Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Evan Clark, a student at Sandia Prep in Albuquerque, N.M., who has made a name for himself as an advocate in the fight to eliminate Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes. Evan was diagnosed as having diabetes when he was 7 years old. Now, at age 15, Evan is bringing awareness to the disease at a national level.

Evan currently serves as New Mexico's delegate to JDRF 2017 Children's Congress. He was one of 164 delegates chosen by JDRF, the leading global organization funding Type 1 Diabetes research. He recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Children's Congress, which included a Town Hall forum with delegates, professional athletes, actors and news anchors.

Evan also participated in a hearing before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, where he and other delegates urged Congress to continue to fund diabetes research. They emphasized the organization's key principles for healthcare reform, and the need for robust annual funding for the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

In New Mexico, Evan is a frequent speaker at JDRF events, such as the walk, the gala, Type 1 Nation, and other events that raise awareness and money for diabetes research. In 2012, Evan's family was named the ``Eternal Hope Honoree Family'' during that year's gala, where 400 guests raised more than $300,000 for JDRF. Evan was most proud of the fact that his own school and classmates donated money to fund a cure to help him.

When he's not advocating for JDRF, Evan enjoys the outdoors. He is an avid fisherman, rifleman and marksman. He also enjoys flag football, basketball and track.

Evan is an inspiration to his family, friends and the entire community in New Mexico. He has taken on a major challenge in the battle against Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes. I am confident we can find a cure as long as we invest in research. And I have no doubt Evan will ensure that those investments continue.

Mr. Speaker, it has been 57 days since the President abruptly and irresponsibly terminated the DACA program.

For 57 days, students have been panicked about how much longer they can go to school. Brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters, are terrified that they might lose their loved ones any minute. Parents are afraid to take their children to the hospital or to school, and breadwinners don't know whether they will be able to continue to earn a paycheck to support themselves and their families.

For 57 days, the Republican-controlled Congress has been silent, doing nothing to provide certainty for 800,000 American DREAMers who are caught up in Congressional dysfunction. Without a permanent legislative fix, these young Americans, like Maritza from Texas, will be at risk of detention and deportation.

Maritza works part time to help her pay for college so she can pursue her dream career in journalism after graduation. Over months, she and her family saved up $1,000 to pay for an attorney and the DACA program application fee. All she needed was her school to provide her records so she could finish her application.

But then Hurricane Harvey hit and flooded her family's home in east Houston and shut down school for 2 weeks. While Maritza and her mother were recovering from Harvey's devastation, they were the victims of another disaster, but this one was created by their own government.

They watched Attorney General Jeff Sessions announce on live TV that the Trump administration was ending DACA and cutting off new applications for young immigrants just like her. The devastating news crushed Maritza and her family. Now they and countless others have waited 57 days for us to fix it.

Today we have the opportunity to uphold our values and to pass the Dream Act so that these young Americans aren't waiting in fear any longer.

Mr. Speaker, there is a quote directly above your chair from Daniel Webster imploring us to do ``something worthy to be remembered.''

So how will we be remembered? Will the Republican-controlled Congress continue to sit here and passively accept the Trump administration's cowardly decision to eliminate protections for countless DREAMers across the country? Or do we want to do something about it?

We have an opportunity to protect our neighbors, coworkers, classmates, friends, constituents, and members of our military who have done everything to try to contribute to this great country. One vote would change the lives of nearly 800,000 Americans forever. One vote would allow them to pursue the American Dream, to go to school, to continue to work, to buy a house, or to start a business.

Mr. Speaker, isn't that why we were sent here? Wouldn't that be something worthy to be remembered?

I ask my colleagues to vote against the previous question so that we can immediately bring the Dream Act to the floor and provide certainty for Americans like Maritza, who want to continue to work, learn, and live in the country that they love, the only country they have ever known. We cannot afford to wait another day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Luciano ``Lucky'' Varela, a hard-working New Mexican who fought for New Mexico families in the state Legislature. Luciano represented Santa Fe in the New Mexico House of Representatives from 1987 to 2016.

