Floor Statements

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Schock- Meehan amendment.

In recent years, the Federal Government has taken more and more control over deciding what goals and curriculum best fit our kids' needs. However, as all Americans know, education policy should be set by those that know the community best--parents, teachers, and local school board members. That's exactly what this amendment does. Our amendment has three main objectives:

It restores flexibility in crafting curriculum and education for our children. The Department of Education would be restricted in promulgating any rules and regulations that contradict or create costly burdens on local school districts without an act of Congress.

Second, it strengthens the process for input by parents.

And, last, it requires that the Department of Education provide an annual report to Congress on how any policies affect local school districts.

This enables local school boards to have the ability to craft policies in coordination with the communities they serve.

This amendment is vitally important to our communities. From Pennsylvania to Illinois and beyond, the parents, the students, and the school board members that they elect are truly the experts in education, not Washington bureaucrats.

I urge my colleagues to support the Schock-Meehan amendment.

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

Mr. Chair, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. Chair, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schock).

How much time do I have remaining, Mr. Chair?

Mr. Chair, at this point, I would like to yield 1 minute of that time to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lankford).

Mr. Chair, let me just close my time by once again articulating the point that has been so well made by my colleagues as well, that we do not have a Secretary of Education that is a national school board president.

I have spoken to those who have dedicated their time and their professional commitment: school board leaders and local educators themselves who understand how to best create the kinds of curriculum that will most effectively serve the children in our communities.

I ask our colleagues to strongly support the Schock-Meehan amendment.

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

Mr. Speaker, we honor Dr. Joseph T. Cox, the 8th Headmaster of The Haverford School, who is retiring after 15 truly transformative years at Haverford School, an all boys Pre-K through 12 independent school located in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Dr. Cox came to The Haverford School in the summer of 1998 as a decorated Vietnam War veteran who had risen to the rank of Colonel in the United States Army. Colonel Cox provided great service to our country as a Commander of the 101st Airborne Division Battalion. Not only was Dr. Cox a successful military officer, but he was also a gifted poet who graduated from Lafayette College and earned his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina.

Despite this somewhat unique combination of talents and skills, Dr. Cox came to The Haverford School as a largely unknown person with no experience in the world of independent schools in 1998. However, fifteen glorious years later, Dr. Cox leaves The Haverford School with his personal imprint imbedded throughout the entire community. Dr. Cox's strong servant leadership, his vision, his passion and his compassion had a lasting impact on the many boys and young men who attended Haverford during his fifteen year tenure.

During his tenure, Haverford graduated 1,240 young men. Dr. Cox opened the doors of Haverford to a much broader and more diverse group of boys and young men and he pushed to meaningfully increase the financial assistance for the boys by five-fold in order to assure that Haverford attracted a truly remarkable group of talented boys and young men of character.

Dr. Cox also implemented a nationally recognized and highly acclaimed faculty performance system coupled with a program of performance pay and he obtained a strong commitment from the Board of Trustees to pay Haverford's teachers at the top of the pay scale for local independent day schools. This program was critical to attracting and retaining a group of extraordinary teachers, coaches, and senior administrators to Haverford.

Dr. Cox led and carefully oversaw a facilities renaissance at Haverford with the building of a new Field House, a new Lower School and a new and expanded Upper School during his tenure. He also lead a series of record-setting capital campaigns and he led fund raising efforts which resulted in contributions of more than $100 million to Haverford during his tenure.

Most importantly, Dr. Cox installed and encouraged the development of a series of game changing programs designed to make Haverford a more holistic place. Included among his programmatic accomplishments were development of a novel and now much copied school-wide decision education program. He also put in place a student-run Honor Code, a school-wide servant leadership program, numerous character education programs and an important community guidepost with his Principles of Community.

Dr. Cox encouraged excellence in academics, the arts and athletics. During his tenure, the arts programs flourished with new studios, new programs and the establishment of an annual Arts Week celebration. Athletics enjoyed a strong resurgence during Dr. Cox's tenure with Haverford teams winning 41 Inter-Ac championships.

