Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I, too, would like to express my sympathies to Mary and all the Regula family on Ralph's passing.

I got to know Ralph a long time ago because my dad served here for 30 years. Dad was elected in 1958, Ralph was elected in 1972, and toward the end of their terms that they were here together--of course, Ralph served on for 36 years--their offices were very close to one another. I know that in those days sometimes you had a little more time than we seem to have today, but folks could actually go to one another's office and sit down and chat. I know that Dad and Ralph were very good friends.

What has been said by my other colleagues is true; Ralph worked hard. He served his district well, he worked hard, he did his job, he served the people of his district, and he served the people of this country.

At all times, though, he always was a gentleman. I know that for a fact because I know that when I was younger, I always liked to be able to come here with my dad, I was able to sit in a lot of meetings, and Ralph was an incredible individual.

One of the things that my dad always said was that there was always a difference in life between people who wanted to be politicians and public servants. Dad said that it was very simple: A politician is a person who sees how much they can take from the people they represent for their own benefit, while public servants see how much they can give of themselves to the people they represent. Ralph did this over and over and over again, giving of himself.

Marcia and I do want to express our regret to Mary and all of Ralph's family on his passing because, again, we have lost a great friend, a great colleague, and it is tough to say goodbye.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Sean Rattay of Monclova, Ohio has been offered an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Sean's offer of appointment permits him to attend the United States Naval Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2021. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives.

Sean brings an enormous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2021. While attending St. John's Jesuit High School in Toledo, Ohio, Sean was a member of the National Honor Society, a peer tutor and a school ambassador.

Throughout high school, Sean participated in varsity football, earning numerous achievements and accolades along the way. Sean also led Christmas on Campus and volunteered at Swan Creek Care Center, an assisted living center in Toledo, Ohio. I am confident that Sean will carry the lessons of his student and athletic leadership to the Naval Academy.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Sean Rattay on his offer of appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Sean will excel during his career at Annapolis, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to him as he begins his service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Matthew Butson of Metamora, Ohio has been offered an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Matthew's offer of appointment permits him to attend the United States Naval Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2021. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives.

Matthew brings an enormous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2021. While attending St. John's Jesuit High School in Toledo, Ohio, Matthew was a member of the National Honor Society, as well as serving on student council and as class vice president his senior year.

Throughout high school, Matthew participated in football and basketball, serving as co-captain of the football team his senior year. I am confident that Matthew will carry the lessons of his student and athletic leadership to the Naval Academy.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Matthew Butson on the offer of his appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Matthew will excel during his career at the Naval Academy, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to him as he begins his service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Abigail Yeager of Holland, Ohio has been offered an appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

Abigail's offer of appointment permits her to attend the United States Military Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2021. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives.

Abigail brings an enormous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2021. While attending Springfield High School in Holland, Ohio, Abigail established a tutoring program at Holland Elementary School, received a Youth Jefferson Award for Public Service, and was ranked third in her class.

Throughout high school, Abigail participated in soccer, cross- country, track and field, and swimming, earning multiple varsity letters. Abigail also served as a Student Ambassador to the Springfield Local Schools Board of Education. I am confident that Abigail will carry the lessons of her student and athletic leadership to the Military Academy.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Abigail Yeager on her offer of appointment to the United States Military Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Abigail will excel during her career at West Point, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to her as she begins her service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Olga Budke of Findlay, Ohio has been offered an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Olga's offer of appointment permits her to attend the United States Air Force Academy

this fall with the incoming Class of 2021. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives.

Olga brings an enormous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2021. While attending Saint Wendelin Catholic School in Fostoria, Ohio, Olga was a member of the National Honor Society and was ranked first in her class.

Throughout high school, Olga was a USA gymnastics competitor and participated in karate, archery and cross country. She also obtained her private pilot's license. I am confident that Olga will carry the lessons of her student and athletic leadership to the Air Force Academy.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Olga Budke on the offer of her appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Olga will excel during her career at the Air Force Academy, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to her as she begins her service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Allena Rose of Toledo, Ohio has been offered an appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

Allena's offer of appointment permits her to attend the United States Military Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2021. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives.

Allena brings an enormous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2021. While attending Whitmer High School in Toledo, Ohio, Allena was a member of the National Honor Society, student council and was ranked in the top five percent of her class.

Throughout high school, Allena participated in varsity and club volleyball, including serving as a floor captain. Allena also participated in the Spirit Club and Mu Alpha Theta honors society. I am confident that Allena will carry the lessons of her student and athletic leadership to the Military Academy.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Allena Rose on her offer of appointment to the United States Military Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Allena will excel during her career at West Point, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to her as she begins her service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Elizabeth Shaffer of Hicksville, Ohio has been offered an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Elizabeth's offer of appointment permits her to attend the United States Air Force Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2021. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives.

Elizabeth brings an enormous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2021. While attending Hicksville High School in Hicksville, Ohio, Elizabeth was a member of the National Honor Society and class president.

