Floor Statements

Offered by: Mr. Runyan

Amendment No. 11: At the end of the bill (before the short

title), add the following new section:

Sec. 419. None of the funds made available by this Act may

be used to propose, plan for, or execute a new or additional

Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round

I, too, want to reflect on all of the kind and gracious words that my colleagues have expressed up here.

I, only being in my second term, can't say that I knew Frank that well, but I want to point out one thing: that it's unfortunate that sometimes it takes someone's passing to realize all of the great things he did in his life. I've learned in coming here to Washington sometimes that people forget they are people who come here to represent the people back home, and you forget about the good deeds, the hard work. When you look at what Frank did, working every single day until today, that is something that, I think, we as Americans do--take that work ethic into everything we do every single day. That's what makes us the greatest country in the world.

With Frank's obviously being that type of role model, I think we are all saddened by his passing. We will miss him. Again, our condolences go out to his family, and I thank you all for taking time out to recognize him as an individual because, I think, sometimes that is lost.

Chairman Miller, thank you and Ranking Member Mr. Michaud for bringing this bill to the floor.

H.R. 570 is the American Heroes COLA Act. This bill, which I introduced at the beginning of the 113th Congress, seeks to make permanent the annual increase to veterans disability compensation rates and other benefits by tying these increases to the cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security benefits.

With the passage of this act, veterans will no longer again have to depend on congressional action to receive an increase to the cost-of- living adjustment they have more than earned through their service. Instead, these increases will become automatic from year to year.

As chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, I am honored again to sponsor this legislation. I'm proud to have our subcommittee ranking member, Ms. Titus, as the lead cosponsor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I also support the amendment offered by Chairman Miller of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs to use the savings generated by H.R. 570 to increase the rate of special monthly compensation paid to our most tragically wounded veterans, and I encourage all Members to support H.R. 570.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a true American hero, Mr. Howard Brooks. Mr. Brooks is a constituent of New Jersey's Third Congressional District, and I thank him for his courageous and dedicated service to our nation.

Howard Brooks, born and raised in Eastern Tennessee, joined the Navy on September 3, 1939, the very same day Hitler invaded Poland. Mr. Brooks was serving as a 3rd class electrician's mate on the heavy cruiser USS Houston when it was sunk by a Japanese battle fleet in the Battle of Sunda Strait.

After receiving orders to abandon ship, he spent three days in the water before his life raft washed ashore, where he and fellow survivors were captured by the Japanese. Mr. Brooks spent 3\1/2\years as a prisoner of war, and was among those forced to build the Burma Railway. Of the 1,068 crewmen, he was among just 291 sailors who survived the sinking of the USS Houston and the years of brutal captivity that followed.

After the war ended and Mr. Brooks returned home, he graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1952. He retired from his career as an electrical engineer in 1981. He has been married for over forty years, and has two sons. Just last year, on the 70th anniversary of the sinking of the USS Houston, Mr. Brooks attended a memorial service in Sam Houston Park, Houston, Texas.

At 93 years old, Mr. Howard Brooks continues to serve our nation by sharing his life's story, and ensuring that this time in our country's history is never forgotten. His valiant and courageous service to our country deserves our nation's deepest gratitude.

It is my honor to represent Mr. Howard Brooks in the House of Representatives. It is an even greater honor to have this opportunity to publicly thank him for his dedicated and courageous service to our nation.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to recognize Congressman John R. Lewis as the recipient of the National Peace Medal and the Global and International Civil Rights Award. I thank him for his service and invaluable contributions to making our country a better place for all Americans.

I am pleased that National Stop the Violence Alliance, Inc. is presenting Congressman Lewis with these two coveted awards at a ceremony in my home district.

Congressman Lewis has dedicated his life to the principles of non- violence as a means of social change. He believes in non-violence, but unlike so many, has actually lived accordingly, putting his own life at risk to show his commitment.

Congressman Lewis is known as one of the most courageous leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and played a pivotal role in the struggle to end segregation and legalized racial discrimination. He knew from a very young age that the America he was living in was not the best that our country had to offer. Inspired by Rosa Parks and the non-violent message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Congressman Lewis would later recall, ``It seemed like he was saying to me, John Lewis, you too can make a contribution.''

