Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor and respect that I recognize the Gary Chamber of Commerce as the organization celebrates the 10th Annual Lakeshore Classic basketball invitational. In observance of this special event, the Gary Chamber of Commerce hosted a celebratory corporate luncheon in Gary, Indiana, at the Diamond Center on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, followed by the basketball invitational at West Side Leadership Academy on Friday, November 24, 2017, and Saturday, November 25, 2017.

The theme for this year's Lakeshore Classic is ``Region Proud.'' This theme acknowledges the important contributions of our local youth in illuminating the strength and virtues of Northwest Indiana. Northwest Indiana is a region that strives for excellence and overcomes obstacles. To enhance the ``Region Proud'' theme, the Gary Chamber of Commerce has chosen Mike Huff, former Chicago White Sox player and team representative, as a guest speaker for the corporate luncheon. Mr. Huff played for several teams and overcame various challenges throughout his outstanding professional baseball career. Today, Mike is Vice President--Baseball/Fastpitch, Outfield, Bunting and Baserunning Instructor at the Bulls/Sox Youth Academy, located in the Chicagoland area. The Bulls/Sox Youth Academy is a facility that provides instruction to youth athletes in the sports of basketball, baseball, and fastpitch softball. Mike is dedicated to improving their skills and building the self-esteem of each young athlete that comes through the door. For his truly genuine and outstanding support of these young athletes, Mr. Huff is worthy of our gratitude and respect.

At this time, I would like to recognize the schools participating in the Lakeshore Classic basketball tournament. These schools are dedicated to positively impacting Northwest Indiana through academic excellence and sportsmanship. The participating schools include West Side Leadership Academy, East Chicago Central High School, Thea Bowman Academy, Chicago Farragut Career Academy, Gary Theodore Roosevelt College and Career Academy, and Michigan City Marquette Catholic High School.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the Gary Chamber of Commerce and the organizers and sponsors of the 10th Annual Lakeshore Classic. Their influence, passion, and dedication to our youth and to the community in Northwest Indiana are truly commendable.

Mr. Speaker, on November 13, 2017, and November 14, 2017, I was absent from the House and missed Roll Call Votes 623 through 628. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner:

on Roll Call Vote 623, on passage of H. Res. 599, I would have voted No;

on Roll Call Vote 624, on passage of H.R. 3071, I would have voted Yes;

on Roll Call Vote 625, on approval of the journal, I would have voted No;

on Roll Call Vote 626, on ordering the previous question, I would have voted No;

on Roll Call Vote 627, on approval of H. Res. 616, I would have voted No; and

on Roll Call Vote 628, on approving the journal, I would have voted No.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to congratulate several of Northwest Indiana's finest citizens. The Northern Indiana Area Labor Federation, American Federation of Labor--Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), recognized several individuals and organizations for their dedication and service during the Northern Indiana Area Labor Federation Community Labor Awards Reception, which was held at Wicker Park in Highland, Indiana, on Thursday, November 16, 2017. These individuals, in addition to all Northern Indiana Area Labor Federation members who have served Northwest Indiana so diligently for such a long period of time, are the epitome of the ideal American worker: loyal, dedicated, and hardworking.

At this year's event, several individuals and organizations received special recognition. State Representative Linda Lawson was the recipient of the Service to Labor Award for her many years of support to the labor movement and her outstanding dedication to union members.

The Union Labor Award was presented to Dan Waldrop, retired Business Manager, IBEW Local 697, for his unselfish devotion to the labor movement through its promotion in all areas: social, civic, educational, and political.

The Honorable Joe Stahura, Mayor of Whiting, Indiana, was recognized with the Community Services Award for his exemplary work on behalf of his community and to the enhancement of the quality of life for residents and visitors of Northwest Indiana.

Larry Regan, Teamsters Local 142, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his many years of labor activism and his commitment to his community. For the exceptional service he has provided to the people of Northwest Indiana, he is worthy of our admiration and respect.

Guy Seydel, Boilermakers Local 374, and Ross Gluth, Roofers Local 26, were presented with the George Meany Award for their significant contributions to the youth of their communities through their involvement with the Boy Scouts of America.

The President's Award was presented to Chuck Jones, USW Local 1999, for his dedication to the labor movement and his noteworthy service to the organization. Chuck is worthy of the honor bestowed upon him.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating these dedicated, honorable, and exemplary citizens, while commending all of the hardworking union men and women throughout America. They have shown commitment and courage toward their pursuits, and I am proud to represent each of them in Washington, DC.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate all of the award winners from the U.S. International Trade Commission who were recognized last week, on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, at their annual Career Service Awards Ceremony.

