Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Teacher Appreciation Week to honor the educators in my district, who work tirelessly on behalf of our students.

The public schools in the Third District of Kansas are some of the best in our Nation, and our workforce of qualified, dedicated teachers are a major factor in making our schools so great. As a product of public schools myself, I know the kind of impact teachers can have on the lives of their students. Good teachers are a key to setting our kids and our communities up for a successful future.

I am working hard to give teachers the tools and resources they need to do to their jobs well. I fought to protect the educator expense deduction in tax reform, affirming that our Tax Code should support and reward our teachers. I also supported the recent omnibus funding bill, which included a $2 billion investment in continuing education and workforce development grants for teachers.

Mr. Speaker, none of us would have the opportunities we have in life without the teachers who gave us the tools and skills to succeed, and we pay special recognition to each of the teachers who made a difference in our lives, and who continue to make a difference in the lives of kids in our districts this week during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the team from Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kansas that is representing our state this weekend at the 31st Annual We the People National Finals academic competition.

The We the People program is a civics education course that teaches K-12 students around the country about the U.S. Constitution. Each year, this program culminates in a national competition, in which state champion teams come to Washington, D.C. to test their constitutional knowledge against other students from around the country.

This will be Blue Valley Northwest's seventh year in a row as the Kansas champion, representing our state in the We the People national competition. Under the leadership of teacher Ken Thomas, they have earned the state title in nine out the last ten years. This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the dedication of Blue Valley Northwest students and Mr. Thomas to learning about our nation's Constitution.

I applaud the Blue Valley Northwest team for this achievement, and I welcome them to our nation's Capital. Good luck to them in the competition, and go Huskies.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Blue Valley West High School and Pleasant Ridge Middle School on winning their regional competitions of the National Science Bowl.

Since 1991, the Department of Energy has been using the National Science Bowl to encourage students from diverse backgrounds who excel in science and mathematics to pursue careers in those areas. For our Nation to remain the beacon of innovation and creation that it is today, we must support and inspire our youth to experiment and explore the world around them.

In January of this year, 9,000 high school students and 4,500 middle school students passionate about science and mathematics began to compete. The young people from my district worked hard and have found themselves participating in the national finals. Starting today, these two bright groups of young people will represent Kansas in the National Science Bowl's national finals.

Mr. Speaker, I call upon all of us in this body to join me in wishing Blue Valley West and Pleasant Ridge's team good luck in the National Science Bowl's national finals.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the Give Seven Days challenge that began in my district in Kansas this week, an outreach program founded by a woman named Mindy Corporon.

Mindy tragically lost both her father, William, and her 14-year-old son, Reat, in the horrific shooting at the Jewish Community Center and Village Shalom in Overland Park back in April of 2014.

Who among us would have questioned Mindy if she slipped into despair after such a loss? Losing a parent is difficult enough, and losing your child on the same day is something no person should ever have to endure. But instead of despair, Mindy has chosen love, faith, kindness, and remembrance.

She founded Give Seven Days, which challenges young and old to embrace diversity across race, religion, and culture. It also honors the memory of William, Reat, and Terri LaManno, the third victim of the attack.

Mr. Speaker, let's all follow Mindy's example. Let's remember those we have lost and, in their memory, create a wave of positive change for the future.

Let's make a ripple and change the world.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his work and leadership on this bill, and I thank Ranking Member Lowey for her good stewardship.

This is the culmination of efforts over the last year, hundreds of meetings, oversight hearings. We have a strong final product, and we are proud of what we have accomplished.

In my committee's Legislative Branch bill, we focused on conservative priorities such as security, responsibility, and transparency. This legislation, once again, rejects pay increases for Members of Congress, which we have done every year since 2010; and further, the funding of the House of Representatives remains 12 percent below 2010, spending less than we spent 8 years ago.

After the vicious attack on Steve Scalise and other Members of this body, we have enhanced Capital security with new support for Members, staff, constituents, and visitors, with enhancements for Capitol Police and the Sergeant at Arms.

We have expanded Wounded Warrior fellowships, creating an additional 31 spots, and we have added support for family issues like the House Child Care Center and additional support for the Library of Congress Visitor Experience, which is an exciting new product.

