Floor Statements

Mr. Chair, I was unavoidably detained from the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 396 (Tsongas Amendment to H.R. 2833).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2786, my bipartisan legislation focused on tapping our Nation's immense conduit hydropower potential.

Hydropower remains one of the most efficient and affordable sources of electricity, as well as one of the largest sources of renewable electricity in America. In North Carolina alone, it generates enough electricity to power 350,000 homes each year.

The opportunity is tremendous. Picture a tiny turbine placed in an existing man-made pipe that transports water from a water treatment plant. We can produce clean electric power inside these types of man- made conduits. There are over 1.2 million miles of water supply mains in the United States creating literally thousands of energy-recovery hydropower generation opportunities. This technology is readily available and environmentally friendly, but Federal regulations have discouraged and stifled the development.

That is exactly why I introduced this commonsense bill with my colleague, Diana DeGette, whom I will say, even though her Broncos defeated my Panthers in the Super Bowl a couple years ago, it has really been a pleasure to work with on this.

What we are working on is to streamline the Federal review process for noncontroversial conduit hydropower projects and make the projects eligible for streamlined consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to expand the development of conduit hydropower projects, create clean energy jobs, increase production of affordable renewable power, reduce consumer electricity costs, and improve energy diversity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Command Sergeant Major Scott C. Schroeder. After 31 years of dedicated service, Command Sergeant Major Schroeder became the Command Sergeant Major for FORSCOM--a post he held for 3 years.

After enlisting in the United States Army in 1983, he began his career as an electronics mechanic at Fort Bliss, Texas. Serving at military installations all over the world allowed Command Sergeant Major Schroeder to gain

valuable experience that would help shape his long career. While stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District, he served with the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and 82nd Airborne Division.

Deployed on numerous operational assignments all over the globe and through some of our nation's toughest times, Command Sergeant Major Schroeder stood ready to answer the call to serve our great country. Some of his most notable engagements were Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia as part of the 82nd Airborne, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq as part of the 101st Airborne Division. Throughout these operations, he delivered on the promise to keep America safe and confront our enemies head on under the most difficult conditions.

While fighting our nation's battles overseas, Command Sergeant Major Schroeder had a full family at home. Residing in Charlotte, his wife of 26 years, Marla and he have 3 children. This country cannot repay the debt we owe to Command Sergeant Major Schroeder and his family; the Schroeders are true American heroes.

Mr. Speaker, please join me today in commemorating the retirement of Command Sergeant Major Scott C. Schroeder.

Mr. Speaker, on July 12, 2017 during the second vote series of the day, I was unavoidably detained on Roll Call No. 351 and missed the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted Nay.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kelby Thornton on his back to back championships at the 2016 and 2017 Annual National SkillsUSA Masonry Contest in Louisville, Kentucky.

A senior at Central Cabarrus High School, Kelby and Coach Todd Hartsell, the masonry teacher at Central Cabarrus, returned to Louisville this year to defend Kelby's title. SkillsUSA is a national organization represented by students, teachers and industry professionals who want to provide educational opportunities. The masonry competition pits high school students from all over the country against each other as they test their practiced trade. North Carolina currently holds more National Masonry Championships than all other states combined, thanks to strong competitors like Kelby representing our great state.

This year's event brought a host of talent and I am extremely proud of Kelby for his hard work. I am also thankful for the teachers, coaches and volunteers who made the event possible. I look forward to many more years of successful competition and wish Kelby the best of luck as he continues pursuing his dreams.

Mr. Speaker, please join me today in recognizing Kelby Thornton for his second consecutive National Masonry Championship.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of the 35th Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, General Daniel B. Allyn. General Allyn's work ethic took him to the highest ranks of the military, serving as Commanding General of the United States Army Forces Command and XVIII Airborne--this in addition to leading forces on the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East.

After graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and several years of military experience, General Allyn attended the United States Naval War College where he received a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Beginning his career at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, General Allyn was a member of the venerated 82nd Airborne Division.

