Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, due to attending the President's Bill Signing Ceremony of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, I missed the following rollcall votes: No. 77 and No. 78 on February 12, 2015. If present, I would have voted: rollcall No. 77-- On Ordering the Previous Question, ``aye,'' rollcall vote No. 78--H. Res. 101--The rule providing for consideration of both H.R. 644-- Fighting Hunger Incentive Act of 2015, and H.R. 636--America's Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2015, ``aye.''

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise to recognize the life and legacy of Northwest Florida's beloved Sue Pardue. For decades, Sue was a leader and integral part of the Northwest Florida community, and she will be missed by all who were fortunate to know her.

Sue married her loving husband of more than 42 years, Alvin, in 1972, before moving to Pace, Florida, where they started a family and became an integral part of the Pace community. While raising her five children, Sue also took steps to further her education, receiving bachelor's, master's, and PhD degrees from the University of West Florida. Sue used her education and kind-hearted nature serving as a counselor at many institutions in Northwest Florida, including Pace Assembly Ministries, Santa Rosa Correctional Institute, and Pensacola Family Care for Youth, amongst many others.

While raising a family and working as a counselor, Sue also took an active role in many community organizations helping to serve the community that she loved. Sue was deeply devoted to serving the Lord, and she served for many years as head of the Children's Ministries at Pace Assembly of God and the Women's Ministries at Pensacola First Assembly of God, while also holding a position on the church's board. In addition to her service at her church, Sue was deeply involved in many other organizations, including: Concerned Citizens for Gifted Children, Crisis Line Counseling, RSVP Advisory Board, Red Cross, Advisory Board for Children's Home, Advisory Board for Guardian Ad Litem, Pace Water System, Family Promise, Pregnancy Resource Center, and Santa Rosa County Bond Review Board.

To some, Sue will be remembered as a devoted servant of Jesus Christ, working tirelessly to spread His word at her church and throughout Northwest Florida. To others she will be remembered as a highly educated, hard-working, and dedicated counselor. To her family and friends, she will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

On behalf of the United States Congress, my wife Vicki and I send our deepest condolences and prayers to Sue's husband, Alvin; her children, Donna, Deniece, Brian, Edwin, and Calvin; her seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and the entire Pardue family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Northwest Florida's Janis K. Simmons upon the occasion of her retirement from the Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), Santa Rosa County Extension Office, after more than thirty-two years of dedicated service.

A lifelong resident of Florida's First Congressional District, Mrs. Simmons was born to Easter and Bennie Harris and was raised in Chumuckla, Florida. After graduating from Chumuckla High School, she attended Pensacola Junior College and began working for her father's business, Harris Masonry. After gaining valuable experience at Harris Masonry, Mrs. Simmons and her husband, Bobby, established Simmons Masonry, which they successfully operated for ten years.

In 1982, the IFAS Santa Rosa County Extension Office welcomed Mrs. Simmons to its team. Mrs. Simmons served as the Jay Office Secretary for nearly thirty-three years and assisted the office in a myriad of ways. Throughout her career, whether it was through her work with the Santa Rosa Pest Management Association, her assistance with local farmers in processing their applications, bookkeeping, providing financial management, or maintaining permit files and regulations, her diligence never wavered, and she proved to be an invaluable asset to the Santa Rosa County Extension Service.

IFAS employees will forever remember Mrs. Simmons for her willingness to help others and her famous spaghetti meals. As she leaves behind a career that has touched the lives of thousands in Northwest Florida, Mrs. Simmons looks forward to continuing to serve her church, Ebenezer Church, in a greater capacity, gardening, and most of all, spending time with her grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to congratulate Janis K. Simmons on her retirement and thank her for her service to Northwest Florida. My wife Vicki and I wish her and her husband, Bobby; sons, Steven and Dale; and grandchildren, Lela, Brayden, and Makenna all the best.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Dale Patterson, Pastor of East Brent Baptist Church, upon the occasion of his retirement after 33 years at East Brent Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida, and for more than 50 years of ministry.

Pastor Patterson is a native of Sumrall, Mississippi, and he started his long and distinguished career in the ministry in Mississippi, where he served congregations in Hattiesburg, Mendenall, Shuqualak, and Picayune, while also pursuing his education at Mississippi College, William Carey College, Mississippi State University, and the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he received his master's and doctoral degrees.

