Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Decatur County Family YMCA on its 100th anniversary.

Across the country, YMCAs provide an invaluable service promoting youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. These facilities serve 21 million Americans nationwide by offering a variety of programs, such as affordable preschool, youth sports and fitness, Bible studies, and summer camps, which are just a few of the many services and activities routinely offered. Countless individuals have benefited from the positive change the local YMCA has brought to their lives and communities.

The Decatur County Family YMCA has served the people of Greensburg since its incorporation in 1914. It is one of the oldest non-profit agencies in southeastern Indiana. This cornerstone of the community has been an asset for the greater Greensburg area and has provided residents with unique programs, classes and resources that many would not have had access to in its absence. As a young student, I attended the Greensburg YMCA gym regularly.

I ask the entire 6th Congressional District to join me in congratulating the Decatur County Family YMCA on its 100th anniversary. I have no doubt that this extraordinary institution will be serving families in southeastern Indiana for many more years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this important bipartisan resolution to urge the Government of Afghanistan to ensure a transparent process in its June 14 runoff Presidential election.

I want to commend my former Foreign Affairs Committee colleague, Mr. Grayson, for bringing this measure forward, and also Chairman Royce for his leadership on this important issue.

It makes clear that the United States supports the Afghan people in their pursuit to form an effective government through credible, violence-free elections.

Afghanistan certainly faces major challenges, but this transition is an opportunity for Afghanistan to build upon the progress it has made since 2001. Under the Taliban, women were banned from social, political, and educational participation. Now, more than one-quarter of the country's parliament is female, and more than one-third of the voters in the first round of elections were women.

There has been other strong progress, both big and small. Infant mortality has declined, the media is more accessible, the literacy rates have increased from the single digits, and there are even substantially more paved roads. Don't get me wrong. It is not all cotton candy and rainbows. To be certain, Afghanistan still has a long road ahead to achieve a democratic future, but this election is a critical step in the right direction.

It is my hope that the Government of Afghanistan recognizes the sacrifices that have been made to get to this point and will turn a page to ensure a peaceful transition of power.

I urge all of my colleagues to support this bipartisan measure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Paul W. Ferguson on being selected as the 15th President of Ball State University.

Mr. Ferguson has had a long and distinguished career as an educator and college administrator. He was an Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Louisiana, Monroe (ULM), where he was instrumental in establishing the first undergraduate toxicology program in the South.

After working as Senior Toxicologist for Unocal Corporation in Los Angeles, he returned to Louisiana and served as an award winning Professor and Head of the Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology at ULM. Paul would go on to hold many leadership positions there, as well as at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the Edwardsville campus of Southern Illinois University (SIUE). During his time at SIUE, the university received national recognition for its academic innovation, culture of assessment and commitment to continuous quality improvement.

In 2011, Mr. Ferguson became the 19th President of the University of Maine. President Ferguson demonstrated an ability to accomplish high quality results with a student-centered approach to leading while at Maine. Their loss will be Ball State's gain.

I ask the entire 6th Congressional District to join me in welcoming Paul and his wife, Grace, to Indiana, and congratulating him on being selected as Ball State's next President. We wish you the best of luck in this next adventure!

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this important bipartisan bill, to promote human rights in Venezuela. I want to commend my colleague, Chairwoman Ros-Lehtinen, for bringing this important measure forward. It makes clear that, as a Nation, we do not condone the recent human rights abuses against Venezuelans as they fight for democratic change.

Venezuelans speaking out for basic rights and freedoms, such as the ability to speak freely and live free from intimidation and violence, have been harassed, intimidated, threatened, and killed as a result of their desire to determine their own destiny. Just this month, 41 people have been killed, over 100 injured, and 60 tortured in Venezuela in response to pro-democracy demonstrations. These are alarming statistics, and action must be taken to prevent this violence and hold the perpetrators accountable. This legislation does that by placing sanctions on those in President Maduro's government who are responsible for this violence against those exercising their legitimate rights.