Rep. Varela was known for his expertise in government finance and his unwavering support for the employees who deliver services to New Mexicans. He always treated constituents with the utmost dignity and worked for New Mexico families.

Prior to serving in the New Mexico House of Representatives, he was the Director of the State Personnel Office, Chairman of the Board of the Public Employee's Retirement Association, and served on the House Appropriations Committee, in addition to the Legislative Finance Committee.

Rep. Varela was an advocate for fair wages and policies to support low-income families in New Mexico. In 1998, he sponsored legislation to expand the low-income comprehensive tax rebate.

Years later, in 2007, he sponsored a bill for public employee salary increases, which would increase the salaries of public employees including police officers, teachers, and higher education employees.

I will always remember Lucky as someone who was tough and transparent, but always fair. New Mexicans know that he worked hard to provide support for working families. He devoted his career to public service, for which, we are all grateful.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lawrence Baca, a local artist in Santa Fe, for his outstanding work. Lawrence is well known for his beautiful silver creations and his award winning jewelry. He pulls from historic and cultural roots when making the jewelry.

Born and raised in Santa Fe, Lawrence is inspired by the strong Native American and Hispanic cultures that run deep in our state. He celebrates long-lasting traditions and keeps history alive by creating jewelry that uses metals and stones that were once used by our ancestors in New Mexico.

Collectors and fans from all over the world travel to the Spanish Market in Santa Fe to buy jewelry from Lawrence and other local artists. In 2015, he was awarded the Master's Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Spanish Market and Museum of Spanish Colonial Art.

The Spanish Colonial art features authentic artistic traditions which can be traced back over 400 years. Skilled artists, like Lawrence, create breathtaking expressions of a living tradition, and many of them count their art as their only source of income.

My hope is that Lawrence will continue to use his talent to honor the Spanish and Native American history in New Mexico, and will inspire future artists to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Donovan Smith, who is a young entrepreneur and philanthropist, who has made a positive impact in our community through his soap making business.

Donovan came to New Mexico in 2011 with his mother, Ms. Casey Smith, after falling upon hard times. Ms. Smith, a Navy veteran,

had lost her job, and was unable to find employment due to health problems. They were able to find a place to stay at the Henderson House in Albuquerque, which provides shelter for female veterans. After overcoming this experience, Donovan has dedicated himself to helping others.

In 2014, Donovan was able to learn soap-making from his mother as a part of his math and science education. At the age of 11 he started his bath product business at a local market held every weekend. He soon began selling online specialty soaps made from ingredients such as goat's milk and aloe vera. He generously donated a portion of his profits to help fight homelessness.

Donovan has also donated thousands of bars of soap to St. Martin's Hospitality Center, where the soap can be distributed to people in need. In light of his philanthropic work, TV personality Mike Rowe reached out to Donovan as part of his Facebook show, ``Returning the Favor,'' and set him up with a storefront in Downtown Albuquerque to continue his business and charitable work.

In addition to his work to fight homelessness, Donovan has been a vocal advocate against child abuse in New Mexico. He received the McDonald's 365Black Community Choice Award, as well as the Good Samaritan Award by the City of Albuquerque.

Donovan's story is inspiring and proves that with determination, amazing things can be achieved. I look forward to seeing Donovan's success grow as well as his continued efforts to make a difference in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Quarrier ``Q'' B. Cook who represented the best of our great state of New Mexico. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, a loyal friend to many, a philanthropist, and a dedicated advocate for the rights of women, and the environment.

Q was born in Wheeling, West Virginia to Nancy Fulton and Thomas Moffat Bloch on April 7, 1935. She graduated from the Wheeling Country Day School, the Ethel Walker School, and Vassar College where she earned a degree in political science that served her well through years of political activism. Q gained a passion for activism by observing her parents, who were involved in civic and public service.

Q began her philanthropic career as a board member of the Santa Fe Community Foundation. Not long after, she founded Santa Fe Style, a southwestern home furnishings boutique in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. Q helped to run the business for 11 years as store purchaser.