In 1981, Pastor Patterson and his family moved to Northwest Florida, where he took the important position of Pastor of East Brent Baptist Church. During his three-plus decades in Northwest Florida, Pastor Patterson became a staple of the community, leading his ministry based on a simple plan to minister to those within the church, while also reaching out to spread the Gospel to all the members of the community in need of the Lord's guidance.

Under Pastor Patterson's leadership, and with the grace of God, East Brent Baptist Church has grown significantly over the past decades. Pastor Patterson supervised the purchase of property surrounding East Brent Baptist Church to expand the grounds and facilitate the construction of many new facilities, including the Family Life Center, the Worship Center, the G Building--used to house various events from Sunday School classes to GED classes and weddings--as well as the reutilization of existing property to provide recreational opportunities for children in the church community. In addition, during his tenure, East Brent Baptist launched Care Ministries, Inc. to help further spread the word of Jesus Christ far and wide.

There is no question that Pastor Patterson's record of leadership and accomplishments at East Brent Baptist are myriad; however, he has also served in important leadership positions throughout the state and in the larger Southern Baptist Community. During his time in ministry, Pastor Patterson has served as President of the Associational Pastor's Conference, Moderator of Association and has served on State Board of Missions for Florida Baptist Convention. Pastor Patterson has also held the chairmanship of various committees, including: the Evangelism Committee, Mission's Committee, Sunday School Committee, Program Committee, State Order of Business, State Nomination Committee, State Loans and Grants Committee, Budget and Allocations Committee, and the Health and Hope Committee.

Pastor Patterson's many accomplishments, however, are only a small window into the exceptional work that he has done serving the Lord and the congregation of East Brent Baptist Church, and his many successes in life are a testament to what can be achieved through faith and adherence to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, my wife Vicki and I wish Pastor Patterson, his wife Louise, and the entire Patterson family all the best as Pastor Patterson enjoys his retirement years spending time with his family and the many friends he has made throughout the Northwest Florida community.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 203) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for the conduct of annual evaluations of mental health care and suicide prevention programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to require a pilot program on loan repayment for psychiatrists who agree to serve in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in proud support of H.R. 203, the Clay Hunt SAV Act. This bill was introduced by my good friend and a very important member of the Veterans Affairs' Committee, Congressman Tim Walz from Minnesota. I am honored to join him and Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth from Illinois as an original cosponsor of this legislation. I am also grateful for the support of several of our military veterans' service organizations, including the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the Military Officers Association of America, and the Wounded Warrior Project.

H.R. 203 is named after a true American hero, Clay Hunt. Clay was a Marine Corps veteran who served honorably in both Afghanistan and Iraq, where he was wounded in battle. Clay returned home grappling with posttraumatic stress disorder but refused to let his personal struggles prevent him from devoting his time to humanitarian work and advocacy on behalf of his fellow veterans. However, in March of 2011, at just 28 years of age, Clay took his own life.

With an average of 22 veterans committing suicide each day, Clay was far from alone in his pain, and his family and friends are far from alone in their heartbreak over his loss. The last several years have seen significant increases in the Department of Veterans Affairs' mental health and suicide prevention budget, staff, and programs; however, we have not seen a corresponding decrease in the number of our Nation's heroes who take their own lives. What is more, for some groups of veterans, including female veterans and veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, suicide rates are actually getting worse.

Mr. Speaker, we have got to do more to help these veterans access the supportive services and mental health care that they need to save their lives. With the passage of H.R. 203, we will.

To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of VA programs and increase awareness of available services, H.R. 203 would require an annual third-party evaluation of VA's mental health care and suicide prevention programs and require that VA publish an interactive Web site to serve as a central source of information regarding VA mental health services.

To increase VA's capacity to meet the mental health care needs of our veterans, it would establish a pilot program that would repay education loans for individuals who have received a degree in psychiatric medicine and who agree to work at the VA for at least 2 years.

To create a seamless transition from Active Duty to veteran status and increased community support for those in need, it would establish another pilot program to assist veterans during transition and require VA to collaborate with nonprofit mental health organizations in the community.

Importantly, H.R. 203 would extend an additional 1 year of eligibility for VA health care services for certain combat veterans who have not yet enrolled and whose 5-year combat eligibility period recently expired.

