Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the members of the Michigan delegation and the House of Representatives for their support and unanimous passage of my legislation earlier this month to rename the Beaverton Post Office in honor of the late Colonel Alfred Asch.

Alfred was born and raised in Beaverton, and, as a young boy, he was fascinated by aviation. In September of 1941, after graduating high school, he entered the Army Corps. He flew more than 70 missions over north Africa and Europe, earning numerous decorations, while documenting his experiences in letters to Naomi, his girlfriend and wife-to-be. He continued to serve in the Air Force until 1968, and he made contributions to military and civilian flight.

His work took him away from Michigan, but he always kept his hometown in his heart. He funded a scholarship at Central Michigan University for students from Gladwin County, and proceeds from his memoir helped fund the Beaverton Activity Center.

I am proud to have the support of Colonel Asch's family and his two sons, David and Peter, who have said their father's childhood in Beaverton helped him face life's early challenges before taking on the world.

Alfred Asch was a great American and a hometown hero for Beaverton, Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Sugrue as the Commander and District Engineer of the Detroit District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Since graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and receiving his commission in 1999, Lieutenant Colonel Sugrue has exemplified the Mission and Vision of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Lieutenant Colonel Sugrue's extensive career has taken him across the United States and around the world. From New York to Germany, to deployments in Kosovo and Afghanistan, where he did two tours, his dedication and leadership has been an asset in every position.

Lieutenant Colonel Sugrue has been recognized with numerous military awards and decorations including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal, among others. These well-deserved accolades speak to Lieutenant Colonel Sugrue's leadership and commitment to service, which are amplified by his honor and integrity.

I had the pleasure of getting to know Lieutenant Colonel Sugrue during his tenure as commander of the Detroit District, which he assumed in July 2016. As the commander, he is responsible for carrying out the District's mission in Michigan, sections of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Indiana, as well as four of the Great Lakes. The District's 82,000 square miles of land includes 4,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline and the Soo Locks, which are vitally important to the nation's economy and security.

Lieutenant Colonel Sugrue went above and beyond to understand the importance of natural resources and outdoor heritage to the state of Michigan and surrounding region. I especially commend his hard work to advance the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Great Lakes navigation system, including combatting the spread of invasive species and construction of a new Soo Lock.

His expertise is second to none and we have been fortunate to have Lieutenant Colonel Sugrue at the helm of the Detroit District. It has been an honor and a privilege to know Lieutenant Colonel Sugrue over the past two years. I wish him, his wife Flori and sons Sean and Connor, all the best in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Robert Van Deventer, the President and CEO of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, upon his retirement.

During his more than fifteen years with the Saginaw County Chamber, Bob has been a recognized community leader and a leading advocate for enhancing the Great Lakes Bay Region. In fact, numerous non-profit organizations have recruited Bob to serve as an advisor and have sought his expertise; Bob has served on the Great Lakes Bay Regional Branding and Communications Council, Saginaw County Business and Education Partnership, the Great Lakes Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, Saginaw Future, Inc., the SVSU College of Business and Management Advisory Board and the CMU Alumni Advisory Board of Directors just to list a few.

Bob also served as President and member of the Board of Directors for the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance. Under his leadership, Bob increased communication and joint ventures amongst Bay, Isabella, Midland and Saginaw counties. At a time when the City of Saginaw was about to close the doors on the Saginaw Civic Center, Bob along with the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, led a successful campaign to restore and upgrade the building into what is now the Dow Event Center. This advancement set in motion the campaign to redevelop the deteriorating downtown Saginaw. Bob and the Alliance have been able to enhance our local communities by drawing tourism to the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Throughout Bob's illustrious career with the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, he

truly embodied its mission and vision. From supporting the success of local businesses to building healthy organizations and community through his volunteerism, Bob has dedicated his efforts to revitalizing Saginaw County and creating an exceptional place to live and work.

