Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni of Fort Lauderdale for his induction into the National Academy of Engineering, an honor he received for his outstanding work on new MRI methods and his national leadership in translational medical research.

Dr. Zerhouni is a prolific researcher and scientist, and his long career illustrates his passion for public service and saving lives.

His story exemplifies the American dream: he came to this country almost 40 years ago from a small village in Algeria, with only $369 in his pocket. Having graduated from medical school in Algeria, he started as a radiology resident at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and rose to the position of Executive Vice Dean of the School of Medicine and the Chair of the Radiology and Radiological Sciences Department at Johns Hopkins University Hospital. After leaving Johns Hopkins, he served as the 15th Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a position he held from 2002-2008.

His research has led to major advances in CAT Scan and MRI technology. These developments include innovative imaging methods used to diagnose cancer, cardiovascular disease, and pulmonary disease. His accomplishments also include authoring over 200 publications, holding eight patents, and co-founding five companies.

In honor of his induction into the National Academy of Engineering and all his important contributions to public health, I am pleased to recognize Dr. Zerhouni and to thank him for his service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Peyton Robertson, who is America's 2013 Top Young Scientist in the ``Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge.''

Peyton, a 5th grade student, created an innovative sandbag designed that is reusable and easy to transport. After seeing the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy and from experiencing hurricanes in South Florida, Peyton wanted to help protect folks in Florida.

This is not the first time that Peyton has worked to improve the lives of those around him with inventions. When he discovered that the golf balls he loved to hit didn't go as far when they were cold, he created a golf ball warmer. Peyton also invented retractable training wheels to help his sister learn how to ride a bike. When he grows up, Peyton would like to be an inventor, scientist, or engineer.

Peyton, congratulations again on being named America's Top Young Scientist for 2013. Your innovative spirit and desire to improve the world is an inspiration to us all!

First I would like to thank the esteemed Representative from Hawaii for sharing this time with me.

Mr. Speaker, I once again rise and join my colleagues in urging you to allow us to vote to reopen government. I have been up here before day after day. I have taken a nuanced approach, quoting the wisdom of the popular children's author, Dr. Seuss, but today the Dr. Seuss gloves come off.

It is no wonder, no wonder that a recent poll of Americans show that Congress is less popular than hemorrhoids, toenail fungus, dog poop, and cockroaches. Like millions of Americans, I want to put my head out the window and shout that this standoff is idiotic and this reckless, irresponsible shutdown has got to stop.

Mr. Speaker, as I speak, the Earth is in turmoil. Iran is building a nuclear weapon; in Syria, a civil war is killing thousands of women and children; in Nairobi, terrorists attacked innocent shoppers in a retail mall; and in Europe, major countries are going bankrupt.

So what does the greatest Nation on Earth do to set an example for the rest of the world? We hang a sign that says, ``Closed for business.'' And as we try to emerge from a recession that hurt so many of our constituents, we proceed to throw 800,000 patriotic Americans out of a job, leaving them without income to pay their mortgages, their car loans, their children's tuition. Oh, but that is not all. We stop the funding for Head Start for millions of children and slow down benefits for veterans who risked their lives and their liberty for our freedom.

Mr. Speaker, this government does not belong to the United States Congress. This government belongs to the people of America, and they are demanding, rightfully so, that we open our government today.

Mr. Speaker, let us vote today.

Mr. Speaker, if this Congress delays any longer, I respectfully suggest that even the Ebola virus and twerking will overtake us in the polls, and it will be well-deserved.

Mr. Speaker, as we enter day 10 of this reckless and irresponsible government shutdown, I once again turn to Dr. Seuss, the well-known author, best known for being able to communicate well to children.

Some wisdom from ``Yertle the Turtle'':

I am Yertle the Turtle. Oh, marvelous me, for I am the

ruler of all that I see.

Your majesty, please. I don't like to complain, but down

here below, we are feeling great pain.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Lawrence ``Larry'' Ochstein, a resident of South Florida who turns 80 today.

