Floor Statements

Offered by: Mr. Mica

Amendment No. 8. Page 15, line 25, after the dollar amount,

insert ``(reduced by $31,810,000)''.

Page 16, line 6, after the dollar amount, insert

``(increased by $31,810,000)''.

Offered by: Mr. Mica

Amendment No. 9. Page 52, line 11, insert before the

proviso the following: ``Provided further, That the Director

of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center shall develop

a plan to further integrate and utilize modeling and

similation in the training of law enforcement and security

personnel:''.

Offered by: Mr. Mica

Amendment No. 10. Page 15, line 25, after the dollar amount

insert ``(reduced by $12,500,000) (increased by

$12,500,000)''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the University of Central Florida on the occasion of its golden anniversary. Located in Florida's 7th Congressional District, UCF is one of America's great education institutions.

Over the past 50 years, UCF's campus has grown from what was once a commuter school with limited academic programs to today having nearly 60,000 undergraduate and graduate students and over 10,000 faculty and staff on 12 campuses spread across the vast footprint of central Florida. Through the tireless efforts of its first University President, Dr. Charles M. Millican to its current President Dr. John C. Hitt, UCF has become the second largest university in the United States. Today's student body is composed of some of brightest minds from Florida, the Nation, and around the world while assembling some of the finest faculty and senior staff professionals in the country. Under the direction of Dr. Hitt, UCF has achieved high admission standards, dramatically increased research funding, built new state of the art facilities and established significant partnerships with major research institutions. The campus now features an on-campus stadium, indoor sports arena, increased and modern campus housing and the impressive development of the UCF College of Medicine at Lake Nona. UCF has been named one of the Nation's top 5 ``up-and-coming'' schools according to U.S. News and World Report while advancing in the annual overall best colleges rankings released each year.

UCF has become a national leader in research with an outstanding academic reputation. Its regional assets include a collaboration of military commands, advanced simulation research coupled with the strength of UCF's renowned Institute for Simulation and Training. Further boasting its commitment to high-tech research, UCF is home to CREOL, The College of Optics & Photonics, a world-renowned graduate college for optical science and engineering education. UCF is also nationally recognized as having the top hospitality management program in the country, residing on the Rosen College campus in the heart of Orlando's entertainment and tourist district.

I join my Florida colleagues and Members of Congress in extending congratulations to the University of Central Florida on reaching this important milestone. I have watched with pride the positive growth and impact of this great institution of higher learning. Central Florida, the State and Nation are richer for the investable contributions of its students, faculty and staff, and outstanding graduates. Looking back over these past 50 years with excitement for the next 50, Mr. Speaker, I would again like to extend my congratulations to UCF and join others in saying: Go Knights!

Mr. Speaker, on March 21, 2013 I joined as a cosponsor of H. Res. 36 to establish a select committee to investigate and report on the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi. That action was taken to insure a thorough review of the loss of four Americans.

Officials including our U.S. Ambassador and the Obama Administration's attempt to keep witnesses and information from Congress. Fortunately, five committees in the U.S. House acted and produced a joint report on April 23, 2013. The House Government Oversight and Reform Committee, which has government-wide investigative powers and authority, has since begun a series of hearings to examine the Benghazi matter.

It is my belief with this thorough review underway, it is no longer necessary to pursue a select committee on this matter.

Therefore, I am withdrawing my cosponsorship of H. Res. 36.

With the extensive work now underway in the House Government Oversight Reform Committee, a select committee would delay, add cost and not benefit the urgent need to properly review the Benghazi matter.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of a devoted public servant, a community leader and a special friend, Orange County Clerk of Courts Lydia Gardner. With her passing on May 8, 2013, her family has lost a loved one and our community and the State of Florida have lost a respected and accomplished leader.

Lydia was born in Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan. She also attended Rollins College and the prestigious John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. However, it was with an early passion for politics that she won the position of Student Council President at Central High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Prior to serving as Clerk of Courts, Mrs. Gardner distinguished herself as an educator, achieved success in real estate and as an executive with a Fortune 100 telecommunications company and was later elected as member and chairman of the Orange County School Board.

Lydia was first elected in 2000 and then a subsequent four terms as Orange County, Florida's Clerk of Courts. In 2008 her office received the Sterling Award for operational excellence awarded by the Governor. She has been appointed by the Florida Supreme Court to a number of special committees, most recently one to study privacy and court records. Lydia lent her support to causes important to her and the Central Florida community. She was a strong advocate for the mentally ill and was the recipient of the Central Florida Mental Health Association's Golden Bell Award. She played a key role in establishing the Domestic Violence Commission in Orange County, served on the Jail Oversight Committee, Juvenile Justice Commission as well as the Board of Directors for the Central Receiving Center. In addition, she has served on the Board of the Orlando Science Center and Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, which elected her chairman in 2003.

