Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I wanted to take a moment today to recognize and honor Robert Earl Holding, a man who throughout his life influenced Idaho and the West significantly. He was a veteran, a civil engineer, a businessman, a husband of 64 years, and a father of three. He passed away on April 19th, at age 86, after a long and rewarding life.

Among his many accomplishments, Earl Holding turned a struggling motel into a hugely successful chain of ski resorts and hotels, and owned Sinclair Oil Corporation. He acquired Idaho's Sun Valley Resort, and turned it into a world-class destination and a pillar in Idaho. He also was a key figure in attracting the 2002 Winter Olympics to Salt Lake City. Most of all, however, he loved the West.

Perhaps his most positive impact in Idaho began in 1977 when he bought the Sun Valley ski resort in central Idaho. He invested millions of dollars into Sun Valley, making it one of the most famous ski resorts in the United States. Today Sun Valley remains one of the most popular destinations in Idaho and a first-class resort for all seasons.

Mr. Holding is a true example of the American dream, rising from the hardships of the Great Depression to become one of the most successful business people in the world. Although we have lost a famous entrepreneur, a family man, and an American, we won't forget Robert Earl Holding, nor his many contributions to Idaho and the West.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great public servant, a trailblazer in Idaho politics, and a close personal friend--Donna Jones.

Donna was born in Colorado, but has called the State of Idaho home since she was in elementary school. She grew up in Middleton, Idaho and has spent the vast majority of adulthood in Payette, Idaho where she and her husband owned a thriving auto parts business and where she was a very successful realtor.

In 1987, Donna, a Republican, was appointed to an open seat in the Idaho House of Representatives by Democrat Governor Cecil Andrus. Donna served with distinction in the Idaho House of Representatives for twelve years.

I am proud to say that in 1997, as the then-Speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives, I had the distinct honor to appoint Donna as the first female Chair of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. She was an outstanding Chair--tough but fair, patient but determined. It was one of the best appointments I ever made.

In 1998, after just one term as Chair, and in no small measure as a result of having to work too closely with me, Donna resigned her seat in the Legislature and accepted a position as Executive Director of the Idaho Real Estate Commission.

In 2006, Donna was elected to the position of Idaho's state Controller by a wide margin. She was easily re-elected in 2010. Regrettably, following a very serious automobile accident in 2012, Donna decided to resign her position as State Controller and was succeeded in office by her Chief of Staff, Brandon Woolf. I am pleased to say that Donna has made tremendous progress in her recovery from that accident.

Throughout her career, Donna has held many leadership positions and worked tirelessly on behalf of the offices she held and the people she represented. She has served on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer for the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials. As a State Legislator, she was the State Chairman for the American Legislative Exchange Council and served on its Board of Directors. She was also recognized by the Idaho March of Dimes as its Outstanding Woman of the Year.

In addition, Donna has served on the Idaho Hispanic Commission, the Idaho Housing and Finance Association Advisory Board, the Idaho Permanent Building Fund, and the Multi-State Tax Commission. She has served in a variety of capacities as well for the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers, including as Vice Chairman of the International Committee.

Donna married her husband Don in 1956. They have three children, Dawn, Lisa and Stuart; seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Don passed away in 2000.

I rose today not just to recite a long list of Donna's accomplishments, but to thank her for her outstanding service to the people of Idaho and to honor her contributions to our state in my own small way.

I do so on a day when the Idaho Association of Realtors is presenting Donna with its second annual Max C. Black Award for exceptional public service to the people of Idaho, and outstanding leadership on business and industry issues--an award she richly deserves. I want to thank the Idaho Association of Realtors for honoring Donna's outstanding record of public service in this way and congratulate Donna for this well- earned recognition of her work.

Donna is a very good friend, a trusted former colleague, and someone for whom I have a great deal of admiration. She is one of the most respected public servants in the State of Idaho and a person whose name is synonymous with integrity, loyalty, professionalism, and courage.

