Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Draper Inc. in Spiceland on being named America's Healthiest Workplace by Healthiest Employers, a leader in corporate wellness and health analytics.

This company, in my home district, was ranked first place among 100 national finalists. The prestigious award included a year-long selection process and involved companies of all sizes and industries.

Draper established a safety and wellness committee to raise awareness of the stressors that drive unhealthy habits. That committee has increased its capacity to giving Draper employees the tools to succeed. The committee members volunteer their time to plan, organize, and run wellness events.

Draper is an example of a company rallying around physical activity and healthy living to improve an entire community's quality of life.

As members of Congress, we need to continue to promote and encourage health and overall wellness in our communities. In turn, our wellness initiatives will encourage a healthier American people.

Madam Speaker, no child in America should be forced to go to a school where they won't have a meaningful chance to learn. That is why school choice matters.

School choice is about the freedom of parents to choose the best educational environment for their child to succeed. For some, that means open enrollment. For others, that means a public charter school. Some may prefer a magnet school or a private school or even a virtual school. Others may want to home school their children.

Whatever the choice, National School Choice Week is about celebrating those choices and recognizing that applying market-based principles and technology to education can enhance student achievement and lead to better results.

That is why I am creating the Congressional School Choice Caucus, which will be dedicated to expanding educational freedom and promoting policies that increase high-quality education options for all children.

I urge my colleagues to join us and empower parents with a choice so their kids have a chance for success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments and career of an outstanding educator, Roberta Mock of Greensburg.

Roberta Mock has been a teacher and administrator at Greensburg Community High School for nearly fifty years. In that time, she has helped shape the lives of countless students who have passed through her classroom. A lifelong resident of Greensburg, Roberta Mock received her bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree from Ball State University. She has also obtained an education specialist degree in education administration from Indiana University.

At Greensburg, Ms. Mock taught a variety of subjects including English, speech, journalism, world history, social studies, economics and psychology. She also served as the high school's assistant principal and mentored students in extracurricular activities including wrestling, soccer and track. I will always be grateful for the impact Ms. Mock had on my life, when I was her student in high school. She lived her love for her students every day.

I ask the entire 6th Congressional District to join me in congratulating Roberta Mock on a long career in education. As she retires from Greensburg Community High School, I have no doubt that Ms. Mock will bring the same enthusiasm, dedication and passion to the next chapter of her life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Honda of Greensburg on receiving the EPA's Energy Star Certification for the second year in a row.

This plant, in my home district, has met strict energy efficiency- performance levels set by the EPA and performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency.

The plant provides 2,000 jobs for Hoosiers and has spent more than $16 billion with suppliers in North America since 2008.

This Japanese company thriving in Indiana is a shining example of what a strong trade relationship with international partners can mean for our local economy.

The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest growing region of the world and a robust relationship with this region promotes economic growth, creates jobs and bolsters the American middle class.

As members of Congress we need to continue to promote policies that provide for a strong trade relationship with our partners in Asia and in turn provide much-needed, good-paying jobs for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nick Goepper of Lawrenceburg, Indiana on qualifying to represent the United States in the 22nd Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia in the event of Freeski Slopestyle.

Nick has distinguished himself as one of the world's most premier athletes in Freeski Slopestyle, placing first in an U.S. Olympic selection event in Breckenridge, Colorado and placing second at a separate selection event in Copper Mountain, Colorado. Nick's hard work and dedication has enabled him to excel among his competitors, putting him in the most elite category of athletes.

It brings me great pride knowing that such a hard working athlete will not only be representing the United States, but also Indiana's 6th Congressional District, in one of the most treasured and sacred events in all of sports.

I ask the entire 6th Congressional District to join me in congratulating Nick Goepper in his selection to the United States Olympic team and wishing him continued success and health in the 22nd Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to rise to honor the life of a great Hoosier, one of Indiana's finest public servants, Representative Andy Jacobs. I didn't know Andy as well as some of my other Hoosier colleagues, but I met him several times during his three decades representing Indiana in Congress, and I certainly knew Andy by his stellar reputation.

What impressed me most about him on those occasions that we met was the humbleness with which he approached his job and the respect and civility he showed for his constituents and his colleagues, regardless of their party affiliation or political ideology. Andy never took himself too seriously. He drove a beat-up Oldsmobile and dressed like an average guy, which he was.

