Floor Statements

I thank the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette) for yielding and for her advocacy and work on this issue.

Today, on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which changed history for women in America by allowing them to control their own bodies, I rise against the effort to roll back these rights.

Though we have come a long way in the last 42 years, some politicians want to undo this progress and restrict access to critical medical procedures women may need. Why have we been debating whether the government should seize control over women's health decisions when the American people want us to work together to create good-paying jobs, balance the budget, and raise the minimum wage? Instead, this Chamber is wasting time with a divisive argument about whether the government should jeopardize a woman's access to medically necessary procedures.

Politicians are not medical experts, and we should not deny a woman the ability to make her own decisions with those she trusts the most. I ask my colleagues to focus on the economy instead of spending time on bills that divide this House and this country.

Madam Chair, on rollcall No. 31, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Salmon

Mr. Speaker, a few months ago, I stood here on the House floor to speak out against the troubling surge in global anti-Semitic demonstrations that followed the latest confrontation between Israel and Hamas terrorists. Crimes ranged from the desecration of synagogues and other Jewish institutions and businesses, to murders and acts of violence and terrorism against Jews.

At that time, I had just led a bipartisan coalition of over 70 Members of Congress in speaking out against the rise in anti-Semitism and calling on the United States to continue to be a global leader in combating such acts of hatred wherever they occur. The United States must lead by example which is why I am proud this body has continued to condemn anti-Semitism and support efforts to combat such actions.

With little agreement between the parties and Congress currently, I have been proud to see continual bipartisan cooperation on this issue that not only impacts Jews, but all ethnic, religious, and minority groups; unfortunately, with anti-Semitic violence and incitement continuing to increase dramatically, leading by example is not enough.

That is why I have joined with my good friends, the gentlemen from Florida, Mr. Deutch and Mr. Diaz-Balart,

and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson) in leading over 80 of our colleagues from both sides of the aisle to urge the United Nations to take decisive action against anti-Semitic attacks globally.

It is beyond troubling that across the world we are seeing anti- Semitic rhetoric being circulated widely on television, radio, and the Internet and that there are even national political parties that openly espouse racist views. Even more troubling is that these hateful actions are taking place in many of our fellow member states at the U.N.

The United Nations must join the United States in taking actions to encourage member states to become global partners in combating anti- Semitism, which poses a severe threat to international peace and security. The U.N. can stem the surge of anti-Semitism through a variety of methods, including raising awareness of the global prevalence of anti-Semitic attitudes.

The U.N. should urge the adoption, implementation, and enforcement of strong hate crime laws. Hate crime laws demonstrate that a society will not tolerate unlawful actions motivated by bigotry and that minority and ethnic groups are valued members.

It should also encourage countries to expand education on diversity and tolerance because it is crucial that children are brought up in an atmosphere of inclusion and taught the significance of valuing individuals of all backgrounds and religious beliefs.

Additionally, the U.N. must encourage heads of state to forcefully speak out about the dangers of anti-Semitism which can create an environment where violence and escalating tensions can grow and impact all communities.

I thank all of my colleagues in this body who continue to stand up against such bigotry and violent acts of hatred, both here at home and abroad, as we continue to enlist others in our international community to promote freedom and equality under the law. I also want to thank the local Jewish community relations council in my district which recently held a community forum on addressing anti-Semitism.

This is a conversation that must be held in every community across our Nation and around the world. I hope to see the United Nations and all member states join us in expanding this dialogue by denouncing such actions and taking decisive action in their own countries to halt these hate crimes and acts of hatred.

Only by working together across party lines and across the globe can we successfully eradicate such hate in our world.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

I am opposed in its current form.

Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the amended bill will immediately proceed to final passage.

Mr. Speaker, my amendment would shield the unintentional victims of the bill before us, namely, military families, survivors of domestic violence and exploitation, and the Cuban people fleeing the brutal communist regime of the Castros.