Mr. Ochstein, a proud veteran, has been a South Florida resident since 1976. He has worked for a variety of non-profits, including the American Red Cross and B'nai B'rith International. He is an extremely active member of the community, having served the Jewish Community Center of the Palm Beaches and as a Palm Beach County Poll Worker.

In addition to all of his accomplishments, Larry is a proud grandfather and great-grandfather and an avid golfer.

I know I join with his friends and family in celebrating this wonderful milestone. I wish him good health and continued success in the coming year.

Mr. Speaker, last night, this United States Congress put more than 800,000 patriotic Americans out of work indefinitely. That means 800,000 families may not pay their mortgage, their car loan, or their college tuition.

To those Tea Party colleagues who rejoice in a government shutdown, I once again quote our mutual friend, Dr. Seuss. Please listen carefully:

Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done! There

are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the

magical things you can do with that ball will make you the

winning-est winner of all.

Fame! You'll be as famous as famous can be, with the whole

wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don't, because sometimes they won't. I'm

afraid that sometimes, you'll play lonely games too. Games

you can't win 'cause you'll play against you.

Mr. Speaker, with all due respect to my friends on the other side of the aisle, this shutdown talk has evolved to ridiculousness.

To quote Dr. Seuss:

When beetles fight these battles in a bottle with their

paddles

And the bottle's on a poodle and the poodle's eating

noodles . . .

They call this a muddle puddle tweetle poodle beetle noodle

bottle paddle battle.

Mr. Speaker, it's time to work together and stop these beetles. I mean, stop the battle.

Mr. Speaker, this is a very good example of what happens when colleagues work together. I want to thank Mr. Royce and Mr. Engel very much for including in this legislation language from a bipartisan bill sponsored by myself and my colleague, Mr. Trey Radel, also from Florida.

This particular provision would authorize the State Department to use the ``best value'' contracting award method in high-risk, high-threat areas around the world, ensuring the safety of American men and women serving our country abroad.

With this bipartisan effort, the State Department will be allowed to consider factors beyond only price in making security contracts, giving the State Department the flexibility and tools they need to keep those who serve us abroad safe from harm and ensure taxpayer money is being used effectively.

Mr. Speaker, the attack on our embassy in Benghazi was a tragic reminder of the security environment in which many of our diplomats serve. And it is our responsibility here in Congress to do everything in our power to protect Americans and our embassies overseas.

Again, I thank Mr. Royce and Mr. Engel for their good work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose H.R. 1961, which would exempt the steamboat Delta Queen from important fire safety requirements. While I appreciate the historical significance of this Mississippi River steamboat, I believe that public safety must be our first priority. Exempting the Delta Queen through the passage of H.R. 1961 would expose the public to an unacceptable risk of catastrophic fire by allowing a vessel that does not meet current safety standards to carry more than 50 overnight passengers. For these reasons, I vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate my constituent Michael Kamen's parents, Milton and Renee Kamen, who celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 27, 2013.

The Kamens have been voting in Presidential elections since 1948, although not always on the same side. In fact, the first time they voted for the same presidential candidate was 2008. Their ability to disagree for so many years while maintaining a harmonious marriage is a testament, both to their love for each other and to their dedication to the American political process.

The Kamens are truly an exceptional family. I know I join with their friends and loved ones in celebrating this magnificent milestone and wishing them good health and continued success in the coming year.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

I am opposed in its current form.

Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will re-appropriate resources in areas critical to our national security and to defend Israel, our most important ally in the Middle East.

The motion to recommit adds $20 million in funding for Israel's Iron Dome defense program and $5 million for the Arrow defense program in order to bolster protection against short- and long-range missile attacks.

Now here's something on which we can all agree. Defending Israel is in the interest of our national security. The bond between the United States and Israel is rooted in our shared national interest and our common values of democracy, rule of law, and basic human rights. Israel's security is our security. The same forces threatening Israel jeopardize the United States. And this is not a partisan issue.

