Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 554: On ordering the previous question--providing for consideration of H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall No. 555: On agreeing to the resolution--providing for consideration of H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of one America's and one of Alabama's most heroic sons, and his family. SPC Corey Garmon of Boaz and The United States Army. On July 11, 2012 while out on patrol in Kandahar Corey was almost killed in an IED blast. Losing both his legs and sustaining numerous other life threatening injuries he has battled back. Just recently he celebrated his alive date, marking the one year anniversary of brush with death. His lovely wife Megan has been by his side from the beginning, giving him the love and support to help bring him through these darkest of all nights. They are about to have their first child. We are not sure if this is blast related or not, but one of Alabama's brightest sons is a Gator fan. We hope in the coming years once he gets back home we can make him see the light. I submit this poem penned by Albert Caswell in honor of his valor and courage and his family's.

In The Battle

(by Albert Carey Caswell)

In . . .

In The Battle!

All In The Fight!

There are but all of those who but bring their light!

Men of honor!

And Men of might!

Who so march off to war with hearts and souls of steel so

very bright!

To leave behind all that they so love and adore!

As where they go,

Angels so fear to tread so for sure!

For no day is so promised all in war!

All in this darkest of dread all the more . . .

As all around them the red blood flows and pours!

Where it's, one for all . . . , and all for one!

A place to where fine hearts of Strength In Honor so run!

For these are America's greatest of all Daughters and Sons!

The Men and Women of Bronco Company,

who for all of us so do what must so be done!

For they so live by a code!

As they so lock and load!

A Code of Honor!

A Code of Faith!

While, all around them such darkness waves!

As they so bravely stare death right in the face!

As upon each new morn as they awake,

not knowing if this is to be their last and final day!

While, thousands of miles away . . .

their families now so cry and pray!

As they so ask our Lord,

to so let their loved ones live just one more day!

As somehow out into that darkness they make their ways!

To a way of honor!

To a way of faith!

To a way of courage,

that so makes the Angels pray!

As they do battle upon each new day!

As their families,

the tears in eyes they make!

And for all of those who upon battlefields of honor who've

died!

It's for all of you and your families we now so cry

Because all in that Battle,

all of your promises you did so keep!

As you so pledged your fine lives away,

to all of your Brothers In Arms all in this bond which binds

you so very deep!

For in The Battle,

there is something so magnificent of so to speak!

That Keeps Them Strong,

Them So Keeps!

That So Helps Them To So Fight On an On!

That which will not allow their most courageous hearts,

to so retreat!

All In This Battle,

This Battle Oh So Very Deep!

And one such Southern Son,

who to sweet home Alabama his fine heart so speaks!

Specialist Garmon,

whose heart so shines like the mid day sun!

This BO from BOAZ,

and he knows how to lock and load!

And so lives by such a code!

Who is but Army Strong!

Who all for his Country Tis of Thee,

his fine heart beats loud and long!

Who so came out of death to rebuild his life just like a

song!

While, all in those moments between life and death . . .

As upon him he could so feel but that hand of death!

As it was in that moment Corey,

when to yourself you so made a pledge!

To win this new battle that which to you this war had left!

With your two strong legs now gone,

your most courageous heart would crest!

As somehow it so helped you to move on only with what you had

so left!

As it was Life or it was Death,

as you got up and out of the bed to our hearts catch!

All at speed,

as this Bama would not so rest, would not so heed!

For you had mountains to so climb!

And people to so inspire all in your time!

And a great wife named Megan,

so divine!

And with the help of your fine wife,

as she so stood by her man, so by your side!

As together you've so passed one of the greatest tests of

time!

In our times, and in our lives . . .

There are Battles that we must fight!

Will we so find the strength and the courage,

to somehow deep down inside all of our hearts to so nourish!

The strength to so find!

Or in a town called pity will we now so reside,

and feel so sorry for our selves and begin to cry?

Or will we like Corey,

get up and so begin our climb?

All with hearts of courage full,

to once again to do Battle one more time!

