Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following response to a letter from a concerned citizen.

Dear Mr. McAnulty: Thank you for contacting me with your

concerns about Congress passing a responsible budget. I

appreciate the time you took to reach out to me on this

important issue. In my first few days in Congress, I

introduced H. J. Res. 49, which is an amendment to the U.S.

Constitution that would require an annual balanced budget. I

believe that the federal government, like families throughout

Missouri, should only spend what it has.

On December 12, 2013 the House of Representatives voted on

a budget compromise that set spending levels for the next two

years. While I believe Congress must pass a budget, I

ultimately could not support this compromise plan that

immediately raised new revenues without giving immediate

attention to Washington's spending addiction and our massive

national debt. We must start paying down our national debt.

Another reason I voted against the budget compromise were

the changes made to veteran's benefits. Our men and women in

uniform deserve unwavering support from every Member of

Congress and all Americans. It is wrong to balance budgets on

the backs of troops who voluntarily put themselves in harm's

way so that we can all be free. The livelihood of our troops

should not be negotiable.

While I appreciate the time and effort that went into

crafting this budget deal, I could not support this plan

because it immediately increases spending without immediately

reducing the deficit. Simply put this agreement raises

revenue and spends more money.

Again, I appreciate the time you have taken to reach out to

me. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any

additional questions or concerns. I am honored to have the

opportunity to represent the Eighth Congressional District of

Missouri and encourage you to visit my website at

www.jasonsmith.house.gov/contact/newsletter to sign up for my

e-newsletter and receive regular updates from Washington, DC.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mayor Gary Brown of Salem, Missouri for his achievements and years of service to the community.

This April, Mayor Brown will have served for fourteen years as mayor of Salem. Prior to being elected mayor, he served as Alderman of the East Ward for four years. Mayor Brown has dedicated much of his life to public service. This dedication has not only been towards his local community, but also to our nation during the four years he served in the Navy.

In his eighteen years of service to the city of Salem, Mayor Brown has devoted his time to be a positive influence to the community. I am thankful for his leadership which has greatly benefitted my hometown of Salem. It is my pleasure to recognize his service and achievements before the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jay Sheets of Farmington, Missouri. Jay recently was a contestant on the NBC reality show, ``The Biggest Loser.'' Over the course of the four month competition, he lost an astonishing 114 pounds.

Jay was chosen out of more than 250,000 applicants for a spot on The Biggest Loser television series. He certainly made the most of his opportunity. By following a rigorous diet and workout plan, Jay went from 297 pounds to weighing a lean 183 pounds. Jay, the father of two, said his biggest goal was to show his kids to reach for every goal and dream. Undoubtedly, he accomplished this goal.

After finishing ``The Biggest Loser'', Jay teamed up with The Farmington Civic Center to sponsor a weight loss program called, ``Spring into Fitness with Jay Sheets.'' The program has 113 registrants and focuses on promoting fitness in the community. Jay serves as a tremendous example of what hard work, dedication and a healthy lifestyle can accomplish. It is my privilege to recognize his accomplishments today before the House of Representatives.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of United States Army Sergeant Timothy Owens, who lived in Rolla, Missouri, in the Eighth Congressional District.

Sergeant Owens was killed in senseless act of violence at Fort Hood, Texas, last week. Sergeant Owens deployed to Iraq with the 396th Transportation Company. During his military service, Sergeant Owens earned numerous awards, including the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and four Certificates of Achievement.

Additionally, Sergeant Owens served as a counselor to his fellow soldiers at Fort Hood. In addition to his service to our Nation, Sergeant Owens was a devoted husband and a loving father of three. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Billy, his children, and his numerous family and friends.

Madam Speaker, we honor the service and life of Sergeant Timothy Owens, and we lift his family in prayers.

Mr. Speaker, the problems with ObamaCare never seem to stop hurting families and individuals in Missouri's Eighth District. They are experiencing huge increases in their monthly premiums, and bureaucrats are continuing to get between doctors and patients.

Additionally, workers are seeing reduced hours because of the 30-hour rule contained in ObamaCare. The Save American Workers Act will repeal ObamaCare's 30-hour rule.

Because of this legislation, small businesses will no longer be forced to choose between providing health insurance to part-time workers or drastically cutting jobs or even eliminating employees.

A recent study estimated a 30-hour workweek rule could cost as many as 2.6 million Americans jobs.

