Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Mr. Scott Graves the pride of Bronte, Texas. For more than 12 years, Scott has been a leader in the field of agriculture policy and helped shape a better vision and future for our nation.

Since coming to work as an intern on Capitol Hill, Scott has demonstrated his ability to master complex policy issues and work with members and staff to craft unique solutions. He continually equips members of the House Committee on Agriculture, and the Republican Conference as a whole, with the knowledge and resources we need to serve the American public. His leadership of the Agriculture Committee has positioned them for tremendous success as they begin to reauthorize the Farm Bill this Congress.

I have known Scott for many years and have always known that he was someone I could count on to get the job done. Scott and I worked together for two years and he succeeded me as Chief of Staff to Mr. Conaway from Texas. I think fondly on the time we spent together and am proud of what we accomplished. I am even more proud of the character of the husband, father, and colleague I now simply call friend.

Personally and professionally Scott is fun to be around, and he makes everyone around him better. There is no doubt that Scott will be sincerely missed, but I am excited for what the future holds for this extraordinary public servant.

Mr. Speaker, please join me today in recognizing the impressive career of Mr. Scott Graves and wishing him well as he, Haley, and Bronte begin the next chapter of their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Crispy's Bar and Grill for their service and contributions to our community. I would like to congratulate owner Greg Helmandollar on the success of the restaurant and its upcoming inclusion on the Travel Channel's Food Paradise, a show which highlights some of the most unique restaurants in the country.

Located in Kannapolis, North Carolina, Crispy's is a local favorite that features a twist on traditional southern comfort foods and isn't for the faint of heart. Almost everything on its legendary menu is wrapped, covered, or topped with crispy bacon. Since Crispy's opened in 2015, it has been a popular spot for people to gather to connect and share in their love of bacon.

Mr. Helmandollar first began pushing the limits of bacon in 2013 when he created the MasterBacon food truck. After receiving an overwhelming response from the community, he opened Crispy's to expand his offerings and push the boundaries on how many things he could possibly pair with bacon. The menu now contains almost every treat imaginable including bacon wrapped pecan pie, lasagna, and even ice cream sprinkled with bacon.

By following his passion, Mr. Helmandollar has created a brand and achieved success. More importantly, he is a shining example of the American spirit and the type of small business owner that makes our community special. His innovative approach should be an example to others to follow their dreams and pursue what makes them happy. I look forward to joining the nation in watching Food Paradise when their episode airs.

Mr. Speaker, please join me today in congratulating Mr. Helmandollar and his staff on their continued success and wishing them well in the new year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Charlotte Motor Speedway for being named the Race Track Business Conference's ``Outstanding Facility of the Year.'' I am proud to represent Charlotte Motor Speedway in Congress, and I want to congratulate Marcus Smith and his entire team for making this premiere track such an incredible asset for our community.

Built in 1959, Charlotte Motor Speedway has become one of the crown jewels of the racing community. Each year, the speedway plays host to three premier NASCAR events--the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, the Coca- Cola 600, and the Bank of America 500--as well as more than three dozen other events for fans of all ages. The ``fans first'' mentality that has been embodied by the team since their earliest days has allowed them to create an atmosphere that is unrivaled in the motorsports world.

While the 1.5 mile long superspeedway may be the largest attraction, the entire Charlotte Motor Speedway complex expands nearly 2,000 acres and features a multitude of racing options including a 2.25 mile road course and the zMAX Dragway. The variety of racing options and top notch accommodations make any trip to the speedway a special occasion. It is no wonder the track continues to receive high praise from competitors and fans alike year after year. The efforts of all of those at the speedway have made it a truly special place both in motorsports and our local community. There is no doubt in my mind that Charlotte Motor Speedway will continue to provide a unique experience for everyone that visits, and it is my hope its leadership team will continue the innovative approach that has brought so much success to our community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me today in congratulating Charlotte Motor Speedway on earning this impressive distinction and well-deserved honor as the ``Outstanding Facility of the Year.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate racing legend Bill Elliott upon his induction into the sixth class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. There is a rhyme that holds true about this inductee, ``Awesome Bill from Dawsonville.''

The Dawsonville, Georgia, native got his first career win at the 1976 Carolina 500 at ``The Rock'' in Rockingham, North Carolina. In fact, Bill reached victory lane six times at tracks within North Carolina's 8th congressional district.

These wins are just a small part of one of the greatest careers in NASCAR history.