On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Michigan, I am honored today to recognize Robert Van Deventer upon his retirement from the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce and extend my appreciation for his commitment to Saginaw and the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Mr. Speaker, first, I want to thank Chairman Brady of the House Committee on Ways and Means for his leadership of the committee, and also Mr. Roskam and Mr. Thompson for their support here on the floor today.

I also want to thank Congressman Raul Ruiz for cosponsoring this legislation and making it bipartisan.

This legislation before us today, H.R. 1476, will improve access to health savings accounts for Native Americans who choose to receive care at Indian Health Service facilities by ending an unnecessary penalty against them.

Mr. Speaker, if you or I were to use a health savings account, we would be able to immediately make a contribution to it the day after you receive care at a doctor's office. There is no prohibition on making those contributions.

However, right now, Native Americans across the country, including my constituents, cannot do the same thing if they receive treatment from a doctor at the Indian Health Service. Instead, they are prohibited from immediately saving the money they earned and must wait for 3 months before they can make another contribution into the personal account they use to provide for their health and that of their family.

This makes no sense. Instead, this commonsense legislation eliminates the problem. If this bill becomes law, Native Americans will no longer have to wait 3 months. They will be able to receive treatment from Indian Health Service doctors near them and save money in their HSAs whenever they want.

This is a bipartisan, patient-centered solution to a government- created problem.

It will benefit the Saginaw Chippewas in my district as well as Tribes throughout Michigan and across the country. It will help those who work hard to save money and take care of their families.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their support of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 270.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Andrew Liveris, the Chairman and CEO of The Dow Chemical Company, upon his retirement from the company.

In his more than forty years with Dow, Mr. Liveris has been a recognized business leader and a leading advocate for manufacturing worldwide. Presidential administrations of both parties have recruited Mr. Liveris to serve as an advisor and have sought his expertise; Mr. Liveris served as co-chair of the steering committee for President Barack Obama's Advanced Manufacturing Partnership and served on President Donald Trump's Manufacturing Jobs Initiative.

As Chairman and CEO, Mr. Liveris has continued The Dow Chemical Company's strong commitment to the Great Lakes Bay Region, proudly opening a new corporate headquarters in Midland. Dow's investment has helped the city grow into a vibrant community.

Leading Dow's collaborations with numerous governments on advanced manufacturing plans and steering the company's investment and industry leadership around the world, Mr. Liveris has exhibited exemplary management at the helm of Dow. Under his leadership, the company weathered challenging economic times and completed a historic, transformational merger, moving the company forward for years to come.

On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Michigan, I am honored today to recognize Andrew Liveris upon his retirement from The Dow Chemical Company and extend my appreciation for his commitment to Midland and the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Mr. Speaker, rise today to pay tribute to Xavier Staubs, a freshman at Corunna High School, for his heroic actions in saving a rival swimmer from drowning during a swim meet. Xavier showed bravery and courage in helping to save the life of another.

Xavier is a freshman at Corunna High School and on Thursday, January 4, his quick and decisive action saved the life of a competing student. After completing the last leg of the 200-yard medley relay against rival Owosso High School he noticed panicked spectators pointing to Kamrin Samson, a junior at Owosso High School, who was sinking to the bottom of the pool. Xavier jumped back into the pool, swam down, and brought Kamrin back to the surface to receive the medical attention he needed. Once Kamrin was out of the water, medical personnel and coaching staff from both high schools performed the necessary treatment to resuscitate him.

For such a young individual, Xavier did not waver in a crucial moment. He was fearless and courageous at a time of life or death for a fellow swimmer. To Xavier, all that mattered was doing the right thing. Actions such as these should serve as a guideline for how we should live our own lives: selflessness in service to others. Xavier's heroic actions on January 4 will be remembered by those in attendance for years to come, and they are a defining moment in his young life.

On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Michigan, I am honored today to recognize Xavier Staubs for his heroic and selfless actions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Paul Oreffice, the former Chairman of the Board of The Dow Chemical Company, upon his 90th birthday.

Paul was born in Venice, Italy and came to the United States with his family when he was 17 years old. He went on to attend Purdue University and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering in 1949. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict, Paul began his career at Dow Chemical in Midland, Michigan.