For moments,

are all that we all so have!

To change the world!

To so make the good from out of the bad!

To make a difference with it all!

To so teach us!

To so beseech us!

To against all odds in the end still so standing tall!

But your not perfect Corey,

because you're one of the biggest Florida Gator fans of all!

I wonder if that sticks in coach SABANNNNN'S crawl?

Why you won't roll with The Tide at all?

I'm sorry Lou,

but out to this hero The Gator calls!

And when you get back to Bama,

there's work to be done!

We've got to get you to roll with The Tide,

or as a War Eagle fly high my son!

Corey my son,

you are just a young man!

But already,

look at what all in your short life what you have done!

More than most anyone!

And up ahead,

there's so much more for you my son!

Better to live life like a hero,

all in your most heroic sun!

Than to die in the darkness of a life,

of which nothing you have done!

Because, we will all die some day . . .

but only heroes up in Heaven will so run!

For life is but a Battle,

that only with but hearts of courage full can so be won!

And Corey, you are one of America's and Alabama's . . .

Most Heroic of all Sons

In life and in War . . .

All In That Battle,

will we be the ones to so bravely march forth?

All in our most selfless quests, to ourselves to so ignore!

Is that not who Heaven is for?

Specialist Gorman,

you are a real American Hero so for sure!

For only The Few,

will In The Battle so march off to war to so answer that

call!

And the last time I saw Specialist Gorman,

he was walking tall!

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 371, I call up the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 77) making continuing appropriations for the Food and Drug Administration for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.J. Res. 77, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Joint Resolution 77, which would continue the funding for the Food and Drug Administration. I think everyone here in the House agrees that funding for the FDA is necessary to this critical operation in order to support our Nation's public health and the millions of jobs associated with FDA activities. Most Members of this body may not realize it, but FDA-regulated industries account for almost 25 percent of the consumer spending in the United States of America.

Fiscal year 2013 ag appropriation included total funding of $4.2 billion; $2.5 billion came from discretionary funds and $1.7 billion from user fees. Of greatest importance is the need to ensure that our constituents continue to consume safe foods and use safe and effective drugs and medical devices. Despite reduced funding levels overall for FY 2013, we were able to provide a strategic increase of $12.5 million for food safety activities and $10 million for food and drug safety inspections in China. These funding increases will continue under a CR.

In addition to the funds appropriated for the FDA, this resolution that we are debating this afternoon would allow FDA to collect and spend drug and medical product user fees. Of course, the fees are charged to the industry to support such lifesaving activities for the review and approval of new and generic drugs as well as medical devices.

This House has already passed a resolution to fund the public health activities at the NIH, and it awaits the Senate's approval. Also, USDA meat and poultry inspectors were deemed critical to our Nation's food supply and have stayed on duty during this temporary delay in funding. It is now time for this body to continue funding one more critical component of our public health infrastructure.

The Food and Drug Administration touches every Member of this House, either directly or indirectly, and we need the entire Agency back at work. We need to also limit any damage to the millions of jobs impacted by FDA's work in the food and bioscience industries.

Now is the chance for my colleagues here in the House to join me in keeping this important program fully operational. I would ask that my colleagues support this resolution that we're debating this afternoon. It will ensure that all critical elements of our Nation's food and drug supply will be protected.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), the chairman of the full Appropriations Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton), who chairs the full committee of Energy and Commerce.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts), the chairman of the Health Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Brooks), who sits on the Homeland Security Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller), who currently chairs the House Administration Committee.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess), one of our physicians here in the House.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I would hope that all of my colleagues would join me tonight in supporting House Joint Resolution 77 that has been discussed here over the last hour.

I understand that many of my friends across the aisle would disagree with the majority's decision to immediately fund the most critical function of government during the delay that we have in current funding.

I recognize your preferences for a vote on all the government at one time; but you must recognize the truth of the matter is we don't have consensus in the House. Until the White House and the Senate are willing to sit down and negotiate a quick solution to this stalemate, I ask that my friends across the aisle join me in supporting the Food and Drug Administration, an agency that is on the front lines for our public health on a day-to-day basis.

