Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize and celebrate the centennial of the City of Carrollton, Texas, which sits fourteen miles north of downtown Dallas at the intersection of Collin, Dallas, and Denton counties. The rich history of Carrollton is a quintessential American story.

Long before it was the city that it is today, the region around Carrollton was home to Wichita natives as well as the French and Spanish who sought to claim east Texas. The modern history of Carrollton began in the 1840s when Sam Houston, president of the Republic of Texas, made an agreement with the Peters Colony Company to offer free land to new settlers. The Larner, Myers, Nix, Witt, Lee, Rainwater, and Perry families were among the original founders who came to the area--some from Carrollton, Illinois, from which Carrollton, Texas, may have gotten its name. Families from England, including Jackson, Furneaux, Morgan, and Rowe also settled in the area.

In 1846, the first Baptist church was established in Carrollton and ten years later the Union Baptist Church opened the first community school. Small homes and businesses began to grow in this rural environment and in 1878 the railroad arrived, with the Dallas and Wichita line being the first of three that would eventually intersect and form a hub in the community. That same year, on May 16, Carrollton's first Post Office opened, giving the unincorporated town its name. Built on grain and gravel industries, Carrollton had a population of 150 by 1885 and the town square began to take shape in 1901 after land purchases by George and J.S. Myers.

The City of Carrollton was incorporated one hundred years ago, on June 14, 1913, by a vote of 52 to 23. The City Council was elected the next month and William Forest Vinson was elected as the first Mayor, though he actually declined to serve and the first mayorship was held by Junius Tribble ``J.T.'' Rhoton. In the following decades, Carrollton would grow into a thriving and modern city. Yet a simple gazebo, built in 1921, would become the landmark and centerpiece of the town square. In the 1920s, a volunteer fire department was established and the police department followed by the 1940s. Bringing a distinct attitude to the area around that time was ``Colonel'' C.W. Josey, an oilman who bought expansive land in Carrollton on which he hosted annual rodeos as well as elaborate parties. Carrollton was also the first city in Dallas County to integrate its schools, in 1963.

Carrollton has truly blossomed into a prosperous and exemplary city. From a population of 1,610 in 1950, it has now grown to over 121,150 residents, with the most rapid growth occurring in the 1970s and 1980s. The city features thirty-five schools, two libraries, the Baylor Medical Center hospital which covers 36 specialties, two other long- term acute care hospitals, and over 1,200 acres of park land. True to the railroad heritage that first brought new life to Carrollton, the city is now connected to the DART commuter system. Landmarks today include the Plaza Theater and the A.W. Perry Homestead Museum. Carrollton's vibrant success is evident in its strong education system and quality of life. The city has been ranked twelfth in Forbes Magazine's ``America's 25 Best Places to Move'', as well as fifteenth in MONEY Magazine's ``Best Places to Live'' in 2008. Just this month, Carrollton was also named one of the top ten ``Best Texas Cities for Young Families'' by a financial website, based on its public education, affordability, and opportunity for growth.

I am proud to say that the Marchant family has been an important part of Carrollton's story. It was my privilege to serve on the city council for four years and then as Mayor from 1984 to 1986. Ronnie Marchant was a member of the city council for several years. The present Mayor is Matthew Marchant, who also served several terms on the city council and as Mayor Pro Tempore. Nothing in those roles, however, can compare to the character and qualities that the people of Carrollton have brought to it for over a century and that will propel it into the future.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Carrollton, Texas.

Mr. Speaker, my flight yesterday to Washington, DC was unexpectedly diverted to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I unexpectedly missed rollcall votes 161, 162, and 163.

On rollcall vote 161, passage of H.R. 258, Stolen Valor Act, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall vote 162, passage of H.R. 1073, Nuclear Terrorism Conventions Implementation and Safety of Maritime Navigation Act, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall vote 163, approving the journal, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the centennial of the city of Carrollton, Texas.

The city of Carrollton was incorporated 100 years ago, on June 14, 1913. Carrollton has truly blossomed into a prosperous and exemplary city. From a population of 1,610 in 1950, it has grown now to over 130,000 residents and is home to thousands of successful businesses.