In short, Dr. Cox, a man of passion, compassion, and vision led a remarkable renaissance at The Haverford School and his servant leadership made a genuine difference in the lives of the entire Haverford School community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an educator, leader, author, and role model for young men in Pennsylvania.

This week, Dr. Joseph Cox will preside over his final commencement ceremony as headmaster of the Haverford School, a secondary school for boys in Haverford Township, Delaware County.

Dr. Cox took office as Haverford's headmaster in 1998; and since then, he has led the school and its faculty with his firm belief that teachers and boys must be ``firm, fair, funny, focused, and friendly.'' These qualities were the backbone of Dr. Cox's philosophy of teaching.

Dr. Cox has set a long example for men outside the classroom as well. He's a 30-year Army veteran, serving his country in Vietnam, commanding a battalion of the famous 101st Airborne Division and retiring as a colonel.

A warrior, a poet, a cultivator of the minds of young men, and a sculptor of their character by his example, he leaves the institution not just better than he found it, but he leaves the lives he has touched so much richer for the experience of working with him and learning by his side.

Dr. Cox, you are in every measure what it means to be a teacher. Your community thanks you.

Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chairman, I rise today in support of the Meehan- DeFazio-Miller amendment. This amendment deals with the Department of Homeland Security, which has entered into an agreement to establish a Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance facility at the Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates. There are currently other pre-clearance facilities in some countries around the world, and the purpose behind these is really to facilitate the travel for many who go through this at a facility away from the United States. We have huge backlogs at some of our critical airports, particularly in places like New York.

However, the ranking member on the Homeland Security subcommittee, on which I serve, along with the other members and some 150 Members of Congress, have joined me in a letter because we are concerned about the intent of what is done with this. The effect of it is really going to be to dramatically disadvantage American airlines.

You see, what's happening in Abu Dhabi is there is no American airline that flies from Abu Dhabi to the United States. This is solely being done for the benefit of an airline which is solely supported by the United Arab Emirates, and it is going to have a disparate impact on the ability for our American airlines to be competitive for the very simple reason that what will happen is many people will say, Well, I'm going to get to New York, and I've got a 3- or 4-hour wait in order to get through that line. I'm going to go to Abu Dhabi, and I'm going to fly through there on the foreign carrier.

All the jobs associated with our American airlines begin to be influenced by supporting a foreign-based airline that will then increase its market share into the United States. It also starts to shift some of the favor of the placement of these facilities towards third parties' countries that will enter an agreement like is happening in Abu Dhabi where they are underwriting 80 percent of the cost. I don't want to see our Customs and Border Patrol to be for sale to the highest bidder, and that seems to be what one of the concerns is here.

The reality as well is that, the extent to which we think we are having an impact on terrorism, anybody is going to know: don't go through Abu Dhabi. Go through any of the other places that will still get you into the country without a pre-clearance that would be a check on a foreign area.

The last thing is that this is going to be partially funded with United States taxpayer dollars. Twenty percent of the cost is going to be associated with us, so why would American taxpayers be paying money to support what will actually be to the benefit of a foreign-based airline?

So along with 150 of my other colleagues, I hope that our amendment will ensure that taxpayer dollars do not go to subsidize the pre- clearance facility and the foreign government-owned airlines, and I urge Members of both parties to support it.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Offered by: Mr. Meehan

Amendment No. 17: At the end of the bill (before the short

title), insert the following:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Arthritis Month. Arthritis is a disease that affects more than 50 million Americans of all ages including some residents of Pennsylvania's 7th District. Arthritis includes more than 100 joint diseases that can affect the entire body, causing severe pain for many. While questions still remain, I am encouraged by the cutting edge research being conducted on arthritis, particularly at the NIH. Early diagnosis and disease management can help prevent long term pain for individuals living with arthritis and their families. As May draws to a close, let us continue to raise awareness of arthritis, remembering the individuals living with the disease every day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Valley Forge Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the 20-year anniversary of the Patriots of African Descent Monument.