During her time in Santa Fe, Q worked to support nonprofit groups, and cultural organizations, including the Santa Fe Community Foundation and the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. Q joined the board of the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival in 1987 and served as board president from 2002 to 2005.

Among their many successes, Q and her husband, Philip Cook, were granted the Santa Fe Community Foundation's Philanthropic Leadership Award in 2016.

Q married the love of her life, Philip Cook, in Santa Fe on March 11, 1991. They recently celebrated 25 years together, marked with joy and travel among family and friends.

On May 4, 2017, Q passed away at age 82. She was surrounded by family at her home in Santa Fe after a yearlong struggle with breast cancer. She was survived by her husband, Philip, and three children, Thomas McKittrick Jones, Nancy Jones Carter, and Clarke Fitz-Gerald Jones, as well as her seven grandchildren.

Q was truly a fighter of justice and we will all miss her dearly. I treasure all of the wonderful contributions she has made to our state. Her memory and legacy is a blessing to us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great honor to recognize Steve McKernan, Chief Executive Officer of University of New Mexico Hospitals, as he prepares for his retirement after 37 years of service to the people of Bernalillo County and the State of New Mexico.

In 1980, Mr McKernan began his career at the University of New Mexico Hospital. Mr. McKernan began as a staff accountant and worked his way up through the organization, becoming CEO in 1996. During his 21 years as CEO, Mr. McKernan was an integral part of a team relentlessly focused on improving the care of the people of New Mexico.

Thanks to Mr McKernan's vision and leadership, UNM Hospitals provide the level and specialties of care that are only available in the largest teaching hospitals in the country. During Mr. McKernan's tenure, the Barbara and Bill Richardson Pavilion opened in 2008 and a network of community-based clinics was established, providing healthcare throughout the City of Albuquerque.

In addition to his achievements in growing the mission and reach of UNM Hospitals, Mr. McKernan has gained national prominence in the hospital community, serving on the Board of the America's Essential Hospitals. He has also been involved in a variety of local community and business groups, including the Rotary Club, the New Mexico Hospital Association and the Boy Scouts of America.

It is with great honor and privilege that I take this moment to thank Steve for his service and commitment to our community, the lives of New Mexicans are forever changed because of his work. I wish him and his wife Becky an enjoyable and well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Chair, I want to thank my colleague for yielding me time.

Mr. Chair, yesterday the House passed a $7.9 billion downpayment to address the destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey, which is projected now to cost as much as $180 billion--by far, today, the costliest hurricane to hit the United States.

Today, we are considering an amendment which would prohibit BLM from implementing a rule to address the wasteful venting, flaring, and leaking of methane, which is a climate change-causing emission 30 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

New Mexico is currently home to the largest methane hot spot in the world. Not only is methane a powerful greenhouse gas, but every cubic foot of gas that is wasted into the atmosphere cheats hardworking New Mexican taxpayers out of precious royalty and tax payments which go toward public education, infrastructure, and community development programs.

Our State desperately needs these investments, and we cannot afford to let money disappear into thin air. BLM, in fact, should work with stakeholders, especially small independent producers who have low- producing wells to make this workable. But taking a sledgehammer to our Nation's energy policy is a shortsighted and counterproductive effort.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and to collaborate to make this rule effective for producers and taxpayers alike.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 3440, the DREAM Act, to protect Vanessa, a DREAMer from New Mexico, who dreams of becoming a doctor.

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

Mr. Chair, my amendment prioritizes funding to study the treatment of detainees and the conditions of private immigration detention centers.

ICE is increasing apprehensions and putting immigrant communities at

higher risk of apprehension, detention, and deportation. At the same time, the Trump administration has lowered detention standards when signing contracts with private facilities. This has led to the highest number of deaths in ICE custody since 2011.

We have seen a complete disregard for civil and constitutional rights of detainees, many of whom are torn from their families without basic due process protections. These facilities are not holding prisoners. They are holding asylum seekers who risked everything to start a better life. They are holding hardworking community members. They are holding family members: mothers, fathers, and children.