Before I yield, I want to take a moment to once again express my condolences to Clay's family and friends as well as the families and friends of our honored veterans who have lost their lives to suicide. I want to offer them my personal commitment to continue the aggressive pursuit to end veteran suicide.

The passage of this bill today is just the first in what will be a continuing series of legislative and oversight efforts that our committee is going to undertake throughout the 114th Congress to improve access to mental health care for veterans in need, increase the efficiency and effectiveness of VA's mental health and suicide prevention programs, and increase meaningful partnerships with community providers who are often the first line of defense for their struggling veterans and the families of those veterans.

This bill, which passed the House last Congress, will not single- handedly halt the scourge of veteran suicide, but it is an important step, and it is a step that we owe Clay and those like him who desperately need and certainly deserve our help.

With that, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 203.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the new ranking member for her words. I look forward to working with her on legislation in the future.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from the Second District of Indiana, from Elkhart, Indiana (Mrs. Walorski).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from the Sixth District of Pennsylvania (Mr. Costello), a new member of the committee, who, in his first week, has already jumped in with both feet. Mr. Costello has been to my office and started looking closely at the oversight agenda that we have.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire of the ranking member how many speakers she has left.

We have no additional speakers either, so we are prepared to close.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I appreciate the comments from both sides of the aisle, and I look forward to working with all of our colleagues on future issues as they relate to the Department of Veterans Affairs and, in particular, the SAV Act.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I rise today to recognize the life and service of my friend, Northwest Florida's beloved Charles Hutton ``Bull'' Rigdon, Jr. Throughout his long and distinguished life, Bull was a devoted family man, a patriotic veteran and civil servant, committed civic leader, an exceptional elected official, and a great friend. The entire Northwest Florida community mourns the passing of a truly remarkable man.

Bull Rigdon was born in Portland, Florida on September 29, 1929, and he spent the majority of his childhood years growing up in beautiful Northwest Florida. A true patriot, Bull served with honor and distinction in the United States Army, where he served in both World War II and the Korean War. After leaving the Armed Forces, Bull continued his service to our Nation as a civil engineer working at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Thanks to his hard-work and commitment to excellence, Bull's 43-year career as a civil servant at Eglin Air Force Base was marked with wide-spread success and acclaim.

Both during and after his extremely successful civil service career, Bull was also deeply involved as a leader in Northwest Florida's civic society. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as a church elder, as well as a Mason and Shriner, serving as Past Potentate of Hadji Temple and Master Mason of Alpha Lodge #172. In these capacities, he helped touch the lives of countless individuals in Northwest Florida, and he served as a true example of selfless community service.

Bull was also a dedicated local official, serving for decades in various electoral capacities. In 1964, he won a seat on the Fort Walton Beach City Council, where he served until 1981. During this stint on the City Council, Bull also served numerous times as Mayor Pro-Tem of Fort Walton Beach. Bull rejoined the City Council briefly in 1985, when he was asked to fill a temporary vacancy, before returning to the City Council full time in 2010, where he continued to serve the people of Fort Walton Beach until his passing.

In addition to his exceptional service on the City Council, Bull also served for three decades on the Okaloosa County Gas Board, representing the people of Okaloosa County. He played an integral role helping to attract businesses and promote economic development in Northwest Florida, as evidenced by his election to serve as the first Chairman of the West Florida Regional Planning Council, as well as his service on the Tourist Development Council Board. On top of these impressive civic duties, Bull also served as CEO of the Northwest Florida Fair until his death. In recognition of his impressive leadership and dedication, the Fort Walton Beach City Council voted in 2009 to name the fairgrounds in his honor.

To some, Bull Rigdon will be remembered as a patriot, who answered the call to serve this great Nation with honor and distinction, first in the Armed Forces and then for more than four decades of exceptional civil service at Eglin Air Force Base. To others, he will be remembered as a man of great faith, who took on important positions at his church, and as a long-time elected official who went above and beyond the call of duty to serve the residents of the community that he called home. To his family and those of us who were fortunate enough to get to know him, Bull will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to recognize the life and legacy of Charles Hutton ``Bull'' Rigdon, Jr. My wife, Vicki, and I extend our deepest prayers and condolences to his wife Helen Hunt Rigdon; children, Karen Rigdon Hughes and Charles William Rigdon; grandchildren Charles William Lamkin, Lauren Ashley Rigdon, Blake William Rigdon and Montana Dodson; sister, Ouida Rigdon Miller; stepson, Michael B. Dodson; and the entire Rigdon family.

