Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it is an honor for me to rise today to recognize the life and service of Northwest Florida's beloved Wendell Griffith.

For nearly 25 years, Wendell Griffith was a constant presence on the campus of Northwest Florida State College. As a professor of United States and World History, Mr. Griffith

had a unique personal teaching style that inspired his students to engage with history and learn invaluable life lessons. A true patriot, Mr. Griffith served his country honorably in the United States Marine Corps and his reverence for our Constitution guided both his service to our nation and the community.

Mr. Griffith was remembered by students and colleagues alike as a truly world class story teller. By framing historical events in this unique context, he was able to reach thousands of students and instill in them a true and full appreciation of history and of the importance of historical events and documents. Mr. Griffith was also an ardent follower of politics, and he bestowed upon his students an appreciation for the importance of participating in American democracy.

Mr. Griffith was also a loving and committed husband, father and friend. He is survived by his wife, Sara Lynn, his three sons, Edward, Brett and Lucas, his two grandchildren, Nathan and James, and scores of friends, colleagues and students. To some, Wendell Griffith will be remembered as an inspiring teacher, to others as a true American patriot. To his family and friends, he will be remembered as a loyal and caring family man.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it gives me great pride to honor the life of Wendell Griffith. My wife Vicki joins me in extending our most sincere condolences to the entire Griffith family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Mr. Willie J. O'Neal who passed on June 12, 2012 at the age of 74. Mr. O'Neal, known to his family and friends as ``Deacon Bill,'' was an esteemed member of the Northwest Florida community, a proud veteran, and a dedicated servant of God. I am humbled to commemorate his life.

Born in 1937, Deacon Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force, retiring at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. Upon retirement from the Air Force, he continued to serve his country in the civil service. Earlier this month, Deacon Bill celebrated his 20th year as a deacon at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Niceville, Florida. He spent his days as a fixture at the Eglin Air Force Base Exchange (BX) ministering to countless people from his favorite booth at the BX Starbucks. Deacon Bill was a mentor to some, a minister to many, and a friend to all.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize the life and dedicated service of Willie J. ``Deacon Bill'' O'Neal. My wife Vicki and I offer our prayers for his children, Monica, Steven, and Mark, five grandchildren, Melony, Ethan, Clare, Grace and Matthew, and their entire family. He will truly be missed by all of us throughout the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to the life of Mr. John H. Davis of Bagdad, Florida who passed away on June 9, 2012. Mr. Davis was a beloved member of the Northwest Florida community, a proud veteran, and a dedicated public servant. I am humbled to commemorate his life.

Born in 1938, John Davis grew up in the close-knit community of Bagdad. He attended the Sewanee Military Academy in Tennessee and later studied at both Florida State University and the University of Alabama. Mr. Davis honorably served a tour of duty in the United States Army, deploying to Germany and France, before returning to Bagdad. He joined Phillip R. Jones and Associates as a mechanical engineer and was the last remaining partner in the firm now known as PRJ Associates LLC.

Outside of his professional life as an engineer, Mr. Davis was a true community leader. He served as the Chief of the Bagdad Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years and was active in the Bagdad Village Preservation Association and Bagdad Waterfronts, Florida. Mr. Davis cherished his family and friends as part of the Emerald Coast Sandpipers RV club, as a member of the Blackwater Pyrates service organization, and as a lifelong member of the Bagdad United Methodist Church.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to honor the life and service of John Davis. My wife Vicki and I offer our prayers for his wife, Janet, his daughter Amelia, and their family. He truly will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it is an honor for me to recognize Charles and Lucille Ward on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary.

On June 9, 1962, Charles and Lucille were married in Brewton, Alabama, a little town just north of the Northwest Florida panhandle, at the East Brewton Baptist Church. Since that day, Charles and Lucille have spent their lives devoted to their family, their faith, and their community. Charles honorably served his country for four years as a member of the United States Air Force until 1956 before beginning his career farming with the Ward Brothers Farm. He retired from the farm in 1998. Lucille, in addition to supporting her family as a mother and homemaker, served her community as an employee of the Santa Rosa County School System, retiring after 20 years of service. Throughout their careers and their fifty years together, their faith and family have remained first in their lives.

Charles and Lucille are proud parents to five children, Michael Ward, Doug Ward, Julie McGowin, Dean Ward, and Tina Fendley; eleven grandchildren, Preston Jernigan, Grayson Jernigan, Ashley Hernandez, Cassie Ward, Jack McGowin, Shawn McGowin, Alex McGowin, Becky Ward, Emily Ward, Madison Fendley, and Andrew Fendley; and one great-grand child, Anna Hernandez.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Ward on their golden wedding anniversary and thank them for their service to the Northwest Florida community and our great nation. My wife Vicki and I would like to wish all the best to Charles and Lucille, as well as their entire extended family, on this truly special occasion. May God continue to bless them for many years to come.