Deployed on numerous operational assignments all over the globe and through some of our nation's toughest times; General Allyn stood ready to answer the call to serve our great nation. Some of his most notable engagements were Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada during the Korean War, Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia, Operation Desert Spring in Kuwait, Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Throughout these operations, he delivered on the promise to keep America safe and confront our enemies head on under the most difficult conditions.

During these deployments, General Allyn received numerous medals, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Joint Service Commendation Medal. These stunning achievements propelled General Allyn to one of the highest posts in the military, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army.

Confirmed by the United States Senate on July 23, 2014; General Allyn served as Vice Chief of Staff of the Army for nearly three years. This country cannot repay the debt we owe to General Allyn; he was truly one-of-a-kind.

Mr. Speaker, please join me today in commemorating the retirement of the 35th Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, General Daniel B. Allyn.

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

Mr. Chairman, access to a fair and just court system is a vital part of the makeup of the United States. It is important that courts are used to seek justice, not for the financial benefit of lawyers looking to take advantage of patients. Basic protections these amendments provide from frivolous lawsuits will provide peace of mind for the vast majority of physicians who work so hard to protect and heal their patients.

Patients in States that have enacted comprehensive medical liability reform have seen their healthcare costs decrease and their access to quality medical care increase. Enacting these reforms at the Federal level will benefit patients nationwide.

All provisions within this amendment defer to State laws and directly address the issues covered.

The first provision is called the Sorry Provision. This provision would allow a physician to apologize to a patient for an unintended outcome without having that apology count against them in a court of law. Thirty-two States plus the District of Columbia have an apology provision in place.

The second issue in this amendment is Notice of Intent. This provision would require a plaintiff to provide a notice of intent to the physician 90 days before a lawsuit is filed. Cases are often settled before reaching a verdict, and this provision would encourage settlement before court proceedings begin.

The third provision is Affidavits of Merit. This provision would require a plaintiff to have a physician in the same specialty as the defendant physician to sign an affidavit certifying the merits of the case before the lawsuit could be brought to court. Twenty-seven States have some form of affidavits of merit, though the standards vary from State to State.

The final provision in the amendment is Expert Witness Qualifications. This provision would require that any expert witness called to testify during a trial would need to meet the same licensing requirements as the defendant physician. Forty-eight States plus the District of Columbia have some form of expert witness qualification, though the standards vary from State to State.

So you see, these are very commonsense provisions. They are provisions that many States already have, and they will lead to lower costs and better care for patients, which ought to be our goal in the end.

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

Mr. Chairman, may I ask how much how time I have remaining.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King).

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his leadership on this issue, and I also would like to express my appreciation to my colleague from Tennessee.

We all care about patients and we all care about patients seeking justice, but I just think maybe we disagree how to get there at this point.

The one point he raised about the crocodile tears, the way he describes the Sorry Provision, look, doctors are human beings and sometimes things happen. It should be appropriate for a physician to be able to express those feelings that they are sorry that that happened without that being seen as some sign that there is guilt involved. So I think the Sorry Provision is important because the doctor-patient relationship is very important, and these are human beings.

The other argument that was raised, that it is an undue burden to have to have an expert witness, listen. A lot of these cases are very detailed and very specific. If you are talking about a cardiothoracic event, you need a cardiothoracic surgeon to discuss that. A lot of these speciality fields, it is important that you have someone from that field as an expert.

Frankly, there are folks out there who have the profession of being professional witnesses. They travel around the country and testify on behalf of the plaintiff bar. Frankly, I think we need to have experts testifying that are qualified to talk about those very specific cases that they are testifying against.

The other thing that was raised is that the 90-day notice is an unfair burden on a patient. Frankly, I believe that having a little bit of time where individuals can talk could actually help that patient get to a settlement, get some redress earlier.

I don't think you are delaying any kind of justice for individuals, but I think it is important that there is notification time, there is time for both parties to communicate. I think, in the end, you might end up having justice delivered much quicker than going through a lengthy trial that could have been avoided if you had a notice in the beginning.