The employees at the U.S. International Trade Commission are on the front line of enforcing our U.S. trade laws and addressing a wide variety of trade-related issues. U.S. trade laws protect American workers from unfair trade practices and support communities that manufacture and produce the products that power our national economy and that are essential to supporting our national security. The dedicated employees at the U.S. International Trade Commission investigate allegations of unfair trade practices against countries from around the world, and their work is essential to defending good jobs throughout our country, including steel and manufacturing jobs in the First Congressional District of Indiana.

Last week, I was pleased to be able to attend their 2017 Career Service Awards Ceremony, which recognized the outstanding accomplishments of the International Trade Commission staff from the past year. For example, the ceremony presented Quality Step Increase Awards to individuals that received a permanent increase in their rate of pay in recognition of high quality performance above that ordinarily found. The ceremony also presented Superior Accomplishment Awards based on an act, service, or suggestion that contributes to the efficiency or other improvement of government operations. I would note that under this category, an award was presented to the Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-to-Length Plate team for providing high quality work products, meeting aggressive statutory deadlines, and adroitly overcoming numerous analytical challenges with a high-profile case that involved the greatest number of countries for a single case in more than a decade.

Additionally, the ceremony presented employees with Length of Service awards, including 40 Years of Service awards for Judith M. Bryant, Deborah A. Daniels, Jean H. Jackson, Myra D. Lay, and Deborah A. McNay, 45 Years of Service awards for William W. Gearhart, Jr., and Linda D. Powell, and a 50 Years of Service award for Tyrone F. Coward.

I also would like to call attention to the Distinguished Service Award winners, Karen Attardo, Attorney-Adviser in the Office of Administrative Services, and Vu Q. Bui, Investigative Attorney in the Office of Unfair Import Investigations. This award is the second- highest honor that can be conferred upon an employee and recipients are chosen by senior management in recognition of notable contributions. Further, I would like to recognize Jennifer Rohrbach, Program Manager in the Office of Operations, as the recipient of the Commissioners' Award for Exceptional Service. This is the highest honor that can be conferred upon an employee and recipients are chosen directly by the Commissioners in recognition of distinguished and exceptional service.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that our former colleague and my friend from Indiana Lee Hamilton said it best when he stated that public service ``is not just a way of life, it is a way to live fully.'' I am incredibly grateful for the invaluable, diligent, and thorough work of all of the employees at the U.S. International Trade Commission. I thank all of them for choosing to have a career in the service of our country and again congratulate all of the award winners for their exemplary performance.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and sincerity that I take this time to congratulate thirty individuals who will take their oaths of citizenship on Friday, November 17, 2017. This memorable occasion will be held at the United States Courthouse and Federal Building in Hammond, Indiana.

America is a country founded by immigrants. From its beginning, settlers have come from countries around the world to the United States in search of better lives for their families. Oath ceremonies are a shining example of what is so great about the United States of America--that people from all over the world can come together and unite as members of a free, democratic nation. These individuals realize that nowhere else in the world offers a better opportunity for success than here in America.

On November 17, 2017, the following people, representing many nations throughout the world, will take their oaths of citizenship in Hammond, Indiana: Suzanna Krivulskaya, Krysta Carmella Ma Abuyo Mapoy, John

Mutua Imanene, Saroja Valluru, Slavko Veljanoski, Marija Veljanoska, Maher Awwad, Haya Daoud, Maria Diaz, Adriana Garcia, Eva Tanghal Hernandez, Feda Ahmad Mattour, Slavica Todoroski, Anna Sijie Xiong, Shuhui Grace Yang, Gail Patrich Mendoza de Chavez, Chao Ye, Norma Alicia Bautista, Suyapa Rodriguez Handres, Vicar Serrano Valencia, Ivan Didier Ros, Soammy Silvia Aguilar, Mira Deven Patel, Maria Guadalupe Coria Espino, Connie Withers, Hebah Allan Musleh, Titilayo Folasade Aloba, Maureen Wanjiru Papai, Oscar Barajas, and Rosa Nelly Chavez.