In 1985, Elliott won the first ``Winston Million'' in NASCAR history by winning three of four races in NASCAR's then ``Grand Slam.'' In that season, he won the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, the Winston 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, and the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. He is one of only two drivers in the Winston Million era to ever accomplish this feat and for being the first to accomplish it he was given the nickname ``Million Dollar Bill.''

In 1988, Elliott earned NASCAR's Winston Cup championship. His win total of 44 ranks him in the top 20 all-time NASCAR Cup Series winners and Elliott also garnered 16 Most Popular Driver Awards during his illustrious career.

It is a true honor to congratulate him on his due induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate racing legend Wendell Scott upon his posthumous induction into the sixth class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Wendell Scott was the first African-American to become a full-time competitor in the series and he did this after serving three years in the U.S. Army during World War II.

He started racing in 1947 and experienced immediate success behind the wheel. He gained the respect and admiration of his competitors and fans as they observed his skill as a mechanic, skill as a driver and his exceptional work ethic.

Scott won over 100 races in the next decade at local area tracks. He made his first start in NASCAR's premier series March 4, 1961, at Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In 1963, Scott became the first African-American to win a NASCAR premier series event.

Although Scott passed away in 1990, his impact on racing can still be felt today. It is truly an honor to extend these congratulatory remarks for United States Army veteran Wendell Scott for his racing career and his posthumous induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate racing superstar Fred Lorenzen upon his induction into the sixth class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

The Elmhurst, Illinois, native got his start in NASCAR as a mechanic with the famed Holman-Moody team in 1960, but was elevated to lead driver by the end of that year.

In 1964, Lorenzen began one of the most dominant five race runs in NASCAR history in which he led 1,679 of the possible 1,953 laps. This stretch of lap-leading highlights how dominant Lorenzen was between 1962 and 1967. He won multiple major events during this period such as the Daytona 500, World 600, and the American 500.

Nicknamed the ``Elmhurst Express,'' Lorenzen notched 26 wins on the NASCAR circuit and he reached victory lane five times in the 8th district of North Carolina.

It is an honor to congratulate him on his induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate racing legend Rex White upon his induction into the sixth class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

After being diagnosed with polio as a child, White didn't imagine automobiles as anything more than a source of transportation. However, by the time he started racing in NASCAR in 1956, White was ready to start one of the most consistent careers in NASCAR history.

The Taylorsville, North Carolina, native finished among the top five in 110 of the 233 races he participated in. His skill on the short tracks that dominated the schedule in his era allowed him to tally up top five and top ten finishes at a historic rate.

White won six times during his 1960 championship season and his victory total ranks 22nd among all-time premier series winners.

Rex White was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998 and it is an honor to congratulate this North Carolina native on his induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate racing legend Joe Weatherly upon his posthumous induction into the sixth class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

The Norfolk, Virginia, native established himself as one of boldest personalities in NASCAR history. Affectionately called the ``Clown Prince of Stock Car Racing'' for pulling such antics as wearing costumes during practice laps, he was all business come race time.

Weatherly won the 1953 NASCAR modified championship and then in 1962 and 1963 he won the NASCAR premier series championships. He also earned five victories on tracks in the 8th district of North Carolina during his career.

His tragic death in 1964 due to injuries sustained during a race that season made him the first reigning champion to die during the season.

Weatherly was previously inducted into the American Motorcycle Association Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and it is a great honor to extend these congratulatory remarks for one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers of all-time on his posthumous induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Stanly Community College's Annie Ruth Kelley Associate Degree Nursing Program for being ranked #1 in the United States by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing for schools of nursing that lead to entry-level Registered Nurse licensure.

Stanly Community College's Annie Ruth Kelley Associate Degree Nursing Program ranks first among 1,904 programs in the United States.

This innovative program utilizes unique education techniques such as instant messaging, flipped classroom opportunities, adaptive testing, and simulated clinical experiences in a simulation hospital. All of these techniques lead graduates of SCC's nursing program to be well- prepared to serve those in need across the region.

A strong education system is important to empowering our nation and Stanly Community College's Nursing Program is setting a standard of excellence that should be commended.

The impact that the Stanly Community College Nursing Program has on our local communities, and the state of North Carolina, is undeniable.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Shirley McDowell of Concord, North Carolina for her faithful work as Executive Director at Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County. Upon retiring she will have served 28 years building a team of caregivers that have served our community during times when families have confronted terminal illness.