Mr. Speaker, Congressman Lewis' contributions are invaluable. Because of his courage and steadfast commitment to ensuring freedom and equality for all Americans, our country is closer than ever before to living up to the ideals of our founders.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in offering our sincere thanks and appreciation to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia, the Honorable John R. Lewis.

Madam Speaker, I rise this morning to speak in favor of S. 47, the Senate version of the Violence Against Women Act. I want to thank Speaker Boehner and Leader Cantor for their leadership in bringing this important bill to the floor.

The bottom line is that VAWA programs help save lives in New Jersey and across America. We need to expand the current success of VAWA so that we can help even more women escape the nightmare of domestic violence.

While we are long overdue in passing this bill, I'm glad we are here today, and I urge my colleagues to support S. 47.

Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 152, the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013.

This bill does the minimum necessary to help towns like Brick Township rebuild. It does the minimum to help remove mold from their living rooms so they can sleep at night without worrying about their children getting sick from breathing mold spores.

Many of my colleagues have asked for disaster funding or declarations for their home districts in the past. As one of my New Jersey colleagues pointed out earlier today, there are more than 30 of my colleagues who have received disaster assistance for their own districts in the past who actually plan to oppose this package before us.

Madam Chair, I would say to my friends, why should New Jersey and New York be treated any differently? My friends should ask themselves what would they do if this were their district that suffered the amount of catastrophic loss that many of the families and businesses in my district now face.

Next to me, you can see damage Sandy left behind in Brick Township. My constituents in Brick have suffered for almost 3 months without any help from this Congress. I want to be able to tell them when I go home this weekend that help is heading their way.

Madam Chair, I rise today in support of the Frelinghuysen amendment. We must pass this amendment to ensure that hardworking men and women in communities like Brick, Seaside Park, Toms River, and Barnegat get the resources they need to get back on their feet.

After Hurricane Sandy, many of my constituents completely lost their homes. Others lost power and heat in their homes for over a month. And many, like this home here in Mantaloking, haven't even been permitted back to their homes 2 months later.

Make no mistake, my constituents have suffered. They have seen the communities they have grown up in completely destroyed. I urge passage of the Frelinghuysen amendment.

Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the Flores amendment. The Regional Ocean Partnership grants program was established in 2004 by President Bush to help prevent damages from future natural disasters in coastal States. It is not part of President Obama's National Ocean Policy.

This program is supported through a competitive grant program first authorized by President Bush in 2004 to support urgent coastal needs. This program is also voluntary and State-led, with individual States opting into the program.

In the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy, there is a Mid-Atlantic Regional Council that was established by mid-Atlantic Governors in 2009. These Governors work together to address coastal issues and mitigate future risks.

State universities like Rutgers University in New Jersey also receive funding through States to work and coordinate with States to determine how to best mitigate future disaster risks. The Reinsurance Association of America has written in opposition to this amendment due to concern about future risks to coastal areas.

I again emphasize this program is not part of President Obama's National Ocean Policy and was established by President Bush.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, I rise in support of my amendment, which makes a technical correction of the current bill language that makes it clear that fisheries disaster funding is restricted to those States that were declared fisheries disasters in 2012 as a direct result of Hurricane Sandy.

While I understand that the intent of the appropriators was to limit the money to the States impacted by Hurricane Sandy, NOAA has informed me that according to the current bill language they will distribute the money to any State with the fisheries disaster declaration in 2012.

While I'm disappointed that more money has not been appropriated to the fisheries that were damaged during Sandy, we need to make sure that this limited pot of money gets to the fisheries that need it most in New Jersey and New York. There is only $5 million appropriated for the fisheries bill. In New Jersey alone the commercial fishing industry has sustained over $4 million in damage.

This amendment was supported by the Garden State Seafood Association, the Recreational Fishing Alliance, and the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey.

I want to thank the Rules Committee for ruling my amendment in order and urge all colleagues to support it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I would like to yield 1 minute to my colleague from New Jersey, Congressman Smith.

I yield 1 minute to another gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen).

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support today of this rule. If you look next to me, you'll see damage from Seaside Heights, New Jersey, in my district. My constituents in Seaside have suffered for well over 2 months in trying to clean up the mess that was left behind by Hurricane Sandy.

In the past, taxpayers in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut have gladly stepped up to foot the bill for the disasters of other States. Whether it was Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Texas, we didn't ask questions; we just stopped and delivered aid to those in need. It is important that Members who have been the benefactor of our goodwill in the past remember this generosity when voting today.