There are a number of us who would question why nearly half of the FDA is furloughed when nearly all of their work impacts the safety and protection of human life. However, the administration has chosen to cease activities related to food, to medical devices, and to human drug establishment inspections, infant formula notifications, and to laboratory research that are tied to public health decision-making.

Most importantly, I would want to think that the administration is not playing politics with the safety of our Nation's food supply; but why is it that 87 percent of the Food Safety and Inspection Service is on the job while only about half of FDA's food safety staff are actually working, especially when FDA is responsible for 80 percent of the food supply?

As I noted in my opening remarks a few minutes ago, I would speculate that many of our colleagues don't realize how the FDA impacts every single one of our constituents in one way or the other. From formula fed to babies, to blood transfusions needed during emergencies and routine surgeries, to drugs that extend the lives of the sick, to the domestic or imported foods we feed to our families, on every occasion, the FDA is there.

Just 2 days ago, this body voted 407-0 to approve a measure that will provide backpay to furloughed Federal workers. This vote did not impact the critical needs of public health, yet an important vote, nonetheless. I would ask that each of the 407 Members who voted on Saturday for the backpay for Federal workers to now vote in favor of a bill that provides for urgent needs for our public safety and our welfare across the United States of America.

Again, I urge my colleagues to support this joint resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve a point of order on the gentleman's motion.

Mr. Speaker, I make a point of order that the instructions that are contained in the motion violate clause 7 of rule XVI, which requires that an amendment be germane to the bill under consideration at the time.

As the Chair recently ruled on October 2, 3, and 4 of 2013, the instructions contain a special order of business within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Rules, and, therefore, the amendment is not germane to the underlying bill.

Mr. Speaker, I insist on my point of order.

Mr. Speaker, I move to lay the appeal on the table.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 371, I call up the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 75) making continuing appropriations for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on H.J. Res. 75, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise this afternoon in support of H.J. Res. 75, which would continue funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or commonly known as the WIC program.

The fiscal year 2013 Agriculture appropriations bill provided sufficient funding, even after sequestration, totaling $6.5 billion, to ensure that all participants receive both nutritious food and the nutrition services that are necessary for their health and their well- being.

Before the United States Department of Agriculture completely shut down its Web site, information could be found on their Web site stating that short-term funding was available for WIC through the contingency reserve fund, carryover funds, and other available resources.

While some States have indicated they have sufficient funds to at least work several more weeks, other States are not so fortunate. Many of us have seen headlines, perhaps received phone calls into our offices from constituents who have reported that their appointment at their local WIC clinic has been canceled or that clinics are being closed. Numerous times we have heard our colleagues across the aisle mention that WIC cannot continue without an appropriation for fiscal year 2014, and this will leave millions of women, infants, and children without proper nutrition.

Now is a chance, Madam Speaker, for my colleagues to join us in keeping this important program fully functioning and operational. By passing the resolution that we have on the floor this afternoon, we will help 8.7 million low-income women, infants, and children who are nutritionally at risk to continue to receive the nutrition they need. This resolution will keep WIC clinics across the Nation open. No more appointments will have to be canceled.

I believe that every Member of this House of Representatives believes that WIC participants need and should get the participation they need, and I would ask my colleagues to support this resolution, that we supply adequate nutrition for women, infants, and children as we move forward.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the chairman of the full Committee on Appropriations, Chairman Rogers.

I yield the chairman an additional 1 minute.

Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Valadao), one of the members of our Subcommittee on Agriculture Appropriations.

Madam Speaker, at this time, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller), the chair of the House Administration Committee.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Duffy).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Cotton).

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Nunnelee), another member of our Subcommittee on Agriculture for Appropriations.

At this time I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly).

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

I'm the last speaker, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

I want to address a couple of issues that have come up during our discussion here this afternoon.