First, the amendment would preserve the government's policy of protecting undocumented parents, spouses, and children of military personnel from deportation. After the Pentagon heard from many servicemembers who feared for the safety of their families back home, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services instituted a parole in place policy for respecting military families, supporting military readiness, and honoring our commitment to those who serve our Nation so bravely.

Mr. Speaker, is parole in place for military families such an abuse of power?

Surely, the majority of this House wants our brave men and women serving on the battlefield to be able to focus on the mission and not fear that their families will be taken from them. The slogan ``support our troops'' must at least mean that.

Next, my amendment would protect the victims of domestic violence, abuse, and severe human trafficking. We know a willingness to come forward and cooperate with law enforcement can break the cycle of violence and make justice possible for the real criminals. USCIS developed a program to give victims of incredible violence temporary U visas for abuse and T visas for trafficking. In 2010 alone, nearly 12,000 of these visas were given out so victims can come out of the shadows.

What is it about visas for abuse victims that so enrage some in this Chamber?

American women deserve better than a policy that threatens to deport the victim while their abuser simply walks free. That is why the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women wrote that this bill ``broadly sweeps large numbers of victims into its scope and ignores the best interests of victims and their children.''

Finally, this motion would preserve our country's longstanding practice of granting parole and, ultimately, green cards to Cuban nationals. Those who escape the clutches of the nearly 56-year-old communist dictatorship yearn for the freedom they are so brutally denied just 90 miles from our shore.

To this day, Cuban democracy activists, including Las Damas de Blanco, remain subject to arbitrary arrest, beatings, and imprisonment. Without the protection spelled out in my amendment, fleeing survivors of the Castro regime are denied a chance at freedom and deported.

Is that what we want?

Growing up in south Florida, I can tell you that the cultural richness of the great State of Florida does not exist without Cuban American immigrants, many of whom escaped with nothing more than their lives.

To my friends across the aisle who call this a ``process'' argument, let me say, if this House had done its job, we wouldn't face a process question in the first place. You want a better process? Pass a bill. Dispense of this measure before us and bring up H.R. 15, a real immigration bill from the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Garcia). It will reform our broken system, secure the border, create hundreds of thousands of jobs, and reduce the deficit by nearly $1 trillion. It has got the votes. We can make it the law by Christmas.

The American people asked for immigration reform, and this body voted to half secure the border and deport DREAMers. Now we are looking at ripping apart military families, prosecuting the victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, and sending Cuban refugees back to the brutal hands of the Castros.

I urge my colleagues, don't let this be the story of the 113th Congress. Pass this motion to recommit and defeat this mean-spirited bill before us.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady for yielding and for her hard work on the legislation.

I rise in support of reauthorizing the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act. Communities are built upon access to safe, quality, affordable housing, but for many of America's great tribal nations, bureaucratic red tape has restricted tribes' abilities to make the most of scarce Federal housing dollars.

While Native Americans face some of the worst housing and economic conditions in the country, this is simply unacceptable. Giving control of housing grants to tribal nations just makes sense.

In addition to providing housing, the Miccosukee Indian Tribe of Florida preserves tradition, fights to protect the Florida Everglades, and works to develop the Tamiami Trail Reservation, using the flexibility NAHASDA provides to grow native-owned construction and building material businesses.

I thank the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce), chairman and ranking member of the committee, and the tribal leaders for their work on this important bipartisan legislation that provides much-needed reform to keep our Nation's promise to tribal nations and strengthen their communities. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I support the bill before us and appreciate the hard work of my colleagues to bring it to the floor.

Today I join my colleagues in speaking in support of reauthorizing the National Estuary Program because our local economy on the Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches rely on healthy water.

This important program helps protect and improve some of our Nation's most at-risk waterways, including the Indian River Lagoon located in the district I am proud to represent, which has been devastated by toxic algae in recent years, negatively impacting not only the health of this unique ecosystem but also our local economy.

The National Estuary Program funds local projects that help improve water quality, protect threatened species, and coordinate local agencies to respond to other urgent needs.