Lastly, in a strike for transparency, for the first time, all Congressional Research Service reports will be open to

the public, making government more transparent and a win for our constituents.

I want to thank my ranking member, Mr. Ryan, who is a gentleman and a scholar, and the collaboration of all the committee members and staff for putting this product together.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the work being done at home in my community by my friend Sunayana Dumala.

Sunayana is the widow of Srinivas Kutchibotla, the Indian immigrant worker who was tragically murdered in a hate crime in Olathe last year.

Understandably, Sunayana questioned her existence here in the United States following the loss of her husband--asking ``do I really belong here?''

The man that took her husband was pure evil. He did not represent what is right and true about Kansas or America. But our community stepped up to answer her call loudly and clearly that she does belong. We responded with love.

And that love has given Sunayana a renewed purpose and a mission.

She's spreading that love and acceptance with her newly formed organization called Forever Welcome--sharing the stories of immigrants like herself who are here in America trying to build a better life.

This Friday she's hosting a Peace Walk to honor her late husband and spread her message.

Mr. Speaker, I call upon all of us in this body to join in her mission of love.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the Senate debates DACA and border security to urge my colleagues in both Houses of Congress to include high-skilled immigration reform in the final legislative package.

Our immigration system is broken in many places. While we search for solutions to promote fairness, compassion, and the rule of law, I want to highlight a group of immigrants who have been following our laws, contributing to our country, and yet are being left out in the cold by our broken system.

Right now, the per-country caps on green cards for highly skilled H- 1B immigrants unfairly discriminate against immigrants from a few countries, especially India. The caps have created a huge backlog of Indian applicants who will have to wait decades--as much as 70 years-- to achieve their dream of American citizenship.

The per-country caps must be replaced by a merit-based system that treats everyone fairly, regardless of their country of origin. My bill, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigration Act, would do just that.

I urge my colleagues not to let our compassion end with DACA recipients. Let's also use this opportunity to promote fairness for high-skilled immigrants as well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during the week of Martin Luther King Jr. Day to recognize three of my constituents who are living in Dr. King's footsteps.

Dr. King once said: ``Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.''

In the Third District of Kansas, as well as across the country, we continue to see darkness and hate. Just last year, an Olathe resident shot two immigrants from India in a local restaurant, telling them to get out of his country. One of them, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, was killed.

In 2014, a white supremacist from Missouri drove to the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park and murdered three people as part of a mission to kill Jewish residents in our community. Three people were killed: Reat Underwood, William Corporon, and Terry LaManno.

In both of these cases, we saw the very worst of humanity, the very racism and bigotry and evil that Dr. King led our Nation so fiercely against. In each of these cases, we also see the beauty of humanity's power of kindness, endurance, forgiveness, and love.

Sunayana Dumala, whose husband was killed in that tragedy in Olathe, Kansas, has turned this tragedy into an opportunity to spread a message of love and acceptance. The heartbreaking loss of her husband, along with visa problems due to our broken immigration system, has made this a very difficult last year for Sunayana. She questioned, understandably, whether she and other Indian immigrants were welcome here. However, our community rallied around her with the unmistakable answer that, yes, you are loved, you are part of our community, and you are welcome here.

Now Sunayana has become a leading voice against hatred. She is leading others in this effort to embrace diversity in race, culture, and religion. She is planning a peace walk later this year and has launched an initiative called Forever Welcome that promotes understanding and acceptance of immigrants. She is a living example of love standing up in the face of hatred.

Another story is Mindy Corporon, who lost both her father and son in the attack at the Jewish community center in 2014. She did not let the loss of her family members turn her to hatred. Instead, she set out to bring light into the darkness left by this event. She launched SevenDays: Make a Ripple, Change the World, a weeklong event commemorating the tragedy which seeks to turn one ripple of kindness into an unstoppable wave of faith and love. SevenDays challenges all of us to embrace diversity, to foster hope, and to promote love. Her tireless efforts fall right in the footsteps of Dr. King.

Just recently, I was moved by the story of Sonia Warshawski, who is being featured in a documentary, titled, ``Big Sonia.'' As one of the last Holocaust survivors in my district, she is telling the story of the unspeakable tragedy she endured as a teenager at a concentration camp, being split from her father and brother, and literally watching her mother being marched to her death in the gas chambers. Yet here she is, preaching tolerance, kindness, and, most of all, love for one another.

