brown Swindle before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable 100th birthday of Tressie Elizabeth Butt Humphrey. Tressie was born to Henry Clay Butt and Zelma Josephine Slownesky Butt on May 3, 1918.

A 1936 graduate of Steelville High School, she married the late Luther Theodore Humphrey with whom she shares two children, Loretta Mae and Selma Jean, as well as six grandchildren, eighteen great- grandchildren, and nineteen great-great-grandchildren. Tressie is a former teacher of the Slowensky one-room school house, a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star of Missouri, and the owner of a Missouri Century Farm.

Tressie has achieved a great milestone in her life by celebrating her 100th birthday. She is a woman of character and is greatly beloved by all who know her. She has displayed exceptional leadership, contributing greatly to our society throughout her years. For all of these reasons and many more, it is my pleasure to recognize Tressie before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable 100th birthday of Tressie Elizabeth Butt Humphrey. Tressie was born to Henry Clay Butt and Zelma Josephine Slownesky Butt on May 3, 1918.

A 1936 graduate of Steelville High School, she married the late Luther Theodore Humphrey with whom she shares two children, Loretta Mae and Selma Jean, as well as six grandchildren, eighteen great- grandchildren, and nineteen great-great-grandchildren. Tressie is a former teacher of the Slowensky one-room school house, a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star of Missouri, and the owner of a Missouri Century Farm.

Tressie has achieved a great milestone in her life by celebrating her 100th birthday. She is a woman of character and is greatly beloved by all who know her. She has displayed exceptional leadership, contributing greatly to our society throughout her years. For all of these reasons and many more, it is my pleasure to recognize Tressie before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the sacrifice of U.S. Army Warrant Officer First Class Reginald David Cleve of Farmington, MO, missing in action since March 22, 1971.

The 23-year-old Mr. Cleve was a member of the 176th Aviation Company, 14th Aviation Battalion, 10th Aviation Group and the 23rd Infantry Division. He was the commander aboard a UH1H ``Huey'' aircraft in a group of five helicopters conducting an emergency re-supply mission on that day. With a crew of

four, the helicopter was flying low above Savannakhet province in Laos. The helicopter took intense enemy fire and was shot down. No rescue mission was conducted because of the heavy concentration of enemy troops. Mr. Cleve's remains have never been recovered. His family was left to wonder whether he might have survived and been taken prisoner. But Mr. Cleve never returned home. He and his crew remain numbered among the nearly 600 Americans who disappeared in Laos.

Today, 47 years later, his sacrifice is honored at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. At another ceremony in his hometown on March 24, 2018, his name will be etched on a memorial at the St. Francois County Courthouse.

It is with great appreciation and respect to honor the service and sacrifice of Warrant Officer First Class Reginald David Cleve today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be here today to speak on behalf of this bill, the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park Establishment Act, and on the behalf of the community of Ste. Genevieve.

Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, is home to one of the largest collections of French colonial architecture in the United States and is one of the oldest colonial settlements west of the Mississippi River dating back to the early 1700s.

For years, the community of Ste. Genevieve has celebrated its history and unique culture through numerous festivals and annual events. Over time, the Federal Government has begun to catch on. One of the town's historic homes is a National Historic Landmark, several other homes are on the National Register of Historic Places, and a large area of the town itself is designated as a National Historic Landmark district, one of the oldest in the country.

In May of 2016, the National Park Service concluded and released a Final Special Resource Study and Environmental Assessment for Ste. Genevieve. This study was the result of legislation

passed over 10 years previously, which tasked the Park Service with determining whether or not the resources at Ste. Genevieve met the criteria for inclusion in the National Park System. Happily, the Park Service study concluded what the people of Ste. Genevieve already knew: that Ste. Genevieve's large and unique collection of vertical log houses rises to national significance. The study determined that certain areas are suitable for direct Park Service management.

My bill is very straightforward: it establishes the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park as a unit of the National Park System; it sets the boundaries of the park as depicted on the map laid out by the Park Service; and it gives the Secretary of the Interior certain authorities within the boundaries of the Historical Park or any nationally significant property identified in the special resource study.

In order for the resources of Ste. Genevieve to be properly preserved, Park Service management is necessary. The work of local nonprofits, the city of Ste. Genevieve, and the State of Missouri to manage, preserve, and showcase these historic structures cannot be understated. However, there are still unmet needs for resource protection and interpretation, and the community looks forward to working with the Park Service to increase tourism in the area as well as properly preserve and study the town's resources.

Once again, I want to highlight and thank the community of Ste. Genevieve for their strong support of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge this body to swiftly pass my bill and move it one step closer to the President's desk.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent the folks of southeast Missouri. The district that I represent, the average median income is right at $40,000. It is one of the lowest average median incomes in the country.

I have asked my folks back home, just last week, if they support this tax bill, and, in fact, 67 percent say they support the Trump tax bill. Mr. Speaker, $40,000 back home is a salary. It is not a Christmas bonus that people get in New York City or California. $40,000 is their salary.

Mr. Speaker, let me give you some facts: Mr. Speaker, the first $24,000

that people earn in southeast Missouri will be at a zero percent tax rate. A family of four that makes $55,000 will pay zero in income tax.

When you look at a median average income in southeast Missouri being $40,000, we are winners. What you are hearing on the other side is complete, false, and absolute lies.

Mr. Speaker, I ask this body to support the conference committee.