I'm proud to say that my family has been able to be part of this great history. It was my privilege to serve as mayor of Carrollton from 1984 to 1986. My brother Ronnie served for years as a city council member. Currently, my son Matthew has the honor of being the city's mayor.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the city of Carrollton, Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize the Art in the Square festival in Southlake, Texas, for its remarkable influence and impact on North Texas.

The Art in the Square festival was founded by the non-profit Southlake Women's Club in 2000. Each year, the club hosts the spring festival at the Southlake Town Square where it is annually attended by tens of thousands of visitors and over 140 artists. The art festival has grown considerably over the years, and recently it was ranked as the 8th best arts festival in the United States by Arts Fair Sourcebook.

The primary objective of Art in the Square is to provide local artists with an environment in which to share their work with the North Texas community. However, the underlying objective is to support young aspiring artists and charitable organizations serving women and families in North Texas. Over a period of 13 years, Art in the Square has astonishingly generated over $1,700,000 to assist people in need.

Art in the Square is an amazing accomplishment that benefits the North Texas community in numerous ways. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing Art in the Square for its ongoing accomplishment of providing our community and country such a wonderful arts festival.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Igancio ``Nash'' Cantu and his devotion to enriching the lives of people with disabilities in my district. Nash, a resident of Carrollton, TX who works as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at Mosaic in Dallas, was recently named by the American Network for Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) as Texas' Direct Support Professional of the Year for 2013.

DSPs across the nation are vital in helping people with significant disabilities lead a healthier and more meaningful life. This award

honors only those DSPs who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to bettering the lives of the individuals they serve. Thanks to Nash's incredible work, the people he supports have a greater opportunity to participate and contribute in their community. I am extremely grateful to have Nash as a constituent and am very proud to recognize his devoted service to the people of my district and the state of Texas.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the amazing work of Igancio ``Nash'' Cantu. We must always honor those who devote themselves to enriching the lives of others.

Mr. Speaker, it seems like each day a new study or report is released that finds serious consequences coming from ObamaCare's implementation.

The law is already hurting job creation. This was evidenced in the latest jobs report, which showed an increase in the number of part-time workers and a decrease in the average number of hours worked each week.

This law is also raising insurance premiums, increasing deficits, and will reduce the quality of health care for Americans across the country.

Opposition to this law is bipartisan. In fact, a recent Fox News poll found that 56 percent of people that identified themselves as Democrats were against the thousands of pages of ObamaCare regulations and called them ``way over the top.''

We must now repeal this law and get to work on reforms that lower costs, improve the quality of care, and protect jobs.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize the 100th Anniversary of Boy Scout Troop 7 of Grapevine, Texas. This troop has a rich history of developing boys into responsible young men.

Boy Scout Troop 7 was founded in 1913, only three years with WIlliam D. Boyce founded Scouting in the United States. The origin of Troop 7 began when the Mayor of Grapevine, Benjamin Richard Wall, traveled to New York to learn about scouting. He returned home to Grapevine with the number 7 Boy Scout Unit Charter, one of the first charters west of the Mississippi River. Mayor Wall was actively involved with the troop from its founding until 1954.

In 1923, Troop 7 was chartered in Arlington, Texas, but it moved back to Grapevine in 1931 whereupon it was chartered to the Grapevine Business Men's League. In 1932, the group's charter transferred to the Grapevine City Council under Mayor Ernest E. Lowe as the Scoutmaster. In 1939, the Grapevine Lions club assumed the troop's charter. The Lions Club till this day continues to support Troop 7 by collaborating with the scouts at Grapevine festival events. The St. Lawrence Episcopal Church hosted the troop charter from 1976-1978. The charter lapsed in 1979 which broke the long tenure for Troop 7. St Francis Catholic Church in Grapevine became the chartering organization in 1980 and continues as such today.

As of today, Troop 7 is led by Scoutmaster Don Blan, who is an Eagle Scout. Troop 7 has over 50 scouts who actively assist community organizations such as Bluebonnet Hills during its Memorial Day service, schools, municipalities, and other organizations that benefit from Eagle Scout projects.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating Boy Scout Troop 7 on its 100th Anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Full Faith and Credit Act. As a conservative, ensuring that our nation pays its bills on time is a top priority.

