Floor Statements

Thank you very much, my colleague Ken Calvert, for holding this hour for members of the California delegation and for friends beyond that. Your kind remarks earlier about my work here is much more than I would like to take the time to talk about, but I do very much appreciate your mentioning my bride, Arlene, in all of this because, as you know, she is my partner in all of my work.

In thinking about any remarks that might have been made regarding my years of service here, one of the first things that comes to mind was early on in my career when I experienced a major flood in California, the 1938 flood. I'll never forget dropping a ping-pong ball out my back window. It fell a couple of feet and hit the water and floated out through the back fence. During my years of service here we've had a chance to address questions like that. The Seven Oaks Dam--a huge facility in southern California sponsored by the Corps of Engineers-- made it possible to assure that such a flood will never occur again in the region known as the Inland Empire.

It has been a great privilege of mine, most of all, to recall the fact that the vast percentage of issues that we deal with here in the House have almost nothing to do with partisan politics. It's very, very important that we be willing to recognize that, in working together, we can make a difference on behalf of the American people.

At home, issues like the Proton Therapy Center at Loma Linda University, which provides for a noninvasive cancer treatment that has a dramatic impact upon issues like small tumors in the human brain, like prostate cancer, even breast cancer--a noninvasive treatment as a result of nonpartisan, bipartisanship support for the kind of medical research that is a part of the National Institutes of Health.

Over the years, probably the greatest privilege I've had is to serve for a short time as the chairman of the full Appropriations Committee, the committee where I've spent my life. During that time, issues like the unmanned aerial vehicle, which has been a part of our work, have, indeed, made a difference for those of us who care about making certain that in the future America continues to be the force for peace in the world.

But most importantly, Congressman Calvert, I want you to know that as the new chairman of the California Republican delegation, I'm proud of the fact that you are my colleague and friend. In the years ahead, we will continue to work together on behalf of the people of our region.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the city of Beaumont,

California, which will celebrate its centennial on Nov. 18, 2012.

In 1927, ten years after its incorporation, Beaumont boasted a population of 857. Today, it's a community of nearly 40,000 people, all of whom I've been proud to represent in Congress for the last ten years.

Much of this growth has happened in the last ten years. Residents flocked to Beaumont for its low housing costs, causing a 20% jump in the city's population, an increase that made it the fastest growing city in the State. What began as a railway outpost at the summit of San Gorgonio Pass has become a vibrant, progressive city that retains its small-town feel.

I proudly salute Beaumont's founders who laid the foundation for what has become a city that upholds the core values of public service. They're a shining example of local government at its best, and I hope my colleagues will join me in extending our best wishes to Beaumont on this most memorable occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure be discharged from further consideration of the bill (S. 3624) to amend section 31311 of title 49, United States Code, to permit States to issue commercial driver's licenses to members of the Armed Forces whose duty station is located in the State, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (S. 3625) to change the effective date for the internet publication of certain information to prevent harm to the national security or endangering the military officers and civilian employees to whom the publication requirement applies, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence be discharged from further consideration of the bill (S. 743) to amend chapter 23 of title 5, United States Code, to clarify the disclosures of information protected from prohibited personnel practices, require a statement in nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements that such policies, forms, and agreements conform with certain disclosure protections, provide certain authority for the Special Counsel, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

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

It is a very extensive amendment I had planned to have read, but I understand the gentleman is not going to object. So I am anxious to hear him.

It is.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer congratulations and good wishes to one of the members of our armed forces, Colonel Samuel ``Bo'' Mahaney, who put in exemplary service as a Military Fellow in my office and who will soon assume command of the 452d Air Mobility Wing at March Air Reserve Base, California.

It is true, Mr. Speaker, that we in this body are proud of every brave member of our military. Their service to our nation deserves recognition every day, and their sacrifice deserves our gratitude and honor no matter where they are posted or what their rank or station.

