Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember William Cole Dotson, 92, Captain, USN (Ret.). Bill Dotson peacefully passed away on February 2, 2018, at his home in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Bill was born and raised in Hodgenville, Kentucky, the oldest of three siblings. Growing up during the Great Depression, he worked hard to help his family make ends meet, and never lost his affection for Hodgenville, his grandparents' farm, and the people who always knew him as ``Billy Cole.'' The values of thrift, work and self-reliance he developed there defined him throughout his life.

Capt. Dotson had a long, distinguished naval career, holding command positions both at-sea and ashore. He enlisted during World War II, served in 1944 and 1945 and then was selected to attend the U.S. Naval Academy where he graduated in 1949.

Bill served on the USS Fred T. Berry (DDE-858) from 1949 to 1951 where he was deployed to Korea. From 1951 to 1952 he was assigned to the USS Ingersol (DD-652). In 1952 he completed submarine training and from 1953 to 1955 was aboard the USS Tirante (SS-420).

From 1955 to 1957, he taught NROTC at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky, while concurrently earning a Masters Degree in Business Administration. He met his wife Katherine there in 1955. They were married the following year and became lifelong companions, having four sons and traveling the world with the Navy.

From 1957 to 1958, he was an Engineering Officer on the USS Trumpetfish (SS-425) and from 1958 to 1960 he was the Executive Officer of the USS Sennet (SS-408). In 1962 he completed the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and then began service as Commanding Officer of the submarine USS Medregal (SS-480). From 1964 to 1967 he was the Head of the Plans and Programs Section of the Fleet Ballistic Missile Project Office in Washington, D.C. From 1967 to 1969, he was the Readiness Officer for COMSUBFLOTSIX.

From 1969 to 1971, he was the Commanding Officer of the USS Observation Island (AG-154) which successfully conducted operational testing of the Poseidon missile. For his outstanding performance and inspiring devotion to duty as Commanding Officer, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Award.

From 1971 to 1973, he was the Torpedo Systems Division Head at the Naval Ordnance Systems Command.

From 1974 to 1976, he was the Chief of Staff at COMNAVMARIANAS in Guam. In this position he supervised the urgent Vietnamese refugee program, involving the processing, care, and onward routing of some 110,000 refugees after the fall of Saigon in 1975. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for his exceptional performance and leadership of the program. He was also awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal for his meritorious work in planning, directing and coordinating all aspects of the island's preparation for Typhoon Pamela and the ensuing recovery operations. That storm disabled Guam's power, water, and telephone systems and badly damaged thousands of homes.

In 1976 he and his family returned to the mainland and he served as Commanding Officer at NAVSEACENLANT in Norfolk, Virginia earning the Meritorious Service Medal. He served in this position until he retired in 1979.

After his Navy retirement, Captain Dotson continued to support the Navy's mission in the private sector, applying his expertise to a variety of logistical and training projects. In his leisure time, he was an active Rotary Club member and bridge player and helped Katherine with her participation in weekend art festivals. Committed to the value of higher education, Bill took deep satisfaction in supporting the educational goals of his family and helped many earn undergraduate and graduate degrees.

In 2011, Bill and Katherine relocated to North Carolina to be near their family. Bill delighted in the company of his children and six grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Katherine, he is survived by his sons, Mike, Jeff, Doug and Greg, their loving spouses, Patti, Maura, and Janine, and his grandchildren, Marli, Reed, Dahlia, Skyler, Julian and Bryce.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the North Carolina A&T State University football team, winner of the 2017 Celebration Bowl and the HBCU national championship. This win capped off a historic year for the undefeated Aggies, a first in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference history, and marks their second championship in 3 years.

In the final minutes, the Aggies marched 56 yards in seven plays. The drive was capped off with a fake spike and a quarterback sneak on the goal line for the game-winning touchdown by Lamar Raynard.

MVP Marquell Cartwright, who followed the great Tarik Cohen, rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns. With the guidance of Coach Broadway on the field and the leadership of Chancellor Harold Martin in the classroom, North Carolina A&T is leading the way in showing the great value and the importance of our Nation's HBCUs.

I am proud to represent this distinguished school of academic and athletic excellence, leaving only one question remaining, Mr. Speaker: Can I get an ``Aggie Pride''?

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mayor Pro-Tem Yvonne Johnson, from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge Mrs. Johnson as she receives The Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Awarded for exemplary service to the community and the State of North Carolina that is considered above and beyond the call of duty, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine is among the most prestigious awards conferred by the Governor. Mrs. Johnson has continually worked to make a positive impact in North Carolina. The citizens of Greensboro, Guildford County, and the entire state of North Carolina are truly fortunate to have Mrs. Johnson, an outstanding representative of our community and country. I join with her family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking Mayor Pro-Tern Yvonne Johnson for her dedicated service to the city of Greensboro and the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, today is not just about tax reform. Today is also about what we fundamentally believe as a nation. Today, we say working class families, not the government, are best equipped to make financial decisions.