Under Shirley's leadership, Cabarrus County's Hospice service has grown into a strong program that effectively helps those in need. She guided this program through all of the changes in healthcare over the years and directed Hospice through acquisition of land for a permanent building and the construction of the Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis.

The impact that Shirley has had on our community is profound, and we are grateful for her commitment to help those in need. I am proud to represent Shirley McDowell and we are thankful for her years of service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Pepper and David Natonski on the birth of their beautiful daughter. Mary Parks Natonski was born on her Thanksgiving Day due date at 7:02 a.m., November 27th, 2014; weighing 8 pounds and 8 ounces and measuring 21 and \1/2\ inches long.

She was born to Pepper Pennington Natonski and David Richard Natonski, my Chief of Staff and Kevin Yoder's (KS-03) Chief of Staff respectively. I must admit, she clearly has her mother's punctuality-- and her father's size.

Mary Parks gets her name from her two remarkable great-grandmothers, Mary Allen and

Mary Pennington, and her late great-aunt, Mary Natonski. Parks comes from her great-grandfather, Wayman Parks Allen.

She is the first grandchild for grandparents General and Mrs. Richard Natonski, and Cass and Cindy Pennington. Proud great- grandparents include Sadie Natonski, Mary Pennington, and Wayman and Mary Allen.

Mary Parks Natonski joins a wonderful family who are devoted to her well-being and will empower her for a bright future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend and colleague from North Carolina, Congressman Mike McIntyre. Mike and I are blessed to represent the southeastern region of North Carolina and some of the most hardworking, genuine, and thoughtful people you will ever meet.

Mike has his priorities in order. He has dedicated his life to God, his family, and serving his constituents, and he has done so with unparalleled honor and integrity.

In Congress, he has been a voice for common sense, and he has never been afraid to reach across the aisle to get things done for our local communities. During his years of service on the House Agriculture and the House Armed Services Committees, Mike has, time and again, stood up for issues folks care about back home in North Carolina.

I am honored that I inherited Robeson County from Mike, a place my family has called home for generations, and I am thrilled to call Mike and his amazing wife, Dee, my constituents.

I can tell you firsthand that Mike is respected across southeastern North Carolina because he has a sincere passion for the people he represents and serves.

I thank Mike McIntyre for his leadership to North Carolina over the years. It has been a privilege to get to know Mike, to call him a friend, and to work with him to make life better for the folks of North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I hope the House will join me in wishing Mike and Dee well in their future endeavors. We are going to miss him around here.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2719) to require the Transportation Security Administration to implement best practices and improve transparency with regard to technology acquisition programs, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Senate amendment to H.R. 2719, the Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act, a bill that I introduced in July of last year, which passed the House unanimously 1 year ago.

This commonsense, bipartisan legislation is the culmination of 2 years of collaborative efforts by my colleagues in the House and Senate and 4 years of strong oversight by the Transportation Security Subcommittee.

H.R. 2719 will save significant tax dollars by forcing TSA to make thoughtful, informed decisions about what kinds of technology to deploy in our Nation's airports. We simply cannot afford to see TSA repeat the mistakes of the past which have resulted in technologies such as ``puffer machines'' and body scanners being pulled out of airports prematurely and others sitting idle in warehouses, never to see the light of day.

H.R. 2719 requires TSA to develop and share with industry and the public a detailed 5-year technology investment plan. The bill gives Congress early warning about any cost overruns, delays, or technical failures encountered by TSA.

It ensures that TSA is implementing acquisition best practices as identified by the Government Accountability Office and other experts. It also mandates a better process for managing security equipment in TSA's inventory. Finally, the Senate strengthened the bill by, among other things, requiring more consultation with experts in the public and private sectors during the acquisition process.

I would like to thank the chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Mr. McCaul, for his assistance in moving this bill through the committee and the House, as well as the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Thompson, for his work alongside myself and our chairman. I really appreciate the work and cooperation of Mr. Thompson and the ranking member for our subcommittee, Mr. Richmond. Again, their work made this a better bill.

I would also like to thank Senator Ayotte for introducing a companion bill in the Senate and leading the effort to see it through the Senate Commerce Committee and the full Senate. I would also like to thank Senators Rockefeller, Thune, and Tester and their staffs for their strong support and their important efforts to move this bill.

Finally, I would like to thank the 18 industry groups that have endorsed this bill, including the Security Manufacturers Coalition, Airlines for America, Airports Council International--North America, the American Association of Airport Executives, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the Security Industry Association, the U.S. Travel Association, and many others who provided valuable feedback and worked with us throughout this process.