Although each individual has sought to become a citizen of the United States for his or her own reasons, be it for education, occupation, or to offer their loved ones better lives, each is inspired by the fact that the United States of America is, as Abraham Lincoln described it, a country ``. . .of the people, by the people, and for the people.'' They realize that the United States is truly a free nation. By seeking American citizenship, they have made the decision that they want to live in a place where, as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution, they can practice religion as they choose, speak their minds without fear of punishment, and assemble in peaceful protest should they choose to do so.

Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating these individuals who will become citizens of the United States of America on November 17, 2017. They, too, will be American citizens, guaranteed the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We, as a free and democratic nation, congratulate them and welcome them.

Mr. Speaker, it is with sincere admiration that I recognize the Asian American Medical Association, which hosts its 41st Annual Gala on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at Avalon Manor in Merrillville, Indiana. Each year, the Asian American Medical Association pays tribute to prominent, outstanding citizens and organizations for their contributions to the community. In recognition of their efforts, these honorees are awarded the prestigious Crystal Globe Award.

The Asian American Medical Association has been a tremendous asset to Northwest Indiana. Its members have dedicated themselves to providing quality medical services to the residents of Northwest Indiana and have served their communities through many cultural, scholastic, and charitable endeavors.

At this year's Annual Gala, the Asian American Medical Association will present the Crystal Globe Award to one of Northwest Indiana's finest citizens, Mr. Joseph Costanza. Mr. Costanza began practicing law after graduating from the Northwestern University School of Law in 1961. Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Costanza has served as counsel for many organizations including the East Chicago Economic Development and Redevelopment Commissions, East Chicago Parks Department, Ogden Dunes Parks Department, and the former American Trust and Savings Bank of Whiting, Indiana. Mr. Costanza also served as special counsel for the Town of Ogden Dunes and as general counsel for the former First National Bank of East Chicago, Indiana.

Mr. Costanza has volunteered much of his time and efforts to numerous charitable and civic organizations throughout the region, including Calumet College of Saint Joseph, the East Chicago Chamber of Commerce, Saint Catherine Hospital, the Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana, the Indiana Historical Society, and the East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy, to name a few. For his lifetime of dedication to the community of Northwest Indiana, Joseph is worthy of the highest praise.

Joseph's commitment to the community and his career is exceeded only by his devotion to his amazing family. He and his beloved wife, Aurelia, have four children, eight grandchildren, and two great- grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in commending the members of the Asian American Medical Association, as well as this year's Crystal Globe Award recipient, Mr. Joseph Costanza. For his devotion to his remarkable career and his outstanding service to the community of Northwest Indiana and beyond, Joseph is most deserving of the honor bestowed upon him and serves as an inspiration to us all.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I take this time to recognize the 2017 Distinguished Citizen Award recipients, presented annually by the Boy Scouts of America Calumet Council. To commemorate this special occasion, the organization hosted a celebratory event on Thursday, November 2, 2017, at Gamba Ristorante in Merrillville, Indiana.

Since 1992, the Boy Scouts of America Calumet Council has presented the Distinguished Citizen Award to individuals whose efforts have had significant positive impacts on their communities in Northwest Indiana and across the state. This year, the Boy Scouts of America Calumet Council honored Tom Sourlis and Susan Eleuterio.

Tom Sourlis is the founder and chairman of Mortar Net Solutions, located in Burns Harbor. Mortar Net, a product invented by Tom, prevents mortar droppings from clogging weepholes designed to allow water to exit a building wall. Mortar Net Solutions is a tremendously successful company, and the product is currently used on cavity wall construction throughout North America. In addition to his remarkable career, Tom dedicates much of his time and support to charitable endeavors throughout Northwest Indiana including Tradewinds, the Crisis Center, Parents as Teachers, and the Porter County Community Foundation. For his outstanding devotion to such causes, Tom is worthy of this great honor.

Susan Eleuterio is currently a faculty member of Goucher College's Master's in Cultural Sustainability program in Baltimore, Maryland. She has established an extensive and impressive background that consists of many titles including independent folklorist, author, educator, activist, and consultant to non-profit organizations. Sue's extraordinary contributions to her community, however, are not limited to academia. She is active in her support for causes that improve the quality of life for others and encourage the protection of human rights, lending her time and talents to the Crossroads Fund. This organization, which is focused on the ideal that fundamental change occurs from humble, grassroots beginnings and supports efforts throughout Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, benefits from the passion for justice, equality, and the academic knowledge Sue offers as a member of the Board of Directors, as the arts and the human condition are often intertwined. For these reasons, Sue is worthy of the commendation bestowed upon her.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring the Boy Scouts of America Calumet Council and its 2017 Distinguished Citizen Award recipients, Tom Sourlis and Susan Eleuterio. For their lifetime of leadership and tireless dedication to their communities, Tom and Susan are worthy of the highest praise.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman for yielding.