Mindy, Sunayana, and Sonia are just three members of our community who are living out Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy in their everyday lives. In each of their stories, extreme racism, bigotry was spread through its known weapons--fear and violence--and in each case, these women responded with courage, love, and kindness, just as Dr. King preached.

These three women in my district are leading the way in the daily, ongoing fight for justice, tolerance, and love. They are an example for all of us to follow as we work to make our community a better place.

Mr. Speaker, let us continue to teach love. Let us continue to be the light that drives out the darkness. Let us move forward as a nation and as a people together, united, and we will one day achieve Dr. King's dream.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Louisburg, Kansas.

Today, Louisburg kicks off its celebration at Louisburg City Hall, and although I cannot be there, I am honored to join in the celebration of this community I have the privilege of representing in Congress. Congratulations to Mayor Marty Southard, City Manager Nathan Law, and all the community leaders who have come together to recognize the 150th anniversary.

Founded in 1868, Louisburg is a town of wonderful history, great people, outstanding public schools, booming businesses, and beautiful parks and lakes. Louisburg is home to a number of small businesses that have contributed to its success and growth.

One of my favorite stops each fall is the Louisburg Cider Mill. Brooke and I

always have a great time watching the girls choose pumpkins, enjoy cider donuts, and take in all the fun fall activities.

I am proud to represent Louisburg resident Joe Steffy of Poppin' Joe's Gourmet Kettle Korn, started in 2005. As a young man with Down syndrome and autism, Joe has testified before Congress as a small- business leader, and I had the pleasure of meeting him on Capitol Hill.

Mr. Speaker, these small businesses are just two examples of what makes Louisburg great. Congratulations to Louisburg, and I look forward to another great 150 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of a long-time public servant in this body, one of my predecessors, former Third District Congressman from Kansas, Representative Larry Winn.

Larry passed away on New Year's Eve at the remarkable age of 98, and he will be dearly missed by his family and the people of the Third District. Larry will long be remembered in our community and in the Halls of Congress as a devoted public servant.

Representative Winn served in this body for 18 years, from 1967 to 1985. His time in the House spanned across nine Congresses and five Presidential administrations, from Lyndon B. Johnson to Ronald Reagan. He served alongside some of the great statesmen of his time.

Larry's freshman class in the House included later President George H.W. Bush. Larry and his wife, Joan, became good friends with the Bushes, and Joan and Barbara Bush were proud members of a club for congressional spouses called the 66 Club.

Larry became close friends with and greatly respected President Gerald Ford, who once visited the Third District and drew a huge crowd in my hometown of Overland Park.

Larry also represented our State, along with one of our most prominent Kansans ever, Senator Bob Dole.

Larry was known as a congenial Member who worked to find consensus and develop strong relationships with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. While he spent his entire time in Congress in the minority party, he made a priority of seeking out opportunities and friends on both sides of the aisle.

Representative Winn served on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for many years, ultimately becoming the ranking member on the committee. During his time working on the Foreign Affairs Committee, the United States grappled with major world events such as the Cold War, the Vietnam war, and conflict in the Middle East. In addition to his role on the Foreign Affairs Committee, he also represented the U.S. as a congressional representative to the United Nations, appointed by President Reagan. In all of these roles, he was an excellent representative of our country to the rest of the world.

Larry took tremendous pride in serving the people of the Third District. Constituent service was always one of his top priorities, and he believed that solving problems for his constituents was one of his most important responsibilities. If someone had an issue with a Federal agency, Larry and his staff would make sure that it got resolved. This principle of valuing and serving each individual constituent in the district is one that I try to follow to this day trying to fill his shoes.

He lived a great life outside of Congress as well. Larry was an alumnus of the University of Kansas school of journalism and a proud Jayhawk. I have even heard that he taught lifelong Wildcat current Senator Pat Roberts how to ``Wave the Wheat.''

When World War II began, he was unable to join the military due to the loss of one of his legs in an accident; however, he still served his country admirably by building airplanes in Kansas City. Other accomplishments of his included serving as the director of the National Association of Home Builders and the founding of the Kansas City, Kansas, Chamber's Congressional Forum, which I have the privilege of regularly addressing and is still going on today, starting its 50th year.

