Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I celebrate and recognize the work of an exceptional citizen, Dr. Gopal Guttikonda, who dedicated himself to helping the residents of Central Texas by founding the Temple Community Clinic. His commitment to public service represents Texas values at their very best and he is a fitting recipient of Leadership Temple's prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award.

During his career, Dr. Guttikonda saw many hard-working Texans who did not have access to proper healthcare due to their ineligibility or lack of financial means. Seeking to ensure the healthcare was available for those in need, he made the selfless decision to create the Temple Community Clinic to improve the quality of life for all citizens in Central Texas.

What started as a 1,300-square foot space in the Jeff Hamilton Community Building grew substantially to what is now a world-class health resource for the underserved population in Central Texas. Elite physicians have volunteered their services to those who had no insurance or the financial means to afford treatment for themselves and their families. Dr. Guttikonda's dream of accessible healthcare has been impacting lives now for twenty-six amazing years.

Dr. Guttikonda's devotion to his community doesn't stop when his shift at the hospital ends. This married father of two, whose great work has been honored by his colleagues on numerous occasions, keeps busy with a variety of civic organizations that work to bring positive change to a variety of areas. His commitment to investing his gifts, talents, and abilities to improve his community is a deeply held creed that speaks to the generosity and activism of a true and devoted public servant.

Dr. Gopal Guttikonda's vision, dedication, and commitment to the health of all has made a real and lasting difference in lives of Central Texans. I'm both proud and humbled by his achievements and wish him continued success in the future. I join his family, colleagues, and friends in saluting his tremendous work as he is richly honored with Leadership Temple's Distinguished Alumni Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Mrs. Karen Sheldon for her sixteen years of service on the Georgetown, TX Chamber of Commerce. Karen's untiring commitment to making Georgetown a great place to live and work represents Texas values at their best.

After joining the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce in 2002 as Administrative Assistant, it was clear that Karen's hard work and dedication to the Chamber were unmatched. During her tenure, she served in many roles including Director of Development, Vice President, and Executive Vice President before being named Chamber President in 2014. Her time as President was focused on guiding the success and growth of her beloved community through advocacy, education, and civic engagement.

Karen's work in public service wasn't confined to the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce. She has continuously strived to make Georgetown a better city by serving on multiple boards and volunteering with numerous organizations. When she is not working for her community, Karen is a loving sister and proud mother of two daughters.

Retirement is meant to be celebrated and enjoyed. It is not the end of a career, but the beginning of a new adventure. Mrs. Karen Sheldon has left big shoes to fill as she has gone above and beyond the expected duties of a public servant. I thank her for her dedication to her community and proudly join her family, friends, and colleagues in wishing nothing but the best for her richly-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the career of devoted educator Robin Battershell as she retires after nearly four decades of incredible service. With her ``can-do'' spirit and high-minded vision, she has made Central Texas a model for innovative, child-focused education.

A native of Robinson, Texas, Robin's resume tells the story of a life devoted to education, starting as a third grade teacher in Houston and culminating with stints as superintendent of both Salado and Temple Independent School Districts. The hallmark of Robin's career is her unwavering devotion to prioritizing children in education. ``If you didn't think about a particular child today, then you have lost the reason you entered education in the first place,'' Robin says, noting it is the job of educators to determine ``where the child needs to go, and do everything in our power to help the child . . .''

As a wife and mother of three, Robin's commitment to her community doesn't stop when the school bell rings at the end of the day. She teaches at both the University of Mary Hardin Baylor and Texas A&M University Central Texas as well as serves on the Board for the Temple Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Central Texas. Her generous activism speaks to the very best values of our nation.

Robin Battershell's retirement is the richly-deserved beginning of an exciting journey. I salute her work and commitment to ensuring the children of our beloved home state receive the education they deserve. I join her colleagues, family, and friends in honoring her career and wishing her nothing but the best in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to celebrate and recognize the heroic work of an exceptional citizen of our district, Sergeant Major Juan J. Martinez, USMC, Retired. Throughout his extraordinary military career and beyond, he has dedicated himself to a life of service to both Central Texas and this remarkable country.