Did we hear anything from our Democratic friends for nearly 8 years about lowering taxes on middle and lower income families? We did not.

Now, for the first time since 1986, we are going to overhaul our broken Tax Code.

Here is what it means for families in North Carolina. Middle-income families will see more than a $2,300 increase in their take-home pay. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act means more than 30,000 new jobs in North Carolina.

I am encouraged that our Senate colleagues have also decided to include the ObamaCare individual mandate repeal and would urge our House Conference to consider it, as well.

Last, I would like to thank Chairman Brady. There is no greater servant in the United States House. Thanks to his work and that of his team, today we keep our promise. It is time to move forward.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent--Leonard Hill from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Army Air Corps veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Hill served his country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mr. Hill, an outstanding representative of our community and country. I join with his family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking Leonard Hill for his dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent--Anthony W. Padula from Guilford County. I am

honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Navy veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Padula served his country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North. Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mr. Padula, an outstanding representative of our community and country. I join with his family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking Anthony W. Padula for his dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent, Arnold Andrews from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Army veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Andrews served his country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mr. Andrews, an outstanding representative of our community and country.

I join with his family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking Arnold Andrews for his dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent, William Camp from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Army veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Camp served his country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mr. Camp, an outstanding representative of our community and country.

I join with his family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking William Camp for his dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent, Russell Coble from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Army veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Coble served his country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mr. Coble, an outstanding representative of our community and country.

I join with his family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking Russell Coble for his dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent, Jerry Duncan from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Army veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Duncan served his country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mr. Duncan, an outstanding representative of our community and country.

I join with his family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking Jerry Duncan for his dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent, Reva Ingram Fortune from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Air Force veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mrs. Fortune served her country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mrs. Fortune, an outstanding representative of our community and country.

I join with her family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking Reva Ingram Fortune for her dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent, James Jackson Gailey from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Navy veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Gailey served his country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mr. Gailey, an outstanding representative of our community and country.

I join with his family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking James Jackson Gailey for his dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent, Walter Simmons from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Army veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Simmons served his country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mr. Simmons, an outstanding representative of our community and country.

I join with his family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking Walter Simmons for his dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I am torn as I rise today. First, there is no question I will vote in favor of the budget and encourage my colleagues to do so because there is no doubt this is the best way forward to achieve tax reform and unlock the promise of bigger paychecks, more jobs, and the return of investing in America.

However, I must also include that the Senate did not do its work. After months of hard work by Chairwoman Black and the Budget Committee, the House was able to get it done. Even acknowledging the difficult position of our country, they put us on a path to balance the budget in less than a decade.

The House's budget included reconciliation instructions to speed up the enactment of $203 billion in mandatory savings, and the House budget included instructions that allowed us for the first time to stay on the path to repeal ObamaCare, to help those who continue to suffer with rising premiums in the individual market.

I would guess that nearly every Republican in the Chamber agrees that the House's budget is superior.

So why are we voting on the Senate's?

Because our Senate colleagues seem allergic sometimes to making tough choices.

But why will the Senate's budget pass?

Because the American people need tax relief. Families and small businesses wrestle with an outdated and complicated Tax Code every year. It is true, we do have a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

The specter of the IRS and devastating corporate rate mean that capital and resources are held outside of the United States and not invested here. Making our Tax Code fairer and simpler will bring this capital back to the market and jump-start investment and growth like we have rarely seen in the United States.

Despite my ongoing and deep frustration sometimes with the Senate, I encourage my colleagues to pass this budget and bring the promise of more jobs and bigger paychecks closer to reality.

I am pleased by the Speaker's commitment that the House will vote on important fiscal legislation in the form of balanced budget amendments, the Default Prevention Act, or some other deficit-reducing legislation.

Mr. Speaker, the bottom line? It is vital that the House fulfill its promise to the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding leader and defender of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and their students. Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. has served as the President and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund since 2010, and today, we honor his service to the nearly 300,000 students the organization represents. Named for the first African American justice of the United States Supreme Court, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund honors Justice Marshall's legacy by assisting in the development of tomorrow's leader.

Through Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.'s leadership, this organization has advanced the education of students through scholarships, programs and research initiatives. Thurgood Marshall College Fund member schools confer more degrees than any other Historically Black Colleges and Universities organization and provides access to an extraordinary pipeline of talented individuals as they enter the workforce.

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. has been an instrumental part of Thurgood Marshall College Fund's mission: ``Changing the World . . . One Leader at a Time.'' His impact can never be fully measured, but we appreciate his dedication and service to many of our nation's students.