Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 8 o'clock and 51 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Friday, July 25, 2014, at 10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, it is such a thrill to be a Member of the United States House of Representatives. We are privileged to represent the great people in our districts, and I am obviously very biased that for 8 years, I have been privileged to represent what are the greatest people I think in the United States.

We truly embody in Minnesota's Sixth District the great, good- humored, full values of this country that are represented in that district, and this is a feel-good story, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today to honor the people of St. Stephen, Minnesota, as they are celebrating their 100th birthday as a community. You see, it was in the late 1800s when Slovenian settlers came to this wonderful area in Minnesota and built the foundation of what later came to be called St. Stephen, Minnesota. It is what America fondly refers to as Lake Wobegon.

Today, led by Mayor Cindy VanderWeyst, St. Stephen boasts a very close-knit community of families and farmers and businesspeople. It is fitting that the town motto is ``A Place to Call Home'' and that it truly is.

St. Stephen is a shining example of small-town life in the United States. Congratulations, St. Stephen, on your 100th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote 356, I was away from the House floor and intended to vote ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the young people from my state of Minnesota who joined nearly 3,000 students from all over the world to participate in the annual ``National History Day Contest'' in Washington, DC.

This year, Minnesota was proud to send Sarah Merkling, Jenna Olawsky, and Elizabeth Rumreich, from Elk River, MN, to represent our state. They won first place in the Junior Division (middle school) in the Performance Category. These three girls just completed 6th grade, which is the first year of eligibility for the competition. By winning first at the state level, they outperformed over 300 other 6th, 7th, and 8th grade teams from around the state.

Their performance, ``Canoes & Controversy: Paddling Through the Environmental Movement in Minnesota,'' addressed the different sentiments surrounding the Boundary Waters Canoe Area as seen through the eyes of an environmentalist, a businessman, and a news reporter from 1927 through today.

Mr. Speaker, I ask this body join with me in honoring Sarah, Jenna, and Elizabeth for representing Minnesota's rich history and heritage, and for setting such a great academic example.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts), one of the greatest champions that this Chamber has ever seen in the cause of human life, and I share that cause with him as well.

I thank the authors for their positive intentions on this bill. I am a mother of five biological children and 23 foster children, and that is what every parent and every mother and every father hopes, is to have the best possible health care for their children, the best possible outcome.

I do share concerns on this bill as well, as well intentioned as this is, and let me just list what my concerns are.

Number one, the Federal Government will have the ability to collect and automatically store the blood sample of every baby in the United States. There won't be any allowance for parental consent to be required before the storage of these blood samples are made.

Every baby's DNA, which is the entire genetic code of that baby, will be under the control of the government.

I have data privacy concerns. Why should anyone, especially our government, have everyone's identity at their disposal?

Third, there is no provision for any parent to opt out, so this legislation presumes that every parent of every newborn in the United States of America pre-agrees that the government can have their baby's blood sample, which contains their DNA code, and that the government can indefinitely store that data.

What limitations will there be on our government and what they can do with this information and how they will handle this data?

Now, Mr. Speaker, knowing that our government has the potential to control every American's health care under ObamaCare, how could government's control of a baby's DNA information impact the full access to health care or education opportunities or job opportunities for a child who is predetermined, by their DNA, to potentially have a problem later in life?

These are just a few of the questions, Mr. Speaker, that I believe need to be addressed.

I know this bill has passed the Senate. I know it will be voice- voted. I would like to ask for a rollcall vote, but I understand that the process is already deep on its way.

I do hope that these questions will be addressed in future legislation. It may not be done in this legislation. I hope it will be in the future because we should not be--Americans should not see the death of privacy, especially of the most sensitive private information that every American can have, their DNA, their genetic code, what God gave to them--that should be something that is between the individual, their doctor, and God; and it shouldn't be for the government to control that data.

I want to thank Mr. Pitts. I, in no way, cast any negative aspersion upon himself or any of the authors on this bill. These are just some of the questions that I have.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize St. Cloud Cathedral High School in Minnesota for winning the State class 2A baseball championship earlier this week. This really was a remarkable victory.

After making a dramatic comeback, the Crusaders beat Fairmont 5-4. This victory marks the eighth championship for the team since 1977. With 44 seasons and 711 wins under his belt, Cathedral coach and alumnus Bob Karn has won more high school baseball games than any coach in Minnesota State history. Congratulations, Coach Karn. That is quite a record.

Congratulations, Cathedral High School; and congratulations to all of the assistants, administrators, family members, and friends who made such a tremendous accomplishment possible.

This is what America is really about, and we are with you in spirit today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize McDonalds Meats of Clear Lake, Minnesota, as it celebrates 100 years of business.

When Mr. John Leo McDonald purchased a meat market in Clear Lake, Minnesota in 1914, little did anyone know how long-lasting this family business would be. Forty years after the business started, John's son Richard took over, meeting the growing demand for business and expanding their facility.