But as a former Fellow, Col. Mahaney became a highly valued member of my staff, and he and his wife Chris became a part of the extended ``Lewis family.'' It is especially delightful to be able to congratulate Bo on his Assumption of Command of the Air Mobility Wing at March, which is near my Redlands home and congressional district in the Inland Empire of California.

Mr. Speaker, many of my colleagues will agree that the Military Fellows program is an outstanding example of a collaborative venture that helps Congress better understand the Pentagon, and helps the military become familiar with the ways of the legislative branch. After an intense selection process, 100 young men and women are assigned by the services to join a congressional office or committee for a year of service. These are some of the Pentagon's brightest young officers, and the expertise they provide Congress is invaluable.

While I served as chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and later as Committee Chairman, I was honored to have the aid of six Military Fellows: Army Colonel Craig DeDecker, Marine Corps Colonel Michael Reilly, Marine Corps Colonel Carl Kime; Army Colonel Chris Gibson; Air Force Colonel Bo Mahaney, and Air Force Colonel Anthony ``Awgie'' Genatempo. All have gone on to distinguished commands and careers--and one of them, Chris Gibson, is now one of our colleagues from New York!

Colonel Mahaney was commissioned in July 1985 as a graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). He was a B-52 electronic warfare officer and commanded a KC-10 aircraft, amassing over 5,000 flying hours over the years. His academic training includes a Masters Degree in Public Administration and a law degree, as well as time as a Harvard National Security Fellow and a Georgetown Legislative Fellow. He is a licensed attorney and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University School of Law. He has received the Meritorious Service Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, and many other medals for outstanding service and accomplishments.

Colonel Mahaney assumed command just last year of the 459th Air Refueling Wing at Joint Base Andrews outside of Washington, D.C. In that short time, he has led the wing to top marks for operational readiness and received high praise from commanding officers.

He is now moving to take over command of the 452d Air Mobility Wing, which includes a C-17 ``Globemaster III'' flying squadron and two KC- 135R ``Stratotanker'' flying squadrons as well as numerous support squadrons. March Air Reserve Base provides air refueling to Air Force, Navy and NATO aircraft as well as rapid delivery of troops and all types of cargo in times of war and national emergency to anywhere in the world. The base creates a total economic impact of $522 million in the local area. More than 8,500 people work there.

Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud and honored to have been able to contribute to the distinguished career of Colonel Bo Mahaney, and I am delighted that he and Chris will soon be neighbors in the Inland Empire. I ask my colleagues to please join me in congratulating him on his new command, and expressing our gratitude to all of the exceptional men and women of the armed forces who have served us so ably in the Military Fellows program.

Will the gentleman yield?

I very much appreciate my chairman yielding just for a moment.

I would like to associate myself with your remarks regarding these two fabulous leaders and the jobs they have done over the years on our behalf and for our national security. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to both salute a former staffer who now works for a boss more powerful than any Member of Congress and to celebrate a feat of incredible longevity at his new workplace.

I was honored to employ Brian Sanderfoot, from Appleton, Wisconsin, for many years. He represented the highest values we in Congress want to provide: courtesy, commitment, and a dedication to public service.

A devout Catholic, Brian left Congress to pursue his true calling in the priesthood. After studying both at D.C.'s Catholic University and in Rome, Brian became Father Sanderfoot and entered a new phase of service.

Father Sanderfoot settled in the Archdiocese of Washington which is home to over 600,000 Catholics living in Washington, DC, and five Maryland counties. He now ministers at Maryland's St. Francis Xavier parish and is making a real difference in the lives of his congregation.

In a nation that commemorates the 25th or 50th anniversary of an event, Father Sanderfoot's parish has a special distinction. It recently celebrated its 350th anniversary, making it the oldest Catholic parish in America.

In anticipation of this milestone, Father Sanderfoot initiated two historical discovery projects. The first was a thorough survey of the cemetery at the parish's Newtowne Neck Church to map and index the graves. The second project was an archeological dig to discover the location of the original chapel.

