Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: rollcall vote 403: on Motion to Recommit with Instructions to H.R. 4923--I would have voted ``nay''; rollcall vote 404: on Passage of H.R. 4923--I would have voted ``aye.''

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to our great country.

As the fireworks went off and we celebrated Independence Day, July Fourth was a reminder of the men and women across this country and throughout history that have dedicated their lives to freedom, faith, and their families.

We had a wonderful time with a majority of my family, but I was reminded the day following the Fourth of July that this is not just about a place where we talk about policy. It is really about people.

I got a call that my sister, who is fighting a different kind of fight--a fight against cancer--was moved to a hospice wing. Truly, as I went to visit her, she reminded me, Mr. Speaker, that it is not about policy, but it is about people.

Today, as she fights for her final breath, I want to take a personal opportunity to tell the few that are gathered here--and perhaps this is only for an audience of one--that an older brother is proud of his sister. He is very thankful for the opportunity that he has had these last 52 years to know her.

Lord, as we look at the fight against cancer, it affects every single family--perhaps every single Member that is here--and there is nothing much that we can be thankful for, other than the time that it permits us to say the things that we should have said long ago.

Today, Mr. Speaker, I stand before this body to thank many of the Members who have been praying for my sister, but mainly to say that I am proud to be her brother and to serve this country, where we can gratefully express our appreciation in a free and unselfish way.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 43) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14 Red River Avenue North in Cold Spring, Minnesota, as the ``Officer Tommy Decker Memorial Post Office''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 43, introduced by the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Bachmann), to designate the postal facility located at 14 Red River Avenue North in Cold Spring, Minnesota, as the Officer Tommy Decker Memorial Post Office.

Officer Decker served for 6 years with distinction as a member of the Cold Spring, Minnesota, police department.

On November 29, 2012, at just 31 years of age, he was tragically killed while trying to prevent a suicide.

He is survived by his wife, Alicia, and their children.

It is clear that Officer Decker touched many lives during his career. He received numerous awards and commendations for his hard work on the police force. At his memorial service, more than 3,000 police officers, friends, and members of the community gathered to honor his legacy.

Mr. Speaker, Officer Tommy Decker made the ultimate sacrifice by trying to help and protect the residents of Cold Spring. He is a true American hero. It is my honor to ask my colleagues to support H.R. 43.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Bachmann), my distinguished colleague.

Mr. Speaker, at this point we have no one else to speak on this particular bill, so I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1391) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 25 South Oak Street in London, Ohio, as the ``Lance Corporal Joshua B. McDaniels and Veterans Memorial Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1391, introduced by Representative Stivers of Ohio and which would designate the postal facility located at 25 South Oak Street in London, Ohio, as the London Fallen Veterans Memorial Post Office. Our Nation's veterans have served our country and many have made the ultimate sacrifice for our defense and our freedom.

Three years ago, a young marine from Mr. Stivers' district, Corporal Joshua McDaniels, was tragically killed while conducting combat operations in Helmand province in Afghanistan on June 12, 2011. A native of Dublin, Ohio, he was assigned to the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was only 21 years old.

Men and women like Corporal McDaniels put their lives on the line every day so that we can enjoy the privileges of living in the United States of America. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should thank and honor them, their families, and all the members of the Armed Forces across this great country. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to stand before this body and pay tribute to Corporal McDaniels and all the brave men and women of our armed services.

Once again, I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 1391, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Stivers).

Mr. Speaker, I just want to thank the gentleman from Ohio for his leadership on this particular issue, and specifically with regards to our Vietnam veterans. Indeed, it was a tough time in the service to our country. Many of them never got the welcome home that they deserved when they came back. On behalf of my esteemed colleagues here today and the gentleman from Ohio, I would like to officially tell them, ``Welcome home.''

With that, I would urge the Members to support this bill and vote unanimously, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1707) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 302 East Green Street in Champaign, Illinois, as the ``James R. Burgess Jr. Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today to urge support of H.R. 1707, introduced by Representative Danny K. Davis of Illinois, which would designate the postal facility located at 302 East Green Street in Champaign, Illinois, as the James R. Burgess Jr. Post Office Building.

Mr. Burgess was born on December 19, 1915, in Algood, Tennessee, and served more than 20 years in the Army, playing a critical role as a leader of the 761st Tank Battalion and the first African-American armored unit to enter the battle in World War II.

At age 29, Mr. Burgess was a first lieutenant in command of one of the six companies who served under General George Patton in Europe

Upon his retirement from the U.S. Army, he had reached the rank of major. He passed away in 1997.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Burgess was a trailblazer, a leader, and an American hero. Naming a postal facility in his honor is the least we can do to memorialize his service to our country.