I want to begin by thanking Chairman Bishop and Ranking Member Grijalva for all of their work on this legislation, as well as Chairman McClintock and Ranking Member Hanabusa and Mrs. Torres for their diligence.

Mr. Speaker, the legislation we are considering today represents a very small change--one word--but it would have an enormous benefit of rightly placing the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore where it belongs as the Nation's 60th national park and the first national park in the State of Indiana.

As mentioned, located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, the Indiana Dunes are a natural wonder and home of a vast array of rare plants. According to the National Park Service, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is the seventh most biologically diverse National Park Service unit.

I believe the chairman and Mrs. Torres ably described the history of the dunes and its evolution. I thank them for that, and I would thank all of the citizens over that half century and more that petitioned for the creation of this great park.

The lakeshore currently does encompass about 15,000 acres of wetlands and marshes, beaches, oak savannahs, and sand dunes. It is clear that the title of the Indiana Dunes National Park is fitting for such a unique natural resource.

The American taxpayers, over a number of generations, have invested in the preservation of the park. It is incumbent that we do everything possible to encourage citizens and travelers from around the world to visit it, to learn about it, to recreate, and to simply enjoy the environment of northwest Indiana's lakeshore. H.R. 1488 helps to achieve this goal.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud that the act is supported in a bipartisan fashion by the entire Indiana delegation. I would also like to thank Senators Donnelly and Young, who have introduced a companion measure in the Senate.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support passage.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and sincerity that I take this time to congratulate thirty individuals who will take their oaths of citizenship on Friday, October 13, 2017. This memorable occasion will be held at the United States Courthouse and Federal Building in Hammond, Indiana.

America is a country founded by immigrants. From its beginning, settlers have come from countries around the world to the United States in search of better lives for their families. Oath ceremonies are a shining example of what is so great about the United States of America--that people from all over the world can come together and unite as members of a free, democratic nation. These individuals realize that nowhere else in the world offers a better opportunity for success than here in America.

On October 13, 2017, the following people, representing many nations throughout the world, will take their oaths of citizenship in Hammond, Indiana: Christopher Richard Sweet, Hikmat Mahmood Jbara, Abimbola Harninat Elenitoba-Johnson, Inessa Sergeyevna Bodrova, Radoslaw Jan Nabrzyski, Bhavik Kapilbhai Pathak, Zivojin Gino Djuric, Petrica Murariu Botez, Corina Gabriela Murariu-Botez, Obiefuna Foster Eze, Ai- Anh Thi Truong, Pavel Veljanoski, Caterina Susana Bosio Ruiz, Kan-Wei Coduti, Alejandra Diaz, Bijan Farajzadeh, Angela Izchel Fonseca, Adrian Fuentes, Gabriela Herrera, Jean Yves Jean Mardy, Petra Pacheco Dorado, Maria Guadalupe Perretta, Patricia Reid-Sinclair, Liliana Romo, Samantha Wenz, Jade Yu Rui Yang, Radomir Cvetkovski, Lan Phuoc Mai, Gilles Jean Claude Charriere and Heidy Lobo Gibson.

Although each individual has sought to become a citizen of the United States for his or her own reasons, be it for education, occupation, or to offer their loved ones better lives, each is inspired by the fact that the United States of America is, as Abraham Lincoln described it, a country `` . . . of the people, by the people, and for the people.'' They realize that the United States is truly a free nation. By seeking American citizenship, they have made the decision that they want to live in a place where, as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution, they can practice religion as they choose, speak their minds without fear of punishment, and assemble in peaceful protest should they choose to do so.

Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating these individuals who will become citizens of the United States of America on October 13, 2017. They, too, will be American citizens, guaranteed the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We, as a free and democratic nation, congratulate them and welcome them.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to congratulate the Croatian Sons Lodge Number 170 of the Croatian Fraternal Union on the festive occasion of its Golden Member banquet, which took place on Sunday, September 17, 2017.

