Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, the Midlands of South Carolina recognized a life of service to fellow citizens by Lexington County Coroner Harry O. Harman who was one of South Carolina's first Republican county public officials of the Twentieth Century.

The following obituary was published April 24, 2014, in the Lexington County Chronicle & The Dispatch News:

Harry O. Harman, Jr.

Funeral services for Harry O. Harman, Jr., 79, will be held

at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at St. Stephen's

Evangelical Lutheran Church with Rev. Dr. Patrick W. Riddle

and Rev. Dr. Dennis R. Bolton officiating. A reception will

be held in the social hall immediately after the service.

Private burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family

will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on

Monday, April 21, at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington

Chapel. Honorary pallbearers are the staffs of Caughman-

Harman Funeral Home, Lexington County Coroner's Office led by

Chief Deputy Coroner Randy A. Martin, and Lexington Medical

Center Pathology; the SC Funeral Directors' and SC Coroners'

Associations; and Congressman Joe Wilson, Sheriff James R.

Metts, Solicitor Donald V. Myers, Judge Knox McMahon, Jake

Knotts, Mickey Lindler, and Lyman Whitehead.

Pallbearers are Josef E. Clark, Trevor P. Crocker,

Alexander Harman, T. Brett Harman, George P.W. Harmon, Dr.

R.B. Harmon II, Samuel H. Hendrix, Lester B. Hite, Joe Wayne

Rauch, Walter ``Sonny'' Sanders, Franklin B. Waites, and

Coroner Gary Watts.

Mr. Harman passed away on Friday, April 18, 2014. A native

of Lexington, SC, Mr. Harman was born on March 30, 1935, and

was the son of the late Sarah Clark Harman and Dr. H. Odelle

Harman. He was predeceased by brother, Arthur C. Harman.

Mr. Harman graduated from Lexington High School, attended

Newberry College, and was a graduate of Cincinnati College of

Mortuary Science. In 1961 he started a successful business,

Harman Funeral Home, which became Caughman-Harman Funeral

Home in 1966 when he formed a partnership with the late

Stephen Hampton Caughman. He spent more than 50 years

counseling bereaved families.

Mr. Harman was first elected Coroner of Lexington County in

1976. He was instrumental in developing a countywide disaster

plan and disaster-response team, 24-hour pathologist

availability, and employing educated individuals to meet the

demands of changing technology. He sought to establish strong

working relationships with all law enforcement, EMS, fire

services, physicians, pathologists, and nurses. He also

helped obtain burial plots and grave markers to ensure

dignified burials for indigent citizens of Lexington County.

Mr. Harman was a lifelong member of St. Stephen's Lutheran

Church and longtime member of the Lexington County Chamber of

Commerce, Lions' Club, Jaycees, and SC Coroners' and SC Law

Enforcement Associations. He was a past member of the Lowman

Home Board of Directors, as well as many other civic groups,

and past president of the SC Funeral Directors' Association.

A man of many accomplishments, Mr. Harman was, most

importantly, a servant. He took great pride and care in

serving the people of his beloved Lexington County. With a

strong sense of compassion and respect, he wanted to help

families at times of crisis and sadness. This desire began

with his work as a funeral director and continued with his

service as Coroner. The people of Lexington County elected

him as Coroner ten times, an honor he accepted with much

gratitude and humility.

While Mr. Harman's service touched many lives, he was

always, first of all, a dedicated son, brother, father, and

grandfather who loved his family, especially his daughters

and grandchildren, selflessly and unconditionally. His

extraordinary sense of humor, unfailing empathy,

understanding, and devotion will always be treasured and

remembered by his family and friends. Mr. Harman is survived

by his daughters, Sally H. Plowden (Russell) and Charlotte H.

Stormer (Chris), both of Columbia; his sister, Elizabeth H.