Almost 3 months later, and my constituents continue to suffer. I urge passage of the rule and the underlying bill.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Garrett for yielding some time.

Madam Speaker, it's been 68 days since Hurricane Sandy devastated the Northeast and over 2 months of suffering for my constituents. While it is unfortunately long overdue, I'm pleased that we're finally here acting to help the people of New Jersey recover. This hurricane has caused billions of dollars in damage, uprooting individuals and families from their homes, forcing businesses to close and resulting in job loss and revenue loss.

My constituents need help now recovering. I've witnessed firsthand the devastation in places like Seaside Heights, Normandy Beach, Lavallette and Silverton, and I can honestly say that these places look like war zones after the storm. Whole communities have been wiped out.

Governor Christie estimated the damage in New Jersey to be over $36 billion. I applaud his swift action on Sandy recovery and join him and all local, State, and Federal leaders in New Jersey to ensure that all relief funds get to New Jersey families and businesses as quickly as possible. This includes adequate funding for the flood insurance program we are voting on today, and I urge passage of this essential legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in disbelief that a Hurricane Sandy disaster relief bill has failed to come to the floor in the current Congress.

It has been over two months since Super Storm Sandy devastated my home state of New Jersey, and Congress has failed to act. After Hurricane Katrina Congress acted and passed a supplemental spending bill within 10 days.

My district was ground zero for Sandy and suffered horrific damage.

I can personally attest to the devastation as I toured many of the coastal towns in the days after the storm, and I can honestly say that some areas look like they had just been bombed.

Governor Christie, after careful examination, estimates the damage to New Jersey alone to be $36.9 billion.

I fully support the Governor's request. New Jersey will need every last dime in order to rebuild successfully.

My constituents and I are extremely disappointed that in our time of need this Congress has failed to act.

I thank Chairman Miller.

I rise today in support of H.R. 5948, the Veterans Fiduciary Reform and Honoring Noble Service Act of 2012.

In addition to several important provisions that address many needed improvements to VA's fiduciary program, as chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, I would like to draw attention to several other important provisions of this bill.

First, section 9 of the bill provides for improved access to case- tracking information for certain government employees, including county veterans service officers.

It is my hope that allowing these local service officers to assist with the veterans claims process that more claims will be completed in a more timely manner.

There are also several other provisions in this bill that further honor the final resting places of our Nation's fallen heroes by providing improvements to the VA's national cemetery program and burial process, as well as at Arlington National Cemetery.

I believe we have a solemn obligation to cherish the memory and the heroic actions of our fallen heroes by holding ourselves and our organizations to the highest standards, which this legislation aims to do.

Therefore, I urge all Members to support H.R. 5948.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to two New Jersey natives, Carli Lloyd and Matthew Emmons. Carli and Matthew both competed in the 2012 London Olympic Games and proudly represented the United States of America.

Carli Lloyd, who currently resides in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, graduated from Rutgers University in 2005 with a degree in exercise science and sports studies. Carli was a midfielder for the United States Women's Soccer Team in 2008 and 2012, both of which won gold medals. In addition, Carli is a two-time FIFA Women's World Cup Team member, a three-time NCAA All-American, and in 2008 won the U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year Award.

Matthew Emmons, born in Mount Holly, New Jersey, graduated in 2003 with an accounting degree from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. He is a three-time Olympian, having competed in the 2004, 2008, and most recently, the 2012 Olympic Games. In London, Matthew placed 35th in the 10m air rifle and captured the bronze medal in the men's three-position rifle. Another outstanding highlight in Matthew's career came in 2002 when he brought home the gold in the men's 50-meter rifle prone event at the 2002 World Championships.

I congratulate Carli and Matthew on all of their achievements and am so proud of them for representing New Jersey and the United States in the 2012 Olympic Games. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing these fantastic American athletes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Ronald F. Dash, a resident of the Township of Willingboro, Burlington County, New Jersey in recognition of his outstanding service on behalf of veterans throughout the State of New Jersey. Ronald F. Dash has served as Chairman of the Willingboro Veterans Advisory Committee and as the Advisor to Willingboro's Mayor and Council on Veterans Issues. He also serves on my Military Academy Advisory Committee which makes recommendations for young men and women from New Jersey's Third District who are applying to attend one of our nation's service academies.