In our own backyard, these projects include wetland restoration, shellfish rehabilitation, freshwater discharge management, and other approaches that benefit the health of our local waterways on the Treasure Coast and across the Nation.

I am very pleased to see a competitive award program included in this bill that I proposed, along with the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Posey), to help estuaries most at risk where reoccurring harmful algal blooms, sea grass loss, and invasive species are threatening the fragile ecology of these important water systems.

I hope my colleagues will continue to support this effective program not only because of its benefits to sustaining important estuaries across the country but also due to the urgent need to address the serious problems facing many of these waterways, including the Indian River Lagoon, the most diverse estuary in the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the House for coming together and acting so swiftly to reauthorize this bipartisan and cost-effective bill that is necessary for our country's coastal ecosystems and the economies that rely on their well-being. I hope the Senate will act expeditiously to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak out against the alarming surge of anti-Semitic demonstrations across the globe. Sparked by the latest confrontation between our greatest ally, Israel, and Hamas terrorists, synagogues and Holocaust memorials have been vandalized, Jewish stores have been attacked, Israeli products have been boycotted, and the Israeli and American flags have been desecrated and emblazoned with swastikas. These cowardly acts are in direct contrast to our democratic values of freedom, liberty, and equal justice under the law.

With a frightening number of such despicable acts being reported across Europe and Latin America, our Nation must continue to speak out in condemnation of these demonstrations.

We must also be a global leader in stopping the surge of anti- Semitism, making it clear to other nations that such intolerance and hatred have no place in our global community.

By allowing anti-Semitism to flourish, nations risk fostering an environment in which violence and escalating tensions can grow and impact not only Jews but all religious, ethnic, and other minority groups.

That is why I am proud to be working with my good friends, Mr. Diaz- Balart and Mr. Deutch of Florida and Mr. Kingston of Georgia, in leading a bipartisan coalition of over two dozen Members of Congress and calling on the United States to continue its efforts in combating anti-Semitism, especially in the wake of this troubling rise in such demonstrations.

I also want to commend our local Jewish community relations council for their leadership on this crucial issue which remains at the forefront of our community.

Partnering with several other local and national organizations, all well-respected for their work on combating anti-Semitism, they will be hosting a forum in the district I am so proud to represent regarding this growing crisis. I applaud their continued work standing up against bigotry and raising awareness, both at home and abroad, of the threat of rising anti-Semitism.

Madam Speaker, we must continue to work together to stem the rise of anti-Semitism wherever it occurs and help foster an environment more conducive to long-term peace throughout our global community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Nicholas Cocoves, who has recently achieved distinction as an Eagle Scout. To become an Eagle Scout, one must design and complete a service project that will benefit their surrounding community. For Nicholas's project, he honored American veterans by installing a bench, flagpole, and plaque in front of the Historic Crary House in downtown Stuart, Florida. Not only will the site serve as a beautiful welcome feature for visitors, it will enhance our community by serving as a constant symbol of reverence and gratitude for those who sacrificed their lives for our country.

The site will be dedicated to veterans who are Purple Heart recipients and revelation of the site will take place on August 6, the day before National Purple Heart Day. Creating the veterans site was also a part of Nicholas's project to make Martin County a Purple Heart county and Stuart a Purple Heart city.

I commend Nicholas for his dedication and commitment to obtaining this prestigious rank and I applaud him for his leadership and community service.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, I rise today to support giving students and families the resources needed to make informed decisions about both their education and their finances.

I want to congratulate the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) for his great work on this bill. I also want to thank the chairman, Mr. Kline, and Ranking Member Miller for working in a truly bipartisan process on this legislation to provide students with commonsense, personalized financial counseling about one of the greatest investments a student can make: their investment in their own education.

I strongly support the underlying legislation and offer this amendment as a complement to better inform students about not only the costs, but the benefits of completing their education.

With tuition rates quickly outpacing grants and scholarships, American students and their families increasingly rely on student loans to access higher education. Coupled with increased enrollment, student loan debt has ballooned to more than $1.2 trillion--greater than credit card debt, for the first time in history.