I urge the support of H.R. 1707, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis), my distinguished colleague.

Mr. Speaker, the emotion and heart of my colleague, Mr. Davis, is evident today on this House floor. Far too often things are done here in a nonpersonal way. But I can tell you for Mr. Davis this is personal, and it is a great honor that I support him in H.R. 1707. I also encourage all the Members to support the passage of this bill.

I thank the gentleman for his leadership, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3472) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13127 Broadway Street in Alden, New York, as the ``Sergeant Brett E. Gornewicz Memorial Post Office''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of H.R. 3472, introduced by Representative Collins of New York, which would designate the postal facility located at 13127 Broadway Street in Alden, New York, as the Sergeant Brett E. Gornewicz Memorial Post Office.

Army Sergeant Brett Gornewicz was killed on November 3, 2012, in Paktia province, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device detonated nearby. He was killed in the same incident as Specialist Ryan Jayne--whom we are also honoring here today--and Staff Sergeant Dain Taylor Venne, another upstate New Yorker for whom the Oversight and Government Reform Committee has reported a postal-naming bill.

A native of Alden, New York, Sergeant Gornewicz was born in Buffalo on January 6, 1985. After graduating from Alden High School, he earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Buffalo State College.

Sergeant Gornewicz was a man of great humility. So great, in fact, that prior to his death, his family did not know that he had been awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for saving a life during a firefight earlier that year. He was a brave man, serving a tour in Iraq in addition to his deployment to Afghanistan, and performing the highly dangerous job of clearing roadsides of IEDs. Mr. Speaker, his example of courage and strength of character is one that we should strive to follow.

Sergeant Brett Gornewicz is rightly remembered as a hero. At only 27 years old, he made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 3472, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Collins), my distinguished colleague.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for his leadership, not just on this, but for those in Alden and throughout his district.

I urge all Members to support H.R. 3472, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1865) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 35 Park Street in Danville, Vermont, as the ``Thaddeus Stevens Post Office''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today to urge support of H.R. 1865, introduced by Representative Welch, my good friend from Vermont, which would designate the postal facility located at 35 Park Street in Danville, Vermont, as the Thaddeus Stevens Post Office.

Thaddeus Stevens was born in Danville, Vermont, on April 4, 1792. He attended nearby Peacham Academy and went on to study at the University of Vermont and Dartmouth College. After graduating from Dartmouth, Stevens moved to Pennsylvania to study law. He practiced law in Gettysburg and spent 4 years as a member of the Pennsylvania State legislature.

Thaddeus Stevens served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1849 to 1853 and from 1859 until his death in 1868. He is best remembered for being a fierce opponent of slavery and discrimination against African Americans. He was instrumental in the passage of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution and fought for African American rights during Reconstruction.

I ask my colleagues to honor the courageous actions and momentous contributions of this great American by voting in favor of H.R. 1865.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, my apologies to the residents of Peacham, Vermont. I thank my good friend from Vermont.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers. I urge all Members to support H.R. 1865, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill

(H.R. 2112) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 787 State Route 17M in Monroe, New York, as the ``National Clandestine Service of the Central Intelligence Agency NCS Officer Gregg David Wenzel Memorial Post Office''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2112, introduced by Representative Sean Patrick Maloney, which would designate the postal facility located at 787 State Route 17M in Monroe, New York, as the National Clandestine Service of the Central Intelligence Agency NCS Officer Gregg David Wenzel Memorial Post Office.

Mr. Wenzel joined the CIA in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks on his native New York City, driven by a call to serve his country and a purpose greater than himself.

He was tragically killed in a car accident in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 9, 2003, leaving behind his parents, Gladys and Mitchell; three sisters and brothers-in-law; and many nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends.

Born in Manhattan, Mr. Wenzel grew up in the Bronx and Monroe, New York, and graduated from Binghamton University and the University of Miami School of Law. Prior to his service in the CIA, Mr. Wenzel was a public defender in Miami and worked for the Florida Bar Association, where he tried supreme court cases. He was also a police academy instructor for the Miami-Dade Community College.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Wenzel was a person of remarkable accomplishments. In addition to his successful career, he finished 10 marathons, 3 Ironman competitions, and was a world traveler. He was also affiliated with and volunteered for many organizations.

I ask my colleagues to honor Gregg David Wenzel's sacrifice and service to his country by voting in favor of H.R. 2112, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support passage of H.R. 2112, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1671) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6937 Village Parkway in Dublin, California, as the ``James `Jim' Kohnen Post Office''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members

may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1671, introduced by Representative Swalwell of California, which would designate the postal facility located at 6937 Village Parkway in Dublin, California, as the James ``Jim'' Kohnen Post Office.