Make no mistake, I am still fighting to fully repeal ObamaCare, but the Save American Workers Act will not fix every problem with the ObamaCare health care mandate, but it will immediately save millions of American jobs, and it will help families who are struggling to make ends meet.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Lloyd Mitchell for his many years of exemplary service to the state of Missouri. Lloyd retired on February 11, 2014 after more than 46 years of service to the Texas County Sheriff's department.

In 1968, at age 43, Lloyd began his career in law enforcement as Deputy Sheriff of Texas County. In 1994, he became a bailiff in Texas County and held this position up until his retirement. Over the course of his career, Lloyd developed a reputation for conducting his job with the utmost integrity. His professionalism has set a high standard of work ethics that will serve as an example for future generations of law enforcement professionals.

In addition to his many years of service to the sheriffs' department, Lloyd is a published author and has served as a Deacon for his local Church. His dedication to serving Texas County has helped countless residents and it is my pleasure to recognize his efforts and achievements before the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cadet Trevor-Lee Travis of Missouri for his achievement and commitment to serving our country. In addition to completing the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program, Cadet Travis is being awarded the General Billy Mitchell Award and is now eligible to be promoted to the rank of Cadet 2nd Lieutenant. To complete the program and achieve this milestone, Cadet Travis had to excel in different trainings and leadership classes. He then went before a Promotion Review Board of his peers who acknowledged his achievements and awarded him this recognition. This is quite an honor as only a few distinguished cadets nationwide achieve this status.

At a young age Cadet Travis has shown an admirable commitment to serve our country and I am very thankful for patriots like him who will lead the future generation of airmen. It is my pleasure to recognize his efforts and achievements before the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, President Obama and the administration have taken the uber-Presidency to a whole new level.

Time and time again, we have seen President Obama stretch the constitutional limits of the office. When President Obama simply disagrees with a law, he just ignores it. Mr. Speaker, no person is above the law.

The House of Representatives is committed to living by the Constitution and holding the administration accountable. The ENFORCE Act will give Congress the ability to bring a lawsuit against the President for failing to execute our laws.

The Faithful Execution of the Law Act will require any Federal official who is not enforcing a Federal law to report to Congress on the reason for nonenforcement. Mr. Speaker, the ENFORCE Act and the Faithful Execution of the Law Act uphold the Constitution.

These bills send a clear message that no one is above the law, and we will not have the Constitution be disregarded.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sharon Jones, who has been a valuable asset to Cape Girardeau County for over 28 years through her work with the Cape Girardeau County Sheriffs Office in the Communications Division. Sharon has shown her dedication and commitment to her profession by attending many hours of training on Missouri laws, supervisory training, 9-1-1 communications training and countless hours of continuing education. Sharon worked as a supervisor of the 9-1-1 emergency communications call center, answering emergency calls, as well as serving as the TAC officer for Cape Girardeau County Sheriffs Office for many years. Sharon personally implemented a number of important programs for the community, such as the Sex Offender Registration for Cape Girardeau County and the Carry Conceal Weapon program.

During her years of service, Sharon oversaw and maintained high standards for the 9-1-1 communications division for the protection of our officers and our citizens. Her community recognized her in 2001 with the Timothy J. Ruopp Award. Her dedication in serving Cape Girardeau helped countless residents, and it is my pleasure to recognize her efforts and achievements before the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Clan ``Bud'' Proffer who has been a valuable asset to Cape Girardeau County for over 32 years through his dedication and work with the Sheriff's Office in the Patrol Division, as Captain of Field Operations. Bud has shown his commitment to law enforcement by attending many hours of training on Missouri laws, crime investigations, supervisory training, reporting crimes, and countless hours of continuing education. He was appointed to the Cape Girardeau/Bollinger County Major Case Squad in 1983. Bud has served the community and his fellow employees as the Captain of the Field Operations Division for over 27 years.

Bud has shown dedication and commitment to his profession by leading the Sheriff's Office in their endeavor to automate the operations of the Sheriff's Office by obtaining, installing and maintaining computer programs, software and equipment to keep the Sheriff's Office automated for over 25 years. Over the years, Bud has received numerous awards such as the Timothy J. Ruopp Award for Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer in 1987 and again in 2012.