I urge all of my colleagues to support this important bipartisan measure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary achievements of Girls Incorporated of Shelbyville and Shelby County, Indiana.

This organization recently was recognized by the National Girls Incorporated organization with the 2014 Outstanding Affiliate of the Year Award, the highest honor an affiliate can receive.

The Girls Incorporated movement has been helping girls obtain the skills and knowledge needed to successfully navigate the challenges women face in life for more than 150 years. The network of local Girls Incorporated organizations serves over 136,000 girls across the United States and Canada. The dedicated professionals of Girls Incorporated lead programs ranging from money management to fitness and health. They also work to foster an interest in science, technology, engineering and math.

The first Girls Club in Shelbyville was formed in October 1971. Since then, the club has gone through a reorganization, name change and relocation. Through it all, the girls club has been an asset for the greater Shelbyville community touching the lives of thousands of area girls and their families. In 2014, Girls Inc. of Shelbyville and Shelby County was also recognized by the National Girls Incorporated organization as ``An Affiliate Who Grew.'' This growth in membership and impact in the community is a testament to the hard work and the dedication of the organization's local leaders.

I ask the entire 6th Congressional District to join me in congratulating Girls Incorporated of Shelbyville and Shelby County for their outstanding achievements and dedication to the community. I look forward to seeing what this incredible group will achieve in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of my friend and one of my constituents, Claudina McCammack, of Muncie, Indiana.

Claudina was a longtime resident of Muncie and active community leader. She served as District Secretary for former Congressman David Dennis, as Delaware County Commissioners Secretary, part time in Voters Registration, and as a Republican Precinct Committeewoman. Claudina, whose faith was so central in her life, was also an active member of the Full Gospel Temple in Muncie.

Claudina could always be counted on as a strong advocate for the people and policies in which she believed. She was leader in the Delaware County Republican Party and in the city of Muncie. Much of her life was spent in the service to others. Claudina received numerous awards and recognition for her work, including a key to the city of Muncie. Perhaps her greatest legacy is the impact she had on so many lives in east-central Indiana. Countless people can recount the help they received from Claudina, who always possessed a commitment to serve and had a smile on her face.

I ask the entire 6th District to keep Claudina's children, Randall, Beth, and Kaye, along with the entire extended McCammack family, in your thoughts and prayers.

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

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the chairman and ranking member for their leadership on this bill.

I rise today to offer a simple amendment that will encourage the opening, replication, and expansion of high quality secondary charter schools.

Too many students don't have the chance to attend the secondary charter school of their choice because there simply are not enough of these schools to meet the demand for them. Many charter networks don't have a secondary school, and where there are such schools the demand for the spots

in these schools exceeds the number of slots available.

The underlying bill takes a big step in the right direction to meet this challenge by clarifying that State-determined weighted lotteries are permitted under the charter school program.

The bill allows for children to continue in the school program of their choice by ensuring students in affiliated charter schools can attend the next immediate grade in a charter school network. This is very important. It will help alleviate the need for students to essentially win the lottery twice. However, I believe more can and must be done.

My amendment is designed to help build on the progress made by the underlying bill. It would simply require State entities applying for charter school program grant funds to explain how they will work with eligible applicants within the State to encourage the opening, replication, and expansion of high quality secondary charter schools.

By encouraging grantees to open, replicate, and expand high quality secondary charter schools, more students who want to continue attending such schools will be able to do so.

As the founder and chairman of the Congressional School Choice Caucus, one of my top priorities is ensuring that more families have access to high quality educational opportunities. Supporting the growth of successful secondary charter schools is critically important to this effort.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis), for his support of this amendment, and, more importantly, for his remarkable vision and leadership in charter schools across the country.

I have no further comments, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, teachers are remarkable people. These dedicated professionals work hard to ensure that our children have the skills necessary to succeed and achieve the American Dream.

They get up early and stay up late, often sacrificing their own time and money, so our children have a fair shot at future success.