Ronald F. Dash served his country with honor and valor as a member of the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. After his Marine Corps (USMC) service in Vietnam, he served in the Army Reserves and then transitioned to the Army National Guard attaining a final military rank of Staff Sergeant (E6).

He has given generously of his time, energies, and resources as a Commander and State Chaplain in the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 26, and as a member of the

Veterans of Foreign Wars (V.F.W.) Post 4914, the American Legion Post 516, the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 42, and the Marine Corps League 695. Ron Dash continues to visit and assist veterans, provide food for the homeless, and provide transportation for people with special needs across Willingboro and other communities.

I thank Ronald F. Dash for his patriotism, and his continued service to the Willingboro community, the State of New Jersey, and this great nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing this great veteran hero and community servant.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1627, as amended, ``The Honoring of America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012.''

There are several components to this legislation, and they are all aimed toward improving veterans' lives after their selfless sacrifice to our nation.

I would like to draw attention to the provisions that ensure the Veterans' benefits process is more efficient, accountable, and fair for all Veterans and their families.

Section 703 of H.R. 1627 addresses the minimalist approach the VA has adopted in complying with its employee skills certification mandate.

This provision would address disparities in experience and training, while facilitating the individual accountability of employees.

The VA would conduct testing procedures that indicate basic competency of all claims processors and managers.

Test results indicating less than satisfactory scores on the exam would necessitate an individualized remediation program to aid them in improving their areas of deficiency.

Repeated failure after remediation would require the VA to take necessary personnel actions.

Additionally, Section 504 implements the use of electronic communication within the VA in providing notices of responsibility to claimants.

It also removes administrative provisions which have slowed down the processing of Veteran's disability claims.

In total, this section would increase efficiency and help modernize the VA by authorizing the most effective means available for communication while simultaneously removing administrative red tape.

Lastly, another provision that would reduce the claims backlog is Section 505, which clarifies the meaning of the VA's duty to assist claimants in obtaining evidence needed to verify a claim.

As a result, this section establishes a clear and reasonable standard for private record requests as ``not less than two requests.''

In addition, this section will encourage claimants to take a proactive role in the claims process.

I would like to take the remaining time to commend and thank the Committee for working with me in addressing the concerns affiliated with Arlington National Cemetery.

As Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, DAMA, I am very pleased that our Committee continues to improve the ways in which we honor our veterans and preserve Arlington National Cemetery, ANC, as the sacred final resting place for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

As a member of both the House Veterans Affairs and House Armed Services Committees, with a large veterans population and joint military installation in my home District, it has been an honor to join my colleagues in support of H.R. 1627, as amended, and to work in a bipartisan manner on behalf of veterans.

I would like to thank each of them for their tireless support on behalf of our veterans--the heroes who protect the freedoms we all enjoy. I know they share my commitment to ensuring that we take care of our veterans and military servicemembers.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the chairman of the committee for allowing me to bring this forward.

Congress has a responsibility to see that funds are spent appropriately by the Department of Defense to support missions and provide for our national security.

The Department has been using foreign-owned aircraft to carry equipment in and out of Afghanistan, totaling over $140 million year- to-date. These missions could have been completed by American carriers.

American carriers are regulated by the FAA and have a much better safety record than foreign airlines. And U.S. government dollars go to develop U.S. jobs.

The U.S. government specifically designated the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, or CRAF, to supplement national security air transport needs through partnership with private U.S.-based airlines. The program allows civilian airlift capability to integrate with military command structures on short notice.

Using foreign-owned aircraft is not only disadvantageous for our military carriers but also for U.S. commercial airlines that have dedicated aircraft to CRAF. It removes the incentive for American carriers to hire American workers and use American mechanics and suppliers, and ultimately harms a vital national security program.

This amendment requires that the Department of Defense use American- owned and operated aircraft whenever possible to move cargo and passengers. It ensures that troops in the field get what they need by allowing the Department to use foreign carriers when necessary. It strengthens this vital national security program and assures that American dollars are spent on American services.

Current law, the Fly CRAF Act, is not being complied with to the extent, again, of $140 million. It has gone to foreign carriers this year, and unapproved carriers are being assigned CRAF missions. This ``leakage'' from CRAF programs is a threat to the viability of our CRAF carriers, the program, and ultimately, our warfighters.

I would encourage all Members to support this amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.