Thirty-five years after that Richard's son, David McDonald, became the head of the family business. Taking on this rich family tradition, David not only expanded the facility for a second time to meet the growing demand for their delicious meats, but he also started experimenting with jerky flavors. Business was booming. David took over full ownership in 1994.

Thirteen years later, Travis and Jennifer McDonald, fourth generation McDonalds, continue the family business, providing excellence in service and delicious meats, leading the business into its 100th year.

Like many family-owned businesses throughout our state, McDonalds Meats provides not only a service; but also a sense of security, family and community. It is this sense of tradition that helps make Minnesota a great place to raise a family.

For 100 years and four generations, this hometown business has provided a rich variety of smoked sausages, jerky, deli meats and cheeses, all from their own smokehouses and sausage kitchen.

Mr. Speaker, I ask this body join with me in honoring McDonalds Meats upon reaching this noteworthy centennial milestone. Here's to another century of quality meats.

Mr. Speaker, during rollcall 308 on the Democrat Motion to Recommit for H.R. 4457 to Amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend increased expensing limitations, and for other purposes--I was away from the floor handling issues for a constituent of my district and I intended to vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 100 years of business by the Citizens State Bank Norwood Young America in Minnesota.

In 1914, Peter Effertz opened the bank on 214 Elm Street where it remained for its first seventy years. Albert Kehrer acquired the bank in 1930 followed by Donald Kehrer beginning in 1952. Later, during the time when Clinton Kurtz and Leonard Lano owned the bank (1979-1999), it was moved to its present location on US Highway 212. The bank is now under the ownership of Paul Pieschel who continues to lead it with the original philosophy of wanting to make a difference in the everyday lives of the people it serves.

Over the last 100 years, this community bank has worked hard to meet the needs of its customers--from a place to tie off a horse or park a Model T Ford to on-line banking and ATMs. Their motto is ``Person to person. Neighbor to neighbor. Yesterday, today and tomorrow.'' and they take pride in going above and beyond what their customers expect.

The stability of both its ownership and leadership, and the sincere interest the employees have in each unique customer situation has provided genuine person-to-person connections with their customers for 100 years. As their recent newsletter states, ``Our long-term philosophy creates trust and motivates our customers to refer their neighbors and friends to the bank.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask this body join with me in honoring Citizens State Bank Norwood Young America upon reaching this noteworthy centennial milestone and to wish them continued success in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and also a great deal of emotion that I stand here today as the representative of the citizens of Cold Spring. In particular, we are here to honor the memory of the fallen, and that is Officer Tommy Decker.

On November 29, 2012, Cold Spring, Minnesota, Police Officer Tommy Decker was tragically killed in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife, Alicia, a wonderful woman who loved him dearly and whom Tommy dearly loved; his four young children, beautiful children, Kelly, Jade, Justin, and Devon; his parents, John and Rosella, pillars in the community of Cold Spring, who did a wonderful job raising their son and who Tommy's mother spoke to just briefly before he went on call for his final end of watch; and his siblings, his colleagues, and the community who dearly loved Tommy Decker.

Before his final act of service to the community that he loved, Tommy served the communities of Isle, Watkins, Kimball, and the Cold Spring/ Richmond Police Department. He received several commendations and letters of appreciation for his exemplary work.

How he died is testament to how much Tommy Decker loved his hometown of Cold Spring and the kind of man of character that Tommy Decker was. For a decade, he bravely stood watch. He protected the citizens of central Minnesota with both diligence and a sense of respect.

The overwhelming outpouring of love and support, not only from the Cold Spring community but all Minnesotans in the wake of this unspeakable tragedy, speaks to the impact that Tommy had on countless lives.

While there are no words that could ever properly honor him, renaming his hometown post office in his memory so that his children, his parents, his wife, his siblings, his colleagues can all point to this memorial with pride and say to their friends, my father, our son, my husband, our brother, our citizen was a hero in our community--he sacrificially gave of his life to our community--therefore, Mr. Speaker, is a fitting tribute to a life well lived and to a man greatly missed.

As the Holy Scriptures teach us, Mr. Speaker, greater love hath no man than this, but that he laid down his life for his friends. Surely, this is what Tommy Decker did for the citizens of Cold Spring.

I join the entire Minnesota House delegation in urging our colleagues to support H.R. 43, to rename the post office in Cold Spring, Minnesota, in honor of him the Officer Tommy Decker Memorial Post Office.

Though Tommy is no longer with us, his legacy and example of courage and compassion lives on.

Mr. Speaker, due to responsibilities within my district I would like to submit how I intended to vote on the following:

Tuesday May 6--``yes'' on rollcall 194; ``yes'' on rollcall 195; ``yes'' on rollcall 196.