This humble and decent man was a fierce advocate for civil rights and senior citizens and built a remarkable record of public service on behalf of his constituents. That is why he was held in such unusually high regard by Republicans and Democrats alike.

Andy exemplified all that was right about being a public servant. He could disagree without being disagreeable. He believed you could lift people up without tearing people down. Despite his many years representing his constituents in Congress, he refused to become jaded and allow what is wrong with politics to stop him from doing what is right.

Representative Andy Jacobs never forgot where he came from and personified what being a Hoosier is all about. He was a good man and led a great life that left a remarkable legacy.

I want to extend the thoughts and prayers of the people of Indiana's Sixth Congressional District to Andy's wife, children, and to all those who knew and loved him. May God comfort and watch over them and continue to bless the country that Andy so loved.

Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of talk today about the importance of unemployment benefits. The truth is that too many Americans are out of work. But my constituents don't just need jobs; they need good-paying jobs.

The President touts the job gains in our economy. Unfortunately, many of the jobs gained over the past several years aren't the kind needed to get Hoosiers back on their feet. They are the kind that require long hours of work for little pay, with few or no benefits. They are the kind whose paychecks don't go as far as they used to because necessities like gas, food, education, and health care cost more and more. They are the kind where people work harder but fall farther behind. That is not the America I grew up in.

My America--our America--is one where those who work hard and play by the rules can afford the basic necessities of life and then have a little left over for wants, not just needs.

It is time for Congress to spend more time working for these hardworking Americans and less worrying about those who either don't need government or already have a government that works for them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of the Dearborn County Commissioners to the success of the 6th District Job Fair.

On October 21, 2013, over 150 job seekers from across the district met with 36 businesses looking to hire new employees. In a time when jobs are still hard to come by, these job fairs are an important tool in linking job seekers with prospective employers. I am proud we were able to bring community leaders together and provide this service to the people of the 6th District.

The job fair would not have been the success it was without the help of the Dearborn County Commissioners. I want to recognize the work of Commissioners Kevin Lynch, Art Little and Shane McHenry and Dearborn County Administrator Terri Randle. Their efforts show a deep commitment to their community and the well-being of the people they serve.

I ask the entire 6th Congressional District to join me in recognizing Dearborn County Commissioners Kevin Lynch, Art Little and Shane McHenry and Dearborn County Administrator Terri Randle. I look forward to working with them often on behalf of the people of Dearborn County and Southeastern Indiana.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding me time.

I rise in support of the bipartisan budget act, the underlying rule, and Chairman Ryan's hard work.

This isn't a perfect deal, but it is better than the alternative. This bill replaces some of the indiscriminate spending cuts called for by sequestration and replaces it with smarter ones; it makes modest reforms that will reduce the deficit without raising taxes; and it continues our Nation's trajectory toward a more fiscally responsible government.

I agree with those critics who say this bill doesn't solve all of our Nation's budget problems, but ``no'' can't always be the answer. Reality is that we have a Democratic President and a Democrat-led Senate. Given that reality, this is a solid deal. And virtually everyone agrees that we don't need another government shutdown. It is time to put politics aside and make genuine progress on ending wasteful Washington spending. This is a good first step in that direction.

Let's not be afraid to take that step and move forward toward common ground from which we can continue fighting for fiscal sanity for hardworking taxpayers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of Ivy Tech Community College Southeast to the success of the 6th District Job Fair.

On October 21, 2013, over 150 job seekers from across the district met with 36 businesses looking to hire new employees. In a time when jobs are still hard to come by these job fairs are an important tool in linking job seekers with perspective employers. I am proud we were able to bring community leaders together and provide this service to the people of the 6th District.

The job fair would not have been the success it was without the help of Ivy Tech Community College Southeast. I want to recognize the work of Shakira Grubbs, Tim Buehler, Daniel Smith, and Chancellor Jim Helms. Their efforts in hosting the job fair show a deep commitment to their community and the economic health of Southeastern Indiana.

I ask the entire 6th Congressional District to join me in recognizing Ivy Tech Community College Southeast. I look forward to working with them in the future as we strive to serve the people of Southeastern Indiana.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of Work One Southeast to the success of the 6th District job fair.