This amendment simply is seeking to provide justice for those who deserve it much more quickly with much less expense, but also to preserve our healthcare system.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 324.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Eastern North Carolina Region of the American Red Cross and their commitment to aiding our communities for 100 years. The Eastern North Carolina Region is comprised of the Cape Fear, Central North Carolina, Northeastern North Carolina, Sandhills, and Triangle Area Chapters of the American Red Cross.

This particular region of the American Red Cross was founded in Raleigh, North Carolina back during World War I, when 28 women convened with the goal of determining how they could best assist the war effort. Following this historic meeting, this resourceful group formally established the Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the Red Cross. On March 12, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson officially granted the Charter to the Wake County Chapter of the American Red Cross. These volunteers assisted wounded soldiers at nearby Camp Polk throughout World War I, in addition to running feeding stations and the soldiers' Bath House near the railroad station in Raleigh. From these small beginnings a century ago, the Eastern North Carolina Region now serves 53 counties and more than 4.6 million North Carolinians.

Established in our darkest hour, the Eastern North Carolina Region of the American Red Cross has stood the test of time--through two World Wars, the Great Depression and many other trials in our state's history. This incredible nonprofit organization has been a continued success story because of the strong men and women who have volunteered their time, energy, and efforts over the past century. I hope this organization thrives for yet another century of helping those in their greatest hour of need.

Mr. Speaker, please join me today in honoring the Eastern North Carolina Region of the American Red Cross on their monumental 100th Anniversary accomplishment.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman very much for yielding. I thank the chairman also for organizing, once again, an opportunity for us to speak directly to the American people, and for his tremendous leadership on the values that we conservatives hold very dear.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to talk about a piece of legislation tonight that we plan to bring to the floor of the House this fall. The right to defend yourself doesn't end when you cross State lines, which is where my Concealed Reciprocity Act of 2017, also known as H.R. 38, comes into play. We currently have 196 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle.

My bill simply provides law-abiding citizens the right to carry concealed and travel freely between States without worrying about conflicted concealed carry State codes or onerous civil suits.

As it stands, the patchwork of agreements is confusing for even the most cautious concealed-carry permit holder, and it has caused law- abiding citizens, like Shaneen Allen, a single mother from New Jersey, to unwittingly break the law and suffer arrest and detention.

Now, the Constitution's very clear. If you look at Article IV, section 1, it says: ``Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. . . . ''

That is why a driver's license is recognized in other States. That is why a marriage license is recognized in other States. That is why divorce proceedings are recognized in other States; in the same way the concealed-carry permit or the right to carry concealed should be recognized.

In the Senate, Senator John Cornyn introduced companion legislation. Senator Cornyn has long been a champion for our Second Amendment rights, and I am pleased to work with him as he continues his strong leadership on national concealed carry reciprocity.

I have already received a tremendous amount of support from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who recognize our constitutional right to keep and bear arms. However, the left continues to spread misinformation and employ fear tactics about this bill, erroneously saying it will increase crime and arm criminals.

First of all, under this law, an individual who travels to a different State has to follow the laws of that State. In the same way with a driver's license, when you drive into another State, they recognize that you are a legal driver, but you have got to follow their laws.

Second, every single person who wants to buy a firearm still has to go through the Federal background check. My bill does nothing to change that.

Further, statistics have shown that violent crime has decreased as gun ownership and concealed-carry permits have increased. Since 1991, 25 States have adopted right-to-carry laws. The number of people with carry permits has risen to over 12 million people, and the Nation's violent crime rate has decreased 51 percent.

Also, if a criminal with malice intent wants to get a gun, I can guarantee you that he or she isn't worried about following the laws that are on the books. Unfortunately, we can't change that, but we can ensure that law-abiding citizens can legally carry concealed firearms to defend themselves.