I've heard some of my colleagues across the aisle say they believe WIC has been underfunded. I do want to point out that all eligible participants are being served; and to my knowledge, no one has been turned away from the program.

The FY 13 Ag approps conference agreement provided more than $7 billion for the WIC program. After sequestration and rescissions, the total equaled $6.5 billion. At the end of FY 13, WIC had carryover funds, or remaining funds, totaling nearly $300 million. Even with sequestration, WIC has been able to serve all eligible participants and still have funding left over for the end of the fiscal year by $300 million. Clearly, the program has received sufficient funding, and we have certainly made sure that to be the case.

In closing today, I would hope that my colleagues would join me in support of this resolution. There's nothing cynical about what we're doing here. You can read the resolution. I have it right here. It simply continues to provide funding for the WIC program, and it provides certainty. It ensures that WIC clinics will be open, appointments will be kept, and food benefits will be provided.

There's nothing, again, cynical about this. The only thing that's cynical about this is if you decide to politicize this bill.

It's interesting that those who claim to be the defenders and supporters of this program are the very ones actually coming here this afternoon that are opposing the bill. My colleagues will have a chance to be cynical and vote ``no,'' but I hope they will not turn their backs on providing certainty for low-income women and children. All we want to do is to keep the program fully operational and fully funded.

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

Madam Speaker, I would like for the motion to be read.

Madam Speaker, I reserve a point of order on the gentlewoman's motion.

Madam Speaker, I make a point of order against the motion to recommit.

Madam Speaker, the instructions contained in the motion violate clause 7 of rule XVI, which requires an amendment be germane to the bill that is currently under consideration.

As the Chair recently ruled on October 2 and October 3 of 2013, the instructions contain a special order of business within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Rules, and therefore, the amendment is not germane to the underlying bill.

So, Madam Speaker, I insist on my point of order.

Madam Speaker, I move to lay the appeal on the table.

Thank you, Chairman Rogers, for giving me the opportunity to speak in support of H.J. Res. 59, which is the FY14 continuing resolution.

Of course I think it's very obvious by the comments that the Republicans

have made on our side this morning that we do need to keep the government open at its current sequestered funding level and continue to provide the vital services that our constituents have grown to expect from government, and certainly make sure that we don't have a government shutdown.

As Chairman Rogers had mentioned, I chair the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture. Some may ask, why is it so important that we keep the government open? Can't we just go with another year-long

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the heroic actions of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Ola Lee Mize of Gadsden, Alabama, who resides in the Fourth Congressional District, which I'm honored to represent.

Colonel Mize was with the 3rd Infantry Division and was awarded the Medal of Honor for outstanding courage in action on June 10 and 11, 1953, in Korea. His company was responsible for the defense of a vital position that was attacked by a well-organized enemy force. Colonel Mize charged through an intense barrage of fire to rescue a friend who had fallen. Following the successful rescue, Colonel Mize returned to his post and dug in. Although under duress, Colonel Mize held the line, fighting to keep his men safe. Colonel Mize protected his fellow soldiers, called in artillery support, and led a successful counterattack.

It is for his unflinching courage and valor that I'm proud to honor and remember the actions of Colonel Ola Lee Mize. The Fourth District of Alabama, the State of Alabama, and the United States Congress is very honored to recognize the work that he did in Korea.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to honor Mr. Jesse Owens on the 100th anniversary of his birthday. James Cleveland Owens was born the son of a sharecropper on a farm in Oakville, Alabama on September 12, 1913. It's been said the family sold its only valuable possession, their mule, in order to travel to Cleveland, Ohio in search of a better life. A teacher at his new school, misunderstanding when James Cleveland told her his name was J.C., called him Jesse, and the name stuck.

I move to strike the last word.

Madam Chair, I want to rise in opposition to this amendment, as well.

As has been noted here, this was created in 1965 as the ARC, and it has a real proven track record of success in creating economic development in an area of the country that faces unique challenges.