St. Francis Xavier's parish has been a silent witness to a new country coming into being, its expansion across a continent, a civil war that pitted brother against brother, the strength of a people tested by the Great Depression and world wars, and the rise of a superpower. It has been the site of countless baptisms, weddings, funerals, masses, and homilies. For three and a half centuries, this parish has been the place where faith was nurtured, renewed, and embraced.

It is a privilege to consider Father Brian Sanderfoot a part of the extended Lewis family. I celebrate his new life and his lasting faith. Let us honor the durability of St. Francis Xavier's parish, which has been a steadfast source of identity and a pillar of stability for all Catholics in the area.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 40th anniversary of one of the most dynamic centers of learning in my district: Crafton Hills College, in Yucaipa, California.

I have spoken to my colleagues before about this fine community college. It has grown from an initial 881 students in 1972 to more than 5,600 today. The faculty continues to expand, with more than 90 full- time teachers and administrators. More than 150,000 students have expanded their education and found new job skills at Crafton.

As many of my colleagues are aware, community colleges have become a haven for many of our fellow citizens who have lost jobs and are desperately seeking new skills to advance their place in our economy. Crafton Hills has certainly been one of those havens, offering more than 60 degrees and certificates ranging from Radiologic Technology to Internet Web Design. The college has maintained its high standards and student services despite facing its own budget cutbacks.

In just the past few years, the campus has seen a number of wonderful additions. Even as they faced tough economic times, voters in our area approved a bond measure that paid to build a 60,000-square-foot Learning Resource Center, which now houses the library, a computer center, an art gallery and a tiered auditorium. The bond also paid for installation of a fabulous new swim center, which incorporates the competitive pool used in the 2004 Olympic trials in Long Beach, California. I was pleased to help arrange moving the pool to the campus.

The campus will soon dedicate a seven-acre Solar Farm that will provide nearly all of the college's electrical needs, as well as taking a tremendous load off of the public electrical grid. All of these improvements are clear evidence that Crafton Hills College is laying the groundwork to be a top educational institution for decades to come.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to once again praise the college for its role in the San Bernardino Regional Emergency Training Center at the San Bernardino International Airport. Established with the support of the Federal Aviation Administration, the center has trained hundreds of firefighters from across the nation in how to handle commercial aircraft fires--with real-life scenarios set in the fuselage of a former jet-liner. I have no doubt that many lives will be saved in the future by firefighters who have learned their techniques here.

Mr. Speaker, Crafton Hills College is a top example of the kind of center for higher education that will train our future workers, researchers and academics. Please join me in congratulating the college's administration, faculty and students for their efforts, and wish them success for the future.

Mr. Speaker, America has the best health care system in the world.

Long before coming to Congress, I spent my energy in the life and health insurance field. In selling individual contracts, I found that questions of preexisting conditions and portability were a major concern for people buying individual health insurance contracts.

Over the years, I became convinced that these two major challenges could be solved by breaking down the walls between the individual States. This would provide a much larger pool of applicants, thus allowing for a much more reasonable base to underwrite the cost of covering those preexisting conditions and allowing for more effective portability.

When we debated how to solve the problems affecting our health care system 2 years ago, many were warned that government would go too far and must not be the solution. Our former Speaker said, ``We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.'' Well, now we know what is in it, and it's time to speak up.

Mr. and Mrs. America, do not allow a federally mandated program to undermine the best health care system in the world. Do not allow a Federal mandate to get between you and your physician. Do not allow government to undermine your right to choose between the great variety of protection available in the marketplace. Do not allow a politically appointed board to ration health care in the name of reducing costs. Do not allow the Federal Government to take us down the pathway to socialized medicine. Do not allow us to be dominated by those who would have America look more and more like Europe.

So, Mr. and Mrs. America, it's time for all of us to come together. We can solve the problems of our existing health care system without allowing a bunch of unelected bureaucrats getting between you and great health care.

You need to tell Congress to do their job--solve the problems without destroying the best health care system in the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Frank Martin Cushing, who gave more than 30 years of service to the Nation as a congressional staffer, culminating as the staff director for the House Appropriations Committee. Frank passed away on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012 at the age of 59.