Thursday, May 8--``yes'' on rollcall 205; ``yes'' on rollcall 206; ``yes'' on rollcall 207; ``no'' on rollcall 208; ``yes'' on rollcall 209.

Friday, May 9--``no'' on rollcall 210; ``yes'' on rollcall 211; ``no'' on rollcall 212; ``no'' on rollcall 213; ``no'' on rollcall 214; ``no'' on rollcall 215; ``no'' on rollcall 216; ``yes'' on rollcall 217.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Art and Winnie Rohrheim's 75th wedding anniversary.

When the couple married in 1939, little did anyone know the impact that they would have on the world. What began as a personal passion for working with children in Chicago, Illinois, grew quickly into a successful program driven by their love and dedication to God and the kids.

By 1950, the Rohrheims founded Awana, the now-internationally renowned program, which stands for ``Approved Workers Are Not Ashamed.'' Today Awana Clubs International reaches more than 2 million children in more than 100 countries on a weekly basis, encouraging young people everywhere to grow in their faith and learn more about the Bible's teachings.

At the heart of Awana is the Gospel. Art and Winnie have devoted a lifetime to their Lord and Savior. Not a day goes by that they aren't sharing with those they meet the truth of Jesus dying for our sins.

For three quarters of a century, Art and Winnie's strength of love and commitment has been a testimony for their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all those who have had the honor of knowing them.

Mr. Speaker, I ask this body join with me in honoring Art and Winnie Rohrheim for their milestone wedding anniversary, and their exemplary contributions to this nation and the lives of millions around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the College of St. Benedict (CSB) of St. Joseph, Minnesota as it finishes up its centennial school year.

Founded in 1913, CSB became the thirteenth all-female Catholic liberal arts residential college in the United States. Later partnering with the all-male St. John's University, students today enjoy an academic environment committed to sciences, literature and the arts, which the school notes is ``to prepare students not only to make a living, but to appreciate the richness and beauty of living as well.''

CSB prepares their students well. Alumni have gone on to be successful in a number of different fields, with notable graduates including teachers, doctors, activists, judges, entrepreneurs, and even a college president.

For 100 years, parents have sent their daughters to this historic campus knowing that they will find a learning environment that promotes the Benedictine values--such as stewardship, truthful living, respect, and community--that continue to enrich central Minnesota. And no matter how far their graduates go, whether it be geographically or in their careers, they know that once a Bennie, always a Bennie.

The Class of 2017 led the charge this year as the second century of Bennies. May these students continue to grow in their faith and pursue their dreams under their instructors' guidance, and join the generations of alumni that have done such tremendous work for their community, for their state, and for their country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask this body join with me in honoring the students, alumni, staff, and faculty of the College of St. Benedict for reaching the noteworthy centennial milestone. Here's to another century of quality education.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the final Honor Flight out of St. Cloud, Minnesota during my tenure as their Member of Congress. It has been a highlight of my career to honor our nation's heroes from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam and help them see the monuments built in their honor in Washington.

For many of these veterans this is their first trip to their nation's capital, and their first glimpse of the pivotal role they've played in furthering the cause of liberty. These men and women selflessly and heroically defended America abroad, and for that, simple words of gratitude will never compare to the bravery they exhibited during some of America's darkest hours.

The example set by these men and women has inspired many others to follow in their footsteps. And the efforts and dedication of the Guardians who ensure that the veterans have safe accommodations and assistance throughout their visit also cannot be forgotten.

Mr Speaker, I ask this body to join me in honoring our nation's heroes from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. They truly are the living embodiment of the American values and freedoms we hold so dear. Minnesota Veterans aboard the final Honor Flight from St. Cloud Minnesota to Washington, DC, on April 22, 2014 for submission into the Congressional Record.

Werner Leland Allen, Paul Clinton Anderson, Oliver Newton

Anderson, Edwin Theodore Aschenbrenner, Donald Dean Baustian,

Leland Lorell Bennett, Richard John Bernick, Alfred Irwin

Betcher, Bernard Nicholas Bitzan, Wayne Elwood Bonkrude,

Vernon Lee Butson, James Edward Carpenter, Harold Lee Carver,

Bruce Kay Cottington, Robert John Danaher.

George Harvey DeMarais, Paul Eugene Demarce, Richard Vernon

Forbes, Oran Everett Goodell, Orville Charles Haan, Donald

Herman Handahl, Cletus Marcel Hohn, Wallace Allen Jacobson,

Carl Raymond Johnson, Robert Jermayne Johnson, Paul Joseph

Jost, William Jackason Kathman, Donald Herman Krueger, Bryon

Lee Kunkel, Bernard Louis Lieder.