A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she truly made an indelible mark on her family, community and our judicial system. My deepest condolences are extended to her husband John, her son Chris and daughter Betsy. In addition, Lydia is remembered by her four grandchildren and three siblings. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives join me in recognizing the distinguished life and service of Lydia Gardner.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my name as a cosponsor to House Resolution 36.

I thank the gentleman.

Why are we here? We're here because of a colossal failure of leadership in the ability to manage resources.

First of all, I can tell you that there are plenty of air traffic controllers. Just go online and get this report, ``Plan for the Future.'' Some of our airports have far more air traffic controllers than we need. In fact, air traffic control for the last 10 years is down 27 percent, and we still have close to 15,000 air traffic controllers.

This legislation does provide a fig leaf for the administration who said they don't have the authority. I can tell you, they had the authority and the ability to move people and resources around, so that gives us the opportunity to get the flying public flying again.

Again, we have the resources, they had the money, and here we're giving them the final fig leaf that they have asked for and they say they need to get this done.

I can tell you that if Ronald Reagan were President, we would not be in this mess.

Mr. Speaker, FAA furloughs of air traffic controllers and threats to delay flights represent an absolutely colossal failure of this administration. The FAA and the Obama administration knew about sequestration. In fact, the FAA knows, and this chart shows that, in fact, air traffic is down some 27 percent in the last decade.

FAA failed to make reductions where air traffic has actually been reduced. The FAA knows which airports they can reduce their workforce. We've got a report here that outlines in detail where we have more air traffic controllers than we need.

The Obama administration is poking Congress and the American people, the flying public, in the eye. There's no reason for this mess. I will tell you this: if Ronald Reagan were President, this whole fiasco would have been over Monday morning.

Mr. Speaker, the indebtedness of the United States is reaching $17 trillion. Just a few weeks ago, Europe, the entire world, and Americans shuddered when they saw, in Cyprus, what took place.

Imagine going to the bank and having the door closed. Imagine putting your ATM card in and not being able to get funds. Imagine being restricted to taking $300 a day.

What happened in Cyprus can happen in the United States.

Remember, also, accounts for people who worked hard, had invested and put their accounts and money away. They came in; and if you had $100,000, the government skimmed off the top.

Look at President Obama's proposal in his budget. Look at his restrictions, and also taxing and taking from those who have retired.

The same thing can happen in America that's happened in other countries.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of an outstanding businessman, a community leader and a friend, Tom Staed. With his passing on February 26, 2013, both his family and our state have lost a loved one and strong voice for the benefit of our region.

Tom was born on April 27, 1931, in Memphis, Tennessee and attended Sacred Heart Grammar School and Christian Brothers High School in Memphis before attending Memphis State. His college career was interrupted by the Korean War as he was called to serve in the United Sates Marine Corps and distinguished himself as an artillery coordinator. After being honorably discharged as a Corporal, he returned to Memphis State where he became Editor of the School Newspaper, President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, graduated with a B.A. in Journalism, and then went on to Tulane University School of Law.

While at Tulane, Tom met Barbara Dodd, and the couple soon married and moved to Daytona Beach, Florida. It was in Daytona Beach where Tom began his long, successful, and distinguished career in the hospitality industry; almost singlehandedly transforming the landscape of hotels on the coast of Volusia County through his 11 hotels and interests in the Ocean Eleven Resorts. He financed and purchased several old hotels in the Daytona area and was able to make them successful in a short time through hard work, determination, and a can-do style.

Tom was a recognized leader and committed member of both the Florida and national lodging and tourism industries, and firmly believed in civic involvement. Some of the notable local, state, and national boards he was appointed to include President of Best Western International Inc., President the Florida Hotel and Motel Association, Chairman of Florida's Governor's Tourism Advisory Council, Visit Florida, Inc., Chairman of the American Hotel and Motel Association. He was the Florida Hotelier of the Year in 1982. He was also a past Chairman and Founding member of the Halifax Area Advertising Authority.

Tom had a life long interest in politics and I recall the last time I saw Tom at one of his hotels, he spoke of past campaigns and issues he worked on over 30 years in Florida and specifically his times as a trusted friend and ally of leaders in both the Democrat and Republican Parties. He was truly a gift to all Floridians.

As someone who served on numerous local associations, commissions and boards for civic and charitable organizations, Tom was a committed philanthropist that always focused on giving back to those less fortunate than himself.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he truly made an indelible mark on his family, community and industry. In our community, the name Tom Staed stood for integrity, compassion and public service, and through that principled dedication he leaves a proud and distinguished legacy. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives join me in recognizing Tom Staed's years of service and dedication to our community, our state and our Nation.