Mr. Chair, due to attending Corrections Professionals National Memorial Service, I missed the following rollcall vote: No. 371 on June 8, 2012. If present, I would have voted: rollcall vote No. 371--Gosar (R AZ) Amendment, ``aye.''

Stated against:

Mr. Speaker, due to being unavoidably detained, I missed the following rollcall vote: No. 357 on June 6, 2012. If present, I would have voted: rollcall vote No. 357--Bishop (NY) Amendment, ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness and deepest sympathy that I rise to pay tribute to a fallen American hero. Army Staff Sergeant Andrew Trevor Britton-Mihalo died on April 25, 2012, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, while training Afghan Special Operations Forces. SSG Britton-Mihalo, a Green Beret, was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group; and, prior to his deployment, he was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

SSG Britton-Mihalo first entered the Army in 2005 after graduating from Royal High School in Simi Valley, California. Just three years later, in 2008, his trademark drive, determination and toughness helped SSG Britton-Mihalo win the right to join the elite ranks of the U.S. Army Special Forces. This impressive accomplishment did not surprise anyone who knew him. Prior to joining the Army, SSG Britton-Mihalo had already distinguished himself as an Eagle Scout and as a champion high school wrestler who won the match that secured his school their first- ever state wrestling title. He was described by those who knew him as one who was always fighting for the underdog and was quick to protect those who could not protect themselves. It was only fitting that such a man would join the Special Forces whose motto, De oppresso liber, is translated, ``to liberate the oppressed''; and, true to his character, that is exactly what SSG

Britton-Mihalo was doing for the people of Afghanistan when he was killed just two months before his 26th birthday.

SSG Britton-Mihalo gave his life attempting to secure for the Afghan people the blessings of freedom. We will never forget his ultimate sacrifice toward that honorable end. To SSG Britton-Mihalo's loving wife Jesse, his family, and friends, my wife Vicki joins me in offering our most sincere condolences and prayers.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful United States Congress, I stand here today to honor SSG Andrew Trevor Britton-Mihalo and all of the heroes we have lost. May God continue to bless them and the United States Armed Forces.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War. It is with a profound sense of gratitude that I honor the service and sacrifice of our nation's Vietnam veterans; the commitment and determination of our Armed Forces in the battle for freedom; the unique contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States during the war; and the crucial contributions made by our allies to stem the spread of tyranny.

By the time John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960, the United States and the Soviet Union had already been locked in a bitter ideological, political and military struggle for more than a decade over the essential question of whether human beings are truly endowed by their Creator with the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Soviet aggression had already spread across Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East; and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev had famously declared to the West, ``We will bury you.'' In his inaugural address, President Kennedy pledged to ``pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, and oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty.'' It was in that spirit, in 1962, that the President sent U.S. military advisors to assist the people of South Vietnam to resist the aggression of the communist forces of the North.

Over the course of the next 13 years, more than two-and-a-half million American soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen would serve in Vietnam. Allied nations such as South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Thailand all contributed forces and materiel to the effort as well. U.S. forces sent to Vietnam were the most educated of all of America's previously deployed military forces. Nearly eighty percent had a high school degree or better when they entered military service. The average infantryman in Vietnam saw about 240 days of combat in one year due to the enhanced mobility made possible by the helicopter. By way of comparison, the average infantryman in the South Pacific during World War II saw about 40 days of combat in four years. Of those who served in Vietnam, over 150,000 were wounded, more than 2,500 would become prisoners of war and over 58,000 would make the ultimate sacrifice for defense of freedom and service to our nation.

On the home front, Americans were, for the first time, able to tune in on their televisions and see the war in living color. This technology allowed newscasters such as Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite to bring daily updates on the war to the American public in their own living rooms. The war became the inspiration for popular music, movies, and novels. America's experience in Vietnam led to the replacement of the military draft with an all-volunteer force, the reduction of the voting age to 18, and the passage of the War Powers Act. Americans developed a more pragmatic view of their relationship with the government, and the war renewed in many Americans a belief in the necessity of active involvement in the political process. In 1962, no one could possibly have predicted the profound cultural impact the war would have on generations of Americans; but Vietnam's lasting legacy on the American psyche cannot be denied.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it is my honor to recognize the service and sacrifice of those Americans who served in our nation's Armed Forces during the Vietnam War. Their dedication to duty, their service to country, and their enormous contribution to halting the spread of tyranny around the world bear testament to the strength of the American spirit. My wife Vicki joins me in saluting our nation's Vietnam War veterans, and we wish them all the best.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Mr. Steven Moczary, the 2012 Eglin Air Force Association Teacher of the Year. Despite being new to the field of teaching, Mr. Moczary has had a substantial impact on the lives of his students. To be chosen as Teacher of the Year after only one year in the profession is evidence of Mr. Moczary's talent and work ethic. Mr. Moczary's strong background in science, engineering and aviation, as displayed by his Masters Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and his Bachelors Degree of Science in Engineering from Texas Tech University, has helped him achieve laudable success in such a short period of time.