The Croatian Fraternal Union held its gala at the Croatian Center in Merrillville, Indiana. Traditionally, the celebration entails a formal recognition of the Union's Golden Members, those who have achieved fifty years of membership. This year's honorees who have attained fifty years of membership include the following individuals: Janet C. Ashby, John Karl Bednash, Dianna K. Davis, Kathleen Greenya, Joseph Michael Jandura, Georgene A. Labash, Darlene Lass, Richard Louis Mostak, Judith Ann Murovic, Roberta Ann Nicksich, Sheryl Lee Niksic, Margaret Milos Nye, Linda L. Rayakovich Skafish, Rosemary Spieth, Marilynn Svetanoff, Geraldine M. Toth, Joseph A. Vukovich, Susan L. Wardrip, and Suzanne Wellington.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending Lodge President John Miksich and all members of the Croatian Fraternal Union, Lodge Number 170, for their loyalty and radiant display of passion for their ethnicity. The Croatian community has played a key role in enriching the quality of life and culture of Northwest Indiana. It is my hope that this year will bring renewed prosperity for all members of the Croatian community and their families.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I rise to commend the recipients of this year's NIPSCO Luminary Awards. The Luminary Awards were created to honor prominent individuals or organizations for their exemplary leadership. This year's honorees include Earline Rogers, Jim Arnold, Bill Hanna, ACRES Land Trust, Dunes Learning Center, and the Northwest Indiana Information Security Sharing Alliance (NIISSA). For their outstanding contributions to the community in Northwest Indiana and beyond, the honorees were recognized at a ceremony on Thursday, September 21, 2017, at NiSource Corporate Headquarters in Merrillville, Indiana.

The Honorable Earline Rogers, former Indiana State Senator, is this year's recipient of the Community Leadership Award. Earline served within the Indiana General Assembly for more than three decades. In addition, she is also a retired school teacher. Earline has dedicated a lifetime of service to the community of Northwest Indiana and has touched the lives of countless students through her teaching career. For her noteworthy dedication to public service, Senator Rogers is worthy of the highest praise.

The Honorable Jim Arnold, former Indiana State Senator, is the recipient of the Community Leadership Award. Jim is also a member of the LaPorte Community School Board. For over fifty years, Jim has devoted his time and efforts to public service. His lifelong commitment is truly admirable, and he is worthy of the honor bestowed upon him.

The recipient of this year's Environmental Stewardship Award is ACRES Land Trust, Indiana's largest and oldest local land trust. Today, ACRES includes land throughout thirty-two counties across northeastern Indiana,

northern Ohio, and southern Michigan. Its outstanding staff members and numerous volunteers work tirelessly to protect and manage this land, and we are truly grateful for the organization's conservation efforts.

The recipient of the Education Award is Dunes Learning Center, which is committed to its mission ``to inspire lasting curiosity and stewardship with nature.'' The center offers standards-based, year- round environmental education programs to all ages. This is a truly unique and important educational platform for the youth of our community, and we are thankful for the opportunities that are provided by Dunes Learning Center.

Bill Hanna, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA), is this year's recipient of the Economic Development Award. The RDA works to unite community leaders with the purpose of bringing about positive transformation to Northwest Indiana through collaborative development projects. Bill has been instrumental in the effort to gain critical support for the South Shore Line's West Lake Extension and Double Track projects. These projects, once constructed, have the potential to fundamentally transform the economy of Northwest Indiana as well as significantly contribute to economic growth throughout the state.

Northwest Indiana Information and Security Sharing Alliance (NIISSA) is the recipient of the Public Safety Award. NIISSA brings together disaster resources in order to help the people of Northwest Indiana in times of emergency. All aspects of crisis management are brought together in one area, making the response faster and more efficient. For its innovative and important public safety support for our communities, NIISSA is to be highly commended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other colleagues to join me in commending these remarkable leaders, innovators, and organizations. For their outstanding contributions to the community of Northwest Indiana, and their unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for its residents, each recipient is worthy of the honors bestowed upon them.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and sincere appreciation that I rise to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month and its 2017 theme, Shaping the Bright Future of America. From September 15, 2017, through October 15, 2017, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the people of the United States will once again celebrate the cultures and traditions and reflect on the many outstanding contributions our Hispanic brothers and sisters have made throughout our country's history.

Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins each year on September 15, recognizes the anniversaries of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile observe their independence days on September 16 and September 18. Since its inception as National Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, which later became National Hispanic Heritage Month in 1988, Americans have taken this time to not only honor the rich culture and traditions of Hispanic Americans, but also to reflect on the tremendous impact Hispanic Americans have had within their communities and throughout our nation. The tireless efforts of generations of Hispanic Americans have resulted in a better America.