As a shock to no one, big city liberal Michael Bloomberg has promised to spend $25 million to stop this legislation. He could spend all the money he wants, but our gun rights are not for sale.

With a groundswell of support from Americans across the country and a pro-Second Amendment President, we will make national concealed carry reciprocity a reality this Congress. More and more States are recognizing the rights of law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed handgun without permission from government, including two this year, bringing that total to 12.

In my home State of North Carolina, lawmakers in the House voted in favor of House bill 746 to make a concealed-carry permit no longer necessary in locations where it is currently permissible to openly carry a handgun. It is a commonsense bill. I am proud of the leadership of the folks in Raleigh. It just demonstrates that all across this country, the American people are recognizing that our right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

So I would just offer this very simple piece of legislation, following the Constitution that says a law-abiding citizen trying to do the right thing is not going to be criminalized because they have crossed an invisible line in the ground.

I am pleased to be here today to talk about it, and I am thankful for having this opportunity and support.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 338, a bipartisan jobs bill to promote a 21st century energy and manufacturing workforce.

By and large, we all share the same goals of creating more jobs and building a healthy economy; but, as we have seen too often in Washington, progress can get caught up in partisan gridlock. I am focused on cutting through the partisanship and the noise and finding commonsense solutions to the problems our country faces. H.R. 338 is a prime example of that.

Much like the bipartisan Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act that I was honored to help get signed into law several years ago, H.R. 338 strengthens job training programs--specifically in the energy and manufacturing industries--to invest in our workforce. This legislation will help connect individuals with job training programs while also making current programs more efficient, and it takes important steps to increase opportunities for women, veterans, and minorities.

As I have traveled across my district, I have seen firsthand just how effective local, high-skilled job training programs can be:

In Kannapolis, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has partnered with A.L. Brown High School on a welding program that will open doors for so many students;

At both Stanly Community College and Sandhills Community College, the advanced manufacturing programs are the critical training grounds for high-skilled manufacturing workers;

At Fayetteville Tech, veterans get the support and the skills they need to find meaningful employment outside of the Armed Forces.

I want to thank Chairman Upton, Chairman Walden, and Ranking Member Pallone for their support. I want to thank Ranking Member Bobby Rush for his leadership and for working with me in a bipartisan manner for a cause that is important to all of us, that is, to help people get back to work.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and to continue to stay focused on America's priorities: jobs and the economy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Reverend John Beatty Kahl for his 25 years of dedicated service to our community as an ordained minister.

Rev. Kahl attended Lenoir Rhyne College where he graduated magna cum laude with a triple major in math, physics, and chemistry. As a driven scholar, he received the American Institutes of Chemistry Award his senior year of college and became a member of multiple academic honor societies. While in college, he enlisted in the Navy and went on to Officer Candidate School where he was commissioned as an officer.

After graduation, Rev. Kahl served his country for four and a half years as an officer in the United States Navy. During his service as a Submariner on the USS Key West, he felt God pulling on his heart to pursue another career. This calling led Rev. Kahl to attend Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, where he graduated cum laude. He was ordained as a minister on May 29, 1992 at Lenoir Rhyne College. Now, he is not only the head pastor at New Life Lutheran Church, but also the principal at Christ the King Christian Academy. He and his wife, Cindy, have two children, Joshua and Lisa.

Rev. Kahl has shown immense commitment to God and his country over the years. He is a man of principled values and strong faith who continues to embody the true meaning of public service. It is my hope that he will remain an active leader in the community for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, please join me today in honoring Rev. John Beatty Kahl for his 25 years of service to his community

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because this week is All American Week, the annual celebration of the 82nd Airborne Division's mission and the paratroopers who serve to uphold it.

Based in my district at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the 82nd Airborne Division is the Nation's Global Response

Force and can mobilize, load, and strike in a moment's notice. These rapid reaction forces put the ``air'' in airborne and are absolutely vital to our national security.

This year marks the division's 100th anniversary, and it is a special time for us to celebrate its incredible history as America's Guard of Honor.