Before beginning his career in education, Mr. Moczary served in the United States Air Force as a B 52 Electronic Warfare Officer and Flight Safety professional. As a teacher, he has continued his dedication to aeronautical safety as the Assistant Director of Academic Support for the CHOICE Aviation Institute. In this role, he works with his alma mater, Embry Riddle, to instill in his students a love for aviation, while imparting in them the importance of safety. His hope is to encourage more students to enter the aviation field.

Mr. Moczary's courses at the CHOICE Aviation Institute are among the most invigorating, innovative, and challenging in the entire school district. His knowledge of aeronautics is coupled with a unique ability to engage his students. Mr. Moczary is also able to call on his experience serving in the United States Air Force Safety Center and his vast knowledge of the safety systems and the human interface to communicate valuable information to students about the aviation profession and the science of flight.

Mr. Moczary is described as always having a ``can do'' spirit that he utilizes in his inspiring attitude to motivate his students. In his position as the Assistant Director of Academic Support, Mr. Moczary counsels and speaks to students about present and future enrollment in aviation programs, often providing them with career counseling. He also reintroduced the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) course to the CHOICE Aviation curriculum. This course teaches students about UAV technology, which can be particularly important to the Florida Panhandle after a hurricane or natural disaster to survey damage and search for missing persons. Mr. Moczary has given back to the community through a course teaching flying safety in high schools and middle schools across the Florida Panhandle.

Described as an invaluable asset to the CHOICE program, Okaloosa County schools, and Embry Riddle University, Mr. Moczary is committed to the success of each of his students. On behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to recognize Mr. Steven Moczary for his achievement and commitment to aviation education in Northwest Florida. I also commend his honorable service in the

United States Air Force. My wife Vicki joins me in wishing him all of the best.

I first want to start off by inviting my colleagues that oppose the F 35B to visit Eglin Air Force Base in the Florida Panhandle, home of the 33rd Fighter Wing, where the sixth operational F 35B was recently delivered. The aircraft is performing well, and this year it is exceeding program expectations.

The F 35B is the tactical strike aircraft that will, in fact, enable our marines to defeat and deter advanced threats well into the future. The groups that you don't hear the opponents talk about is the fact that the President supports it, the Secretary of Defense says we need it, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says we need it, the Commandant of the Marine Corps says we need it. Nobody is saying that the F 18 out there is not a highly capable fourth-generation aircraft, but it has been meeting our needs for three decades now. The F 35B is designed to defeat the threats of our adversaries that they are developing today.

If we are to maintain our air superiority and defeat 21st century threats, we need more than a 20th century aircraft.

Mr. Chairman, a couple of days ago we had the 20th Annual Congressional Sportsmen's Shoot-Out. I'm pleased to say, for the majority side of the aisle, that we actually were able to return the trophy back to our side. To my good friend, Mike Ross, I want to say, nice try.

We had a great day raising money for the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, a foundation that helps fund educational opportunities for young people to learn about hunting and fishing and conservation. This is one of the great bipartisan things that we do as a group.

And with that, Mike, I would also like to say we will miss your enthusiasm, as you leave this body, for hunting and the outdoors.

I yield to my good friend, Mike Ross from Arkansas.

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the top gun of the day, Duncan Hunter.

Amendment No. 5 Offered by Ms. Lee of California

I rise to reluctantly oppose the amendment.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

On the 10th of June, 2010, the Secretary of the Army, a former member of this body, John McHugh, appointed Kathryn Condon, a former high- ranking senior civilian Army official with a strong management background, the first executive director of the Army National Cemeteries Program. There is every indication that she is qualified and well suited for the post.

The Army created the new position to oversee Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers Home National Cemetery as a result of the problems that have been discussed by my friend and colleague, Mr. Wittman. In its initial recommendation, the Army did not state that the newly created executive director position should be filled by a military official, and since that time has not provided any rationale stating why a military official would be better suited for this position rather than a civilian with credentials like Ms. Condon's.