Information regarding detention facilities is already inconsistent, outdated, and, frankly, overall lacking in transparency. Medical neglect, poor treatment by guards, sexual abuse, and even in-custody deaths plague numerous facilities across the country. Even worse, repeat offending private prison companies continue to receive lucrative contracts for additional facilities.

We have to have an objective and transparent review of these private immigration detention centers. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' for my amendment to ensure that detainees are treated humanely and provided basic due process protections.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 377th Air Base Wing, Air Force Global Strike Command, Kirtland Airforce Base, for earning the 2016 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. The award recognizes the exceptional service of the 377th Air Base Wing from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016.

The 377th Air Base Wing accomplished a number of achievements during 2016. The air base wing provided comprehensive combat preparedness and superior installation support to 22,000 airmen and more than 110 mission partners. The airmen executed 71 ground missions, moving 765 assets and ensuring global strategic deterrence.

The air base wing made progress to mitigate a 40-year-old environmental calamity by installing the first extraction well in December of 2016. The temporary treatment system was implemented in June 2016 and treated 17 million gallons of contaminated water, removed nearly seven grams of ethylene dibromide (EDB), and protected 36.7 million gallons of water. The permanent treatment system has treated 235.5 million gallons of water and removed 69.1 grams EDB as of July 31, 2017.

The air base wing also developed a 25-year strategic roadmap that included $110 million in upgrades to the Kirtland Underground Munitions Maintenance and Storage Complex that houses the Department of Defense's largest stockpile of Protection Level One assets.

In addition, the air base wing expanded its tribal relations program. Air base leaders worked in collaboration with state Native American tribes to create a Memorandum of Understanding which protects tribal cultures by allowing tribes to request that the military air crews avoid low-level flights above sacred areas or religious events.

The air base wing was active in assisting local fire departments fight the Dog Head Fire that burned 17,000 acres of land and threatened four communities. With Kirtland Air Force Base's help, they saved approximately 37,000 homes.

Last, in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Kirtland Air Force Base, the air base wing hosted an air show for the first time in five years to commemorate the occasion. The air show was hosted in coordination with more than 20 organizations, 1,200 volunteers, and more than 50,000 spectators in the audience. Additionally, service members visited elementary schools to discuss the air base wing's history and the military's commitment to the country and local surrounding community of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Those are only a few of the achievements that prove the excellence of the 377th Air Base Wing. I am confident that the achievements of the 377th Air Base Wing will be a lasting positive impact in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Katherine Augustine's lifetime of achievements that have touched countless New Mexicans through her work as a nurse and advocate for Native American health. Fittingly, Katherine chronicled her amazing experiences in an autobiography that contributes to the history of New Mexico.

Katherine was born on September 30, 1929 in the Pueblo of Laguna. She went to Albuquerque Indian High School and attended Sage Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in neighboring state, Arizona. In 1951, she moved to California and started a family. She later moved back to New Mexico.

Katherine started her career at the Presbyterian Hospital Center, where she worked for 29 years. After retiring, she continued to work at the Indian Health Service at Acoma-Canoncito-Laguna Hospital in San Fidel and the Albuquerque Indian Hospital. She also worked at the Albuquerque Tribune and the Roundhouse newspaper.

During the past 22 years, Katherine has volunteered her time with numerous organizations, helping neighbors and friends throughout the community.

She was on the Committee of the Ancient Living Village, Vice- President of the Laguna Colony of Albuquerque, served on the Council of Elders at the New Mexico Geriatric Education Center, and was a member of the Environmental Health Community Advisory Committee.

She traveled around the world to promote her favorite projects-- Friendship Force of New Mexico and Sister Cities of Albuquerque.

I wish Katherine all the best with her future endeavors. Her work has and will continue to influence those in her community. Thank you and congratulations, Katherine.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exceptional young person from my district. Michael Jose Zelaya, a member of Boy Scout Troop 220 in Albuquerque, NM. Michael recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout following 12 years in scouting. Michael's perseverance and dedication in the Boy Scouting program has helped shape his desire to be a leader in his community.