Again, it creates economic development. I think that needs to be stressed. It's not a handout, but it's a way to try to make investment into a region of the country that really can use some economic development encouragement, and that's exactly what this program does.

As a result of ARC funding, the regional poverty rate has been cut almost in half. Infant mortality rates have been reduced, and job- creating infrastructure has provided new and improved water and sewer services to over 112,000 residents. And that's just in the last 5 years.

Despite the tremendous progress that this program has made over the years, there's challenges that still exist. This region has lost roughly one-fourth of its manufacturing jobs and nearly one-fourth of Appalachia's counties still suffer from severe and persistent economic distress.

Now is not the time to zero-out this effective program, especially when you're focusing on economic development. Now, more than ever, we must empower local communities and regional planning commissions to utilize this much needed Federal assistance and provide the basic building blocks for regional economic development.

I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I rise today also in support of the FY 2014 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security. I want to commend Chairman Carter and also Ranking Member Price for their hard work in making sure that they set up the right priorities during a very difficult budget time here in this Nation.

The bill provides the resources that are needed to meet our most essential obligations, while at the same time maintaining fiscal responsibility and also greater oversight. It is $617 million below last year's spending level. As has been mentioned, the bill rejects the administration's proposed reductions to CBP operations and the Coast Guard and increases funding for critical programs such as the TSA Secure Flight Program and the FEMA first responder grants.

The bill maintains the needed number of beds for ICE detention. It also includes a substantial amount of funding for NBAF. This important asset provides our Nation with critical capabilities to conduct research and develop vaccines and other countermeasures in a time when we would most need it.

Again, I want to congratulate Chairman Carter and Ranking Member Price for their hard work on this bill. I would urge my colleagues that this is a good bill and a measure that should have their support.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Franklin County, Alabama and their annual Watermelon Festival. The Franklin County Watermelon Festival began in 1981 with a group of local farmers gathering to sell their harvest of watermelons. This gathering created what is now the largest festival in Franklin County. This annual festival is organized by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and is sponsored by Franklin County businesses and individuals. This two day event, on the third weekend of August, is held at the Franklin County seat in the City of Russellville.

Franklin County and Russellville welcome over 35,000 guests to this festival from neighboring counties and states each year.

Civic clubs and organizations participate with their own special watermelon events as a time of fund raising.

The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce sponsors Watermelon Contests and the Watermelon Pageant which produces a Queen for the festival. The Watermelon Queen presents awards for: best dressed melon, seed spitting, best tasting melon, most unusual melon, and of course the largest, heaviest melon.

The Franklin County Watermelon Festival is made possible by volunteers who work year round to produce the best of entertainment, arts & crafts, food, activities and watermelon to please every palate.

Again, it is my honor to recognize Franklin County, Alabama as the Watermelon Capital of Alabama.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues, as mentioned, in support of H.R. 360, and to honor the memory of Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley, who lost their lives at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham.

What we do here today honors these four innocent young girls, whose lives were sacrificed in an act of hatred and of violence. And no doubt their deaths, as has been mentioned, marked a significant turning point in the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

As Congressman Bachus mentioned in his opening remarks, these four young girls, who ranged in age from 11 to 14, were walking into the basement of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church to hear a sermon that was ironically entitled, ``The Love That Forgives.'' Though they could not have known at the time, these four little girls changed the course of history for our Nation. Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley's young lives were cut short on September 15, 1963, but their legacy still lives on today, especially with what we do here, by the Congressional Medal of Honor, which is America's highest civilian honor.

I want to thank my colleague Ms. Sewell for her leadership on this bill, and I am a proud supporter of H.R. 360. I also thank Mr. Bachus for this time to speak on the legislation.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to honor Mr. Drew Linn, President and owner of the Birmingham, Alabama, based Southland International Trucks for his selection as 2013 Truck Dealer of the Year. Mr. Linn was nominated by his peers and selected from a field of nominees by an independent panel of judges from Indiana University's Kelly School of Business. The national award, which is co-sponsored by the American Truck Dealers and Heavy Duty Trucking Magazine, focuses on excellence in dealership performance, as well as industry and community leadership.