Following international assignments in Switzerland, Italy, Brazil and Spain, Paul became the first president of Dow Chemical Latin America in Coral Gables, Florida, in 1970. In 1971, he was elected as a member of the Board of Directors, and later as president of Dow Chemical U.S.A. in August 1975. Paul was named president and CEO of The Dow Chemical Company in May 1978 and chairman in May 1986.

As a humanitarian, Paul received the Encomienda del Merito Civil (Order of Civil Merit) in 1966 from the government of Spain and in 1978 he was honored with the title ``Grand Ufficiale'' by the Italian government. Paul is the first person to receive both the Societe de Chimie Industrielle's Palladium medal and SCI America's Chemical Industry medal, which he received in 1981 and 1983, respectively.

Paul has been especially helpful in giving back to Michigan's Fourth Congressional District through his intentional engagement of the community. His involvement in bringing the Midland Soccer Club and the Greater Midland Tennis Center to life has not only provided opportunities for the local youth to come together to be active within the community, but also brings tourism to the area through tournaments and other events. Paul's involvement in philanthropy touches not only the Midland community, but reaches across the country as he is a Trustee of the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, served as a Senior Member of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Visitors Board, and he served as Chairman of the Board of the Parkinson's Foundation from 2003 to 2007. His strategic thinking and continued contributions have greatly impacted families across the district and the country.

On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Michigan, I am honored today to recognize Paul Oreffice for his lifetime of work in chemical engineering and for his commitment to the Midland Community.

Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to thank all of the Members who voted to support the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

In the appropriations legislation the House passed 2 weeks ago, we included $300 million in the fiscal year 2018 budget for protecting our Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes are a critical resource and an essential part of Michigan's outdoor heritage. They are enjoyed by millions of Americans from across the country, and they are a unique ecosystem with one-fifth of the world's freshwater. They are also a major trade route and they form an international border.

There is a Federal role for protecting the Great Lakes, and by working with public and private organizations like Michigan's universities and Ducks Unlimited, the GLRI does vital work to protect the Great Lakes and the streams, rivers, and wetlands that flow into them.

Again, I want to thank all of my colleagues for their support of this critical program.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rich Wells, Vice President and Site Director of Michigan Operations for The Dow Chemical Company, in recognition of his service and his many contributions to the Great Lakes Bay Region as he begins the next step of his journey as the Vice President of Texas Operations.

An influential member of the community, Rich originally moved to Midland to work for Dow after he graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. During his illustrious 34-year career, Rich has gone on to serve in several leadership roles within The Dow Chemical Company. Before his selection as the Vice President and Site Director of Michigan Operations, Rich served as the Vice President for Global Government Affairs and Public Policy.

During his tenure as Vice President and Site Director of Michigan Operations, Rich has benefitted the community in a variety of ways. He founded the Fast Start program, which has equipped in demand employees with the skills they need to be successful. He also has volunteered and advocated for local organizations serving those in need, chairing Midland County's United Way Campaign in 2016.

On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Michigan, I am honored today to recognize Rich Wells for his service to The Dow Chemical Company and his contributions to the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Mr. Speaker, tax reform is a key concern for small- business owners and hardworking residents in my district.

My predecessor, former Ways and Means chairman, Dave Camp, worked diligently on this issue in hopes of reforming our Nation's burdensome Tax Code.

Today, the Ways and Means Committee took up this work again because our Tax Code needs to be simpler, fairer, and flatter for Michigan families.

Tax reform done right will benefit Michigan residents of all income levels by making it easier for them to calculate and file their tax returns while lowering their tax burden.

The first bill I introduced as Michigan's Fourth District Representative was legislation that would make it easier for Michigan families to pay for child care. It is my hope that this will become part of this tax reform package.

Our Tax Code was last updated in 1986. It is time for a change. I hope this Congress will pass tax reform for the 21st century.

Mr. Speaker, I also thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for supporting this bipartisan resolution and moving it through the Foreign Affairs Committee.