For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Michael constructed several large barriers at the Albuquerque Bio Park. This was designed to deter aggressive gorilla behavior, enhancing both the experience for the patrons as well as the safety of the animals.

Through scouting Michael has grown as an individual and as a member of his community. With Boy Scout Troop 220, Michael and many of his fellow boy scouts have volunteered countless hours of community service. Landscape projects, food banks, trail preservation, awareness walks, tree and garden restoration, and several improvement projects at his church that kindly host the troop are just a small representation of Michael's character and work ethic.

Over the last 12 years in scouting, Michael has hiked hundreds of miles, learned lifesaving first aid and CPR, has visited the Federal Court and U.S. Marshall Facility, also learned auto mechanic basics, practiced gun safety, rifle shooting, and many more experiences; but most importantly, he has built friendships and grown in the love he has for his country.

I am confident that Michael will continue to be a leader in our community and I look forward to hearing about his continued success. Congratulations, Michael.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exceptional young person from my district. Daniel Schoellkopf is an Albuquerque High School graduate who recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout following 11 years in scouting. Daniel's dedication to his goal of reaching the highest rank in the Boy Scouting program helped shape his desire to be a leader in his community.

As part of his Eagle project, Daniel worked with the Drug Enforcement Agency on a program to encourage people to turn in unused prescription drugs at convenience centers. This effort is particularly important in New Mexico as we work to discourage the abuse of opioids, especially among young people.

During his senior year in high school, Daniel worked at Kirtland Air Force Base as a lifeguard, where he was awarded the Bright Star civilian award by the U.S. Air Force. He has also worked summers at Camp Gorham north of Santa Fe.

Daniel earned a ROTC scholarship to the University of New Mexico, where he would like to study political science and eventually become an officer in the military.

Daniel recently visited my office in Washington, D.C. to raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.) with the M.S. Society advocacy group. The M.S. Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people with M.S. by funding research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services that help people with M.S. and their families.

I am confident that Daniel will continue to be a leader in our community and I look forward to hearing about his continued success. Congratulations, Daniel.

I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, my amendment ensures that NNSA has adequate work space to fulfil its national security mission. In my home State of New Mexico, over 1,000 Federal and contract employees at NNSA currently work in a network of old and rapidly deteriorating facilities on Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.

A portion of the existing facility includes a 60-year-old former military barracks, which creates a number of health, safety, and quality-of-life issues for its employees. These employees are involved in some of our Nation's most important national security work, including managing our Nation's nuclear deterrent and reducing global nuclear and radiological threats.

The NNSA administrator, Lieutenant General Klotz, said that:

The highly talented employees in Albuquerque are frankly

forced to work in facilities that are inadequate to NNSA's

current mission.

Furthermore, because of the age of the buildings, NNSA is forced to spend approximately $6 million every year on maintenance and repairs just to keep them habitable.

In fact, the $40 million worth of deferred maintenance alone on the old buildings is approximately one-fifth of what it would cost to build a new, modern, and reliable facility. So this is a perfect opportunity to save money in the long run.

I strongly support NNSA's efforts to replace the existing complex with a single new building that will provide

safe, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure that improves the safety and working environment for approximately 1,200 employees.

The new state-of-the-art facility will meet enhanced environmental standards and consolidate staff for a more efficient delivery and support of the important national security work at NNSA.

The current total project cost is $202 million, and I agree with Chairman Simpson that we have an obligation to ensure that every single taxpayer dollar for this project is used efficiently and effectively.

I know that the chairman shares my concerns to ensure that NNSA has the infrastructure and resources it needs to fulfill its national security mission now and in the future. That is why I am pleased that he has agreed to work with me on this issue to ensure that we are fulfilling our oversight responsibilities while moving the construction of the Albuquerque complex project forward.

With that, I am prepared to withdraw my amendment.

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

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the chairman's words and respect his work prior to this and in this current effort to get this space and the facility infrastructure issues addressed. I look forward to working with him on a variety of ideas to make sure that we get this project completed in a timely and effective manner.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time, and I withdraw my amendment.