Frank was a fabulous person, a true leader and someone who you could always count on to get an extremely difficult job done right--while leaving everyone feeling good about it when it was finished. He was a mentor and friend to so many of the wonderful staff who work for the Appropriations Committee, and one of the best people I ever worked with in my career in public service.

I first came to know Frank well when he came to work for me as staff director of the House Appropriations Committee on Veterans Affairs, HUD and Independent Agencies in 1994. He immediately helped craft a bill that reduced spending by several billion dollars, but at the same time won over many agency heads and executive branch officials who found him tough but fair and extremely knowledgeable about their needs.

Frank was a giant of a man. Members on both sides of the aisle--in both the House and Senate--respected him for his integrity, compassion, pragmatism and mastery of the political process. When I became Appropriations Committee chairman in 2005, there was no doubt in my mind who should be staff director

of the full committee. I was extremely gratified when Frank agreed--and became just the 12th staff director of the House Appropriations Committee in U.S. history.

His legacy remains on the committee in the many excellent staff members he hired and trained. And he will be missed by the hundreds of members and staff throughout the House and Senate who came to know and admire him. I have no doubt that many will join me in reaching out to his wife, Amy and their four children, and express their sympathy at her loss and their gratitude for having known Frank Cushing.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide the obituary for Frank in order for my colleagues to understand what a truly remarkable person and public servant he was:

Frank Martin Cushing

April 9, 1952-February 6, 2012

Frank Cushing, loving husband, son, father, grandfather,

brother, and mentor died at his home in Falls Church on

Monday, February 6, 2012. He was 59 years old.

Widely respected for his deep faith, integrity, and love of

family and country, Cushing left an indelible mark in public

policy through more than 30 years of public service in the

House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and Washington, DC

business community. Cushing was widely regarded as one of the

most knowledgeable individuals in Washington concerning the

congressional appropriations and Federal budget processes.

Cushing graduated from the University of Idaho in 1974 with

a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and completed

graduate level work in public policy administration at the

University of Idaho and Boise State University in 1974-75. He

came to Washington, DC in 1977 to work as a legislative

assistant for Senator James McClure of Idaho. Cushing served

as clerk of the Senate Interior and Related Agencies

Appropriations Subcommittee for Chairman McClure from 1981-84

under full committee Chairman Mark Hatfield of Oregon, and as

staff director for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Committee under Chairman McClure from 1984-91.

Following a three-year stint as Corporate Vice President of

a Fortune 50 energy firm, Cushing returned to Capitol Hill in

1995 to serve as Clerk and Staff Director of the House

Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development (VA-HUD) and

Independent Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee for then

Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Lewis of California under full

Committee Chairman Bob Livingston of Louisiana. He left the

Hill in 2003 to become a partner at a firm specializing in

appropriations consulting but returned to the House in 2005

as the Clerk and Staff Director of the full House

Appropriations Committee under newly elected Chairman Lewis.

Cushing was the twelfth Clerk and Staff Director of the House

Appropriations Committee in U.S. history and today his

portrait hangs in the U.S. Capitol with his predecessors

dating back to 1865.

Cushing retired from the Hill in 2008 to become a partner

in a D.C. law and consulting firm where he devoted his time

and energy to public policy, particularly relating to funding

for science and education. His integrity, compassion,

pragmatism, and masterful political skills were admired by

House Members, Senators, and staff on both sides of the

aisle. Cushing also served as an At-Large Trustee of the

Consortium for Ocean Leadership. He also served on the

Advisory Board of the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at the

University of Idaho.

Cushing is survived by his wife, Amy Hammer of Falls

Church, VA; his mother, Elizabeth Cushing of Arlington, VA;

his brother, William P. Cushing, Jr. of Norristown, PA.; 4

children, Christina Abel of Caldwell, ID, Jennifer Dewing of

Crandon, WI, Amy Catherine Cushing of Falls Church, VA, and

Nathaniel Allen Cushing, of Falls Church, VA; and 12

grandchildren. Friends and family were blessed to join him at

home over the last weeks of his life on earth for a time of

reflection, confirmation, and joy.