Harry Edwin Lindbloom, Eugene Burton McKee, Carl August

Morris, Emery Marshel Nelson, Verne Francis Rech, Thomas

Daniel Routhe, Robert Leon Ruplinger, Elmer Peter

Schumer, Kenneth Alan Tessmer, Robert 011ie Uppgaard,

Robert Allen Walters, Gerald Fredrick Wright, John Arthur

Adelman, George William Aleshire, Gerald Dean Ankerfelt.

Clarence Louis Beckmann, Rudolph George Beilke, Kenneth

Joseph Belkolm, Gerald James Benusa, Eugene Joseph Borgert,

Donald Norman Bungum, Edward Henry Burggraff, Kenneth Burton

Christiansen, George Wilford Courrier, Ervin Carl Damlow,

Lyle Edward Doebbeling, Clarence Herman Fischer, James Earl

Gloege, Douglas John Goenner. Peter Gronewold, Chester Engnor

Hopland, Donald John Huberty, Elmore

Virgil Johnson, Richard Matthew Kahlhamer, John Thomas Keefe,

Rodney Clark Kenyon, Ronald Eugene Krebs, Willard Harvey

Krueger, Marvin Virgil Kumpula, Ernest Dominic Lewandowski,

Ervin Daniel Lewandowski, Vernon George Maslow, Aloys Herman

Meyer, Francis Charles Mortier.

Robert Howard Pellow, Roger Jerome Robeck, Gerald Sylvester

Roering, DuWayne Herbert Sabrowsky, Allen Dale Simonson,

Lester Reynold Thies, Richard Arlen Underdahl, Chauncey

Edward Van Hatten, Dayle Jacob Von Holdt, Joseph Frank

Wallschlaeger Sr., Cornelius Ni Warzecha, Ronald Duane Weiss,

Richard Jake Wolf, Charles Wood Wright, Norbert Joseph

Zahler, Donald Bernard Zahler.

I thank my wonderful colleague from the State of Wyoming.

Madam Speaker, I would like to stipulate, first of all, that all Republican women are pro-women and that all Republican men that serve in this Congress are pro-women, as are the Democrat women and the Democrat men in this Congress.

A ``no'' vote on the current legislation, which I advocate for, very simply, is a vote to stand up for the pro-life movement, a vote to stand up for traditional marriage, and a vote to stand up for the traditional family.

There already are 20 women's museums in the United States, including one affiliated with the Smithsonian Museum and including one right next to the United States Capitol. So why would we be building another?

I rise today in opposition to this bill because I believe, ultimately, this museum that would be built on The National Mall, on Federal land, will enshrine the radical feminist movement that stands against the pro-life movement, the pro-family movement, and the pro- traditional marriage movement.

The idea of celebrating women is admirable. It is shared by everyone in this Chamber. No one disputes that. And a few of the museum's proposed exhibits are worthy. No one disputes that.

I, for one, am honored to be featured in an online exhibit about motherhood that highlights our 23 foster children and our five biological children.

However, I am deeply concerned that any worthy exhibits are clearly the exception and not the rule. A cursory view of the overall content already listed on the Web site shows an overwhelming bias toward women who embrace liberal ideology, radical feminism, and it fails to paint an accurate picture of the lives and actions of American women throughout our history.

The most troubling example is the museum's glowing review of the woman who embraced the eugenics movement in the United States, Margaret Sanger. She is an abortion trailblazer, and she is the founder of Planned Parenthood, which this body has sought to defund. Yet the museum glosses over Margaret Sanger's avid support for sterilization of women and abortion and for the elimination of chosen ethnic groups, particularly African Americans, and classes of people. I find Margaret Sanger's views highly offensive, yet she is featured over and over again as a woman to extoll on this Web site and, ultimately, in this museum. Adding in a conservative woman to balance out Sanger's inclusion does not alleviate the fact that the museum tries to whitewash her abhorrent views and props Margaret Sanger up as a role model for our daughters and for our granddaughters.

The list of troubling examples goes on, including the fact they leave out the pro-life views of the early suffragettes.

But let's face it, we wouldn't be here today if it weren't the museum's ultimate goal to get a place on The Federal Mall, for land, and for Federal funding. If you look at their authorizing legislation, you will see that it was a template for this legislation: begin with a commission, then congressional approval, and finally Federal funding. For 16 years, this group has tried to raise financial support, and the museum has only been able to raise enough to cover the current operating expenses and salaries of those trying to get this museum. Nothing has gone toward the $400 million for its building.

As it is currently written, the legislation lacks the necessary safeguards to ensure that the proposed museum will not become an ideological shrine

to abortion, that will eventually receive Federal funding and a prominent spot on The National Mall.

I thank the leading pro-life groups, like Concerned Women for America, Eagle Forum, Family Research Council, Susan B. Anthony List, and Heritage Action, among others, who have been outspoken on standing up for the right to life for all Americans in an accurate portrayal of American women.

Since these concerns have not been adequately addressed, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting against H.R. 863.

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