Larry was a mentor to me and so many aspiring elected officials in Kansas, dispensing valuable advice, and old war stories to help guide us along. He had a gift for humor and an ease with people that served him well in all of his endeavors. And most of all, he was a great man.

While we will mourn the loss of Larry, I take comfort knowing that he is now being reunited with Joan, his beloved wife of 73 years, who passed away in 2015. Larry also leaves behind a large and loving family. His legacy will live on through his four children--Larry Winn III, Douglas Winn, Janet Payne, and Cynthia Burr--plus 8 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Larry's legacy will live on in other public servants whom he mentored and inspired. He left an indelible mark on this body, and because of his leadership here, Kansas and the United States is better off for it.

On behalf of the United States Congress, we are thankful for Larry Winn's service to our country. He is in God's hands now. May he rest in eternal peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the courage and perseverance of Sonia Warshawski, one of the few remaining Holocaust survivors in the Kansas City community and a constituent of mine. Now 91 years old, as a Polish teenager, she was forced into concentration camps, ripped from her family, and even had to watch as her mother walked into the gas chamber.

Her life is being highlighted in a recent documentary showing in American movie theaters called ``Big Sonia,'' co-directed by her granddaughter, Leah Warshawski. This beautiful film tells the story of her struggle and heartbreak and the power of love to overcome hate.

I have known Sonia for years as a friend, but also as a customer, as she runs the small tailoring business started by her husband, John, who is also a Holocaust survivor.

Sonia's story reminds us of the unspeakable evil that she and others in the Holocaust had to endure and that we must never forget today. But her story as a survivor also reminds us of humanity's beauty and kindness and the power to endure and overcome unspeakable tragedy.

Thank you for sharing your inspirational story with America, Big Sonia.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 4 of rule XVI, I move that when the House adjourns on this legislative day, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, December 21, 2017.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the importance of helping children who, through no fault of their own, have no health insurance. These are children who are ineligible for Medicaid, and their family cannot afford private insurance. CHIP, or Children's Health Insurance Program, helps these children receive coverage.

In Kansas, more than 79,000 vulnerable children are enrolled in CHIP. That is why I have worked to preserve and strengthen it during my time in Congress.

Last month, I voted for reauthorizing CHIP for 5 more years, through 2022. This invaluable benefit to kids in Kansas and across the country was included as part of a bipartisan bill called the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act, which passed the House last month and now awaits further action in the Senate.

Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that the Senate will act quickly to pass this bill and reauthorize the important CHIP program to ensure that families and children who rely on this program remain covered.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the attack on Pearl Harbor and in memory of those who gave their lives on that tragic day.

Today marks 76 years since the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, where 2,403 Americans lost their lives. Many years have passed since that day, and, sadly, there are fewer and fewer survivors of the attacks left with us; however, it is vital that we never let their memory fade.

In my own district, a group of Pearl Harbor survivors, other veterans, and community members have dedicated themselves to preserving the memory of this attack. Every year, the city of Mission, Kansas, hosts a memorial to observe this date.

One of my constituents, Dorwin Lamkin, is a veteran, Pearl Harbor survivor, and has played a key role in organizing this event. I have had the privilege of attending this ceremony in the past, and I applaud them for continuing this important tradition.

Let us never forget the fallen and the survivors of Pearl Harbor, and may we work every day to honor their memory and sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the importance of adoption and what Congress can be doing to help more kids get adopted into loving, caring families.

November is National Adoption Month, and it is time we talk about how the GOP tax reform bill, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, will help children in need of loving families by supporting those whose lives have been touched by adoption.

Our tax reform bill preserves the adoption tax credit, which allows taxpayers to claim expenses related to the adoption of a child, including fees, court costs, and travel expenses. This credit ultimately helps get more children into permanent, loving families, and the credit costs only about $3.8 billion over 10 years, a small fraction of our overall budget.

Mr. Speaker, I worked tirelessly with my colleagues to ensure that this adoption tax credit was included in the House's tax bill, and I am pleased that the Senate's version also preserves it in their draft.

I urge my colleagues to work quickly to pass tax reform that preserves the adoption tax credit while bringing tax relief to all American families.