Caddell and brother Paul E. Harman (Gale) of Lexington; six

grandchildren, Sarah Caroline Plowden, William Christian

Stormer, Samuel Harman Stormer, Grace Zimmerman Plowden,

Sarah McIver Stormer, and Anne Brailsford Plowden; many

nieces and nephews; his loyal business partner and devoted

mother of his two daughters and grandmother of his six

grandchildren, Daisy Wilson Harman; and his special friend,

Sandra Rauch White.

The Family wishes to extend a special thank you to the

staffs of Lexington Medical Center, LMC Extended Care, and

DayBreak; Doctors Michael Roberts, Christopher Marshall, and

Richard Murray; and dear friends Bernice Gibson and Lettie

Winston.

Memorials may be made to St. Stephen's Evangelical Lutheran

Church, 119 N. Church St., Lexington, SC 29072; Heathwood

Hall Episcopal School, 3000 S. Beltline Blvd., Columbia, SC

29201; or a Hospice group of one's choice.

Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, April 12th, a Service of Death and Resurrection was held for an American hero Captain James Edward ``Ed'' Chaffin III.

Participating at the standing room only service at Mount Hebron United Methodist Church of West Columbia, South Carolina, were Iris Jo Harley as organist, with greetings from Reverend Mandy Taylor Young, remarks by Lt. Col. Phillip Jenison, and a sermon by Reverend Tim Rogers. Burial followed in the church graveyard.

The Service program contained the following tribute:

Captain James Edward Chaffin, III

James Edward ``Ed'' Chaffin, III, was born on February 4,

1987, in West Columbia, South Carolina, the son of Elizabeth

Rhodes Chaffin and the late James Edward Chaffin, Jr. He

passed away while serving with the 82nd Airborne Division in

Kandahar, Afghanistan on Tuesday, April 1, 2014.

Ed was a 2005 Honor Graduate of the Brookland-Cayce High

School in Cayce, South Carolina, where he played football,

was a member of the Interact Club, the National Honor

Society, and the newspaper staff.

A 2009 graduate of the United States Military Academy at

West Point, New York, he majored in Comparative Politics and

was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. While at West Point,

he was a member of the Russian Club and participated in a

club trip to the country of Azerbaijan.

Ed was an avid reader who enjoyed reading about history,

especially on military subjects. He had a passion for travel

and experiencing new cultures all over the world, which took

him to Thailand, Vietnam, and Greece, just to name a few. He

had a witty sense of humor, which was immediately evident to

all who know him. Even far away, he always rooted for

Gamecock football. He has a very caring spirit and a strong

work ethic, making him an honored member of the armed forces

protecting our freedom.

Ed's first tour of service was in 2011 for Operation Iraqi

Freedom. His awards and decorations included the Bronze Star

Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement

Medal, the National Defense Service medal, the Iraq Campaign

Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service

Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the basic Parachutist Badge

and the Air Assault Badge, and the NATO Medal.

He is survived by his mother, Elizabeth ``Beth'' Chaffin of

West Columbia; his sisters, Susan Chaffin Bilton and her

husband, Jarod, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and Nancy Chaffin of

Charlotte, NC; and many classmates, friends, and fellow

service members all over the world.

Mr. Speaker, last weekend, I had the opportunity of attending the Sage Valley Golf Club in Graniteville, South Carolina, for the 4th Annual Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Club. This spectacular event featured 54 of the top junior golfers from around the world coming together to compete at this prestigious championship. In just four short years, this tournament has quickly become heralded as one of the premier events in world of junior golf.

Congratulations to Scottie Scheffler, of Dallas, Texas, on his victory at this year's championship. Scottie's 54-hole total of 5-under par, 211, was one-shot clear of Cameron Champ, of Sacramento, California, who finished second.

This tournament, which brings juniors from around the country and world together for a unique experience, is the vision of the Club's founder, Weldon Wyatt. Mr. Wyatt is to be congratulated on this immensely successful tournament. The great golf legend Gary Player even made an appearance at this year's event. Each year golf enthusiasts will look forward to attending next year's championship, which provides extraordinary opportunities for young golfers worldwide.