Last summer, we came together to pass bipartisan legislation which decoupled student loan interest rates from the whims of Washington and provided students and families the certainty needed to make long-term plans for the future. The bill before us today continues that mission by giving students the information they need to understand the rights and responsibilities that come along with investing in their higher education.

For many students, these loans are their first and often most costly experience as a borrower. Failing to provide students with the information they need to make responsible decisions and manage their debt does not just impact the delinquent borrower, but also the taxpayers.

Similarly, having students understand both their monthly and lifetime costs of debt they are accruing will enlist students in the fight to get student loan debt under control.

That said, despite mounting debt, a college degree is still generally one of the best investments students can make. For example, the average income for young adults with a bachelor's degree is just over $50,000, with only 4.9 percent unemployment. The dropoff for individuals who do not finish is steep, around $13,000 per year of income and a much higher unemployment rate of 7 percent.

We do not want students failing to complete their degree simply because they fear taking out additional loans. That is why I am putting forward this reasonable amendment to improve the underlying legislation by simply adding the inclusion of income and employment data for different levels of educational attainment. This information would strengthen the counseling required by improving students' perspectives as they take charge of their future and their finances.

Madam Chair, this major potential earnings reduction, combined with hefty student loans in repayment, is a recipe for financial disaster. That is why it is so important that students and families have the full picture when making decisions regarding investments in higher education, as the underlying bill offers.

I urge my colleagues to support this simple yet important amendment to make sure students can make the best decision possible while understanding the full impact of student loans they take out.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group from my district, Boy Scout Troop 772 of Fort Pierce, Florida.

Troop 772 was established last year at Dan McCarty Middle School as a community effort to keep young men in the area engaged in positive afterschool activities by providing support and guidance. Troop 772 is no ordinary Boy Scout troop. It is much more.

For too long, Fort Pierce has been plagued by gangs, by rampant violent crime that has taken the lives of neighbors and colleagues, friends and loved ones. For the young men of Troop 772, this violence isn't just something they see on the television or hear about in the abstract. It is the terrifying reality they face every day of their lives.

I want to share what these Scouts have said about what it is like in their community in their own words: ``I want you to get rid of gangs in my community. I want to be able to wear any colors I want without having to change. It would be good to go a week or so without hearing a gunshot. We will be better if people stop fighting.''

When I hear this, I am both saddened and outraged. No one--let alone our youth--should have to live in constant fear of violence, but at the same time, I am hopeful. What brings me hope for Fort Pierce is Troop 772. Troop 772 was born out of violence, but in them, I see a solution to that violence.

When Troop 772 was just an idea, there was a lot of skepticism. There was skepticism about whether the troop could move these young men away from the violence and into their community, but the troop, the community, and, in particular, the adult leadership of the troop has given much-needed support to these young men.

They have been a constant presence in the lives of these Scouts at a time when they need them the most, at a time when others in their community would only do them harm. It is clear that this troop will help make the community a safer and better place to live.

These young men who had struggled or had bad behavior are starting to thrive as a result of Troop 772 and the positive environment it provides.

Earlier this year, I was privileged to visit with the troop and see their hard work and dedication firsthand while they worked on a local environmental project.

It is this kind of hard work and commitment that will help these young men succeed and become the leaders of tomorrow. It is this kind of hard work and commitment that has brought Troop 772 to Washington today to receive their Citizenship in the Nation merit badges. It is truly an honor to recognize them with this major accomplishment and the dedication that has brought them here.

I also want to take a moment to recognize all of those individuals who helped them reach this monumental point today. I want to thank Scoutmaster Rusty Hines and Assistant Scoutmasters Dan Hafner and Bob Taylor for teaching Troop 772 leadership and Scouting skills, as well as for making the Scouting experience so enjoyable for these young men.

Thanks to all of the members of the community who helped make this trip of a lifetime possible and State Representative Larry Lee, Jr., and St. Lucie County Commissioner Kim Johnson for showing their continued support of these young men by joining them here today.