Dr. Kohnen was a long-time leader in the community of Dublin. He passed away on May 29, 2012. He volunteered with the Boy Scouts, the League of Women Voters, served on the boards of five local boards of directors, and was an advocate for the importance of education.

Dr. Kohnen retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a colonel after 30 years of service. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, the Air War College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Having earned six higher education degrees over the course of his lifetime, including two bachelor's degrees, two master's degrees, and a doctorate in education, he became a high school teacher of political science, management, and general science. He also served as a member of the management facilities of the University of Phoenix and St. Mary's College.

Mr. Speaker, the late Dr. Kohnen lived a life of humility and service to his community. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill to honor his legacy, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 1671, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1458) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 Walter Hammond Place in Waldwick, New Jersey, as the ``Staff Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine Post Office Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of H.R. 1458, introduced by Mr. Scott Garrett of New Jersey, which would designate the postal facility located at 1 Walter Hammond Place in Waldwick, New Jersey, as the Staff Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine Post Office Building.

Staff Sergeant D'Augustine was killed on March 27, 2012, in Helmand province, Afghanistan--a fierce battleground where over 19,000 marines were deployed. He was conducting combat operations with other marines. He died 2 weeks before he was due to come home for his sister's wedding. At this funeral, hundreds of Waldwick residents gathered at the church in his memory, and hundreds more lined the streets to pay their respects.

Staff Sergeant D'Augustine was a native of Waldwick, New Jersey. He graduated from Waldwick High School in 2001, where he wrestled and played football. In the Marines, Sergeant D'Augustine was assigned to one of the most dangerous jobs as a member of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit. He bravely performed his duties and should be remembered for his courage and his heroism.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to pay tribute to Staff Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine today by asking my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from the State of New Jersey (Mr. Garrett), my distinguished colleague.

Mr. Speaker, I would just like to thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his leadership on this particular issue, for his love for those whom he represents and for his love for those who serve. I thank the gentleman so much for bringing this bill forward, and I urge all of the Members to support H.R. 1458.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan, and I thank my friend from South Carolina for their support of this bill.

I also want to thank, Mr. Speaker, Chairman Lucas and Ranking Member Peterson for their help in bringing this bill to the floor. Without their help, truly, we would not be here today. It is an honor not only to work with them both, but their staffs on this legislation, and so I would also like to thank the entire North Carolina delegation for their support.

On March 12, 2014, just this year, just a few months ago, Officer Jason Crisp and his canine, Maros, were shot and killed in Burke County, North Carolina. He was off duty at the time. The call came at home. When it came in, he was very quick to respond and participate in a manhunt to track down someone--a suspect who had committed two murders. It was the kind of selfless service that was not unique and not a one-time thing for Officer Crisp.

Just 5 days later, a memorial service was held in his honor, and we had thousands of law enforcement officers from all across the region come to honor his service, as well as other elected officials in government.

The bill we are considering today would name the United States Forest Service building in the Grandfather Ranger District in Nebo, North Carolina, as the Jason Crisp Forest Service Building, in honor of Officer Crisp's sacrifice.

Officer Crisp--or Jason, as his family and friends knew him--was 38 years old. He lived in Marion, North Carolina, in McDowell County, in the western part of North Carolina.

He graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in 2005, and he became an officer for the Forest Service. He and his dog, Maros, routinely assisted in hunts for suspects in McDowell, Burke, Avery, Watauga, and Caldwell counties.

He also served as a law enforcement reserve officer in the McDowell County Sheriff's Office. He also served as a deputy sheriff there prior to going to work for the U.S. Forest Service.

His wife, Amanda, and his two sons, Garrett and Logan, his parents and sister and two brothers are a reminder that many times, when we have people that serve, there are other people who are involved in that service as well, and so I want to thank them today.

Perhaps the best words were by some of his friends at his memorial that called him warmhearted, always looking out for others, a warrior, and, yes, someone who even played practical jokes.

The release from his family said:

Jason was a loving father, loving husband, and a great

friend. He was his wife's best friend and the love of her

life. He loved the Lord and was an honest Christian man, who

gave his life protecting his friends. He loved doing his job

with a passion. The only thing that he loved more than his

job was his family and friends. He died a hero. However, he

was a hero well before that day.

Maros was also our family member, and he was loved like a

child. Jason loved working with Maros.

Thank you to all of the agencies for your hard work, and

thank you for all of the prayers, calls, and visits from our

family and friends.

It is an honor for me today to not only recognize Officer Crisp but all the first responders who missed birthdays, anniversaries, dinners, and gatherings to answer the call to protect and serve our communities.