They don't do it for fame; though glory, they should receive. They don't do it for fortune; though riches, they do deserve. They do it because they love their jobs and care about their students. It would be difficult to overestimate the importance of our Nation's teachers to our country's strength and prosperity.

One of those teachers is my sister-in-law, Mandy Messer, who teaches elementary school at North Decatur Elementary.

A day should not pass that we don't thank teachers for their service on behalf of our children and our country.

Today, during Teacher Appreciation Week, I say thank to you my former teachers who played such an important role in my own life, and I express my gratitude to all the teachers throughout my congressional district who are doing such wonderful work.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 10, the Success and Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Act.

I want to commend Chairman Kline and Ranking Member Miller for coming together on this important bipartisan legislation.

I also want to thank my good friend from Indiana, Todd Rokita, who chairs the Subcommittee on Elementary and Secondary Education, for his work on this bill, and thank the good Member Polis for his comments as well, and appreciate the opportunity to work with him.

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn. But too many families in America today live in neighborhoods with struggling schools where their children don't have access to a high-quality education. That is why education choice matters.

Lots of kids live in communities with great schools, but too many don't. Parental choice is the ultimate local control. It allows parents to choose the best educational environment for their child, regardless of income, geographic location, or lot in life. The freedom provided by school choice levels the playing field and helps ensure all children have a chance to achieve success in life. As the founder and chairman of the Congressional School Choice Caucus, I am a proponent of all forms of educational choice, including magnet schools, online schools, private schools, home schooling, and traditional public schools.

Charter schools certainly play an integral role in expanding educational freedom. I am very encouraged by this bipartisan legislation which will update the charter school program to reflect the success and growth of successful charter models by supporting the replication, expansion, and opening of new, innovative, high-quality charter schools.

Encouraging the expansion of charter schools is important because they empower parents with another free public school option and are a driving force in creating classroom innovation.

Over the past couple of months, I have had the opportunity to visit several charter schools that are preparing students for success. Just this last month, as the chairman mentioned, I was fortunate enough to join Chairman Kline on his trip to visit the Aspen Academy and the Global Academy charter schools in Minnesota. More recently, I toured the Inspire Academy of Muncie in my district, one of 74 charter schools in Indiana serving more than 28,000 Hoosier students. I was impressed with what I saw: a diverse group of students actively engaged in learning, teachers pioneering fresh teaching methods, and parents heavily involved in their child's education.

In the Declaration of Independence, our Founding Fathers wrote that all men are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. Chief among those rights is the right to pursue happiness. In modern America, that pursuit begins with a high-quality education. We cannot rest until every child in America has that chance.

I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kirsten Fentz, who was one of four National Finalists for the John Cauble Award for Outstanding Short Play. This award recognizes one or more outstanding scripts each year for presentation at the Kennedy Center American College Festival in Washington, D.C.

Kirsten's play, The Last Sunrise, was selected out of plays submitted from across the country. Being a finalist for this competitive award demonstrates Kirsten's extraordinary talent and hard work and commitment to excellence. As the youngest finalist and only undergraduate to receive this honor, her accomplishment is all the more impressive. In Washington, D.C., Kirsten served as an excellent representative of Ball State University and the state of Indiana.

I ask the entire 6th Congressional District to join me in recognizing Kirsten's achievement and I look forward to seeing what this talented young woman accomplishes in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor National Autism Awareness Month.

Modern science has helped control or eliminate many once deadly and debilitating diseases and conditions, but our understanding of autism remains an unsolved puzzle.

More children than ever are being diagnosed with communication and behavioral disorders that lead to a diagnosis of autism. Autism now affects one in every 68 children, according to the CDC. My nephew Trey is one of them.

I have seen firsthand how autism strains families, stretches their resources, and makes life more challenging in many ways. I have also seen the amazing joy that an autistic child can bring to a family. Trey has sure brought a lot of joy to ours.