Throughout high school, Elizabeth served as team captain on the basketball, track, and volleyball teams, and participated in the marching band. I am confident that Elizabeth will carry the lessons of her student and athletic leadership to the Air Force Academy.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Elizabeth Shaffer on the offer of her appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Elizabeth will excel during her career at the Air Force Academy, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to her as she begins her service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Samuel Kovaleski of Findlay, Ohio has been offered an appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.

Sam's offer of appointment permits him to attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2021. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives.

Sam brings an enormous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2021. While attending Findlay High School in Findlay, Ohio, Sam was a member of the Distinguished Honor Roll and student athletic leadership team.

Throughout high school, Sam participated in football, basketball, and track, serving as co-captain of the football team his senior year. I am confident that Sam will carry the lessons of his student and athletic leadership to the Merchant Marine Academy.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Samuel Kovaleski on the offer of his appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Sam will excel during his career at the Merchant Marine Academy, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to him as he begins his service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my Ohio colleagues to congratulate our colleague Steve Stivers on this great momentous occasion of being promoted to brigadier general.

I have known my friend since our days in the Ohio General Assembly. I remember when he was deployed for his service that he so unselfishly gave to his Nation in uniform.

With Steve, you can go back in history. It was 242 years ago last week, on April 18, 1775, that Paul Revere, Dawes, and Prescott rode across the countryside and said that the regulars were out.

It was on the morning of April 19 that men left their shops, left their plows, and went to that call. It was that citizen soldier that went out there to make sure that this Nation attained the freedom that we have today.

From the National Guard and all of our men and women that are serving in uniform across all the services, it is because of them that we have the right to stand here today.

I applaud Congressman Stivers on his promotion to brigadier. And we, along with our colleagues in the Senate, congratulate him. Mr. Speaker, I thank him very much for his service.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution and want to address an issue created by the Federal Communication Commission's misguided privacy rule in a recent Ninth Circuit case.

For decades, the Federal Trade Commission has been the privacy cop on the beat for most industries, including the technology sector, protecting consumers from unfair or deceptive acts or practices. The Federal Trade Commission has brought over 500 privacy and data security cases to protect consumers. These include cases against internet service providers and some of the largest edge providers.

The Federal Communications Commission is a regulatory body focused on regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.

The Federal Trade Commission's work in privacy and data security has long been held up as a model by both parties, praising the agency for strong enforcement without overly burdensome regulations. During negotiations with the European Union to finalize the U.S.-European privacy shield, the Obama administration held up the Federal Trade Commission as the premier privacy enforcement agency.

Unfortunately, in a midnight action, the Federal Communications Commission jammed through its own privacy rule that is very different from the framework that the Federal Trade Commission has been enforcing for decades.

While we can reverse the poorly constructed FCC rule today, we must still address a recent court ruling. The Ninth Circuit recently ruled that the common carrier exemption in the Federal Trade Commission Act exempts an entity in its entirety from the Federal Trade Commission's jurisdiction if it engages in any common carrier activities, even if the company also engages in non-common carrier activity.

I have introduced legislation to address the court's ruling with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Olson). It is my hope that our colleagues will join us.

S.J. Res. 34 makes clear that the Federal Trade Commission has authority over common carriers when they are acting outside the scope of the common carrier.

The repeal of the Federal Communications Commission's misguided privacy rule in the Ninth Circuit's opinion creates a gap and an irrational approach to privacy for consumers and would leave portions of the internet ecosystem completely outside the Federal Trade Commission's jurisdiction. This bill makes clear that the common carrier exemption is important to ensure that no duplication regulation occurs. At the same time, there are no loopholes left for certain companies to be outside the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission.

We need to be consistent in our approach to privacy and focus on consumer-oriented enforcement. This approach has been the foundation not just of Silicon Valley, but innovators across the country; and the S.J. Res. 34 sets right the decades of innovation that has spurred job growth in the United States and greater online services for consumers.

Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize WTOL's Emmy Award-winning anchor, Jerry Anderson, for his election to the Ohio Associated Press Hall of Fame. For more than 40 years, Jerry has served Northwest Ohio as a valued and trustworthy face on the local news, and this honor is well deserved.

In 1974, Jerry Anderson started his career in Bowling Green on the radio airwaves for WFOB. Jerry began his television news career in 1980, and he has become one of the top media members in the region. Jerry was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding News Anchor in the NATAS region in 2001.

With a career that has touched on local, regional, and national news, Jerry covered countless important events to the people of Toledo and surrounding areas. So far in his career, Jerry has brought four national political conventions, the inaugurations of three presidents, and Pope John Paul II's visit to Detroit into the living room of families in Northwest Ohio.

A proud Ohioan, Jerry should also be celebrated for support of local charitable efforts, including earning his certification as an auctioneer so he may volunteer for more than 20 charity auctions annually. Jerry also donates numerous hours as an emcee at community events to help raise funding for local schools, disadvantaged families, and individuals with disabilities.