SgtMaj Martinez 1972 enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1972. Since then he has spent every waking day displaying Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment as he worked his way up to the rank of Sergeant Major in 1997. Throughout his thirty years with the USMC, SgtMaj Martinez displayed outstanding leadership and selflessness, resulting in numerous awards and commendations, including the prestigious Meritorious Service and Marine Corp Commendation Medals.

SgtMaj Martinez's work was not limited to military service alone as he took it upon himself to be a role model and instructor in Texas schools. Central Texas has been blessed to have SgtMaj Martinez teach the MCJROTC at Round Rock High School for the past ten years. His encouragement and passion for the Marine Corps has instilled in our youth a sense of duty and shown them the fruits of a lifetime of service.

SgtMaj Martinez has gone above and beyond the expected duties of a Marine and has led our youth to new heights. We are grateful for each year he has dedicated to our country. He has blessed Central Texas with his hard work, valor, and I am proud here to congratulate him on his retirement after decades of service.

Mr. Speaker, today is a special day as we celebrate and recognize the work of an exceptional citizen of our district: Mayor Danny Dunn of Temple, TX. Throughout his life, he has dedicated himself to the residents of his beloved hometown. His commitment to public service represents Texas values at their best.

Mayor Dunn has spent the past eight years devoting himself to make the city of Temple a great place to work and call home. Under his steady and forward-looking leadership, Temple has seen exponential changes, ranging from new public safety initiatives to large improvement projects to restore the city. His commitment to smart, lasting, and strategic development has improved the quality of life for all citizens of Temple and put the city on the track for continued growth in the future.

Mayor Dunn's public service doesn't end at 5 p.m. during the week. He is continuously trying to make Temple a better city by volunteering and working with numerous civic engagement groups such as museum committees, veteran research, and children hospitals. His great work has not gone unnoticed as Mayor Dunn has been the recipient of countless awards and recognition.

While Mayor Dunn has been honored to serve Temple, he knows that everything has its season and that it is time for him to allow the next generation of leaders to take the stage. Retirement from office does not mean that Dunn is finished improving and inspiring the city. He plans on continuing to work, volunteer, and be an active citizen of the city of Temple while pursuing graduate school and spending time with his family.

Mayor Dunn has left big shoes to fill as he has gone above and beyond the expected duties of a public servant. He has led Temple to new heights and positioned his hometown to

be one of the best in Texas. I salute his leadership, congratulate him on his retirement, and wish him nothing but the best in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Lieutenant Colonel William Thomas Slye, Jr., USA, Ret., who became an angel on February 28, 2018. LTC Slye's dedication to the United States Army, his nation, and his beloved family mark a man whose life was devoted to service to others.

A native of Washington, D.C., LTC Slye enlisted in the Navy in 1953, where he served as an aircraft engine mechanic and found his passion for aviation. While the Navy could not offer him a venue to progress in his flying aspirations, he soon enlisted in the Army to pursue their flight training program.

LTC Slye's skills did not go unnoticed and he was assigned to the Presidential Flight Detachment where he flew in the Presidential Helicopter unit for both Presidents Johnson and Nixon. His valiant efforts to keep our nation's leaders safe during tumultuous times were next to none and will never be forgotten. Following a 28-year Army career that included three tours in Vietnam, LTC Slye retired in 1981 and settled in Belton, Texas.

Along with being a skilled and decorated pilot, LTC Slye was a true family man. He married the love of his life, Wanda Rose Bridges, in 1957 and went on to raise three beautiful children: Mike, Teri, and Sandie. He lived a full and inspirational life and was actively involved in his church, Knights of Columbus, and community.

LTC Slye's dedication to both nation and family reflect the best values we hold dear in Central Texas. I salute his devotion to our highest ideals and join his loved ones in mourning his loss.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation.

The Homeland Security division of this bill contains $47.7 billion to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

This bill provides strong funding to help Americans recover when disaster hits; ensures the security of our air, land, and sea borders; and protects our local communities from outside threats.

This bill provides more than 90 miles of barrier fencing, to include 33 miles of new fencing in the Rio Grande Valley. It includes $284 million for inspection equipment to combat drug trafficking, to include $71 million to specifically target opioid detection. It sustains ICE detention activities and provides additional funding to hire more agents.

