Reid J. Ribble

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate, but the President has dropped a poison pill with his executive amnesty--of his own choosing, I might add--into the well of goodwill in this Chamber.

Now, before anything even gets sent over to him, he is issuing a veto threat on the front end. The President has now made it abundantly clear that he is willing to risk national security to protect those who have come here illegally.

What the President should be doing is exactly what the gentlewoman just mentioned a moment ago: working in a bipartisan fashion with Congress, through the rule of law, to pass immigration reform.

This debate is no longer about immigration reform. The debate, unfortunately, isn't even about homeland security. The debate has become about choices and the President's choices, about the choices that the President, himself, has made in regard to this issue. He will soon have another choice to make.

I wish this were just about immigration reform because I believe, quite frankly, that we can find a path forward on immigration reform, Mr. Speaker. We need to fix our immigration system. Every single person here, unless Native American, is a son or a daughter of an immigrant.

We need to address our immigration system to make it easier for people to enter our Nation legally and to make it more difficult to come here illegally. This appropriations bill does that very thing: it puts more guards on the border than ever before, and it creates security that is necessary.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage the President not to veto this piece of legislation but to work with this Congress to do this in the correct way, which is within the confines of the Constitution.

I encourage my fellow colleagues to pass this bill as fast and as quickly as possible.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Village of Suring, located in Oconto County.

Suring applied to the Oconto Circuit Court for its incorporation as a Village in 1914. Residents voted in favor of incorporation in January 1915 and immediately elected W.J. Thielke as the first Village President.

Today, Suring is a wonderful destination to live, work and visit in the northern part of the 8th District. Outdoor enthusiasts and families looking for recreational opportunities can visit Suring to hike the Nicolet State Trail, relax for a weekend at the local campgrounds, enjoy a few rounds of golf, or go for a ride on the snowmobile trails during the winter months.

This is truly a time for the village residents to reflect on their shared history, but also share in the excitement of their future and what the next 100 years may bring. As Congressman, I am proud to represent the citizens of the Village of Suring and encourage everyone to join me in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Village of Suring in 2015.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Francis X. Van Lieshout on his 87th birthday, which he celebrated on October 11, 2014. Dr. Van Lieshout has been an integral member of the Fox Valley community and I am proud to recognize his dedicated service to the people of Wisconsin.

Dr. Van Lieshout was born in Kimberly, Wisconsin on October 11, 1927. After graduating from Kimberly High School in 1945, Dr. Van Lieshout served for three years overseas in the U.S. Navy. Upon returning to the United States, he received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Marquette University.

Dr. Van Lieshout returned to Little Chute with his wife Josephine after graduating from medical school. There, he and his wife raised seven children. He practiced family medicine in Little Chute for 42 years, working long hours at the hospital and making house calls following work. After retiring from medicine, he dedicated his time to volunteering in the community, working at St. Vincent de Paul and St. Bernadette's parish in Appleton, WI.

He has received multiple awards for his service to the community, dedication to Catholic education, and service to the poor. In 1999, Van Lieshout Park was named in his honor in Little Chute.

Today, Dr. Van Lieshout and his wife live in Appleton, where he enjoys volunteering, spending time with his family and friends, and fishing. It is truly an honor to represent an extraordinary citizen who has dedicated his life to serving the people of the Fox River Valley in Northeastern Wisconsin.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 8th district of Wisconsin, I congratulate Dr. Van Lieshout on his 87th birthday and sincerely thank him for his service to Wisconsin.