I especially want to thank Congresswoman Torres for her leadership as a true champion on this issue and helping us all understand the importance of this.

This resolution makes it clear that the United States strongly supports the anticorruption efforts in the Northern Triangle of Central America. Already, officials across the region are making headway. The attorney general of Guatemala, in particular, has made progress in taking on corruption at the highest levels of government.

This resolution will reinforce support for these efforts in the region and will send a clear message to the millions of people who live in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras that the United States wants them to have a safe country, free of corrupt officials who steal from them.

By supporting the efforts of our allies to fight corruption, it is my hope that these governments will continue to promote respect for the rule of law, thereby making it better for residents to live, work, and raise a family in their homelands.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Cole, Chairman Frelinghuysen, and the entire Committee on Appropriations, as well as the President and congressional leaders in both the House and the Senate for their work on this bipartisan appropriations bill.

This legislation is not perfect, but it addresses many priorities for the people of Michigan and the United States. It funds the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which protects the Great Lakes. It instructs the Army Corps of Engineers to turn over its report on stopping Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes.

It funds important scientific research at Michigan State University, and it continues support for vaccines against emerging threats. It also commits funding for cures research at the National Institutes of Health, including the fight against Alzheimer's, so we can work on stopping this nefarious disease that steals golden years from our seniors.

For the rural communities in my district, this legislation increases funding for rural development grants and the Farm Service Agency.

This legislation promotes border security and integrity, providing more money for Customs and Border Patrol and increasing the number of Border Patrol agents hired.

This legislation will ensure that our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to keep us safe from threats, including North Korea, Russia, Iran, and ISIS.

This legislation makes important cuts, including eliminating wasteful funding for U.N. programs that overreach and run counter to the ideals of our country.

Finally, this legislation extends prohibitions on funding for abortion that have been in place for years.

This legislation addresses many important priorities for the people of Michigan and our entire Nation, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, today another farm convoy left Michigan and headed south to help those suffering in America's heartland, where wildfires have burned more than 1 million acres in four States.

This convoy, and those like it in days gone by and the days to come, is the work of the amazing farming community in my district and across the State of Michigan.

They have donated trucks, trailers, and time to drive supplies to the affected areas. They have donated food and fencing to help farmers recover and rebuild. They have donated care packages with candy and cards to care for the hurting souls.

Many volunteers are staying and helping in the devastated communities. In fact, tomorrow, two young men from Ogemaw County, Brady and Keaton, are scheduled to travel with 4-H kids from Michigan's Thumb area to volunteer their skills and help build fencing in Kansas.

The overwhelmingly and generous efforts of the Michigan farming community, in response to this tragedy, represent the best of America. I pray for God's blessing on all those involved as they help with this crisis.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Jack Telfer, the Editor of the Midland Daily News, upon his retirement.

Jack was born and raised in Port Huron where he attended St. Clair County Community College and earned his Associates degree. He went on to attend Central Michigan University and graduated with a Bachelors in Journalism in 1978. After finishing school, Jack began his career in journalism as a court and police beat reporter for the Daily Tribune.

Jack went on to become the Editor of the Huron Daily Tribune in 1983. His leadership was exceptional and he earned the Hearst Eagle Award, which is the company's highest award for excellence. In 1991, he moved to Midland to become the Editor of the Midland Daily News, another Hearst Publication. In his 25 years at the Midland Daily News, he has been a cornerstone of the paper's success and helped lead it to the 2016 Michigan Press Association Newspaper of the Year award.

Outside of work, Jack's wife Jeanne, daughter Renee and son John Telfer III along with their spouses and his grandchildren have been the biggest part of his life. Jack looks forward to spending more time with them and further imparting his legacy of faith and love of hockey.

Jack has been especially helpful in giving back to Michigan's Fourth District. He has had strong involvement with the United Way of Midland, volunteering and serving on the board. His strategic thinking has helped the organization and our community.

On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Michigan, I am honored today to recognize Jack Telfer for his lifetime of work in media and for his commitment to the Midland Community.