It funds the vessels and aircraft our Coast Guard needs to protect our coastline. It also fully funds activities to combat cyber attacks.

Mr. Speaker, this last year has been a tough year for Texans, who suffered from our most ruthless hurricane season. I saw the devastation firsthand. This bill will go a long way to help those folks and their homes.

This bill includes $7.9 billion for FEMA to continue to respond to this and future disasters, and $249 million for grants to prevent future storms from causing damage like this again.

I would like to thank very much my colleague, Ms. Lucille Roybal- Allard, the ranking member on my committee. She is a dream to work with, and we are great partners in this process. I would also like to thank the majority and minority staffs for their hard work on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, as I conclude, I would like to take a moment to say farewell and thanks to a member of our Homeland Security Subcommittee team.

Christopher Romig is leaving our committee at the end of April, after 30 years of service to our Nation. He spent 27 of those years in our great Army as a helicopter pilot. He brought his military background to our Homeland Security Subcommittee team, and we benefited from his experience and sharp mind for the past 3 years. Now we wish him well on his next adventure.

I also would like to take a minute to thank the FBI and the ATF for the great work they have done in the central Texas area for the person we call the Austin bomber.

Mr. Speaker, our fine Secretary of Defense this morning testified before the Committee on Armed Services. He remarked that if the military is forced to continue to operate under a continuing resolution for the rest of the year, it will be unable to provide pay to our brave men and women in uniform, unable to recruit personnel we need, unable to maintain our naval ships, unable to maintain our aircraft, unable to supply our troops in the theater of combat, and unable to strike contracts critical toward modernizing our force. Unable, unable, unable.

As Congress, it is our responsibility to make our military force the most able in the world; able to keep our country safe and able to promote the ideals of freedom across the globe.

It would be deeply irresponsible for Members of this House to vote against providing full-year funding to the Defense Department, which addresses the needs of today and tomorrow, not last year.

The Secretary was on the Hill to discuss something very important: The Department's National Defense Strategy, which seeks to address the significant challenges we face with rising adversaries in China and Russia, along with enduring threats of a nuclear-armed Korea, a terrorist state in Iran, a terrorist network like ISIS. And he said: ``I regret that, without sustained predictable appropriations, my presence here today wastes your time because no strategy can survive without funding necessary to resource it.''

Mr. Speaker, this bill funds our military for the year with funding that addresses the challenges we face today and separates this critical funding from the political fights here in Washington, D.C. Our troops need our support for this bill.

Mr. Speaker, they need what this bill provides. Because of that, I support the bill and I urge its passage.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this Defense Appropriations bill which will provide full-year funding for the Defense Department so they can continue to effectively defend our country from an ever-expanding threat which exists in the world today.

This bill ends uncertainty and ineffectiveness of a continuing resolution, allows the DOD to plan and execute on the things they need to do today, not last year. Our military needs to modernize to face new threats it will face in this world, and they can't do that with a CR.

This bill also lifts sequestration caps which have, to paraphrase Secretary Mattis, caused more harm to our military than any enemy. Lifting these caps for FY18 is essential towards improving the readiness of our force.

The world is changing rapidly and so is the nature and threat to our military forces and what they face day and night. We owe it to our servicemen and -women to give them the resources to modernize their capabilities so that they can best face this threat.

Mr. Speaker, our military is the greatest natural resource in the country. I am reminded of this every time I visit The Great Place, Fort Hood, in my district. The troops at Fort Hood are currently leading the fight against ISIS and will benefit from this bill, and we owe it to them.

We sleep every night under the blanket of freedom they provide through their sacrifice. I am proud to support them and hopeful that we will pass this bill so we can give them what they need right now so they won't face the uncertainty of endless sequestration and CRs. I support this bill and encourage my colleagues to support it.

And it is a current event. Last night, as I flew into Washington, D.C., we carried the remains of an American warrior. It is a current event. We are all responsible for it. We need to get this job done.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I recently flew in a C-130 with a gathering of my colleagues and members of the Senate the length and breadth of Florida, across the Gulf of Mexico, and up and down the Gulf Coast of my home State of Texas and looked at the devastation that, in 1 day, on about a 12-hour flight, we could see all the devastation that took place from these terrible storms.