America's success is reliant upon the rich heritage and cultural diversity of its people. Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the many Hispanic leaders and members of our communities who have added to the prosperity of the United States in every facet of our society. This year's theme also focuses on our nation's future and the immense impact Hispanic Americans will continue to have on creating a better tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to once again join me in recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month. Throughout America's history, present, and future, the Hispanic community has played and will continue to play a major role in enriching the quality of life for the people of the United States, and for their outstanding contributions they are worthy of our respect and gratitude.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and sincerity that I take this time to congratulate thirty individuals who will take their oaths of citizenship on Friday, September 15, 2017. This memorable occasion, presided over by Judge Philip P. Simon, will be held at the United States Courthouse and Federal Building in Hammond, Indiana.

America is a country founded by immigrants. From its beginning, settlers have come from countries around the world to the United States in search of better lives for their families. Oath ceremonies are a shining example of what is so great about the United States of America--that people from all over the world can come together and unite as members of a free, democratic nation. These individuals realize that nowhere else in the world offers a better opportunity for success than here in America.

On September 15, 2017, the following people, representing many nations throughout the world, will take their oaths of citizenship in Hammond, Indiana: Dominic Kwadwo Manu, Anas Hashem Mohammad Salameh, Mikhail Gennadiyevich Kapustin, Beata Joanna Nabrzyska, Jaroslaw Nabrzyski, Radoslaw Jan Nabrzyski, Daniel Joseph Perfilio Smith, Ramiro Malagon Ramirez, Ma Marina Diaz de Malagon, Martha Alicia Vargas Somosa, Raymundo Ibis Quintas Garcia, Sheri Ahmady, Monica Diaz Nevarez, Susana Jasna Diurych Diaz, Lola Li Fuller, Luz Maria Hernandez, Hana Kang, Biljana Loskoski, Leticia Noguez, Jose Angel Recio, Juan Carlos Rodriguez, Andres Saragoza, Farhat Naheed Shiekh, Swetha Vinjimoor, and Anna Sijie Xiong.

Although each individual has sought to become a citizen of the United States for his or her own reasons, be it for education, occupation, or to offer their loved ones better lives, each is inspired by the fact that the United States of America is, as Abraham Lincoln described it, a country ``. . .of the people, by the people, and for the people.'' They realize that the United States is truly a free nation. By seeking American citizenship, they have made the decision that they want to live in a place where, as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution, they can practice religion as they choose, speak their minds without fear of punishment, and assemble in peaceful protest should they choose to do so.

Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating these individuals who will become citizens of the United States of America on September 15, 2017. They, too, will be American citizens, guaranteed the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We, as a free and democratic nation, congratulate them and welcome them.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I take this time to honor Judge William E. Alexa, and to wish him well upon his retirement. Throughout his many years of public service, Judge Alexa has been dedicated and unwavering in his support of the local community. After more than thirty years of public service, Judge Alexa will be retiring in October of this year. To commemorate this special occasion and to pay tribute to Judge Alexa's extraordinary career, a celebratory event will take place on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at the Old Towne Banquet Center in Valparaiso, Indiana.

William Alexa is a veteran of the United States Army, having served between 1962 and 1964. Following his military service, he went on to graduate from the Valparaiso University School of Law in 1973. Not long after law school, from 1975 to 1978, Judge Alexa held the positions of Porter County Deputy and Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. In 1988, he was elected to the Indiana State Senate, faithfully serving his constituents of the Fifth District for the next fourteen years. As a member of the Indiana General Assembly, Senator Alexa served on the Judiciary Committee, the State Budget Committee, the Commission on Courts, and the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and the Military. As a legislator, he co-authored a bill that established the Indiana Commission on Military and Veterans Affairs. From 2000 to 2002, Judge Alexa also served as Chair of the Indiana Criminal Law Study Commission.

In the private sector, Judge Alexa practiced law from 1978 to 2002, at which time he was appointed to serve the remainder of the term of Judge Thomas W. Webber Sr. He was reelected in 2006 and 2012 to continue serving as Porter County Superior Court Judge. For his admirable and devoted career in public service, Judge Alexa has received numerous accolades and awards, including the Sagamore of the Wabash, bestowed upon him by the late Governor Frank O'Bannon, and the Distinguished Public Service Award, presented to him by the American Legion of Indiana. Aside from his work, Judge Alexa gives much of his time to numerous charitable endeavors, and for that he is worthy of our respect and appreciation.