Since its inception, the 82nd Airborne Division has played a role in every major U.S. conflict around the world. It was nicknamed the ``All American Division'' because of the unique and diverse group of soldiers who came together to form the division from all across the United States.

As the Representative of Fort Bragg in Congress, I am so proud of the 82nd Airborne's legacy, of our paratroopers and their families. They put country before self, and we are so grateful.

I will continue to work to ensure this critical installation remains the epicenter of the universe and the tip of the spear guaranteeing our national security.

As we celebrate All American Week this week, I ask my fellow Americans to join me in praying for servicemembers stationed at Fort Bragg who are currently deployed and for their families here at home.

We also remember our veterans who served in the 82nd Airborne Division, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Today's paratroopers stand on the shoulders of these giants.

Airborne, all the way.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Lieutenant General Thomas H. Tackaberry, who passed away on Monday, April 3, 2017 at the age of 93. A Commander of the 18th Airborne Corps, 82nd Airborne Division, and Fort Bragg, as well as a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, Lt. Gen. Tackaberry is a true American hero and our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family as they mourn the loss of this great man.

Thomas Tackaberry was a high school star in the classroom and on the track field, and when his country needed him the most, he stood ready to answer the call to serve our great nation. Lt. Gen. Tackaberry enlisted in the Army Reserve during World War II at the age of 19. After being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, he served in Germany from 1945 to 1948. Lt. Gen. Tackaberry went on to fight in Korea and Vietnam, becoming highly decorated as the recipient of three Distinguished Service Crosses, five Silver Stars, a Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Soldier's Medal.

Described as a ``grunt's angel,'' Lt. Gen. Tackaberry was devoted to his men, not only ensuring they were always supplied for the fight but physically prepared as well. Leading from the front, Lt. Gen. Tackaberry set a high bar for fitness with his men and led them on long training runs. He even remained dedicated to fitness well into his later life, completing 10 push-ups, despite being 93 years old and confined to a wheel chair, after being challenged by a family member. After 38 years in the military, Lt. Gen. Tackaberry retired to civilian life, managing a local real estate business and counseling the military of the Republic of China for BDC Corp.

Despite all of his accomplishments, Lt. Gen. Tackaberry never boasted of his military decorations or accomplished private sector career, instead focusing his energy on his family. He raised his twin sons to be accomplished military leaders in their own right and currently has several grandchildren serving in the U.S. military as well. This country cannot repay the debt we owe to Lt. Gen. Tackaberry; he was truly one of a kind and a model American. While we may have lost this great man, his legacy lives on forever.

Mr. Speaker, please join me today in commemorating the life of Lieutenant General Thomas H. Tackaberry for his service to God and country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor North Carolina's favorite soft drink, Cheerwine, which is celebrating their 100th anniversary on May 20, 2017.

Handcrafted in Salisbury, North Carolina, Cheerwine was created by L.D. Peeler, who sought to create a soft drink of his own during sugar rationing amid World War I. L.D. Peeler purchased cherry flavoring from a traveling

salesman and experimented with the flavor until he created the one-of- a-kind soft drink. The end result is the delicious soft drink we know as Cheerwine.

Over the years, Cheerwine's unique flavor has stood the test of time--through the Great Depression, two World Wars and many other trials in our nation's history--Cheerwine has remained an independent family owned and operated business in North Carolina. Cheerwine was presented the ``Pillar of the Community'' award at the Family Business Awards for their excellence, innovation, ethics, philanthropy and contribution to the region and Cheerwine continues to invest in those communities that fostered its growth today. Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, George H.W. Bush, and Barack Obama all enjoyed Cheerwine during their trips to North Carolina and there is no doubt in my mind many more presidents will too.

L.D. Peeler and Cheerwine are deserving of their success and I wish them continued success as they continue to be a great source of pride for Rowan County and all of North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, please join me today to congratulate Cheerwine on a century of success and to recognize the tremendous contributions they've made to the State of North Carolina.