I am proud to call Donna Jones my friend and pleased to be able to share her many qualities and accomplishments with the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join with my friend and colleague from California, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, to introduce the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2013. This legislation would reauthorize critical federal programs that assist states in improving and expanding their newborn screening programs, supporting parent and provider newborn screening education, and ensuring laboratory quality and surveillance.

Over 4 million babies will be born across the United States this year, and each and every one will be touched by newborn screening. Most screenings are done using a simple ``heel stick'' blood sample collected before the newborn leaves the hospital. These screenings test for serious genetic, metabolic or hearing disorders that may not be apparent at birth.

Approximately 1 in every 300 newborns in the United States has a condition that can be detected through screening. If left untreated, these conditions can cause serious illness, lifetime disabilities and even death. Without early interventions, these infants and their families suffer enormous emotional and economic burdens. Imagine the burden of knowing that your child died or is suffering from a disease that could have been prevented if identified through newborn screening. No baby should suffer or die if a screening test can prevent it.

Newborn screening not only saves lives but, it also saves money. As a former dentist, I know well the importance of diagnosing and treating a condition early in a child's life. According to a 2012 study on severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)--one of the 31 core, treatable conditions recommended for state newborn screening programs--the Medicaid cost of treating a baby with SCID in the first two years of life can cost more than $2 million dollars. Yet, an infant diagnosed early can be cured through a simple bone marrow transplant--costing just $100,000 if performed in the first three months of life.

In 2008, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard and I introduced the original Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act (P.L. 110-204), which encouraged states to uniformly test for a recommended set of disorders and provided resources for states to expand and improve their newborn screening programs. Prior to passage, the number and quality of newborn screening tests varied greatly from state to state. In 2007, only 10 states and the District of Columbia required infants to be screened for all of the ``core conditions'' recommended by the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children. Today, 44 states and the District of Columbia require screening for at least 29 of the 31 treatable core conditions.

The Newborn Screenings Saves Lives Reauthorization Act builds upon the foundation laid by the original legislation and will ensure that infants continue to receive comprehensive and effective screenings. The legislation reauthorizes programs at the Health Resources and Services Administration to assist states' efforts to improve their screening programs, educate parents and health care providers, and improve follow-up care for infants with conditions detected through newborn screening. The legislation also renews the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children, which maintains and updates the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel that states use to adopt and implement new conditions. Improvement of data quality is also needed to track the clinical outcomes of children more effectively and to refine protocols for short-term and long-term follow-up of children with conditions identified through newborn screening. That is why the Reauthorization Act establishes a grant program within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assist states in developing follow-up and tracking programs.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join with me in supporting this critical legislation--because no baby should die or suffer the devastating health consequences of a condition that could have been treated or prevented if identified through newborn screening.

Mr. Speaker, on this day in 1863, 150 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln signed a congressional act creating the Idaho Territory. Twenty-seven years later, part of that territory would become the 43rd State, the State of Idaho.

The Idaho Territory was initially much larger than the borders of Idaho today; it included most of what would later become Montana and Wyoming. The territory, to be governed by William H. Wallace, an old friend of Lincoln's, was previously part of the Washington Territory.

Western Washington politicians moved to discard large tracts of land in eastern Washington Territory partly because the population in those areas was increasing rapidly and they wanted to assure Olympia would remain the capital of the region. That population increase was mostly gold miners seeking out their fortunes in the Clearwater region, now Idaho's panhandle. This goes to show you, Mr. Speaker, gerrymandering is not a new phenomenon; it is in fact one of the reasons the Idaho Territory was created in the first place.

However, the land mass for the Idaho Territory was so expansive that within a year Montana broke away, and four years later Wyoming did the same, leaving the Idaho Territory looking very much like the State does today.

In 1890, after 27 years as a territory, Idaho became the 43rd State. However, much of what distinguishes Idaho today came about during its territorial years, including the creation of its main highways, many of its public schools, its tax system, its tribal laws, its universities, its water laws, and indeed, its eventual Constitution, written in the summer of 1889 in Boise. Idaho's Constitution remains today almost exactly how it was written, and it still forms the basis for all Idaho laws to this day.