Of course, I also want to thank Scott Van Duzer, who made Troop 772 a reality. Through his Van Duzer Foundation, his dedication to helping these young men and bettering our community is unwavering. Our community will be forever grateful for all of their work, which has touched so many lives and inspired an entire community.

Lastly and most importantly, I want to thank the Scouts of the troop. Our community is so proud of what they have achieved, individually and together. This troop is a testament to what can be accomplished when youth are given the chance to succeed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of the nationally revered horseman and longtime supporter of equestrian rights, Bruce Duchossois, who passed away at the age of 64. The Chicago native's passion for horses and the sport of riding developed at a young age and was the impetus for much of his life's work.

Mr. Duchossois began riding hunters in the 1960s, and in 1973 rode his hunter, Kim's Song, to an American Horse Show Association Horse of the Year title. Throughout his career, Mr. Duchossois earned many awards for his talents and contributions. Most recently in May, he was inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame and was honored with the Equestrian Aid Foundation Luminary Award.

Mr. Duchossois worked for the betterment of the sport in the U.S. on and off the field. He served as a member of the executive committee, as the chairman of the Development Committee, and as a trustee of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation for 16 years before becoming Vice President of the organization, which helps fund riding competitions. Mr. Duchossois also supported many nonprofit organizations such as Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. He had donated a horse to the center every year since becoming involved, and even took care of their retired horses at his own barn.

The generosity and compassion of Mr. Duchossois was deeply felt by all who engaged with him, and he has made an unforgettable impact on the equestrian community of the United States. Together with his family and friends, we remember the enthusiastic, animal-loving, and carpe diem spirit of the life of Bruce Duchossois.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer the Murphy-Cleaver amendment to the underlying Energy and Water Appropriations bill to support the Army Corps' construction account by an additional $1 million.

Supporting the Corps' ongoing construction efforts is crucial to the well-being of regions like the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach communities in Florida that I am so proud to represent. The restoration projects in our area are vital to restoring the natural flow of water south of Lake Okeechobee, reducing the harm that is currently caused by discharges from the lake into our St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon. All these projects work together to improve the water quality throughout the system, with our local waterways being no exception.

The urgency to move these ongoing projects forward could not be more clear. The record rainfall in our area resulted in last year being dubbed the ``lost summer,'' with major die-offs of important species in this unique ecosystem as well as health warnings that kept the public out of the water and harmed our local economy that relies so heavily on our waterways.

While $1 million might not seem like a lot, this money could be used to help projects that are near completion cross the finish line. For example, the Kissimmee River Project just north of my district is 86 percent near completion, and this funding could be used to fund one of the final steps needed to complete this project. Once completed, this project will restore up to 20,000 acres of wetland, storing more water north of the lake, lessening the amount of harmful discharges that must be released to the east and west into our local estuaries, and cleaning the water before it flows into the already inundated waterways.

For Florida's 18th District, $1 million can make a real difference in the fight to protect our waterways.

Mr. Chair, I now yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Cleaver), my good friend. Mr. Cleaver is a great champion of infrastructure projects such as these that invest in our future and come back to our economy in multiples.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Cleaver) for his support of this commonsense amendment and urge my colleagues to support this proposal that, as you have heard, has the potential to make a major difference in the well- being of communities from Florida to Missouri.

I yield to the gentleman from Idaho.

I want to thank the ranking member and the chairman for their support of this amendment and for all of their hard work.

I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio.

Again, I thank the chair and ranking member for their hard work, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Offered By: Mr. Murphy of Florida

Amendment No. 8: Page 3, line 16, after the dollar amount,

insert ``(increased by $1,000,000)''.

Page 7, line 3, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced

by $1,000,000)''.

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

Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer an amendment to the Department of Defense Appropriations bill that would eliminate wasteful spending on unused and underutilized facilities.

With the Federal Government being the largest holder of land in the country, management of these properties must be economically responsible. Unfortunately, our government continues to misuse taxpayer dollars maintaining vacant and underutilized properties. This mismanagement must be addressed so that taxpayer money is no longer squandered on these unused facilities.

