Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, in June, I joined colleagues on a trip to Nigeria. The focus of the journey was the kidnapping of 270 innocent young girls at the hands of Boko Haram terrorists. It has now been 5 months since they were taken from school and from their families off to unimaginable circumstances.

Since then, Boko Haram has only become more brutal and more vicious, continuing its rampage in Nigerian villages killing, torturing, kidnapping, raping, burning, and announcing the creation of an Islamic state in northeast Nigeria.

Their reign of terror has been overshadowed on the world stage by events elsewhere. Overshadowed but not forgotten, Boko Haram must be stopped, and the girls must be brought home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4250, the Sunscreen Innovation Act. This legislation will support the important work of the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation of Palm Beach County, Florida.

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, killing one American every fifty minutes. Residents of Florida are especially vulnerable to the cancer-causing ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The Sunscreen Innovation Act will help Floridians protect themselves with the latest radiation-blocking sunscreen ingredients.

I would like to thank the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation for their tireless work in preventing and detecting skin cancer, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I yield back my time.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 476, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Edith Lederberg, who turns 85 years old in August. Edith is a vibrant member of our community, and a true friend and advocate to senior citizens locally, state-wide, and across the country. Edith has worked for the Aging and Disability Resource Center for 37 years. She currently serves as Executive Director, a position she has held since 1986. As Executive Director, she plans, coordinates, and directs senior programming and advocates on behalf of seniors at the local, state, and national level. She also raises financial resources to support programs for Older Americans residing in Broward County.

Ms. Lederberg has been recognized for her dedication several times over the course of her successful career, including her selection as a Media Representative and then as a Regular Delegate to the White House Conference on Aging. She served as President of the Florida Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and as Vice Chair of Broward's Transportation Disadvantaged Coordinating Board for almost 18 years. She has been elected to the Broward Women's Hall of Fame and the Broward Senior Hall of Fame.

These are just a few from her long list of accomplishments. Ms. Lederberg was born in Freeport, New York and she has three children and four grandchildren. She is a truly exceptional woman and I know I join with her friends and family in celebrating her birthday. I wish her good health and continued success in the coming year.

Mr. Speaker, south Florida has a booming marine industry, from our huge freighters to our Sunday boaters, generating over $8.9 billion a year to our local economy. So I am very proud to join with Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Kristy Hebert, owner of Ward's Marine Electric, in trying to fix a problem.

Businesses like Kristy's have to pay upward of $200,000 a year for providing recreational boat services, the same as companies that are providing services to 100,000-ton petroleum vessels. Obviously, the risks are different, and so H.R. 3896 is going to fix this problem. Workers are still going to be protected, and at an affordable cost for the employers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Steven Curran for his 23 years of service with the United States Navy and congratulate him on his retirement.

Chief Curran currently serves with the Navy Medicine National Capital Area as the Senior Enlisted Leader for both the Navy Medical Support Detachment and the Human Resources Department of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. During his time with the Navy, he received three Navy Commendation Medals, five Navy Achievement Medals, Surface Warfare designation, the Command Career Counselor badge, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and various other unit and campaign medals.

His legacy of service also extends to the community, where, for decades, he has been involved in everything from acting as the President of the NHCQ Chief Petty Officer Association, to being a volunteer mentor in a high school student ministry.

After 20 years, Chief Curran is still happily married to the former Dawn LaPere, and they have two children. Emma, their first child, is eight years old and their son Sam will be two in September. After Chief Curran retires, the family will move to Savannah, GA where Chief Curran will be the Small Groups Pastor at Savannah Christian Church.

In honor of his years of commitment and sacrifice for his country, I am pleased to recognize Chief Steven Curran and offer my best wishes in his retirement from the U.S. Navy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Florida State Chapter of the U.S. Air Force Association (AFA) in celebration of its 50th anniversary.

On Saturday, July 26, the AFA will hold its annual state conference in West Palm Beach, Florida. It is a privilege to represent constituents who are so deeply committed to the education, advocacy, and support necessary to maintain America's dominance in aerospace that helps keep our Nation secure.