The citizens of Idaho have always demonstrated a unity and sense of pride in their traditions and history, and this rich history is what makes them who they are today. From the Canadian border to Yellowstone, from Craters of the Moon to Coeur d'Alene Lake, Idahoans celebrate today. It is my privilege today to commemorate Idaho's territorial sesquicentennial.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to introduce Chaplain Ronald Derrick for today's invocation.

Chaplain Derrick serves as the national chaplain of the American Legion. He is a U.S. Army veteran and a 40-year member of the American Legion, serving 18 years with Post 95 in Driggs, Idaho, and the subsequent 22 years in Post 20 in his current home of Rigby, Idaho.

Mr. Derrick's Legion duties have included terms as post commander, district commander, and Department of Idaho vice commander. For the past 6 years, he has acted as the Department of Idaho's chaplain.

Mr. Derrick is a retired printer and mail clerk, a former county coroner, Driggs Chamber of Commerce president, and EMT and firefighter. Recognizing this latter service, the American Legion named Mr. Derrick Idaho's Firefighter of the Year in 1987.

Mr. Derrick was ordained into the ministry in 1979 through the Solid Rock Pentecostal Church and continues to serve in various aspects of ministry. Mr. Derrick and his wife of 45 years, Bird, have two sons, a daughter, and nine grandchildren.

I would like to welcome Chaplain Derrick and thank him for his dedication and outstanding service to God and country.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to congratulate Madison County on its 100th anniversary as an organized county in the great state of Idaho. Significant events over the past century have made for a colorful history, and this commemoration is a noteworthy event for both past and present residents of Madison County.

Madison County, located in Idaho's Upper Snake River Valley, was officially established February 18, 1913, by signature of Governor John Haines, with its county seat at Rexburg. The new county was named for President James Madison, fourth president of the United States. The region was first settled by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (Mormons) from nearby Utah. Early families were industrious farmers who built the first irrigation system in the state. Madison County is now the eighth largest potato growing county in the nation and also grows significant acres of grain.

Brigham Young University Idaho, formerly Ricks College, now the second largest university in Idaho, was named after one of the early settlers, Thomas E. Ricks. Madison County was declared a national disaster area after the ruinous Teton Dam flood of June 5, 1976.

Sugar City is another thriving city in Madison County, located only a few miles from the county seat. The four federally protected areas in the county are: Caribou Targhee National Forest, Cartier Slough and Deer Parks Wildlife Areas, and the volcanic Menan Twin Buttes.

Visitors to Madison County can tour two buildings listed on the National Historic Register: The Rexburg Tabernacle and the Madison County Courthouse. Other attractions include the Teton Dam Flood Museum, Yellowstone Bear World, Brigham Young University Idaho Campus, the Idaho Centennial Carousel, and the famous International Dance Festival.

The citizens of Madison County demonstrate unity and a sense of pride through their deeply sown roots. Family traditions, farms, entrepreneurship, and a willingness to extend a helping hand to others appropriately characterize this community and its time-honored Idaho lifestyle.

It is a privilege to represent Madison County and the people who structure its prominence.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 31 on Motion to Suspend the Rules and pass H.R. 225, the National Pediatric Research Network Act of 2013. I was unable to vote.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 32 on Motion to Suspend the Rules and pass H.R. 297, the Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2011. I was unable to vote.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 613, on H.R. 6429, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to promote innovation, investment, and research in the United States, to eliminate the diversity immigrant program, and for other purposes, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Stated against:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say thank you to Dave Hill for his exceptional service at the Idaho National Laboratory and to wish Dave and his wife Georgia all the best as they begin the next chapter of their life in Boise, Idaho.

Dave Hill came to the United States by way of the United Kingdom where he received his doctorate degree in mathematical physics from Imperial College, London University. As an expert in nuclear reactor and fuel cycle issues, Dave assumed leadership positions at Argonne National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In 2005, Dave joined the Idaho National Laboratory as deputy lab director for science and technology.