That is why this supplemental is so very important, because this is not about numbers, this is not about anything; it is about people, human beings. We helped people move their ruined furniture out of their houses when we were on that trip. We saw the devastation. We saw the tears and the pain that these people were dealing with.

As chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, I am proud to have had a small part in working on this project.

Let me explain that the supplement provides $28.6 billion for the Department of Homeland Security; $27.5 billion is for the Disaster Relief Fund to provide for the continued response and recovery efforts for all recent disasters. These funds will provide for the recovery efforts of all disasters that have received a major disaster declaration, to include, Texas, Florida, California, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

This money is needed to ensure food, water, and temporary shelter is made available to disaster survivors. These funds are used for debris removal efforts, the first step in recovery. These funds will also support the long-term recovery efforts to help rebuild utilities, bridges, roads, and buildings.

$4 billion of this can be used for community disaster loans to help communities pay for essential services while they get back on their feet.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

The bill also includes $1.1 billion to address the damages to important Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and Transportation Security Administration facilities.

The supplement provides $4.4 billion more than requested, but we looked at

each project to ensure that funding was only going to projects that address damages, improve resiliency, and increase disaster responses.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Frelinghuysen for his leadership. He has been right on top of this, and we have got a good product here.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the supplemental.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding time to me.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this 2-week continuing resolution. This short-term CR is a necessary stopgap to keep the government operating until we can finalize an agreement for the top line numbers and finish our work on all 12 appropriations bills.

As some of my colleagues have noted, the House Appropriations Committee completed its work several months ago, passing all 12 of the bills out of this Chamber back in September, about 80 days ago. The other Chamber has not made the same progress, and the resolution before us today will buy us a little time to negotiate with our counterparts who are behind.

Once our budget deal is done, we will be able to begin those negotiations, and I am very confident we will be able to quickly finish our work.

I cannot overstate the importance of getting all 12 appropriations bills conferenced and across the line, but I would be remiss if I did not emphasize the critical operations funded in my bill. A final FY18 bill for the Department of Homeland Security is necessary to ensure our Nation is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other threats.

Mr. Speaker, the American people count on us to get the job done. I urge my colleagues to support this short-term CR to avert a government shutdown and allow us to complete our work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the amazing work of Yovanna Browne who is retiring at the end of this year. Yovanna, who worked in my Temple, TX District Office, is as dedicated a public servant as any Member of Congress could hope for. Lauded throughout her career for her tenacity and attention to detail, she's been a mission-critical member of every place she's worked.

Yovanna's resume is a testament to a life devoted to public service. Two decades were spent working for a variety of offices in both the Army and Navy, where she received numerous commendations from both branches. Another decade was dedicated to Central Texas College, her alma mater, and working to ensure soldiers could navigate the complex Tricare program. Luckily for Central Texas, Yovanna spent the last twelve years as a Lead Case Worker in my Temple Office.

District office staff have as challenging a job there is in public service. They often deal with constituents who are at their wits' end and have lost faith in the government that is supposed to serve them. Yovanna's combination of empathy and expertise have helped countless Central Texans navigate the often-challenging world of government agencies and services. She treats all with kindness and respect, lending a thoughtful ear to their concerns while staying focused on how to best be of assistance. Her extraordinary efforts, commitment to excellence, and skillful work has enabled my Temple office to serve my constituents at the high level they deserve.

While my office is losing Yovanna to a richly-deserved retirement, she'll always be a member of the Carter family and a shining example of the best in public service. I join my staff, and all those who've been impacted by her commitment to excellence, in wishing her nothing but the best in the next chapter of her life.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank Mr. Bilirakis and Mr. Walz for rising in support of this.

When Mr. Nelson and his family came to me with this, the first thing I thought was: That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard.

You have a child, waiting to give you a live kidney in a transplant, and he is eliminated as a donor because he is not a veteran. It is hard enough to find live transplants as it is. And common sense by everybody who ever knew anybody who got one knows: the best source is

a family member because it has got the best chance for a match and the best chance for success.