This amendment would establish the military chain of command, requiring the executive director of the Army Cemeteries Programs be a commissioned officer, replacing the current civilian in that position. Army oversight over the Cemeteries Program remains very strong by virtue of the fact that Ms. Condon reports directly to the Secretary of the Army. There is every indication today that Ms. Condon has performed her duties in a competent and effective manner. All IG and Advisory Committee reports show that significant progress at Arlington has been made under her leadership. Ms. Condon's status as a civilian does not affect the overall authority of the Army over the program or any aspect of the operations under her care.

I note that the Secretary of the Army, Secretary McHugh, wrote a strong letter of opposition to this amendment for the reasons that I have just addressed, and I would urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

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

Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask the sponsor of the amendment if he has any more speakers?

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition.

I do rise in opposition but not in strong opposition because I agree with what the gentleman from Maryland is attempting to do, but I need to oppose it for several reasons.

First, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act is designed to strike a balance between the needs of a servicemember and their civilian obligations, and I don't believe that anybody in this body would ever do something that could make life more difficult for them.

The changes to SCRA made by this amendment are worthy of vetting under regular order through the Committee on Veterans Affairs. Currently, real estate protections apply to purchases made before being called to active duty. However, section (A)(3) of the amendment would extend SCRA coverage to real estate purchased at any time, including while on active duty under certain circumstances.

That section alone makes a significant change to a provision that is over 70 years old. And while I don't necessarily oppose such an extension, we need to get the views of the major stakeholders, including the VA and the home mortgage industry.

Secondly, as written, some provisions are open to very wide interpretation. For example, there is a provision that provides a 12- month protection from foreclosure to those who are separated or retired because of a disability and rated by VA as permanently and totally disabled.

Since it's very rare that a servicemember would actually leave the military with a 100 percent rating from the VA and the VA adjudication process, as most of us know, can take months, if not years in some cases, how would this provision be implemented? That is left unclear in this amendment. For example, would a bank be required to give back a foreclosed home if the veteran was found several years later to be rated as totally and permanently disabled?

The amendment also contains a significant increase in penalties for violating SCRA provisions. And again, while I don't necessarily oppose the change, I think we need to hear from the legal community on these provisions.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

I appreciate the ranking member drawing attention to the fact that this is bottled up in the Senate, even though it has passed the House in regards to the extending of the sunset provisions of the SCRA.

I would say that, to confirm our concerns, my staff actually talked with an expert on SCRA who was the author of the 2003 major revisions, and here were some of his concerns:

Nothing mandates that a deployed servicemember give notice of their deployment to the financial institution. Without this information, how will the institution know that the servicemember is now covered by these new protections under SCRA?

The current Web site that financial institutions use to see if somebody is on active duty does not differentiate between deployed and nondeployed, thereby making it extremely difficult for the financial institution to keep track.

What is going to be the duration of the protection for surviving spouses--which is something Mr. Smith just brought up--and disabled veterans? Indefinitely? He says no. But will institutions be discouraged from making loans to servicemembers because of this potential problem?

If we believe that we should expand this protection to mortgages, why not extend the protections to other areas?

These are the types of complex questions that really should be thought out and reviewed by experts in this area under regular order. That is why we have committees in this process.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Will the gentleman yield?

I believe it says rated by VA. DOD makes a rating when you separate from service, and it says, VA. That is a problem because of the time that it takes for VA to do their rating.

I would say that absolutely, if this were just an extension of SCRA to get past the sunset provisions, we would not have a problem with that. But I know, as any other Member in here, that the last thing we would want to do is to cause a problem for our veterans without thinking through all the potential consequences.

I would note that Mr. Cummings introduced an identical piece of legislation, H.R. 5737, earlier this week, which would give the Committee on Veterans' Affairs an opportunity to review these issues. I would ask the gentleman to give our committee an opportunity to review this proposal in bill form through regular order. I pledge my commitment to work with you to make sure that your concerns are addressed in proper fashion.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, due to being unavoidably detained, I missed the following rollcall vote: No. 227 on May 9, 2012. If present, I would have voted ``no.''

Amendment Offered by Mrs. Blackburn

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor of the life of Walnut Hill's beloved Robert Stewart. Throughout the area, Mr. Stewart was known for his selfless nature, immense generosity, dedicated service to his local community, and never-ending love for his family. This man was a hero to our Northwest Florida community, and he will be greatly missed.