Mr. Speaker, due to attending the funeral of the Honorable Charles Hutton ``Bull'' Rigdon, Jr., Fort Walton Beach City Council, I missed the following rollcall votes: Nos. 554 through 560 on December 10, 2014. If present, I would have voted: rollcall vote No. 554--H. Res. 775, On Agreeing to the Resolution Providing for consideration of S. 2244, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2014; and for other purposes, ``aye;'' rollcall vote No. 555--S. 1000, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass the Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act of 2014, ``aye;'' rollcall No. 556--On Approving the Journal, ``nay;'' rollcall vote No. 557--On Passage of S. 2244--To extend the termination date of the Terrorism Insurance Program established under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, and for other purposes, ``aye;'' rollcall vote No. 558--Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 4681--Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015, ``aye;'' rollcall vote No. 559--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2719--To

require the Transportation Security Administration to implement best practices and improve transparency with regard to technology acquisition programs, and for other purposes, ``aye;'' rollcall vote No. 560--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1204--To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to establish an Aviation Security Advisory Committee, and for other purposes, ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5059) to direct the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for the conduct of annual evaluations of mental health care and suicide prevention programs of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, to review the terms or characterization of the discharge or separation of certain individuals from the Armed Forces, to require a pilot program on loan repayment for psychiatrists who agree to serve in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 5059, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in proud support of H.R. 5059, as amended, the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act.

In July, amidst the largest scandal--an accountability scandal--the Department of Veterans Affairs has ever faced, the committee heard testimony from three mothers whose sons had lost their lives to suicide following their service in our military.

One of those mothers was Susan Selke, the mother of Clay Hunt. Clay was a Marine Corps combat veteran who served honorably in both Afghanistan and Iraq, where he was wounded in battle.

Despite suffering from post-traumatic stress upon his separation, Clay devoted himself to humanitarian work and advocated on behalf of his fellow veterans.

Nevertheless, in March of 2011, Clay took his own life at the age of 28. Tragically, Clay was far from alone in his struggle, and his family and friends are far from alone in their heartbreak.

On average, 22 of our Nation's heroes commit suicide each day, in spite of significant increases in VA's mental health and suicide prevention budget, staff, and programs over the last several years.

What is more, for some groups of veterans, including female veterans and veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, suicide rates are actually getting worse.

Mr. Speaker, we must do more to help these veterans. With the passage of H.R. 5059, as amended, which is named in Clay's memory, I think we will. The Clay Hunt SAV Act will help struggling veterans access the supportive services and mental health care they need to, hopefully, save their lives.

To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of VA programs and increase awareness of available services, the bill would require an annual third-party evaluation of VA's mental health care and suicide prevention programs, and it would require that VA publish an interactive Web site to serve as the central source of information regarding VA mental health services.

To increase VA's capacity to meet the mental health care needs of our veterans, it would establish a pilot program to repay education loans for individuals who have received a degree in psychiatric medicine and who agree to work at VA for at least 2 years.

To create a seamless transition from Active Duty to veteran status and increase community support for those in need, it would establish a pilot program to assist veterans during transition and require VA to collaborate with nonprofit mental health organizations in their communities.

Importantly, the bill would also extend an additional 1 year of eligibility for VA health care services for certain combat veterans who have not yet enrolled and whose 5-year combat eligibility period recently expired.

Congressman Walz from Minnesota introduced the bill, along with me and Congresswoman Duckworth from Illinois. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to both of them for their service to our Nation in their uniform and in this Congress.

I am proud to say that this bill has the support of numerous groups of veteran service organizations, including Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the Military Officers Association of America, and the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Clay Hunt SAV Act will not singlehandedly halt the scourge of suicide. The problems the VA health care system faces, and the mental health wounds of war that our veterans face, are far too deep for any single solution to resolve. But it is an important first step, and it is a step that we owe Clay and those like him who returned home from honorable service troubled in mind and in need of help.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5059, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from the First District of Michigan (Mr. Benishek), who is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Health.

Mr. Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from the Second District of Indiana (Mrs. Walorski), who is a stalwart supporter of veterans in her district and who has a great future ahead in veteran issues.

I now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from the great State of Florida (Mr. Jolly), a colleague of mine and a fine member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

We have one more speaker before I close.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from the Sixth District of Illinois (Mr. Roskam), a gentleman who does not serve on the committee with us but who has a very keen interest in veterans affairs issues.