One hundred years ago, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority started with 22 women at Howard University. Since then, it has grown to more than 300,000 members in 1,000 chapters worldwide. Today, more than one hundred dedicated alumna from the Valley Forge chapter live in and serve the greater Philadelphia area.

On May 18, 2013, the women of the Valley Forge Alumnae Chapter will pay tribute to the Patriots of African Descent with a wreath laying ceremony commemorating its 20th Anniversary. The Patriots of African Descent Monument, sponsored by the Valley Forge Alumnae chapter in 1993, pays tribute to the service and sacrifice African-American soldiers of the Continental Army provided to our young nation during the Valley Forge Encampment of 1777-1778 and throughout the Revolutionary War.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the Valley Forge Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for its continued efforts to honor African- American patriots who have served this country bravely and honorably.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Centre Square Fire Company (CSFC), located in Whitpain Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, which is celebrating its centennial anniversary.

One hundred years ago, on February 21, 1913, a group of property owners of Centre Square, Blue Bell and surrounding areas met at the Centre Square Hotel to explore the establishment of a fire company. The 35 members of the founding group established the charter which reads, ``The said Company is formed for the purpose of the support of fire engine, hook and ladder, hose company, for the purpose of protecting life and property, in case of fire. The said Corporation is to exist perpetually.'' These words hold true today.

Over the years, the Centre Square Fire Company has served the residents of Montgomery County in fire protection and much more. Most recently, the Centre Square Fire Company took delivery of a 2013 Pierce Velocity 100 foot Platform ladder truck--capable of carrying 500 gallons of water. Although it remains a 95 percent volunteer service, Centre Square has grown over the years to better serve the residents of Montgomery County.

Once again, I congratulate the Centre Square Fire Company as they celebrate its one hundredth anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Annual State Loyalty Day celebration in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on May 1, 2013.

Loyalty Day was officially recognized by Congress on July 18, 1958. President Eisenhower proclaimed May 1, 1959 the first official observance of Loyalty Day. President Eisenhower's proclamation declares Loyalty Day ``a special day for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom.''

Our veterans have protected that freedom for generations. Their devotion and dedication to our nation set an example for American loyalty. I thank all of our nation's veterans for their service and sacrifice for our nation, and I thank the Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars for its tireless work in speaking out on behalf of veterans and promoting cherished American values.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues from Pennsylvania, the Honorable Charles W. Dent and the Honorable Jim Gerlach, for the solemn purpose of remembering and honoring the life of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jarett Yoder. On April 9, 2013, CW2 Yoder was tragically killed while serving our country. CW2 Yoder was just 26 years old when his AH-64 Apache Helicopter crashed in Nangarhar Province Afghanistan. A Berks County, Pennsylvania native, CW2 Yoder was a 2005 graduate of Oley Valley High School in Oley, Pennsylvania and attended Reading Area Community College.

CW2 Yoder joined the military in 2005, first serving in Company C of the 1st Battalion of the 111th Infantry of the Pennsylvania National Guard as an infantryman. He was then deployed to Iraq in 2008 with Company C and the rest of the Guard's 56th Stryker Brigade. In 2010, he then transitioned to the role of an aviation life support equipment officer and Apache pilot.

CW2 Yoder was an exceptional Pennsylvanian and American who served his state and country with honor and great courage. His military decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Driver and Mechanic Badge.

We send our deepest condolences to CW2 Yoder's wife, Heather Garay- Yoder, and his parents, Gary and Diane Yoder. CW2 Yoder goes to his rest with the eternal thanks of a most grateful nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Delaware County Veterans Memorial in my home state of Pennsylvania and the tremendous work done by Memorial's Board of Directors and its founding member, Claude de Botton and his daughter, Nicole de Botton Robinson, to make their vision a reality. The memorial, opening to the public next month, is a fitting tribute to the veterans of Delaware County. Engraved in the memorial's columns are the names of the Delaware County men and women who gave their lives in defense of American liberty. Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to its veterans that can never be repaid, but the Delaware County Veterans' Memorial will honor our veterans and ensure their sacrifices will always be remembered by future generations of Delaware County families.