Robert Stewart served as a volunteer fireman for over thirty years and as Chief of the Walnut Hill Fire Department for the latter fifteen of those years. During his time in service, he saved the lives of countless Walnut Hill citizens. According to Mr. Stewart, one of his most memorable emergency calls was near the end of his career on March 9, 2001. Two teenage girls were trapped in a car that had lost a battle with a tree leaving their tiny sports car split entirely in half-two pieces of car left on the side of Highway 99. Mr. Stewart, along with his team, diligently worked to extract the teenage girls from the car. Due to Mr. Stewart and his team's heroic efforts, both girls survived. What made this call different from any other was the girls came back to the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department to thank the team for saving their lives. Mr. Stewart was never one to ask or demand the appreciation, but when it occurred, he was always grateful.

Robert Stewart has been labeled a hero on many other occasions. Another such incident was a wreck that occurred on State Line Road that left a family's car upside down in a ditch filled with water. Mr. Stewart was the first to respond to the scene, and he safely removed three children from the car. The mother of the children called him a hero, but true to his modest and humble character, he responded with ``I am just doing my job.''

Mr. Stewart is survived by his wife, Diann; children, Sam and Kelly; and grandchildren, Tanner and Andrew. Those fortunate enough to have met Mr. Stewart would agree that they were truly blessed by his warm heart and generosity. His impact on the Walnut Hill Community will never be forgotten. To some, Mr. Stewart will be remembered as an invaluable leader of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department, but to the friends and family he leaves behind, Mr. Stewart will most fondly be remembered as a loving and committed family man.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I rise to honor the life of Robert Stewart and his living legacy. Our community has truly suffered a great loss with his passing. My wife Vicki joins me in sending our most heartfelt condolences to the entire Stewart family.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it is an honor for me to rise today to recognize the life of Northwest Florida's beloved Charles Walter ``Walt'' Ruckel, Jr. Throughout Northwest Florida, Walt Ruckel was known for his warm nature, immense generosity, dedicated service to his local community and, above all, his never-ending love for his family. Walt Ruckel is survived by 8 children, 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Walt Ruckel was a true Northwest Floridian, born and raised on the Gulf Coast. After graduating from high school, he attended Davidson College and North Georgia College as part of the U.S. Army Specialized Training Reserve Program. Upon completion of his training, Mr. Ruckel entered the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he served as an airplane mechanic before being honorably discharged in 1947. In 1948, he graduated from Soule Business College in New Orleans and returned to his native Northwest Florida where he began a distinguished career in the Northwest Florida business community. Mr. Ruckel took a position working as a bank teller and bookkeeper at Valparaiso State Bank in Valparaiso, Florida, where he quickly established himself, rising to become Assistant Vice President in 1950 before becoming President of the bank in 1951. Mr. Ruckel continued to serve at the bank as Chairman of the Board until 2004.

Mr. Ruckel's immense pride in his local community inspired him to pursue a career in real estate and property development. In 1955, he founded Ruckel Properties, which continues to serve the Northwest Florida community today. Through Mr. Ruckel's leadership, Ruckel Properties has developed countless homes and businesses in Northwest Florida and has been a driving force in the development of the cities of Niceville and Valparaiso.

In addition to his work in the Northwest Florida business community, Walt Ruckel was also a noted civic leader. He was a founding member of the Niceville-Valparaiso Rotary Club, where he served as President from 1954 to 1955 and was twice named the club's ``Man of the Year.'' Mr. Ruckel truly believed in the value of community service, and he remained active in the Rotary Club until his passing, helping to organize and volunteer at the club's latest fundraiser. His steadfast dedication to serving his community extended beyond the Rotary Club, and he was active in many other civic organizations, including the local Chamber of Commerce, United Way and Boy Scouts of America.

Northwest Florida is also home to numerous military installations, and Mr. Ruckel was a strong supporter of the servicemen and women and their families who form such an integral part of our local community. Mr. Ruckel served as Chairman of the Air Force Armament Museum Foundation, where he helped lead a successful effort to raise more than $1 million for the construction of the Air Force Armament Museum, located at Eglin Air Force Base.

All those who had the fortune of meeting Walt Ruckel were blessed by his kindness and generosity, and his impact on Northwest Florida will never be forgotten. To some, Walt Ruckel will be remembered as an invaluable member and leader of the Northwest Florida community, to others, an honorable member and strong supporter of our Armed Forces. To his friends and family, Walt Ruckel will most fondly be remembered as a loving and committed family man.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it gives me great pride to honor the life of Walt Ruckel and his living legacy. Northwest Florida has truly suffered a great loss with his passing, and my wife Vicki joins me in sending our most heartfelt condolences to the entire Ruckel family.