Yet the VA had a limitation that he had to be a veteran. Now, what are the chances of all your family being veterans when all of a sudden you have renal failure and have to have a kidney? They have got to be off the wall, and that is ridiculous.

So, Mr. Speaker, I filed this bill to correct this mess.

My colleague has given a great description of what happened to the Nelsons. But, more importantly, common sense--and I like the mention of that--tells us that you can't eliminate the best pool of donors that a family has because of their lack of being a veteran.

And we all know--we heard Mr. O'Rourke say previously--we are down to about 1 percent of our Nation actually serves in the military anymore.

So this is a commonsense fix for a commonsense problem.

Mr. Speaker, I am really proud of my staff. They have worked really hard on this. They stayed at it and stayed at it. We got the attention of the VA, and I am happy for their cooperation. I want to thank the committee. They were overwhelmingly supportive on both sides of the aisle. I urged my colleagues to fix a commonsense problem and allow a son to give a kidney to his father at a facility that is most convenient to the family, which is all common sense, so that our veterans, who have given their all for us, have the right to have the best healthcare available to American citizens, and that is what this bill will provide.

There was such a good explanation by my colleagues that I didn't go into the details. But I just want to tell you that when you have a constituent come in with a commonsense problem, we have a duty and a responsibility to fix it because common sense is in short supply in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Corporal Pete Aranda, Jr., U.S. Army, a decorated soldier from Round Rock, TX. In all aspects of life, CPL Aranda goes beyond the call of duty. It is my honor to award him the Congressional Veteran Commendation.

CPL Aranda enlisted in the Army in 1988 and served a short stint in the 3/64 Armor, 3rd Infantry Division in Germany. He then deployed in the spring of 1991 as a medic to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait. As testament to the quality of his service, CPL Aranda received numerous medals and commendations, including the Combat Field Medical Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal, and two Southwest Asia Campaign Medals. A true patriot, Corporal Aranda continued to honorably serve after his discharge from active duty as a Respiratory Therapist at the 349th General Hospital, U.S. Army Reserve.

In 1995, CPL Aranda returned home to Port Arthur, Texas where he worked for the Beaumont Health Department. In civilian life, CPL Aranda has served those around him with boundless altruism. His commitment to his community can be seen through his involvement in and leadership of many organizations, including the Greater Houston Red Cross, Camp Allen, the Talking Book Program and the Texas Stream Team. CPL Aranda's tireless efforts have touched the lives of many and have helped make Central Texas a place people are proud to call home.

A reflection of the best values of our nation, CPL Aranda's service to his community and country has made a resounding impact on those around him. I thank CPL Pete Aranda, Jr., a leader with a servant's heart, for his dedication and service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor First Lieutenant Phillip Duprey of the United States Army for his dedication and service to our country. 1LT Duprey's extraordinary patriotism, citizenship, and commitment to community and service reflects the best values of Central Texas. He is a fitting recipient of a Congressional Veteran Commendation.

During his deployment to Vietnam, Phillip Duprey faced grave and mortal danger while conducting intelligence collection as a member of the Army Security Agency for the IV Division of the 101st Airborne Division. 1LT Duprey's leadership, dedication, and bravery undoubtedly saved the lives of many. For his service and valor in combat, 1LT Duprey received numerous medals including the Bronze Star and the National Defense Service Medal.

1LT Duprey's service and sense of duty did not finish with the end of his military career. Upon returning to the great state of Texas, 1LT Duprey dedicated his civilian life to the uplifting and betterment of his community. As a highly respected citizen, he is active in numerous community organizations, including twenty-two years on the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he served on the Cedar Park City Council for six years, the last two as Mayor pro tem. 1LT Duprey has dedicated himself to serving his community and is an embodiment of the Army values of honor, loyalty, and selfless service. For these reasons and many more, his community came together to honor 1LT Duprey as Cedar Park Citizen of the Year in 2000 and 2014.

I commend First Lieutenant Phillip Duprey's selfless service to the U.S. Army, the nation, and his community. He is a hero who has devoted his life to defending our freedoms abroad and serving his community at home. I join 1LT Duprey's family, friends, and neighbors in celebrating his outstanding achievements.