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

I would be remiss if I did not say thank you to the gentleman from Maine, Mike Michaud. As the ranking member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, we, as a team, along with the members and the staff, have accomplished much this year, but it has all been done in a bipartisan way. We were able to move large pieces of legislation that will impact, in a positive way, veterans for years to come.

We uncovered probably the largest scandal that has ever been uncovered at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and we are now turning that agency in a direction to where it serves the veterans and not itself.

This wouldn't have happened without the steady hand of the gentleman from Maine, Mike Michaud, as the ranking member. Again, he is a fine man. He has been a great Representative, and he is a friend that will be missed. I look forward to going to Maine one day and hunting moose with Mike, whom I have pestered for 12 years to get a chance to go up and visit. But we will miss him, and we wish him well.

And with that, I want to take a moment to express my condolences and my appreciation to Clay's family, whom I understand are in the Capitol with us today, as well as to all the families of veterans who have lost their lives to suicide. My thoughts and my prayers are with each of them.

Once again, I encourage all the Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to recognize Mr. John Hutchinson upon the occasion of his retirement from Gulf Power Company, a Southern Company, as the Director of Community and Economic Development. For more than two decades, Mr. Hutchinson has served the Northwest Florida community, and I am pleased to honor his achievements.

A graduate of Louisiana State University, Mr. Hutchinson held various roles throughout his career in the utility industry, which spanned 32 years, and included Mississippi and Southern Company Services. As part of Gulf Power, he worked tirelessly with local, regional, and state economic development organizations to help grow the company into what it is today. Without question, when one looks at the success of Gulf Power, one does not have to look too far to learn of the impact Mr. Hutchinson has made on the company.

Through his dedicated efforts, Mr. Hutchinson helped bolster the company's job creation, strengthen community relationships and support charitable and civic programs. As Director of Corporate Communications for 22 years, Mr. Hutchinson ensured that Gulf Power stayed connected with the community that it served. His unwavering commitment was particularly important during some of the most challenging times, including Hurricane Ivan, which devastated the Gulf Coast, and, in 2009, he was recognized for his success when he was named the Communicator of the Year by the Florida Public Relations Association.

In addition to serving the needs of Gulf Power's consumers, Mr. Hutchinson helped promote economic growth and opportunity for Northwest Floridians through his work with Enterprise Florida and Florida's Great Northwest, where he worked with economic development organizations to help bring new businesses to the area and help local businesses expand and hire new employees.

In addition to his myriad professional accomplishments, Mr. Hutchinson also serves an integral role in the success of the Gulf Coast's civic community through his leadership and volunteer work. Mr. Hutchinson currently serves as the Community Economic Development Association President, Chairman of the University of West Florida Foundation, and he is a member of the executive committee for Florida's Great Northwest. As a result of his work in the community, Mr. Hutchinson has achieved numerous awards, including the Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce's Community Leader of the Year, as well as its Volunteer of the Year.

On behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to recognize Mr. John Hutchinson for his achievements and service to the Gulf Coast community. My wife Vicki and I wish John and his wife Nancy all the best in his retirement.

I thank the gentleman from North Carolina for yielding the time. I also want to thank Chairman Goodlatte and the ranking member for speeding this through the Judiciary Committee.

I rise in support of this piece of legislation, which is a simple bill, Mr. Speaker, designated to update the congressional charter of the VFW to reflect today's active duty and veteran population by changing, as we have already heard, the word ``men'' to ``veterans'' and the word ``widows'' to ``surviving spouses.''

Women veterans have in fact been eligible as members of the VFW since 1978, but like many things, it sometimes takes a little time for paperwork to catch up. I think VFW Commander in Chief John Stroud said it best in describing why they have requested this change:

We are not changing our congressional charter because it's

politically correct. We're changing it because being an

eligible veteran is what's important to our great

organization, not one's gender, and changing ``widows'' to

``surviving spouses'' is more representative of today's

military.

Women do in fact comprise over 16 percent of today's military force, and obviously, that means that they are making up an ever-increasing share of America's 22 million veterans as they return to civilian life.