Mr. Linn began his career with International Harvester, now known as Navistar, in 1965. Throughout his extensive career, he cites his success as due to his focus on providing excellent service to his customers. His dedication is evident from his successful business, Southland International Trucks, that operates six locations throughout Alabama.

Mr. Linn has had a distinguished career and has been recognized with more than a dozen corporate and industry awards, including the International Circle of Excellence, International Dealer of the Year (2008) and H. Chester Webb Distinguished Service Award (2009) from the Alabama Trucking Association.

I am thankful for Mr. Drew Linn and Americans like him that work to provide great products and service to consumers and support our nation's workforce with good, dependable jobs.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize the many contributions of

the Alabama Trucking Association to the well-being of the State of Alabama as the Association celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2013.

The Alabama Trucking Association was founded in 1938 in Birmingham and later incorporated and moved its offices to Montgomery. The Association has grown from 16 trucking companies in 1938 to over 675 trucking related firms in 2013, and has been a valuable source of information and statistics pertaining to trucking. With one of every fourteen citizens in Alabama being employed by the trucking industry, trucking provides over 106,570 jobs contributing to the economic growth and development of the State. The Alabama trucking industry pays $545 million in federal and state roadway taxes and fees representing 38% of all taxes and fees owed by Alabama motorists, despite the fact that trucks represent only 13 percent of vehicle miles traveled in the State. In addition, trucks serve all areas of Alabama and are the only transportation for goods for over eighty percent of Alabama communities and play a major role in transportation import and export movement.

The Alabama Trucking Association members put safety first through improved driver training, investment in advanced safety technologies and active participation in industry safety initiatives at the local, state and national levels. The leadership of the Alabama Trucking Association has developed many friendships among Alabama's trucking companies, related industries and organizations, and members of the State Legislature and state and federal government agencies.

The Alabama Trucking Association is well respected and has been very successful with its legislative and regulatory agenda, its efforts to improve highway safety, and the efficiency of trucking in Alabama.

I am thankful for the Alabama Trucking Association and the service and support they provide to a vital part of Alabama and our nation's economy and work force. Congratulations to them again for 75 excellent years.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to honor Mr. William Ashford, who is interning in my office with the Uni-Capitol Washington Program. The Uni-Capitol Washington Program (UCWIP) has paired some of the brightest Australian students with various congressional offices for more than a decade and I am happy to be a host again this year.

Will comes from the University of Wollongong and is studying engineering and

commerce. Over the past month, I have found him to be outstanding in his duties and going above and beyond our expectations. He has attended committee hearings, drafted constituent correspondence, and assisted me as well as my staff with research. His Australian accent has garnered the attention of many of my constituents on tours and over the phone. Will's commitment, hard work, and presence have been an asset to the office and he will be sorely missed by all.

The program has been in force for 13 years thanks to the vision of Eric Federing, its director and founder. The students who are selected come from a variety of academic disciplines, but all have a common interest: promoting the U.S.-Australia relationship. These student placements are enhanced by the formation of genuine friendships and the exchange of views and ideas between the Australian interns and their respective offices. We are grateful for these friendships and it is our hope that they strengthen the diplomatic ties of our great countries.

I would like to thank Eric Federing for the opportunity to host Will over the past several weeks. To date, over 130 interns have come through his program representing 8 different universities over the program's lifetime. It enhances opportunities for the individuals who come and enlighten those who they come to. After the internship, many receive jobs on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. or go to work with Federal or various State Parliaments in Australia. Other interns have gone on to work in the Australian Embassy or The World Bank. Simply put, this program selects incredibly talented individuals that are a pleasure to host and work with. It was an honor to have Will in our office and I wish him the very best in the future. Will, thank you again for your hard work and dedication.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 31, H.R. 225--National Pediatric Research Network Act of 2013, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

On rollcall No. 31, H.R. 297--Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2013, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''