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following remarks regarding my absence from a vote which occurred on April 29, 2014 due to a medical appointment. Listed below is how I would have voted if I had been present.

Roll Number 180--H. Res. 555, On Ordering the Previous Question, Providing for consideration of H.R. 4414, Expatriate Health Coverage Clarification Act of 2014--``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, April 21, 2014, a Service of Devine Worship was conducted for in thanksgiving for the Life of Lt. Col. William C. ``Pete'' Hall at the Beaufort National Cemetery at Beaufort, South Carolina.

The following is the deserved tribute from the program of the service: Lt. Col. William C. ``Pete'' Hall, 83, U.S. Air Force, husband of Lucy Ann Preacher Hall, of Beaufort, SC, died Wednesday, April 16, 2014 in Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Graveside funeral services will be held on Monday, April 21, 2014, at 11:00 am in Beaufort National Cemetery with full military honors. Pete was born January 15, 1931, in Abbeville, SC, but grew up in Ridgeland, SC. He is the son of the late Samuel Blake Hall and Pearl Potter Hall.

After graduating from Clemson University, Pete served his country in the United States Air Force for over 21 years, and was a fighter pilot with over 3,000 hours in various aircraft, including the T-33, B-57, and F-4D. He flew many bombing missions during the Vietnam War and earned numerous decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters.

After retiring from the Air Force, Pete served his community in several capacities, including President of the Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce, President of the Low Country Chapter of Retired Officers Association and as a member of the Beaufort County Aviation Commission, Beaufort County Tax Equalization Board, the Beaufort-Jasper Economic Opportunity Commission and the Beaufort-Jasper Water Authority. He served as vice-chairman of the Beaufort County Republican Party and represented them as a delegate at several state level conventions. Pete enjoyed attending Clemson University football games, boating, fishing, and shrimping in Beaufort's waterways, as well as spending time with his family.

Mr. Hall is survived by his wife, Lucy P. Hill (married 59 years), his two sons, Williams C. Hall Jr. and Robert B. Hall, and his five grandchildren. He will be missed by his family, as well as the many friends he has made over his years of service and living in Beaufort. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.

Mr. Speaker, in February, the President, sadly, announced his plan to terminate the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility, also known as MOX, at the Savannah River Site.

The administration blamed the cost estimate as the reason to halt construction. Shutting down this project halts environmental cleanup, which is converting weapons-grade plutonium into green fuel.

South Carolina and Georgia are at risk of being a nuclear waste dump site, breaking a nonproliferation agreement with Russia. This highly exaggerated cost was assessed in a report that is closed to the public.

Constituents living in Aiken and Barnwell Counties, adjacent to Georgia, deserve to know the truth. I am grateful that the Aiken Standard has filed a Freedom of Information Act request in pursuit of the cost analysis.

We should be working together for environmental cleanup, for nonproliferation compliance, and for national security to support the Savannah River Site in its vital mission with dedicated employees.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Madam Speaker, today, I appreciate the opportunity to recognize Beverly Colley, the administrative assistant for the Second District of South Carolina. She will be departing the Midlands office on Friday to serve as the town clerk of Blythewood, South Carolina, led by Mayor Mike Ross and a dynamic council.

Since joining the office in October 2004, Beverly has served the people of South Carolina's Second District with respect and diligence. Her genuine bright smile and desire to help those in need has significantly impacted the lives of those across the district, being the first person to welcome citizens to the office.

Beverly's dedicated staff work has made a difference, and I look forward to hearing of her success as she embarks on a new professional career. I wish Beverly; her son, Garin Carter; daughter, Malika Carter; and granddaughter, Rhylie, all the best in the future.

I know that the people of Blythewood will continue to benefit from Beverly's extraordinary constituent service as she serves her hometown community.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Godspeed, Beverly.

Madam Speaker, tomorrow, the House Education and the Workforce Committee will mark up two bills to protect all American workers by limiting the National Labor Relations Board's expansion into the workforce.

The Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act restricts the Big Business, Big Government NLRB and reaffirms the protections that workers and job creators have received by promoting a fully informed union election process.

The Employee Privacy Protection Act gives workers greater control over the disclosure of personal information and helps modernize an outdated election process by replacing current rules that leave workers at risk of intimidation and coercion.

For years, the President's Big Labor bully has threatened to destroy jobs, such as at Boeing in north Charleston, and to invade American workers' privacy and encroach upon their rights.

I am grateful to the Education and the Workforce chairman, John Kline, and to the subcommittee chairman, Dr. Phil Roe, for their dedication in promoting the rights of every American worker and in protecting American job creators.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Madam Speaker, when Mary West purchased insurance through the government health care Web site, she didn't expect to lose access to her doctor.

Ms. West struggles with diabetes and high blood pressure. Because of these health concerns, she has developed a relationship with the doctors she trusted at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System.

She was devastated when she realized that her policy was not accepted by her local hospital. Trying to obtain an alternative policy that would be taken at Spartanburg Regional has been even more difficult due to the lack of communication between the provider and the hospital.

This story, highlighted over the weekend in the Spartanburg Herald Journal, reveals the nightmares South Carolinians and millions of Americans are experiencing as a direct result of ObamaCare's failures.

This unworkable law is tragically flawed. It is not fair that the President's broken promises have created barriers when making a trip to the doctor.

ObamaCare will continue to hammer down on our families if it is not repealed and replaced with a commonsense solution that maintains the doctor-patient relationship, instead of Big Government's dictates destroying jobs.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

As an original cosponsor, I am very grateful to Congressman Dr. Tom Price for his insight and leadership on this very important issue.

It is no secret that Washington's budget process is broken. The over $17 trillion debt jeopardizes our national fiscal security and threatens future opportunities for our children and grandchildren.

I appreciate House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's work to produce a path forward that restores prosperity and makes substantial reductions to our debt over the next 10 years.

For far too long, Congress has passed bills without a full understanding of how policies will affect jobs and our economy. The Congressional Budget Office, the body we as lawmakers depend upon to provide fiscal and economic impacts of all legislation, has a bad track record of providing accurate information due to a significant loophole.

House Republicans have made meaningful strides in restoring fiscal accountability and responsibility back to Washington. We recognize, as the Lexington County Chronicle promotes, it is the taxpayers' money, not money the government allows citizens to hold temporarily.

Providing the CBO with the necessary toolkit to determine a bill's potential fiscal impacts on every aspect of our economy is a step in the right direction.

Take ObamaCare, for example. Seeing its failed implementation, which has destroyed jobs, proves we must see how a law will impact American job creators and the way families spend hard-earned paychecks.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this legislation and give CBO the likely consequences that may occur.

Madam Speaker, according to a Hoover Institute study, 2.6 million Americans are at risk of receiving smaller paychecks because of reduced hours as a result of ObamaCare's harsh regulations on small businesses.

It is obvious that the President's broken health care promises have made lives more difficult. What do we tell single mothers who have been forced to pick up an additional job because their hours have been reduced? And what about the college students who are paying their way through school but are struggling to achieve an education because their paychecks will not cover expenses?

At a time with record unemployment and a record number of people not seeking work, the government should not make it more difficult for employers to hire workers. Later today, the House will vote on a bill, which I have gratefully cosponsored, that provides relief for millions of Americans who have received smaller paychecks because of the President's health care takeover which destroys jobs.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Welcome, Mead Hall Episcopal School of Aiken, South Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate to recognize the Manigault-Hurley Family for their dedicated service to the Midlands community. After 90 years of dedicated service to generations of South Carolinians, the oldest family-owned funeral home in the Columbia area, closed its doors earlier last month.

Founded in 1923, by William Manigault, the Manigault-Hurley Funeral Home was a family business in every sense of the word. After William's passing his wife, Annie Rivers Manigault continued to operate the funeral home until 1954. Anna May Manigault-Hurley, daughter of William and Annie, took over the business becoming the first female licensed embalmer in the state. She managed the successful business for 50 years. Anna's son and current owner Anthony ( Tony) M. Hurley grew up helping with the family business which he operated with the help of his wife, Alice Wyche Hurley, and their three children, Brian, Kelly, and Michelle.