On October 21, 2013, over 150 job seekers from across the district met with 36 businesses looking to hire new employees. In a time when jobs are still hard to come by these job fairs are an important tool in linking job seekers with perspective employers. I am proud we were able to bring community leaders together and provide this service to the people of the 6th District.

The job fair would not have been the success it was without the help of Work One Southeast. I want to recognize the work of both Jamie Geyer and Angela Black. Their efforts in planning and organizing the job fair show a deep commitment to their community and the economic health of Southeastern Indiana. We could not have done the job fair without them.

I ask the entire 6th Congressional District to join me in recognizing Work One Southeast. I look forward to working with them in the future as we strive to serve the people Southeastern Indiana.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a community leader and friend, Mayor Dick Pasco of Greenfield, Indiana.

Dick Pasco was a dedicated public servant who spent the better part of his life serving the people of Greenfield. Dick's work for the city began in 1972 when he was appointed to the Greenfield Park Board. He was later elected to the city council where he would serve for twenty years. Dick would go on to hold a variety of positions on the Greenfield Planning Commission, Council for Economic Development, Hancock Boys and Girls Club, United Way, and Kiwanis International. Dick Pasco served on the Hancock County Council before being elected Mayor in 2011.

The City of Greenfield has lost a pillar of the community and a dedicated civic leader. Mayor Pasco set an example we can all aspire to. His life, including four years in the United States Navy, has been dedicated to serving others and making his community a better place to live. His commitment to Greenfield will be forever appreciated. I will forever appreciate his friendship and ask the citizens of the 6th Congressional District to join me in keeping his wife Joan, daughters Jennifer Pasco-Beck and Patricia Pasco and son Richard Pasco II in your thoughts and prayers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., INC. which recently moved its North American headquarters to Columbus, Indiana in my congressional district.

Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., INC. (TMHU) has been operating in North America for 45 years and in 1990 began lift truck production at the Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing facility in Columbus. The company has been producing the number-one selling lift truck in the U.S. since 2002. The majority of all Toyota lift trucks sold in the U.S. are manufactured in Columbus.

Recently Toyota celebrated the official grand opening of their multi- million dollar investment in their new campus and the line-off of the first large capacity Toyota 8-Series lift truck. The same event also marked the 450,000th lift truck produced at the Columbus plant. By moving their headquarters to Columbus TMHU continues its investment in Southeastern Indiana and support for the community's economic vitality.

I ask the entire 6th Congressional District to join me in recognizing Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., INC. Their leadership and economic impact on our state has been invaluable. TMHU is a great community partner, and I look forward to working with them often in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments of the Columbus East High School football team.

The Columbus East football team recently captured the team's second state championship. The Olympians won the Indiana High School Athletic Association Class 4A State Final 28-27 over Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger. With 3:42 left in the game, Columbus East scored a touchdown, giving them the one point lead that won the championship.

The team embodied the best of Hoosier sportsmanship with their dedication, grit, and execution shown not only in the championship game but throughout the season. For the leadership and support of this championship team, congratulations and accolades go to the Athletic Director and Coach, Bob Gattis, Superintendent John Quick, Principal Mark Newell and the assistant coaches.

I ask the entire 6th Congressional District to join me in congratulating the Columbus East Olympians for their impressive victory. I look forward to seeing what each of these talented young athletes will achieve in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dave Ross of Muncie, Indiana. Dave is the Chairman and CEO of National Catastrophe Adjusters, Inc., doing business as NCA Group, which is a leading provider of insurance management services. Incorporated in 1984, the company originally specialized in catastrophe claims management, handling claims throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. NCA Group currently services both daily and catastrophe claims for 5 of the top 10 carriers in the United States and the second largest insurer in Canada. NCA Group has since expanded its service offering well beyond that of a traditional catastrophe firm, providing a complete suite of claims service solutions.

As a veteran, Mr. Ross knows the importance of service to his community and country. He employs over 300 people in Indiana's 6th Congressional District and all over the country, including a large number of veterans. Mr. Ross has developed a very unique and beneficial program for veterans returning back home that helps them translate their military experiences and traits into private sector skills. He then employs many of those veterans at NCA Group or recommends them highly to positions elsewhere.

I recognize Mr. Ross' exemplary conduct as both a soldier and citizen. He truly has used his time and talents for the betterment of his fellow Hoosier and American.