I ask my colleagues to join Chairman Goodlatte, Ms. Lofgren, and myself in supporting H.R. 5441.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to commemorate the life and dedicated service of Crestview, Florida's beloved Mr. Samuel A. Allen, who passed away on November 5, 2014. Mr. Allen was a veteran, inspirational teacher, committed public servant, and loving family man. The entire Northwest Florida community mourns the loss of a great and compassionate individual.

Mr. Allen was born on November 4, 1921, in Tallahassee, Florida, to the late Samuel and Aljonia Allen, who instilled in him the teachings of Jesus Christ at an early age. As a young adult, Mr. Allen honorably served our Nation as a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946 before ``discharging from the military and [falling] head over heels in love with a beautiful girl in Texas,'' as he would say. He married his beautiful girl, the late Caroline J. Barker, on June 5, 1946.

Mr. Allen enjoyed a long and successful career as an educator. He taught in the Okaloosa County School district for 34 years at Charles Drew High School in Baker, Florida, and at Carver Hill High School and Richbourg Junior High School in Crestview, Florida, until he retired in 1983. Mr. Allen's pride in his teaching was extremely evident by the impression he left on others. In addition to his exceptional work in the classroom, Mr. Allen was also a leader in Northwest Florida's civic society, and on November 4, 1968, Mr. Allen became the first African- American elected as a councilman to the Crestview City Council, on which he served for 11 years.

In addition to his successful career and selfless leadership in the Northwest Florida community, Mr. Allen was also a member of Lebanon Baptist Church of Baker, a member of their Trustee Board, a Sunday School Superintendent-Teacher and Student, the transportation chairperson, and was active in the Progressive District of West Florida Association. From his humble beginnings, Mr. Allen achieved tremendous success throughout his lifetime, and his commitment to service never wavered. To some, Mr. Allen will be remembered as a man of integrity who devoted his life to public service and the shaping of the youth of Northwest Florida. To his family and friends, he will always be remembered for his loving and caring demeanor, and his dedication to his family.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it is a privilege for me to honor the life and dedicated service of Mr. Samuel A. Allen. My wife Vicki and I extend our prayers and sincere condolences to his son, Samuel Jr; his daughter, Aljonia; five grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; and the entire Allen family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Collinsworth family of Westville, Florida, for being selected as the 2014 Walton County Farm Family of the Year.

The Collinsworth family traces its Northwest Florida roots to 1894, where their ancestors settled near the small community of Gaskin, Florida. Today, about 25 miles southeast of Gaskin, the Collinsworth family farm, owned by Bobby and Hazel Collinsworth, comprises three generations of farmers, including their son-in-law and grandchildren of the Currid family, each of whom play an integral role in the family's farming operations.

Since 1924, Bobby and Hazel Collinsworth have worked tirelessly to cultivate their farm to the successful operation it is today. What originally produced corn, soybeans, cotton, peanuts and consisted of hogs and cattle has flourished into 320 acres owned and 240 acres leased to raise 129 crossbred cows and 16 registered Simmental cows.

Mr. Speaker, our great Nation was built by farmers and their families. The Walton County Farm Family of the Year Award is a true reflection of the Collinsworth's family dedication to family and farming and their shared passion for ranching and caring for the land for future generations to come. On behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to offer my congratulations to the Collinsworth family for being outstanding in their field. My wife Vicki and I extend our best wishes for their continued success.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Ms. Susan Cundiff as the Hurlburt Air Force Association (AFA) Chapter 398 High School Teacher of the Year for 2014. Ms. Cundiff was among three educators selected throughout Northwest Florida for her inspiring efforts to bolster her students' interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, and I am pleased to honor her outstanding achievements.

Ms. Cundiff joins the ranks of teachers previously bestowed this honor for her more than three decades of service as an educator at Gulf Breeze High School and her service to the Gulf Coast community. Since 1983, she

has witnessed and has played an integral role in the growth of some of the finest minds of our Nation's youth. Through her passion for teaching, which has helped spark her students' sense of wonder and interest in the world around them, Ms. Cundiff's contributions to producing the next generation of active participants in our society, and perhaps future scientists and engineers, cannot be overstated.

Her tireless efforts and innovative techniques have brought unique hands-on learning opportunities into the classroom. As a result of this practical learning, her students gain a working knowledge of wireless computer integration and electronics construction. Today, her students can also be found researching, building, wiring, programming and testing robots on a specified task.