It is with the utmost respect and deepest gratitude that I recognize and thank Bud Proffer for his many years of service to the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office. I wish him health and happiness in his future endeavors and in his retirement. I am grateful that we have such caring members of the Cape Girardeau community; it is my pleasure to recognize his achievements before the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Stanley ``Scott'' Anderson, who has been a valuable asset to the Cape Girardeau County for over 29 years through his work with the Sheriff's Office as the Maintenance Supervisor. Scott has shown his commitment to the Sheriff's Office by working 29 years on the day-to-day maintenance operations such as vehicle maintenance, equipment maintenance and by learning new advanced information systems to secure the continued operations of the heating/cooling systems of the two-building complex of the Sheriff's Office and Jail. By taking care of inventory, ordering, stocking and securing the most economical solutions for supplies, he enabled the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff's Office. Scott has always upheld a professional standard when working with the public, fellow employees, outside agencies and office holders. Scott always provided jokes and stories to anyone that would listen and kept the work day lively.

It is with sincere respect and deep appreciation that I recognize and thank Scott for his loyalty and many years of dedicated commitment to Cape Girardeau County and the Sheriff's Office. I wish him health and happiness in his future endeavors and in his retirement. He will be truly missed. I am grateful that we have such caring, hardworking members of the Cape Girardeau community; it is my pleasure to recognize his achievements before the House of Representatives.

Madam Chairwoman, I am proud to stand here with my colleagues today in support of H.R. 3189, the Water Rights Protection Act. With the drought going on in California, and the Federal Government strong-arming private property owners into giving up their water rights, I am afraid that some of my colleagues may think that the Federal confiscation and mismanagement of water resources only affects the West.

Let me tell you, this issue of the Federal Government intruding on private property and water rights is not just limited to the West. In my district in southeast Missouri, time and time again, ill-thought Federal policy has threatened, and will continue, unfortunately, to threaten, private landowners.

In my now 9 months and 8 days in Congress, we have already had to fight back Federal attempts to restrict citizens in my district from using water.

The Department of the Interior tried to create restrictive ``buffer zones'' as a part of the National Blueway System that would have taken away private property rights. Fortunately, we got this program stopped. While the legal framework for water rights is different in the West, this administration's disregard for private landowners applies everywhere.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill to protect water rights not only because it will protect holders of water rights in Western States, but also because it sends a strong, direct message that Congress is tired of these schemes to administratively take away private property rights.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th Anniversary of the National Cooperative Extension Service. The Smith- Lever Act of 1914 created this educational partnership which began between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the nation's land-grant universities. The Cooperative Extension Service grants state universities funds to produce significant research which is available for the use of the public across the nation. In addition, research based education programs have improved the lives of many through the advancements made in farming, business, health services, and emergency management.

In the Show-Me State, the Missouri Extension Services have been fundamental to community development. Nearly seventy percent of Missouri's taxpayer funded research is produced by the land grant universities. This information is used to enhance vital industries like agriculture, business, and healthcare. The state of Missouri has benefitted immensely through the active role of the Extension programs which equip our communities with vital information and educational programs.

For the advances made possible in Missouri and across the nation by the Cooperative Extension Service, it is my pleasure to recognize the 100th Anniversary of the National Cooperative Extensions in the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Ernest T. Nordman of Cape Girardeau, Missouri for his outstanding achievements and exemplary years of service to our Nation.

Captain Nordman is being awarded the prestigious Manion Award for Officer Logistician of the Year. The award is named after 1st Lieutenant Travis Manion, a Marine logistician who was killed by enemy sniper fire in Iraq in 2007. This award honors outstanding leadership skills, exemplary actions and overall conduct. I would like to congratulate Captain Nordman for this distinguished achievement and his honorable service. I am tremendously grateful for the dedicated men and women who have dutifully served our country, and among them leaders such as Captain Nordman who have risen as admirable leaders. It is my pleasure to recognize his achievements before the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Norm Harty, who nearly 50 years ago pioneered the technique of using dynamite to clean the inside of a power plant boiler, in order to remove slag deposit. Power plants burning any type of fuel, except natural gas, eventually build ash that creates slag deposits on the tubes running through boilers. This build up can create inefficiency in the operation of a power plant, requiring more fuel to be used to reach the same output a clean boiler could produce, not to mention being a safety hazard as well. The advances Norm and his company helped create in boiler cleaning technology have made their mark.

In 1964 Norm started his own business, N. B. Harty, and hired his first employee. Now 50 years and more than 4,500 jobs later Harty is still running his company which is regarded as the number one explosive cleaning company in the world. Norm has done business in all 50 states in the United States and in Canada, Mexico and Korea.

In addition to his business achievements, Norm and his late wife Billie, have contributed much to their community of Dexter, Missouri.

For the advances Norm and his company helped create in boiler cleaning technology, and his many other contributions to the community, it is my pleasure to recognize his efforts and achievements before the House of Representatives.