According to The State Newspaper's March 15th article `Nothing is Forever,' ``Manigault's was one of four black undertaking establishments operating in Columbia during the late 1920's according to the Roberts photo book, `A True Likeness.' His shot of the storefront, in the 700 block of Main, shows a street lined with black Cadillacs.

Manigault expanded into caskets. During the Depression, his Congaree Casket Co. reportedly employed more black people than any other black- owned business in South Carolina.''

Nate Abraham, Jr., in Carolina Panorama on March 20 reported ``We have served four generations of the Columbia community,'' said Mrs. [Alice] Hurley. ``And we are happy with that. We will certainly miss being a part of the business community, but like everything else, life goes in stages. We are just now moving into another stage.''

With its closing, the Manigault-Hurley Funeral Home leaves behind a legacy of a family business dedicated to professionalism and compassionate service. The Wilson and Johnson families know firsthand of the Hurley Family's thoughtfulness in times of grief. They were instrumental in providing world-class arrangements. South Carolinians will offer the Manigault-Hurley family best wishes for success in future endeavors. May their lives be filled with health and happiness knowing they have made a lasting difference for so many families.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan unveiled his vision of a budget, which will reduce Washington's out-of-control spending and will put our country back on a path to prosperity.

For years, the President has targeted our military in order to support his Big Government agenda. Last month, the administration announced plans to reduce the size of our Armed Forces to levels of those prior to World War II, putting American families at risk.

Chairman Ryan recognizes that our brave men and women in uniform, military families, and veterans are the ones who dedicate their lives to keeping us safe. His budget proposes to strengthen national security.

The primary function of the national government is to maintain a strong national defense. I appreciate Chairman Paul Ryan for committing to ensuring the safety of every American at home and abroad.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Thank you, Congressman Young, for yielding.

As an original cosponsor, I am very grateful for Chairman John Kline and Congressman Todd Young for their thoughtful leadership on this very important issue with the Save American Workers Act.

ObamaCare is the saddest example of Big Government failure. The American people have lost their health care plans, access to their most trusted doctors, and been forced to pay significant premium increases for poorer coverage and higher deductibles.

On top of all of these broken promises, it is tragic for American families that the President's signature health care law will also destroy jobs. Every day, real constituents living in South Carolina's Second Congressional District reach out to me expressing frustration with this broken law. Jennifer, a true small business owner from Lexington, writes:

Keep trying to repeal ObamaCare at all costs. The employer

mandate will cause my business to move full-time employees to

part-time.

Dozens of actual people express these same sentiments and plead with Congress to provide relief. The National Federation of Independent Business, NFIB, was correct that ObamaCare will destroy 1.6 million jobs.

ObamaCare's 30-hour workweek rule is lowering wages for a significant portion of hardworking Americans, the very ones the President claims to champion.

On behalf of the millions of Americans who are receiving smaller paychecks and having to work multiple jobs, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and provide greater economic security and opportunity for those who need it the most.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, as the flawed enrollment period for ObamaCare ended, a CBS poll revealed that a majority of Americans disapprove of the President's health care takeover law, which destroys jobs. Constituents living in South Carolina's Second Congressional District agree--ObamaCare will not work.

Cindy from Lexington writes:

I am so distressed about the extremely high cost of

insurance now that the so-called Affordable Care Act is in

place . . . Our insurance has increased $600. This is

ridiculous. It is really hurting our family and is causing a

huge strain on our budget. I am so disappointed in this law

and the fact it was able to pass. Is there anything you are

doing or can do to help families like ours? Everyone else I

know is suffering because of it.

These real-life experiences convey why Americans are fed up with ObamaCare. We must repeal and replace this train wreck of a law so that these burdens no longer hammer down on middle class families.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.