From issuing scholarships and supporting STEM programs in elementary schools, to restoring and preserving Air Force fighter aircrafts, Florida's AFA chapter has been a tremendous advocate in the South Florida community.

I am proud to recognize the Florida Chapter and the entire AFA community for their achievements in promoting aerospace power and enhancing aerospace and science education for South Florida's next generation of leaders.

Mr. Speaker, last month, I joined colleagues on a trip to Nigeria. The focus of our journey was the kidnapping of 270 innocent

young girls at the hands of the Boko Haram terrorists.

It has been 90 days since their taking from their school, their families, off to conditions unimaginable. So I once again rise and urge the Nigerian Government to do everything possible to negotiate the return of these beautiful children of humanity.

We have not forgotten. We will not forget. Bring the girls home.

Thank you, Mr. Polis.

Madam Speaker, I rise, like my colleague Mr. Kennedy, to urge a ``no'' vote on the previous question so that we can discuss a matter that is very urgent to the women of this country.

The most blessed moment of my life was the birth of my son, Ben. His life has brought me great joy as well as great responsibilities. The decision to bring Ben into the world was a private decision, made by his father and me. We didn't call our Congressman, and we didn't call my employer.

Now it appears, with the Hobby Lobby case, that the Supreme Court of the United States seems to think that

life begins at incorporation. I vehemently disagree. Employers belong in the workplace and not in the doctor's office or in our bedrooms. That is why I am a proud cosponsor of the not my boss' business act, which will ban a corporation from using its owner's religious belief to deny health care coverage for contraception. No one should lose access to birth control because her company doesn't approve of it. A woman's family planning decision is not her boss' decision, and it is none of her boss' business.

Thank you, Mr. Rahall.

Mr. Speaker, transportation moves our economy, and modern infrastructure is a path to jobs and prosperity. I will vote for this stopgap measure, but I want to echo the words of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have called for a long-term, sustainable fix of our highway trust fund so that the United States of America can compete in the world's market.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to National HIV Testing Day, which takes place on June 27. This day serves as an important opportunity to urge everyone to get tested. I would like to thank all of the advocates, care coordinators, and healthcare providers, both in my community and around the country, for their tireless work in serving the HIV-positive community and raising awareness of HIV issues more generally.

There are over one million people of all ages, ethnicities, and sexual orientations in the United States living with the HIV virus, and South Florida has one of the highest HIV infection rates in the country. Sadly, nearly one in six HIV-positive individuals do not know that they are infected, which means that they could be unknowingly spreading the virus. We simply must close this gap so that we may improve health outcomes for those living with HIV and protect against future infections.

HIV does not discriminate--it impacts people old and young, gay and straight, and of all nationalities and ethnic backgrounds. To highlight this critical issue, I will be hosting a call to action in my district. I hope that everyone will take this opportunity to get tested for HIV and to ask their friends and family to do the same.

Again I would like to thank the advocates, care coordinators and healthcare providers in South Florida and around the country for their tireless work in preventing, detecting, and treating HIV. I wish them the best as they pursue this daunting but important endeavor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4631, The Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2014. This legislation will reauthorize research and education activities related to autism spectrum disorders, allowing us to continue making progress toward understanding how autism works and assisting those who are impacted by it.

Autism affects 70 million families worldwide, and one in 68 children born in the United States. The bill we are considering today will help to give hope to every mother and father whose sweet baby doesn't smile or babble, to the child who rocks obsessively, to the teen locked in his own mind who is shunned by classmates, and to the aging parents who fear for their adult child's care when they are gone. All of these families need our continued support to thrive.

I would like to thank Autism Speaks South Florida and all of the advocates who work tirelessly to support autism families and research, and I am glad that this legislation will help them continue their fantastic work. This is a bipartisan effort to fund autism research and help reduce the strains on families dealing with autism. I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. Speaker, I just returned from a congressional delegation trip to Nigeria, which was both eye-opening and moving.