All of us who have been to Israel are struck by how close Israelis live to neighbors who want to destroy them. As a former mayor of a city, I ran a city where we had real problems like gangs and crimes; but never did I have to worry about the towns next door shooting rockets at my residents. I can't imagine what it would be like to be the mayor of Sderot.

In 2008, before we had Iron Dome, a surge in Hamas rocket attacks forced Israel to launch a ground operation that, tragically, claimed over a thousand Israeli and Palestinian lives.

Fast forward to last November. In just 1 week, over 1,500 rockets were fired at Israel again by terrorist groups in Gaza. Thankfully, this time, Iron Dome intercepted over 80 percent of the deadly attacks, preventing war and saving lives.

I know that we can all agree that support for Israel's missile defense program is not merely a favor we do for Israel. Our political and military leaders have long praised the strategic significance of Israel's powerful military advancing our interests in the region, saving our Nation billions of dollars on military personnel and equipment that we might otherwise be forced to deploy.

Looking at Israel's neighborhood, never has this situation been so urgent for both our countries, with increased threats from Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and al Qaeda, and instability in Syria, Egypt, and Jordan. We must do all we can to strengthen Israel's defenses, and that is why this amendment to increase funding for these defense systems is so timely and so necessary.

Support for Israel has always enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support. So I urge my Democratic and Republican colleagues to come together on this important amendment to support Israel and promote stability in the Middle East.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks in strong opposition to this farm bill rule and underlying bill because it cruelly takes food away from poor children, the elderly, and the disabled.

My, my, my, Mr. Speaker.

Jade Andrushka is a Palm Beach State College student with big dreams and a small bank account. Her mother is a hospice social worker, has solely supported Jade while paying back her own student loans for over 20 years so that she and her daughter could have a better life.

Well, Mr. Speaker, July 1 has come and gone, and the Federal student loan rates have doubled, making college more expensive for millions of American families, including Jade and her mom, who now face two generations of loans.

Mr. Speaker, it takes a simple fix by Congress to do the right thing, reverse this excessive rate hike, and clear the path to one of the most important pathways to American prosperity--a college education.

My, my, my, Mr. Speaker. Can't we all work together to get this done?

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Compass, the Gay and Lesbian Community Center (GLCC) of Palm Beach County for their 25th anniversary and for their continued advocacy on behalf of the LGBT community.

On Saturday, June 29, Compass will hold its annual Stonewall Ball, a party that attracts over 1,000 attendees each year. This ball connects public leaders and elected officials with members of the LGBT community, an essential step in creating opportunities for LGBT citizens of South Florida to participate in public life.

Since its inception, Compass has acted as a true champion of the LGBT community. As the largest gay and lesbian community center in Florida, Compass is visited by more than 25,000 individuals each year. It provides social and health-related support groups for LGBT people and case workers who help obtain treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS. Compass also organizes the Pride Business Alliance, a group that promotes gay-owned and gay-friendly local businesses.

In honor of Compass GLCC's 25th anniversary, I am proud to recognize the entire Compass community for their achievements in promoting awareness and sensitivity to LGBT issues in South Florida.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Boca Raton Community High School Science Olympiad team and their incredible achievements in the 2013 National Science Olympiad Tournament.

The team has won the Southeast Regional Championship in each of its five years in existence, as well as three consecutive Florida State Championships. This year, the National Tournament happened to occur on the same day as graduation. Six graduating seniors chose to miss the ceremony in order to represent their school, demonstrating their extraordinary commitment and leading the team to a top 25 national ranking. Two team members, Montita Sowapark and Brian Lopez, followed their 2012 national first place ranking in the ``Water Quality'' event with an outstanding second place finish, emphasizing the amazing scientific talent at the high school.

Once again, I would like to congratulate everyone involved with the remarkable Boca Raton Community High School Science Olympiad team, and I look forward to their continued success. To the seniors, I wish the best of luck in college and all their future endeavors.