John Kline

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding the time and for his consistent, continuous leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, as a father and grandfather, I find it difficult to imagine anything more terrifying than a loved one falling victim to youth sex trafficking. Yet each year, hundreds of thousands of children and families are forced to live with the pain and suffering that stems from this deplorable crime.

Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. This crime is taking place right here in our own country. It is impacting our communities, our families, and our children. We face a national crisis, and it demands a national response.

Fortunately, there are heroic efforts underway to fight this heinous crime, care for the victims, and support their families.

The dedicated staff at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, or NCMEC, are on the front lines every day identifying victims, assisting law enforcement in the recovery of missing children, and returning children to their loved ones.

NCMEC is also partnering with schools and employers to enhance support for victims and their families. Parents with children in school are probably familiar with Lifetouch photography. Through its SmileSafe Kids initiative, Lifetouch is making it easier for parents and NCMEC to alert law enforcement of a missing child in order to accelerate the search and rescue.

NCMEC and others are always finding new ways to help, and so should we, and that is why we are here today. We have learned too often victims fall through the cracks of States' child welfare systems. Those who may be runaway or homeless youth do not have access to the full range of services they need.

And believe it or not, due to a flaw in the law, there are times when children are treated as criminals--as criminals, Mr. Speaker--rather than the victims of a violent crime.

Congress has an opportunity to address these challenges and strengthen our support for victims of youth sex trafficking. I want to thank my Republican and Democratic colleagues for working with us on this important effort, including Mr. Walberg, as I mentioned earlier; the ranking member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, Mr. Scott; and Representatives Joe Heck, Karen Bass, and Joyce Beatty.

I am pleased that in the early days of the 114th Congress, we are taking action to address youth sex trafficking. It reflects both the seriousness of this crime and our commitment to the victims and their families.

I urge my colleagues to support these important legislative proposals.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Ryan for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 30. It was noted not long ago that the President's health care law will ``destroy the foundation of the 40-hour workweek that is the backbone of the American middle class.''

Those aren't my words, of course, Mr. Speaker. Instead, those are the words expressed by leaders of some of the Nation's largest labor unions, including the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Echoing these concerns, members of the AFL-CIO endorsed a resolution that warned ObamaCare will lead to a ``new underclass of less-than-30-hour workers.''

We have all seen the headlines in recent years, headlines describing how employers are left with practically no choice but to cut workers' hours in order to avoid the health care law's punitive employer mandate. Put simply, the law punishes employers who provide workers with full-time jobs.

A small business owner and constituent of mine from Savage, Minnesota, wrote earlier this week that the President's health care law is ``wreaking havoc on the American workplace.'' No doubt many Americans agree.

Unfortunately, the law is wreaking havoc in schools as well. According to a recent report, Louisiana school administrators are being forced to cut staff hours and hire more part-time teachers to avoid Federal penalties. Schools in New Jersey and elsewhere are facing similar tough choices. One superintendent described the costs associated with the health care law's mandates as ``an unbelievable drain on school systems.''

Don't America's teachers and students deserve better?

Mr. Speaker, let's tell our Nation's school leaders that we won't sit idly by while ObamaCare makes it more difficult to provide students the quality education they deserve. Let's tell our small business owners that we want to help make it easier, not harder, to create full-time jobs. Let's tell the country's union leaders that we share your concerns and are prepared to do something about it. And finally, let's tell workers that we won't let a flawed law deny them the wages that they need to provide for their families.

I urge my colleagues to stand with the American people by supporting this commonsense, bipartisan legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Katherine ``Kelly'' Marjory Krauser Knott. Kelly fought a courageous battle against breast cancer, which sadly took her life on December 3.

As demonstrated at a memorial service earlier this week, Kelly touched many lives. The gathering held in her memory overflowed with love and grief shared by her many friends, colleagues, and family members.

Kelly was a graduate of New Canaan High School and St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana. She earned a master's degree from George Washington University.

She began her career in the nation's capital as an aide to our former colleague, Rep. Mel Hancock of Missouri. She worked in and around policy with true grace and professionalism. She held various positions throughout her distinguished career and was universally respected and admired.

I met Kelly my first week as a new Member of Congress and was struck by her knowledge of both policy and politics. She had a great understanding of the Hill and worked tirelessly to advance the goals of her members. I not only considered her a colleague but a friend.

As important as her professional achievements were, they do not compare to the success she enjoyed in her personal life. Kelly was a devoted wife to her husband Stewart and beloved mother to Carson, Halle, and Kendall.

I ask the House to join me in offering condolences to the Knott family and keep them in your prayers as they mourn the loss of a remarkable woman.