A memorial service celebrating the life and memory of Frank

Martin Cushing will be held on Monday, February 13 at 3 p.m.

at Columbia Baptist Church, 103 West Columbia Street, Falls

Church, VA, where Cushing served as a deacon.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be

designated to the Frank Martin Cushing Public Policy

Scholarship through the University of Idaho Foundation, Inc.,

P.O. Box 443147, Moscow, ID 83844-3147, as a part of the

James A. and Louise McClure Center for Public Policy Research

for which Cushing served on the Advisory Board. Contributions

may also be directed to CrossLink International, 427 North

Maple Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046.

I very much appreciate my chairman yielding.

Mr. Chairman, while I am very hesitant to oppose my friend from the Budget Committee, he has been wrong in this subject area before. The line-item veto that the Supreme Court essentially set aside was an illustration that we are on dangerous ground when we presume, as the legislative branch, the people's House, that we are going to do something worthwhile but, in the process, exceed our authority and constitutional responsibility to the administration, any administration, whether it be Democrat or Republican.

In the last go-around preceding the Court setting it aside, the administration had vetoed a number of items but, indeed, about 80 percent of them were sponsored on one side of the aisle versus the other, essentially partisanizing that piece of the appropriations process. One way or another, this body has got to get away from those partisan extremes. In this case, you are going to have a bureaucrat at a third level within the administration deciding, ah-ha, there's an item there that we don't agree with in our bureaucracy, so let's send it back for very special attention, taking up the time of the Congress and essentially undermining the work of the Congress.

Our responsibility within our subcommittees on the Appropriations Committee and in the full House is to legislate. Theirs is to review that which we direct them to do, not to either set aside or to veto that work. So for that reason, I strongly oppose the proposal by the Budget Committee chairman.

Mr. Speaker, our Capitol Hill community has endured a great loss this week with the passing of our dear friend, Frank Cushing. Frank passed away early Monday morning after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 59 years old.

Frank Cushing left his mark on public policy through more than 30 years of public service in the House and the Senate.

For those people who understand just how important fine staff are to our ability in the House and the Senate to more effectively serve our public, I know of no public servant who has greater respect in this community, indeed, around the country, than Frank Cushing.

We will be holding a memorial service commemorating Frank's work on our behalf next Monday at 3 p.m. The details regarding that service will be in the Congressional Record. I urge all Members who know and love Frank Cushing to come together and focus upon his service.

I want to first say I very much appreciate my colleagues' recognizing the service of our dear friend Wayne Grisham.

In my early days in the Congress, Arlene and I spent a good deal of time with Wayne and Millie. We traveled together and talked often of other trips we could take with one another. Our favorite place in the West, for example, is Catalina Island, and we had planned to spend at least one weekend--if not many--there together. It is with great regret that I rise today in recognition of his passing in January.

Mr. Speaker, I arise to honor the life of my friend and colleague Wayne Grisham. During our early years in Congress, Wayne and his wife Millie became our dear friends. We traveled together and often talked of a weekend at our mutual favorite place in the west--Catalina Island. We miss them both in our lives.

I appreciate my colleague yielding, and I'm rising only because of the comments of the gentlelady who just spoke.

Nobody in this Chamber has spent more time working on air quality than this Member. I was the author of a major bill in California that changed the scene there in terms of polluting the air. During that discussion, we said, we can control 97 percent of emissions from smokestacks in a relatively short time if we will, but the real problem's going to be Detroit. If we really want to change that, we've got to change Detroit.

The gentlelady's amendment would follow a logical line. We would indeed insist on having an amendment instead that would close down all of Detroit. The problem of mercury is a totally different question than the way this gentlelady presented it. We found problems in the air and found that there was no problem that we thought was there in the first place.

Instead of using this for politics, let's try to really solve the air quality problems and let our industry move forward and get our economy to work again.