Families with autistic children do everything they can to help their kids maximize their God-given abilities, whatever they choose to be; but it is not always easy, especially in a world where many don't understand the unique challenges that autism presents.

Helping these families better navigate this treacherous world would make a huge difference for my brother and his family and millions like them, but doing so would be much more than just helpful to those families.

It would be good policy too. That is because autism imposes tremendous costs on families, many of which are shared by the schools their children attend and the many medical and developmental specialists involved in their care.

Studies have found that it can cost parents up to $21,000 a year to care for a child with autism, more than it requires for one without. Children with autism have annual medical expenditures that exceed those without autism by up to $6,000 a year.

The average medical cost for Medicaid-enrolled children with autism are about six times higher than for children without autism. In addition to medical costs, intensive behavioral interventions for children with autism can cost $40,000 to $60,000 per child, per year.

There are several steps that Congress can take right now to help ease these burdens for families. The House should pass H.R. 647, the Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE, Act, which is legislation I have cosponsored, to allow for the creation of tax-exempt savings accounts for individuals with disabilities.

Congress also must reauthorize the Combating Autism Act, which expires in September. This vital legislation provides Federal support for critical autism research, services, and treatment.

Mr. Speaker, I have often said that autism is the polio of our time, and together, as a Nation, we can beat this challenging disease.

Families struggling with autism face challenges that many of us can't imagine. They neither need nor want our pity, but they deserve our help.

National Autism Awareness Month, which ends tomorrow, should serve as a call to action for us to address the urgent and long-term needs of people affected by autism and, hopefully, one day, piece together the autism puzzle, so as few children as possible are impacted by this disorder.

Mr. Chairman, the RSC budget balances in 4 years. For most Americans, 4 years seems like a very long time. When they see budgets that balance in even 10 years, let alone 26 years, or not at all, they wonder what we are thinking.

In the real world, folks can't spend money they don't have. Families have to balance their own budgets. They expect Washington to do the same. That is why I applaud this budget. It is full of tough choices, but it demonstrates

that House Republicans aren't afraid to make the difficult decisions necessary to secure America's future and preserve the American Dream.

It is called leadership. That means proposing simple answers--even when they are not easy ones.

I commend Chairman Scalise and Mr. Woodall for crafting a plan that will balance the budget and create a healthy economy sooner than any other budget alternative. The RSC budget proposes a path that embraces the responsibility we have to future generations to leave America better than we found her.

The unwillingness of Congress to make tough choices is putting our country on a road to ruin. Let's take the road less traveled. It may make all the difference.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of two extraordinary Indiana State legislators: Senators Allen Paul and Johnny Nugent. These two close friends have served the State of Indiana for decades.

I want to personally thank them for all of their hard work and recognize them for their many accomplishments.

First, let me tell you a little bit about Senator Allen Paul. Allen volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1967 and is a decorated Vietnam veteran. He was awarded the Bronze Star for saving a man's life and also earned a Combat Infantry Badge and four Air Medals.

After being honorably discharged from the Army, Allen was elected to the State senate in 1986, where he was a tireless advocate for military members and their families. He passed important legislation to help veterans receive a college degree and supported legislation to offer in-state tuition for veterans.

Senator Paul has the distinction of being the first legislator from eastern Indiana to serve in a leadership position within his caucus. During his 28-year tenure in the senate, he served as majority whip, chairman of the Insurance Committee and chair of the Financial Institutions Committee. His political savvy and institutional knowledge will certainly be missed by his colleagues in the State legislature.

Senator Paul's dear friend Senator Johnny Nugent has also decided to retire after more than 30 years in office. He too is a veteran of the U.S. Army and Army Reserve.

At the age of 26, Johnny was elected Dearborn County commissioner, the youngest commissioner ever elected in Indiana. As a State senator, Johnny Nugent held numerous leadership positions, including majority floor leader, chair of the Agricultural and Small Business Committee and ranking member of the Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee.