Every day, Mr. Speaker, we expect them to answer the call, serving silently and selflessly. We also expect them to come home. Some do not.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I would encourage the passage of H.R. 4360 to rename the Grandfather Ranger District Forest Service building in Nebo, North Carolina, in honor of Officer Jason Crisp, the Jason Crisp Forest Service Building.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3765) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 198 Baker Street in Corning, New York, as the ``Specialist Ryan P. Jayne Post Office Building.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of H.R. 3765, introduced by Representative Reed of New York, which would designate the postal facility located at 198 Baker Street in Corning, New York, as the Specialist Ryan P. Jayne Post Office Building.

Army Specialist Ryan Jayne was killed on November 3, 2012, in Paktia province, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device, an IED, detonated while he was performing route clearing duties with his fellow soldiers. He was killed in the same incident that took the life of fellow upstate New Yorker, Sergeant Brett E. Gornewicz, whom we also honored today. Specialist Jayne was a member of the 479th Engineering Battalion of the 411th Engineering Brigade and was just 22 years old at the time of his death.

Ryan Jayne was born on May 17 of 1990 in Corning, New York. After graduating from Corning East High School in 2008, he attended Corning Community College and enlisted in the service in 2010. His family and loved ones describe him as full of life, laughter and with an ability to light up a room with his smile. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed restoring his Monte Carlo SS.

It is my honor to stand before this body today and pay tribute to Specialist Ryan Jayne. This brave young man laid down his life far too soon so that we can enjoy our freedom. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3765.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) for his beautiful words.

At this point, I yield as much time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of New York (Mr. Reed).

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New York, who has taken the lead to make sure that those who give the ultimate sacrifice are not forgotten.

It is truly an honor to serve with the gentleman from Massachusetts, the gentleman from New York, and I would urge all my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Chairman, I have a very simple amendment. Currently, there are negotiations going on with the USTR. This amendment would prohibit funding to have any of the negotiations to enter into a trade agreement that would establish a limit on greenhouse gas emissions.

The 110th Congress--Democratically-controlled Congress--rejected the cap-and-trade in 2009. It would be very clear in supporting this amendment that we would carry on the will of the House in terms of making sure that we wouldn't use any funds to circumvent the will of Congress.

Additionally, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce came out recently with proposed rules from the EPA, which are set to come out next week, that would indicate that these types of rules could cost anywhere in the neighborhood of 3.5 million jobs over the next 15 years.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the North Carolina Troopers Association and North Carolina State Highway Patrol Caisson Unit for their dedicated service to North Carolina. The Caisson Unit supports families in a time of need by honoring those who have bravely served our nation.

Established during the Civil War, Caisson Units across the country are called upon to transport fumeral caskets of those fallen service men and women, most famously at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C.

Since 2006, North Carolina's Caisson Unit has been called to honor not only fallen military servicemen, but also emergency personnel, North Carolina Governors, and other elected officials of the state. Owned and supported by the North Carolina Troopers Association and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the unit is not reliant on state or federal funds, but donations from the community. Often times the unit has been activated with less than 24-hours' notice to fulfill their duties, even helping to serve surrounding states.

Recently, the Caisson Unit honored U.S. Forest Service Officer Jason Crisp, who was killed in the line of duty in Burke County. The unit's service to Officer Crisp is just one example of the many times it has helped to honor the lives of those who have served North Carolina.

The North Carolina Troopers Association and Highway Patrol Caisson Unit's commitment to excellence and service to the community should be commended. It is my honor to recognize the North Carolina Highway Patrol Caisson Unit.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Brooke, Adam, and Holland Burleson of Spruce Pine, North Carolina. The Burleson family has inspired a community and proven that we all can make a difference.

On April 26, 2014, the Burleson family organized the first-annual Run for Holland 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run. They organized the race to raise funds and awareness for families with children who have been diagnosed with Down Syndrome and other special needs. There was overwhelming support in the small community of Spruce Pine, with over 290 participants and more than 8,000 dollars raised.

Inspired by the birth of their daughter, Holland, on August 2, 2013, Brooke and Adam Burleson have gone above and beyond in shining light on this issue. Just months before Holland was born, Adam and Brooke found out their daughter had a very high chance of having Down Syndrome. In the months after, they found strength from other parents in their community. The Burleson family is now reciprocating those efforts.

This family is a true inspiration for us all. They have not only faced adversity, but conquered it by helping other families going through similar situations. They have taught us that no matter what situation God gives you, He can give us the strength to overcome it.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to congratulate the Burleson family and the Spruce Pine community for their commitment to helping others. It is truly an honor to represent them in Congress.