The Full Faith and Credit Act would protect America's credit rating by ensuring that we do not default on our nation's debt. It requires the Treasury to continue to make timely payments on our principal and interest in the event that our nation's debt limit is reached.

Furthermore, what this does is take the politicization of the debt limit debate off of the table. Without a chance for default, we can negotiate in good faith with the President and Congressional Democrats on a plan that addresses our real problem--out of control spending.

I look forward to having this debate, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the National MPS Society for their 38 years of supporting families while searching for cures for this genetic disease. Mucopolysaccharidosis or MPS is a group of genetically determined lysosomal storage diseases that render the human body incapable of producing certain enzymes needed to break down complex carbohydrates. The damage caused by MPS on a cellular level adversely affects the body and damages the heart, respiratory system, bones, internal organs, and central nervous system. MPS often results in intellectual disabilities, short stature, corneal damage, joint stiffness, loss of mobility, speech and hearing impairment, heart disease, hyperactivity, chronic respiratory problems, and, most importantly, a drastically shortened life span. Symptoms of MPS are usually not apparent at birth and without treatment; the life expectancy of an individual affected begins to decrease at a very early stage in their life. Research towards combating MPS has resulted in the development of limited treatments for some of the MPS diseases.

I ask my colleagues and their staff to join me in recognizing May 15, 2013 as National MPS Awareness Day. This is an important time during which the MPS disease community will help increase the awareness of this devastating disease, as well as supporting research to improve treatments, find cures and receive early diagnosis. The MPS families are encouraged to reflect and support each other and to reach out to those families who have lost loved ones to MPS. By wearing their purple ribbons and sharing these ribbons within their community, they are increasing public awareness about this disease. This date is also the start of the National MPS Run/Walk season along with other local community activities to raise awareness along with money for research and for family assistance programs. I commend the National MPS Society and their many volunteers for an unwavering commitment to bring about awareness of this disease and to continue to advocate for federal legislation to streamline the regulatory processes and to speed effective treatments and cures for their loved ones. More must be done to find cures and effective treatments, but let us reflect on the importance of this day. I ask that all of my colleagues join me in commemorating National MPS Awareness Day.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to congratulate Wilson Elementary School of the Coppell Independent School District in Coppell, Texas for earning the distinction of Great Expectations Model School on March 26, 2013.

Great Expectations is a professional development model organization for educators. In order to earn Model School status, ninety to one hundred percent of the teachers must successfully implement one hundred percent of Great Expectations' seventeen classroom practices. The classroom practices are designed to achieve the Great Expectations mission to motivate, inspire, and challenge individuals to achieve excellence in learning and living.

Wilson Elementary achieved Model School status within one school year. The elementary school was committed to adopting the model in an expeditious fashion to enhance the quality of learning for its students. In June, 2012, the educators were trained by the Great Expectations Institute. In September of 2012, Principal Chris Nester submitted the paper work to apply as a Model School and a representative from Great Expectations visited the campus for review. Meanwhile, throughout the school year, the staff attended numerous meetings with the Great Expectations development team, which helped achieve the ranking. Additionally, the Wilson students worked diligently to follow the principles and expectations of the program.

Wilson Elementary is one of only five Model Schools in the entire state of Texas and it is the first in North Texas. Wilson has become a leader in the area, and it is a role model for other campuses to implement Great Expectations in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating Wilson Elementary School on its accomplishment as a Great Expectations Model School.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Jim Grayson for his 35 years of public service as a Carrollton Police Officer in Carrollton, Texas.

Jim Grayson was hired by the Carrollton Police Department on August 1, 1977, as a Community Service Officer with the responsibilities of organizing the equipment for the Patrol Division. On December 18, 1978, Jim was officially sworn in as a Carrollton Police Officer. He attended the North Central Texas Council of Government's Basic Police Academy and graduated on January 31, 1979.