Judge Alexa's commitment to the community and to public service is exceeded only by his devotion to his amazing family. He and his wife, Joyce, have two loving children and three beautiful granddaughters.

I am honored to call Bill Alexa a friend and I cannot thank him enough for all that he has done for me over the years. I am even more grateful for what he has done for so many for so long, stranger and friend alike. His service has improved the future we will live in.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring Judge William Alexa for his outstanding service to the community of Northwest Indiana and beyond. His unwavering dedication to improving the quality of life for all Hoosiers is truly admirable, and we have been honored to have had his presence in the judiciary for so long. Please join me in thanking Judge Alexa and wishing him well upon his retirement.

Mr. Chairman, I extend my gratitude to Chairman Frelinghuysen, Ranking Member Lowey, Chairman Diaz-Balart, Ranking Member Price, and all of our staff for their very hard work in crafting the transportation portion of the underlying bill.

I am pleased that, in comparison to the President's budget, this bill includes a $500 million increase for the Capital Investment Grant program. This program provides critical funding to transit projects throughout our Nation.

While this funding increase is encouraging, it is my hope that a higher number can be agreed to in conference. The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a funding level of $2.1 billion, and I strongly believe that the chairs and ranking members have demonstrated a commitment to providing robust funding for transportation investments to grow jobs and our economy.

I am particularly grateful for the inclusion of report language that protects those in the queue for CIG projects and that the Senate Appropriations Committee has also approved similar language.

I was alarmed that the President's budget sought to eliminate funding for projects that had not yet received full funding grant agreements. I would emphasize that 23 States currently have CIG projects, and this language would undermine the millions of dollars and years' worth of human capital these communities have invested.

These projects are an investment in our national economy. These projects connect people in our communities to educational and job opportunities and allow businesses to grow and thrive. It is absolutely critical that we prioritize these investments in transportation infrastructure.

Mr. Chair, I would like to extend my gratitude to Chairman Frelinghuysen, Ranking Member Lowey, Chairman Diaz-Balart, Ranking Member Price, and all of the staff for their hard work in crafting the transportation portion of this bill. It is an extremely difficult year to be tasked with funding the federal government, and I understand that tough decisions had to be made.

I am pleased that in comparison to the President's budget, this bill includes a $500 million increase for the Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program. This program provides critical funding to transit projects throughout the nation. While this funding increase is encouraging, it is my hope that a higher number

can be agreed upon in conference. The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a funding level of $2.1 billion, and I strongly believe that the Chairs and Ranking Members have demonstrated a commitment to providing robust funding for transportation investments to grow jobs and our economy.

I also am particularly grateful for the inclusion of report language that protects the pipeline for CIG projects, and that the Senate Appropriations Committee has also approved similar language. I was alarmed that the President's budget sought to eliminate funding for projects that had not yet received Full Funding Grant Agreements. 23 states currently have CIG projects and this language would undermine the millions of dollars and years' worth of human capital they have invested. This language is a responsible step that provides much needed certainty to communities and shows the President that Congress is committed to keeping its word to localities that were promised matching federal funds.

Funding CIG projects is an investment in national economic development. These projects connect people in our communities to educational and job opportunities and allow businesses to grow and thrive. It is absolutely critical that we prioritize these investments in transportation infrastructure.

Mr. Chair, I appreciate the chairman yielding. I rise in strong opposition to the gentleman's amendment and would associate myself with the chairman's remarks.

The gentleman indicated that there is deficit reduction involved in his amendment. I would emphasize to all of my colleagues in this Chamber that this account for fiscal year 2018 is already reduced by hundreds of millions of dollars. How much more are you going to cut?

I happen to live in Gary, Indiana. I don't live in New Jersey. I don't live in New York. What I appreciate is that the chairman, the ranking member, the members of the subcommittee put together a national investment bill. This is an investment in our Nation, one of the largest Metropolitan regions and economic engine. If we fail to make these types of investments, we are making a fundamental mistake, particularly given the fact that during the last campaign, we heard a lot about investing in infrastructure, and the gentleman is here tonight wanting to further reduce that particular investment.

This is an important account to every American citizen. I support the committee's position, and I am opposed to the gentleman's amendment.