Mr. Speaker, the Ohio Associated Press Hall of Fame recognizes broadcasters that have ``served with exceptional distinction and honor in the field of journalism.'' When you think of the upstanding work he has done for over four decades, it's clear those words describe Jerry Anderson. Once again, congratulations to Jerry on this high honor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate a treasured institution in my hometown of Bowling Green, Ohio, the Sentinel-Tribune Newspaper. The Sentinel-Tribune, a staple of Wood County has provided news coverage for the local community for 150 years and continues to be a must-read six days a week.

The Sentinel-Tribune began as just the Sentinel when it was originally established in 1867. The Sentinel served the people of Bowling Green and southern Wood County who sought to change the county seat from Perrysburg to Bowling Green. In 1906, a merger with the Tribune was initiated, becoming the publication we recognize today.

While the newspaper business has changed drastically since the 1800's, the Sentinel-Tribune has kept pace. Advances in technology have allowed anyone to share information at the push of a button and news travels quicker than ever. The Sentinel-Tribune continues to adapt to serve its readership through daily circulations and a growing digital presence.

The Sentinel-Tribune has proven that it is an indispensible source for its readers that want to know what is happening in their community, their state, and their country. It's a testament to the leadership, the reporters, and the staff at the newspaper that they have been so successful for a century and a half.

Mr. Speaker, a news publication that continues to serve the public interest as well as the Sentinel-Tribune deserves to be celebrated and honored. The paper remains a trusted and valued news publication that has served the people of Ohio for 150 years. I want to recognize the Sentinel-Tribune for its years of service to the people of Ohio and the local community.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the City of Findlay, Ohio for being named a 2016 Top Micropolitan Community in the United States. This is the third year in a row that Findlay has been selected by Site Selection magazine for this honor.

Site Selection ranks micropolitan areas, which have populations ranging between 10,000 and 50,000, by evaluating different sets of criteria for opportunities to provide proven sustainable success. Findlay, once again, ranked highest out of these cities with 22 projects that secure and grow the local economic growth of the community.

Findlay has made quite a name for itself by focusing their efforts on steady economic development. Site Selection has deemed this the ``Findlay Formula,'' the building of strong, reliable partnerships from the local government arena to both business and nonprofit organizations.

Mr. Speaker, the success in Findlay is a testament to the strong leadership and tight-knit community that exists in Hancock County. I'm excited about potential future development and the benefits it will bring to residents and businesses that are proud to call Findlay home. Congratulations once again to the City of Findlay for being named a top Micropolitan community.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 212) to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide for the assessment and management of the risk of cyanotoxins in drinking water, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the Record on the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 212, the Drinking Water Protection Act, which I reintroduced from last Congress in January. This important, bipartisan legislation requires the EPA to develop and submit a strategic plan to Congress for assessing and managing risks associated with algal toxins in drinking water provided by public water systems.

Unfortunately, from the Great Lakes to other surface freshwaters across the country, algal toxins, produced by harmful algal blooms, are presenting a serious concern to human health and safety.

Last August, half a million people in the Toledo, Ohio, area, including many of my constituents, weren't able to utilize their public drinking water for over 2 days without risking potentially negative health effects due to a high level of algal toxins detected in the city's public water supply. During that time, concerns and questions were and have since been raised about health effects data, testing protocols, treatment processes, and appropriate short- and long-term responses. Furthermore, during hearings in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, witnesses testified about the further complexity of this issue due to the numerous other algal toxins and variants that may have potential negative health effects when present in public drinking water.

I commend the work that the U.S. EPA, the State of Ohio, and others have done since the Toledo water emergency to ensure public safety; however, the situation demonstrated the need for a more strategic, comprehensive, and strong scientific approach to protect our citizens' public drinking water. I believe H.R. 212 does just this.

Specifically, the legislation calls for the EPA's strategic plan to include steps and timelines to: evaluate the risk to human health from drinking water provided by public water systems contaminated with algal toxins; establish, publish, and update a comprehensive list of algal toxins which the administrator determines may have an adverse effect on human health when present in public drinking water and provide a summary of those known adverse effects; publish health advisories and testing methods if the EPA determines it is warranted based on the published list; recommend feasible treatment options; enter into cooperative agreements and provide technical assistance to affected States and public water systems to manage risks associated with algal toxins; and identify gaps in the EPA's understanding of algal toxins.

I want to thank all the cosponsors of this bill as well as Chairman Upton,

Subcommittee Chairman Shimkus, and all the other staff and stakeholders who have worked diligently on this important legislation.

I urge the full support of my colleagues for H.R. 212.

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

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

I, too, would ask that the House pass H.R. 212.

I appreciate, again, all of the work from all the members and the staff in putting this bill together and getting it on the floor, and also Chairman Upton for his work on the legislation as well as Chairman Shimkus.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of Mike Collins.

Mike Collins epitomized what a true public servant is. Mike was a marine, a city councilman, mayor, police officer, and he epitomized that public service of never putting yourself above the people you represent. He always put the people he represented first. With his passing, northwest Ohio has lost a great leader.

Mr. Speaker, with his funeral today, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to his wife, his daughters, and his family.