Dave brought a wonderful vision and talent to INL and his imprint is visible in the new and improved facilities that INL scientists and engineers now use. Dave saw the unique role INL can play as our National Nuclear Laboratory and he helped demonstrate how INL's capabilities could support important nuclear energy, nonproliferation and national security programs. Dave also helped bring an unmatched collection of world-renowned technical experts to Idaho to lead the Nation's nuclear energy programs. While serious budget challenges are staring every federal program in the face, Dave will leave the Idaho National Laboratory with a firm foundation. I also understand we will continue to benefit from some of Dave's time and talents in the future.

While Dave Hill's leadership skills and vision have made INL a stronger lab, Dave's good humor and his laugh have made INL a better place to work. On his many trips to Washington, DC, Dave would often come by my office, at my request, to update me on nuclear energy programs and issues. Dave would always paint me the picture I needed to see along with a laugh and a smile at the challenges we were tackling together. I always enjoyed working with Dave Hill and I will miss those meetings.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 590, to suspend the rules and pass the bill H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act of 2012, my vote didn't register. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight the career and advocate for one of Idaho's most distinguished professional football players, Jerry Kramer.

Jerry graduated from Idaho's Sandpoint High School and attended college at the University of Idaho on a football scholarship. He was a standout player there, garnering selections to both the East-West Shrine Game and the College All-Star Game.

Over a dozen professional football teams courted Kramer and after being drafted 39th overall, he signed on to play guard for the Green Bay Packers in 1958. The Packers of that era, with help from Kramer, are the only team to win three championships in a row. Jerry Kramer made the ``Packer Sweep'' famous.

Jerry Kramer is perhaps most famously known for ``The Block'' where he led quarterback Bart Starr into the end zone as time ran out in the 1967 NFL Championship game, defeating the Dallas Cowboys in what is known as the ``Ice Bowl.''

Jerry Kramer was a five-time All-Pro, a member of five championship teams, including the first two Super Bowls, and a member of the NFL's 50th Anniversary All-Time team. He was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1960s at offensive guard and led the NFL in field goal percentage in 1962.

Surprisingly, Jerry Kramer is the only player selected to the NFL's 50th All-Time Anniversary team who has not been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio

It is time, Mr. Speaker, for this oversight to be corrected. Jerry Kramer is so highly regarded that seventeen current members of the NFL Hall of Fame, many who played against Kramer, have endorsed his nomination and election to the Hall. That list of players includes such greats as Roger Staubach, Frank Gifford, Alan Page, Bob Lilly, Jan Stenerud, Gino Marchetti and Coach Joe Gibbs, to name just a few

Besides his contributions on the football field, Jerry is a highly regarded citizen of Idaho who gives his time to worthy causes including serving on the selection committee for the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. Idahoans are proud of his accomplishments and football fans throughout the state support his induction

There is no doubt in my mind that Jerry Kramer's NFL career clearly qualifies him for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Mr. Speaker, today, June 1, 2012, marks the 25th anniversary of the first permanent Department of Veterans Affairs- administered Montgomery GI Bill. Enacted in 1987, the landmark New GI Bill Continuation Act offered a life changing incentive for veterans returning from active duty to the workforce. By offering veterans access to higher education, it both strengthened our national defense and helped revitalize our economy.

The GI Bill has proved over the years to be a boon for many of our veterans. Veterans are able to return home with a plan for their future. The education they receive helps many enter the workforce and provide for themselves and for their families in ways that were not previously possible.

This program has blessed our Nation and continues to do so by benefiting not only veterans, but many sectors of the economy by injecting highly qualified individuals to the workforce and the community. Veterans are able to combine the skill sets they learn both from their schooling and from their military training and often become excellent leaders and contributors to society. As I have said in the past--hiring former service members for patriotic reasons expresses appreciation and respect. Hiring them for business reasons gets results.

Our veterans fought to protect our freedoms and way of life, and as they serve our Nation in this time of need, we must remember them in their time of need. Veterans have made tremendous sacrifices to preserve our way of life, and the American people are indebted to the men and women who served our Nation. I am proud of the work Congress has done to improve veterans' benefits. It is important that we continue to honor our commitments to our Nation's veterans through legislation that benefits them, like the Montgomery GI Bill.