I will insert into the Record a letter from these groups and others.

November 12, 2014.

Hon. Harry Reid,

Senate Majority Leader, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington,

This no-cost, bipartisan legislation will go a long way toward improving transparency and accountability for TSA. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

I have no further speakers. If the gentleman from Mississippi has no further speakers, I am prepared to close once the gentleman does.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the former chairman for his kind remarks and for the collaborative nature in which we have worked throughout this Congress. I appreciate his leadership and advice. I believe we have done good work, and we have done it because we have listened to each other and we have worked well together. I appreciate your leadership, as well as that of Cedric Richmond, the ranking member on this committee.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge that this would not be possible had they not worked so closely with us. I would also like to thank the chairman for mentioning our staffs. Our staffs have worked very hard, they have worked in a bipartisan manner, and I attach myself to his compliments for our staff there and thank him for that kindness.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the accomplishments we have made on this subcommittee. In particular I am proud of this piece of legislation, H.R. 2719. It was developed with input from stakeholders in an exhaustive process with subject matter experts across government and industry to address different deficiencies we had identified throughout the TSA's acquisition process.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on Senator Ayotte's amendment to H.R. 2719, and let's send this bill to the President for his signature.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 1204) to amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to establish an Aviation Security Advisory Committee, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Senate amendment to H.R. 1204, the Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation Act. This bill was introduced by my colleague from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), the ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security.

I would like to thank the ranking member for developing this legislation, which would ensure stable, open lines of communication between TSA and a multitude of aviation security stakeholders.

I also thank the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) for his support and work on this bill in seeing it through committee and the House.

Additionally, our colleagues in the Senate, particularly Senators Rockefeller, Tester, Thune, and Ayotte, played an integral role in bringing this bill to the finish line.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1204, which passed unanimously out of our committee, and passed the House 1 year ago, is an important piece of legislation that requires exactly the sort of stakeholder outreach that Congress expects from the TSA.

TSA should constantly solicit feedback from the aviation community before making new security policies, especially when these policies could translate into big headaches for the traveling public or the aviation industry.

Last year, we saw firsthand what can happen when TSA tries to make policy decisions in a vacuum. TSA announced it was going to allow small knives and sports equipment to be carried onto airplanes before consulting key stakeholders. The result was a very public disagreement and, eventually, a complete reversal of the decision. Had the process been handled differently, the outcome may have been very different.

The Aviation Security Advisory Committee, or ASAC, already provides important input to TSA on policy decisions, and includes U.S. air carriers, all cargo air carriers, airport operators, flight attendants, law enforcement and many other groups. This bill codifies the existing ASAC into law and gives additional groups a seat at the table.

It also requires TSA to provide feedback on the ASAC recommendations, which it doesn't consistently do today, and makes it possible for the ASAC to discuss sensitive security information, as appropriate.

Eighteen diverse industry associations, including U.S. airlines, airports, the travel industry, general aviation, and technology manufacturers support this bipartisan bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Senate amendment to H.R. 1204, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, this is an important bipartisan bill that I believe will make a real difference for the future of aviation security.

I want to thank all those on both sides of the aisle and on both sides of the Hill who played a key role in moving this bill.

I would also like to thank the staff, not just for their work on this bill, but also the other transportation security bills that we sent to the President this Congress: Brian Turbyfill, Cedric Haynes, Jake Vreeburg, Kyle Klein, Nicole Halavik, Matt Haskins, Gerry Sleefe and Amanda Parikh.

I thank all of you for your service to our country and for your hard work.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and to send this bill to the President for his signature.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Margaret Hagerty, a constituent from my hometown of Concord who at 91 years old is the oldest person to finish this year's New York City marathon.

Now, in North Carolina, we know the value of putting in the time and effort to reach our goals. We aren't strangers to hard work, but Margaret outpaces us all. From 5Ks on Union Street in Concord to marathons at the Great Wall of China, Margaret has participated in countless races and has the trophies and medals to prove it. She also holds the world record for oldest person to finish a marathon on every continent.

Margaret wasn't always a runner and didn't take up the sport until her early 60s. One day, she woke up, started running and didn't want to stop.

It's extremely inspiring to see someone work so hard to achieve amazing things. I admire Margaret for her dedication and her tenacity-- her outlook on life is something we can all aspire to. I wish her all the best in her future races. For everyone back home in the 8th District, she'll always finish first in our book.