Senator Nugent has been a tireless defender of the Second Amendment and served two terms on the NRA's board of directors. During his tenure in the senate, he successfully sponsored Indiana's ``Castle Doctrine,'' as well as the Nation's first lifetime concealed-carry permit.

Senator Nugent is also known for his involvement in his local community. He is a member of the Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce and the southeastern Indiana Shrine Club. He also served on the Dearborn County Hospital board of trustees.

Both Allen Paul and Johnny Nugent serve as shining examples of what it means to be a public servant. I ask the entire Sixth Congressional District to join me in recognizing these two outstanding Hoosier legislators.

I have no doubt these great men will bring the same commitment, dedication, and enthusiasm that they have had during their service to their constituents and their communities, and apply that in the next chapter of their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Henry County Commissioner Bill Cronk, who is retiring after three decades of public service.

After first being elected as County Commissioner in 1987, Bill Cronk went on to serve five nonconsecutive terms in that position. Bill became a community leader in Henry County, working tirelessly to address the concerns of those he served. He also mentored and befriended countless public officials and community members. Even during a brief hiatus from his work as commissioner, Bill continued serving Henry County as the head crew chief for the Henry County surveyor.

During his time as commissioner, Bill was a key figure in the forming of the solid waste district that continues to serve the county, and in the opening of the Henry County Youth Center. He was also instrumental in bringing Ivy Tech to New Castle. Bill's commitment to his community and to improving the lives of his constituents is an example of public service to which we can all aspire.

I ask the entire 6th Congressional District to join me in honoring Bill Cronk for a long and distinguished career dedicated to serving the people of Henry County. I have no doubt that Bill will bring the same dedication and enthusiasm to the next chapter of his life as he did in the previous one.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the careers of two extraordinary Indiana legislators: Senators Allen Paul and Johnny Nugent. These two friends have served the state of Indiana for decades, and I want to personally thank them for all of their hard work and recognize them for their many accomplishments.

Let me tell you a little bit about Senator Allen Paul. Allen volunteered for the U.S. army in 1967 and is a decorated Vietnam Veteran. He was awarded the Bronze Star for saving a man's life and also earned a Combat Infantry Badge and four Air Medals. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Allen was elected to the State Senate in 1986 where he was a tireless advocate for military members and their families. He passed important legislation to help veterans receive a college degree and supported legislation to offer in-state tuition for veterans.

Senator Paul has the distinction of being the first legislator from Eastern Indiana to serve in a leadership position within the caucus. During his 28 year tenure in the Senate, He served as Majority Whip, Chairman of the Insurance Committee and Chair of the Financial Institutions Committee. His political savvy and institutional knowledge will certainly be missed by his colleagues in the State Legislature.

Senator Paul's dear friend Senator Johnny Nugent has also decided to retire after more than 30 years in office. He too is a veteran of the U.S. Army and Army Reserve. At the age of 26, Johnny was elected Dearborn County Commissioner--the youngest commissioner ever elected in Indiana. As a State Senator, Johnny held numerous leadership positions including Majority Floor Leader, Chair of the Agriculture and Small Business committee and ranking member of the Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee.

Senator Nugent has been a tireless defender of the 2nd Amendment and served two-terms on the NRA's Board of Directors. The only individual in Indiana to serve on the board. During his tenure in the Senate, he successfully sponsored Indiana's ``Castle Doctrine,'' as well as the nation's first lifetime concealed carry permit. Senator Nugent is also known for his involvement in his local community. He is a member of the Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce and the Southeastern Indiana Shrine Club. He is a successful small business owner and ran Nugent Tractor sales of Lawrenceburg for decades.

Both Allen Paul and Johnny Nugent serve as shining examples of what it means to be a public servant. I ask the entire 6th Congressional district to join me in recognizing these two outstanding Hoosier legislators. I have no doubt these great men will bring the same commitment, dedication, and enthusiasm they had for serving their constituents and their communities to the next chapter of their lives.