So as the former Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Benefits, and as a grateful American, I want to pay tribute to the thousands of veterans in Idaho and the United States who have given us so much.

I move to strike the last world.

I thank the chairman for his recognition. I don't have the letter to read, but listen, the only argument that's being made here that makes any sense is we have got to bring clarity to this issue. We have got to bring clarity to the confusion of this issue.

Well, I will tell you that a hanging is clarity, but it's not necessarily the right option. That's essentially what we're doing here. We're giving control of all these waters that have traditionally been in the control of the States to the Federal Government. And I will tell you, we will have an opportunity to debate this same issue again on the Interior bill dealing with the EPA. This deals with the Army Corps of Engineers.

The fact is is that you don't need this to clarify this, the policies proposed by the Army Corps of Engineers. You can clarify it by legislatively defining what ``navigable'' means. If the Supreme Court has a problem trying to decide what ``navigable'' means, then let's address that so we know what we intend by that.

The argument is made repeatedly by some of those that have supported this amendment, whether you are from Virginia or Maryland, and I will tell you, if you want in Virginia or Maryland or Washington or Michigan, the Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA to control every drop of water that falls on your State, I'll help you do it. Let's write legislation to do that so that you guys can have the clarity of the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers. But in western States, we actually protect those waters by State law. What you are trying to do is exempt State law or override State law and have the Federal Government take control of these. That's just flat wrong.

If you don't think Virginia protects its headwaters enough, then put a bill in to allow the EPA and the Army Corps to control every drop of water that falls in the State of Virginia. You don't need this to bring clarity to this, and the States are doing a good job that do State regulations of headwaters.

I yield to the gentleman.

Well, let me answer that question for you.

If there are waters that the State is not regulating and they will eventually flow into navigable waters, and the only way to control the pollution in those navigable waters--the State is going to ultimately start controlling those headwaters if they're not doing their jobs.

You seem to think that States have no ability to control the State waters that are under State control. They do have the ability to control those State waters, and they do a good job of it in most States. I'm not sure about Virginia. I haven't followed Virginia.

The point is that they become navigable waters at some point. If they are being polluted by waters that are controlled by the States, eventually the State is going to have to say, You know what, we have got to get control of this; otherwise, we're going to have problems downstream.

You seem to think that the only way to address this problem is to have a Federal bureaucracy. You know what, we could bring clarity to all of our problems by just eliminating the States. Why have States? Why not have everything under Federal control? That makes sense, because everything goes from State to State eventually. It makes no sense to me.

This does not bring clarity to the situation and it does not help in the regulation of our Clean Water Act. This does not make the waters of the United States cleaner. All it does is give more authority to the Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA.

If you want to bring charity, then bring a bill down here to define what navigable means. And you can do that. As I said, a hanging is clarity--not necessarily the best outcome.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, this coming Sunday, May 20, Taiwan will inaugurate President Ma Ying-jeou for a second term after his overwhelming election victory earlier this year. Congratulations to President Ma and to all the people of Taiwan. They embody the vision of a representative democracy that founding father Sun Yat-sen imagined.

The value of the United States-Taiwan partnership cannot be overstated. Taiwan is the ninth largest trading partner of the United States and the sixth largest agricultural market for products grown and produced here in the United States. Additionally, Taiwan has long been an important contributor towards economic and political security across Asia, benefitting the entire region.

Taiwan and the United States uphold a peaceful partnership through both trade agreements and meaningful personal relationships. I was lucky enough to take a trip to Taiwan when I was a state legislator, and it is a beautiful country with a vibrant culture. I hope someday to return.

The strength of Taiwan comes from its people. The people continue to benefit from self-governance and free-elections, and the open society and democracy of Taiwan allows for innovation and growth that puts it on a competitive footing with the most powerful and largest countries in the world.

Congratulations to the people of Taiwan and President Ma Ying-jeou on his second inauguration.