That is why I am once again introducing this commonsense amendment, as I have with previous appropriations bills, and will continue to do so until wastefulness, both in terms of cost and efficiency, is rooted out of our government.

This proposal is an extension of the bipartisan SAVE Act I had put forward that would cut $230 billion in government spending by rooting out waste and mismanagement such as this.

I am proud that my amendment is endorsed by a broad coalition, including the Project on Government Oversight and the National Taxpayers Union. I thank them for their support of this commonsense measure to save taxpayers money by making our government more efficient.

The Department of Defense, alone, has hundreds, possibly thousands, of buildings and structures that it has rated at zero percent utilization, yet the Federal Government continues to maintain these unused facilities at an incredible cost to taxpayers. As a CPA, this just doesn't add up. It is unacceptable that taxpayers are on the hook for maintaining these unused facilities. Putting an end to this misuse of resources could save tens of millions of dollars a year, smart savings we should all support, regardless of party affiliation.

Mr. Chair, when I came to Congress, I promised my constituents that I would scrutinize the Federal budget so that their money was not wasted, promoting smarter governing. This is a simple solution to do just that.

This amendment was passed by the House last year with bipartisan support, and I ask my colleagues to again support this measure that can save American taxpayers tens of millions of dollars in this year alone. Let's come together and show the American people that we can work together to promote better government and smarter spending.

I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from New Jersey.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Military Appreciation Night at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. This event serves to honor and recognize all those who serve and who have served in our military to protect our great nation. The event will be held the day before Independence Day when we celebrate our nation's freedom, which we owe to the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. The Stadium will hold a ceremony recognizing veterans on the field and present a special color guard for the occasion. This event allows us to demonstrate our respect for the men and women who serve in our military and all that they do for us and our country, and to honor those who sacrificed everything and lost their lives in the line of duty. This event allows us not only to celebrate our nation's freedom and independence but also to remember all those who don a uniform signifying the protection of our country's citizens by means of protecting our freedoms.

Over Memorial Day weekend, I was humbled to have had the opportunity to spend this most solemn holiday with our troops stationed in Afghanistan. A few weeks later, I was honored to greet local veterans at the World War II Memorial while they were on their Honor Flight to D.C. for the 70th Anniversary of D-Day. From active duty to WWII veterans, our country is forever indebted to the sacrifices they have made in service to our nation. From an unacceptable benefits claim backlog, mistreatment at the VA, and the disgraceful high rates of unemployment, homelessness, and suicide among our nation's heroes, it is clear that our nation has been failing these heroes once they return home. We must--and will--do better.

That is why I have been pleased to see bipartisan support for my efforts to help reduce the backlog and increase mental health and suicide prevention efforts for our veterans. I hope to see the same support for my recent proposals to reduce the appeals claims backlog and expand educational opportunities for veterans and military families. Our nation's heroes should not have to wait years to receive the benefits they have earned or have to fight for a job after fighting for our nation and these common sense proposals will help address these serious issues, reassuring our veterans, troops, and their families that we will be there for them as they have been there for our nation.

While we rededicate ourselves to better serving our veterans, troops, and military families, we must do so always remembering the ultimate sacrifice that many of their comrades, friends, and families made for our nation. This is one of the best ways we can pay tribute to our fallen heroes, including the 18th District's own Marine Corps Corporal Ian T. Zook of Port St. Lucie, Army Captain Adam P. Snyder of Fort Pierce, Marine Corps Lance Corporal Justin J. Wilson of Palm City, Army Specialist Jordan C. Schumann of Port St. Lucie, Navy Chief Petty Officer Aaron C. Vaughn of Stuart, and Army Sergeant Justin R. Johnson of Hobe Sound. All of these men were selfless heroes whose sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, as Military Appreciation Night is recognized at Roger Dean Stadium, I encourage my colleagues to join me and the residents of Jupiter, Florida in pausing to appreciate all that these brave men and women have done for our country by encouraging similar local events of recognition across the nation.