Mr. Speaker, just earlier this week, I was able to join with my colleague, Representative Speier from California, introducing legislation to protect victims of military sexual assault. That's the Military Judicial Reform Act.

In recognition of a victim who, having had a jury at a court-martial find a finding of guilt against an assailant, had it overturned by a general who convened that, now we are faced with a new opportunity in which new information is being put out outside the scope of that trial.

Mr. Speaker, it is time that we end this archaic practice and stop putting the victim on trial again and again.

This week Secretary Hagel called on Congress to remove the provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice that allow this proceeding to take place, and I urge my colleagues now to act together to end this archaic practice.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of K9 Veteran's Day. March 13, 1942 is the official birthday of the United States K9 Corps and many states across the country, including Pennsylvania, have officially recognized this date as K9 Veterans Day. For decades, military and police working dogs have served alongside our brave troops and law enforcement officers. They have sacrificed and lost their lives in the line of duty, and they deserve our respect and gratitude. It is important that we take a moment to remember those canines that have served diligently to protect lives.

Madam Speaker, I rise to encourage my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to put aside this rhetoric and to find a way to work together to pass the Violence Against Women Act, to move this important legislation forward in a way in which we can reach a resolution.

I come to this as a former prosecutor who has seen firsthand the implications. I come to give a voice to people who do not have an opportunity to speak for themselves. Because one of the things that we realize is that a woman will be victimized 12 times, beaten 12 times before she has the courage to come forward to speak to somebody who needs to be there, to be able to help give them a sense of comfort and dignity to be able to retain control over the circumstances. The Violence Against Women Act enables the kinds of resources to be there to have the trained personnel who can make a difference.

I had a chance to visit SANE nurses, who work in emergency wards, giving victims of rape the dignity to be able to have an examination in the privacy of a room, as opposed to being violated a second time out in a public space in an emergency ward, to reduce the time they have to spend for that examination from 13 hours after a rape to 2 hours, to be able to collect the evidence and to help that victim to be able to make their case if they so choose in court.

I have had a chance to work with victims of violence on college campuses--one in four women who have, in college campuses, reported that they have been victims of rape or attempted rape.

So, unquestionably, we must find a way to pass the Violence Against Women Act in the same way we must reduce the rhetoric and the misrepresentations and the shamefulness representations on both sides about the good intentions to try to do this. There are differences of opinion in small areas. We must find a way to get over those. I rise today to make sure that we give a voice to those victims, to work together to find a way to pass the Violence Against Women Act.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor James J. Sweeney of Havertown, Pennsylvania. Mr. Sweeney entered the United States Navy after graduating from high school in 1943, and served aboard the USS Hancock. The Hancock took part in some of World War II's most pivotal battles, including the invasions of the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Mr. Sweeney was honored for his heroic service and awarded the Philippines Liberation Medal, 5 Battles Stars and a Presidential Unit Commendation.

It was during his time in the Navy that Mr. Sweeney befriended his shipmate, John Finn. Lt. Finn received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions at Pearl Harbor. During the Japanese surprise attack, Lt. Finn manned his machine gun and fought off the Japanese Zeroes for 2\1/2\ hours even as he took an onslaught of bullets and shrapnel. And for the past 9 years, James Sweeney has tirelessly worked to honor Lt. John Finn, who passed away in 2009. On February 15, 2011, those efforts proved successful as the Navy announced that a new guided missile destroyer will be named the USS John Finn.

For these efforts Mr. Sweeney is being honored by American Legion Post 667 in Havertown. On behalf of a grateful nation, I congratulate Mr. Sweeney on his efforts to ensure that Lt. Finn's name and legacy lives on, and for his service during World War II, reflecting great credit upon himself and the United States Navy.