Nigeria is a country of huge possibilities. It is an oil rich nation, the largest in Africa, with a population that will surpass the United States by 2050. It is mired with corrupt political leaders and a weakened police and military, leading to a dire political climate of joblessness in the northeast and giving rise to a terrorist organization of mostly young men called Boko Haram. They burn schools, churches, mosques, and police stations. They rob, steal, kidnap, and murder innocent victims in their path. Their violence has resulted in the deaths of thousands in the last decade.

Boko Haram's most notorious activity, which was the focus of our trip, was the recent kidnapping of 270 innocent girls attending school. These girls remain hidden--most likely scattered--and subjected to unimaginable crimes. This kidnapping received international attention for a short time, and then, like the girls, disappeared.

While in Nigeria, we met with victims of Boko Haram, as well as political, military, and civic leaders. We learned of the horrific suffering at the hands of Boko Haram and the inability of the corrupt Nigerian government, which is involved in a competitive upcoming election, to stop this violence.

Embedded in my mind are the young teen girls who told us harrowing stories of how they escaped Boko Haram terrorists while their friends, tragically, remained behind. We met with a weeping father of one such girl.

I will never forget the story of a young mother who witnessed Boko Haram decapitate her husband's head and left her dying in the street with her throat slit. She survived physically, but has been left broken financially and, of course, psychologically.

We spent time with a fusion team of Nigerian, U.S., British, and French military law enforcement put together to strategize the return of these girls.

Now, Mr. Speaker, some quick observations of mine to a very complicated situation.

As I have said before, some crimes against humanity are of the nature that knows no borders and require a response no matter where you live in the world. The kidnapping of 270 girls is such a crime. It cannot be treated just as a flavor of the week that is soon forgotten.

That is why the United States and the international community must continue to apply pressure to the Nigerian government to do all it can to negotiate the safe return of these young girls to their families.

For those citizens who want to join this fight, I join my colleague Frederica Wilson in asking people in this country and all over the world to tweet using #bringbackourgirls every day at 9 a.m.

During our trip, Mr. Speaker, we called upon--and we should continue to call upon--the Nigerian government to set up a relief fund for the victims and the families of Boko Haram for the financial and medical care that they so need.

The United States should continue our efforts with the fusion team and quickly respond to the team's request for approval of a strategic plan.

Of course, Mr. Speaker, we must continue to advise Nigerian authorities on the need for transparency and honesty and the need to deal with the economic plight of their people and urge a free and fair upcoming election.

As I said from the start, Mr. Speaker, Nigeria is a nation of great possibilities. It can one day be a giant economic partner for the United States and her allies, or it can become a safe haven for terrorists. We can keep it on the right path by bringing those girls home.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to highlight an important provision that was included in H.R. 4870, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2015, which could help my constituent, Debbie Zelman, along with thousands of others like her with stomach cancer.

Five years ago, Debbie was diagnosed with Stage IV stomach cancer. While the doctor gave her only a 50/50 chance to live after one year, Debbie is still with us, fighting one of the deadliest forms of cancer.

Debbie is not alone in her battle. Every year, 21,000 Americans are diagnosed with stomach cancer, and it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for women in this country.

To help Debbie and others affected by this horrible cancer, I, along with 57 of my colleagues, requested from the Appropriations Committee that stomach cancer research become eligible for funding through the Defense Department's Peer Reviewed Research Program (PRCRP) for 2015.

The PRCRP funds research into eleven cancer types, including blood cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Adding stomach cancer to the list of eligible diseases could make an enormous difference in understanding this under-researched cancer, including its array of risk factors and causes.

I'm proud that the House Defense Appropriations bill includes report language to allow stomach cancer research to be funded through this Research Program. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that the Senate passes this important language as well.

By taking this step, we will be able to better understand this deadly disease, and, hopefully, get closer to finding a much-needed cure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Fort Lauderdale for being one of only 10 communities nationwide selected as an All-America City.

Established in 1949 by the National Civic League, the All-America City Award recognizes cities and towns across the country for exemplary community-based problem solving and civic engagement efforts that involve public, private, and non-profit entities.

I would like to congratulate Mayor Seiler and his staff, Fort Lauderdale's residents, and all its community and business leaders on this accomplishment.

Together, you're helping make Fort Lauderdale an outstanding place to live, work, visit, and raise a family.