I thank the gentleman for yielding, and hopefully I can shed a little light on some of the commentary in this debate.

First of all, the Congress always has and always will respond to disasters, and it is important in the Northeast superstorm that we do so, and we do so responsibly. Anyone who says that we did not act responsibly, the Republicans didn't act or our leadership, is wrong.

First of all, let me recount. After the disaster, our committee, Transportation and Infrastructure, which oversees FEMA, we went to New York. We met with officials. We assessed the damage. We came back and we did a hearing and hauled in FEMA personnel. We asked specifically, Is there enough funding available to provide disaster relief? The answer was yes. There was $6 billion in the continuing resolution that Congress had passed and another $1 billion left from the previous year, a total of $7 billion. The question at that time is how much would be spent. They said approximately $3 billion, leaving $4 billion, that would take us--in the disaster relief fund account--till February.

We worked with the Senate and others in trying to look at reforms, because the last word from Mayor Bloomberg and the President of the Staten Island borough when I left them was, Can you help me get money from Hurricane Irene, which they still couldn't get reimbursed because of the bureaucracy and red tape from current FEMA policy.

Yesterday the Congress--and we passed it twice before--passed those reforms that are so necessary so that New York and New Jersey and the others affected won't have the same problems in securing that money.

So, first, there was enough money and is enough money available in the disaster relief fund. There wasn't enough money in the flood insurance account, and that is a reimbursable. It will come back. Before we left, we put $7 billion to ensure that they would be taken care of, and they are taken care of.

There was enough money, there is enough money, and there will be enough money. This rule is constructed because, when the Senate passed their bill over to us at the last minute and the last hour, they porked it down. They put things in there that didn't need to be in there, thinking that they could pull one over on the House of Representatives and slide in with disaster relief a whole host of earmarks, and I won't go into the details to embarrass anyone. The record will reflect that.

So we acted responsibly, our leadership acted in a responsible fashion, and today this committee, the Rules Committee, is bringing this out in, also, a responsible fashion to deal with the disaster. We'll do it right, and we'll protect the American people in the process and their hard-earned taxpayer dollars.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to two of my Republican colleagues who were elected in 1992. It has been my honor to serve with both Roscoe Bartlett and Don Manzullo for the past two decades. I am pleased today, to recognize their outstanding service to our nation. Roscoe Bartlett has represented Maryland's 6th District and Don Manzullo Illinois's 16th District.

These two classmates have distinguished records of service. Rosco earned his PHD in physiology from The University of Maryland and spent 20 years as a scientist and engineer for the military and NASA. He has 20 patents, 19 of which are held by the U.S. Government for his inventions of life support equipment used by military pilots, astronauts, search and rescue personnel, and firefighters. He has served on the Armed Services Committee since his first year in Congress and he became chairman of the panel's Air and Land Forces Subcommittee for this 112th Congress.

Don has served as Chairman of the Small Business Committee and long championed the cause of America's chief economic generator, our nation's small businesses. He also chaired the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific for this 112th Congress. Before being elected, Don was an attorney and the owner of his own small law firm.

During our service together history should record that upon assuming the majority in Congress in 1995, these two individuals helped bring about remarkable achievements for our country. They helped craft plans that balanced our federal budget from 1997 to 2002 and reformed welfare. They aided our nation in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.

Not only have we been fortunate to have their leadership in Congress they have both, in their family life, set examples for the American People. By their side Roscoe's wife Ellen and Don's wife Freda have always aided their husband's efforts and supported their Congressional Districts. Rosco has ten children, 18 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Don's children are Neil, Noel, and Katie.

As these two friends and most accomplished members of Congress depart, I know that my colleagues wish them well and God Speed.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Jay Pierson and his 34 years of dedicated service to the House of Representatives. I have had the privilege of serving in this institution since 1992 and for all of those years I have served with Jay. During that time I have come to know him for his graciousness, patience and helpful nature. His historical expertise and institutional knowledge will sorely be missed.

I would like to thank Jay for his friendship and wish him the best in his retirement. We have all been better served because of his commitment to the House of Representatives and the American people.

The American people will never know the work of individuals like Jay Pierson, who has toiled long hours making certain the Congress and U.S. House function every day for our federal legislative branch.

I especially want to thank Jay who has stayed many nights with me, often until midnight and long after the House had completed its regular business, while I presented my special orders speeches.

The United States House of Representatives will hold a better place in history because of Jay's dedication and long tenure.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to make votes the afternoon of Thursday, December 20, 2012 due to my attendance of a funeral and a delayed return flight. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcalls 639, 640, 641 and 642.