Her dedication to the community, however, is not confined within the classroom. Ms. Cundiff is active in Hurlburt AFA Chapter's aerospace educational programs, devoting her time and energy to assist in planning and organizing events. She also utilizes her considerable experience and success in the classroom to assist in the professional development of other educators throughout the area at the Chapter's Teacher Workshops, sharing best practices and stimulating lessons that can be brought back to their respective classrooms.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Ms. Cundiff on this well- earned achievement of Hurlburt Air Force Association Chapter 398 High School Teacher of the Year for 2014 and thank her for her commitment to service and dedication to the Northwest Florida community. My wife Vicki joins me in wishing Ms. Cundiff all the best for continued success.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Ms. Penny Moore as the Hurlburt Air Force Association Chapter 398 Middle School Teacher of the Year for 2014. Ms. Moore was among three educators selected throughout Northwest Florida for her inspiring efforts to bolster her students' interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, and I am pleased to honor her outstanding achievements.

The never-ending yearning to help others is the foundation on which Ms. Moore has built her success as an educator. Prior to moving to Northwest Florida, Ms. Moore worked as a special needs teacher inspiring students at Churchill Academy in Montgomery, Alabama. She has since spent the last decade of her professional career teaching at Avalon Middle School in Milton, Florida. Her willingness and constant ability to adapt to the ever-changing needs of her students is a challenge that Ms. Moore embraces and is furthermore evidence of her passion to mold and enlighten the minds of our Nation's youth.

While she holds high expectations for her students and works diligently with them to master theory and practice, she also inspires and motivates her students to rise to the occasion and put theory into practice. Under her leadership and guidance as the school's science, technology, engineering, activity and math (STEAM) team, nearly 100 students from all grade levels have competed in boosting engineering, science, and technology (BEST) robotics competitions and the Science Olympiad and have represented Northwest Florida at state and national competitions. Furthermore, Ms. Moore recognizes the importance for her students to experience science and technology outside of the classroom and affords them the unique opportunity to visit the Flight Adventure Deck and the National Naval Aviation Museum aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, where students complete preparatory lessons and apply their knowledge of what they have learned through hands-on activities at the Adventure Deck.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Ms. Moore on this well- earned achievement of Hurlburt Air Force Association Chapter 398 Middle School Teacher of the Year for 2014 and thank her for her commitment to service and dedication to the Northwest Florida community. My wife Vicki joins me in wishing Ms. Moore all the best for continued success.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Ms. Sarah Mason as the Hurlburt Air Force Association Chapter 398 Elementary School and the esteemed Overall Teacher of the Year for 2014. Ms. Mason was among three educators selected throughout Northwest Florida for her inspiring efforts to bolster her students' interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, and I am pleased to honor her outstanding achievements.

Though Ms. Mason has been teaching for ten years, she was keenly aware of her passion for putting others before herself long before she stepped foot in a classroom as an educator. Her teaching aspirations took flight in high school, when she joined the Gold Seal Quality Care program her junior year, which afforded her the opportunity to inspire the young minds of local elementary school students. Ms. Mason built on this positive experience and pursued a Bachelor of Education at the University of West Florida. She has spent the last seven years of her decade of teaching at Blue Angels Elementary School in Pensacola, Florida.

Ms. Mason credits her family for igniting in her curiosity and passion for science, which indirectly led to the chemical reaction rocket experiments in her backyard as a child that have helped her cultivate tomorrow's scientists and engineers as an adult. She brings science to life in her classroom through hands-on activities, like the pegboard ``engineering wall'' that allows students to engineer their own creations using pegs, rubber bands, and pipes and the building and analyzing of marble roller coasters to understand mathematical, scientific and engineering concepts through real world applications.

Ms. Mason also welcomes the latest technology in her classroom, including iPads loaded with STEM applications that stimulate student interest in outer space through the engineering of models of irregular galaxies and discovering the complex motions of the planets of our solar system, as well as constructing motors. In addition, Northwest Florida is home to some of the world's finest engineers, and Ms. Mason has partnered with Gulf Power Company making it possible for her students to engage its engineers in the developing of their classroom robots.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Ms. Mason on this well- earned achievement of Hurlburt Air Force Association Chapter 398 Elementary School and the esteemed Overall Teacher of the Year for 2014 and thank her for her commitment to service and dedication to the Northwest Florida community. My wife Vicki joins me in wishing Ms. Mason all the best for continued success.