On August 15, 1983, Jim Grayson was promoted to the rank of Sergeant whereupon he was assigned the task of assisting the development of the department's newly created Crime Prevention Unit. Jim's role in developing the program helped establish one of the police department's most effective and successful units.

As an officer committed to expanding and developing his skills, Jim Grayson attended the prestigious Northwestern University Traffic Institute's School of Police Staff and Command in Evanston, Illinois, where he graduated in 1986. Jim continued his education in 1991 when he graduated from the Police Executive Research Forum's Senior Management Institute for Police of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.

On January 29, 1987, Jim Grayson was promoted to the rank of Commander. In 1991, Jim was assigned the responsibility of starting

the department's first ever Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team by developing the policies, procedures, training regimen, and deployment strategies. On May 1, 1991, Jim was appointed to lead the unit after which he selected the personnel for the police department's first ever SWAT unit. Jim served as the unit commander until 2000 and his direction established the standard for future SWAT members and leaders.

Jim commanded numerous divisions during his career including Criminal Investigations, Administrative Services, Special Operations, Detention Services, and spent several rotations leading patrol shifts as a Patrol Commander. Jim was often looked to for direction and guidance in the Police Department because of his expansive experience and knowledge. His ability to provide quality and calm leadership in all situations was a valuable resource for the police department.

Jim and his wife Vickie will be married 37 years this November and are the proud parents of Daniel and Torie. Outside the police department, Jim has spent a great deal of his personal time as a basketball coach in various North Texas leagues.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in thanking Jim Grayson for his 35 years of public service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition and to celebrate the retirement of Dr. Gene Buinger as the Superintendent of Schools for the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District (HEB- ISD). Dr. Buinger served the 24th district of Texas with pride and success in his tenure as the Superintendent of the HEB-ISD.

Dr. Buinger began his successful career with HEB-ISD in June of 1999. In his 14 years as the Superintendent, Dr. Buinger turned HED-ISD into a school system that prepares all children for college or the work force. Dr. Buinger selflessly instituted a variety of initiatives to bolster the school districts reach in their student's education. Implementation of the International Baccalaureate and International Business Initiative within the HEB-ISD offers secondary students an opportunity they may not get in other school districts.

Dr. Buinger implemented these programs during his tenure to ensure that the students coming from the HEB-ISD would be able to gain entry to the world's most prestigious universities. As Superintendent, Dr. Buinger's ISD increased Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills performance by 20 percent in some areas virtually eliminating the achievement gap among all student groups.

Mr. Speaker, with Dr. Buinger's retirement, the 24th District of Texas celebrates a great leader in the fight for a stronger education for our nation's youth. I am honored to recognize Dr. Buinger for his service to the HEB-ISD. His experience and expertise will be sorely missed. I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Buinger on a tremendous career as well as wishing him the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, this week, American citizens and businesses across the country will be surprised by the amount of their annual tax bill.

This surprise is a direct result of a staggering 4 million-word tax code filled with confusing deductions and loopholes that make it difficult to understand and file tax returns.

The basic fact is that the tax code is overly complex and out of date. It places an enormous burden on families and businesses and needs to be reformed and simplified.

Families and businesses paying taxes throughout the year should not be burdened each April by an additional round of time-consuming and expensive tax filing headaches.

Americans deserve better.

Mr. Speaker, I was due to board a flight about the time of the Boston Marathon Bombing. The flight I was on was canceled and I took another flight later returning to Washington, DC. I unexpectedly missed rollcall votes 103, 104, and 105.

On rollcall vote 103, passage of H.R. 1162, GAO Improvement Act, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall vote 104, passage of H.R. 882, The Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2013, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall vote 105, passage of H.R. 249, Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, last week, we were reminded of the devastating economic consequences that tax hikes and Obamacare are having on our economy.

Only 88,000 jobs were added last month, according to the Department of Labor, and nearly half a million people left the job market. The percentage of Americans in the labor force is now at its lowest level since the Carter era.

For every job gained last month, more than five people stopped looking for work altogether.

And now the President submits a budget proposal that completely ignores this economic reality. This proposal hikes taxes and does nothing to balance our budget.

This is unacceptable. America needs real jobs, real solutions, and real results.