Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Roskam for his leadership on this issue. I also want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), because this bill that we are talking about today is and has been rife with nothing but bipartisan support. It is issues like this that we can work together to correct. No matter what the bill is, no matter what some of the other outlying issues of implementation of certain laws that may or may not affect our constituents and how they do so, but the fact that we are trying to fix this once and for all, for many in this country, is a testament to what good happens here in a bipartisan fashion.

I also want to thank the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Kevin Brady, my good friend, for his continued leadership on this issue and helping to make sure this bill comes back to the floor.

This Congress has an opportunity to continue the bipartisanship I just talked about and promote religious liberty and fairness by passing the EACH Act, because the EACH Act modestly expands the religious conscience exemptions under the Affordable Care Act to include individuals who rely solely on religious methods of healing.

The current religious conscience exemption under the Affordable Care Act exclusively applies to only a few select faiths. As a result, some Americans, including Christian Scientists, are required to purchase medical health insurance that does not cover the healthcare of their religious practice and choice. They are, therefore, forced with the choice of violating their conscience by purchasing traditional health insurance or violating the law by not complying with any individual mandate.

Under the EACH Act, applicants must attest annually that they are a member of a religious group, that they rely solely on a religious method of healing, and that they have not received medical health services during the preceding taxable year.

This is a very important point, Mr. Speaker. Additionally, with the help of input from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the bill makes it clear that the legislation does not preempt any State laws requiring the provision of medical treatment for children. Further, if a parent needs to provide a necessary medical service to a child, doing so would not invalidate the individual's exemption.

The EACH Act, again, is truly an example of bipartisan legislation with input from stakeholders that actually made it better. I am proud to have worked with my friend and colleague, Mr. Keating, on moving this legislation forward. He knows this issue well. His home State of Massachusetts established a similar religious conscience exemption in State law more than 10 years ago.

I also represent Principia College, a college for Christian Scientists in Elsah, Illinois, one that we have a few graduates of right here in Congress, including the last speaker, Mr. Lamar Smith. While working on this bill, I have heard from both students and professors from Principia on the importance of passing this legislation and what it would mean to their lives.

One such student wrote: ``I feel religious liberty is such a vital part of the American exceptionalism that permeates worldly thought, and the passing of this bill will only contribute to the commitment of our government to preserve that right. My family has paid excessive amounts for healthcare, among other expenses, that we do not use due to our reliance on the Christian Science healing for prayer. I do not believe Christian Scientists should feel that they are being punished in some way for expressing their First Amendment right.''

Well, Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand up here today for their First Amendment right.

This legislation is about as straightforward as it gets. It is broadly bipartisan, promotes religious liberty and fairness, and it also saves the taxpayers money. The Congressional Budget Office estimated passing the EACH Act would save taxpayers an additional $31 million, if signed into law.

The EACH Act passed this House in both the 113th and 114th Congresses, but, unfortunately, it was held up in the Senate. It is time that Congress finally passes the EACH Act out of both Chambers and sends it to th President's desk for his signature.

I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my friend, John McGovern. He was a beloved friend, family man, and a staple in Illinois politics. He passed away unexpectedly on July 14.

For decades, John worked in numerous State, congressional, and U.S. Senate offices and campaigns in our home State of Illinois. He was more than just a brilliant spokesperson and a political strategist, but also a mentor and a friend to everyone he worked with or worked for. He was even the best man at my good friend former Senator Mark Kirk's wedding.

He always remained a loyal and genuine person, which is something you don't always find in politics. No matter the situation, even with policy and ideological differences, he stayed true to his impeccable ethics and to his civility.

John was also involved in his community. He served on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, the Elawa Farm Foundation, and on the auxiliary board of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Words cannot describe how much we will miss his counsel, his wit, and his friendship. I offer my sincerest condolences to his wife, Wentworth; his two young sons; and to all of us and all who knew John McGovern.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and thank my friend, John Comerford, for his years of service and leadership as president of Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois.

In his nearly 5 years as Blackburn's president, John provided tremendous leadership and helped implement innovative policies with tuition assistance and providing students with valuable work experience.

Under his leadership, Blackburn College has steadily grown its enrollment, renovated several buildings on campus, and implemented policies that provide local students with access to college.

Under Blackburn's Macoupin Promise program, which was created last year, high school students in Macoupin County can attend Blackburn College for free if they meet the college's academic standards, participate in the work program, and their household income falls below a set threshold.

Beginning this month, John will be moving to Otterbein University in Ohio, where he will serve as president. I wish John nothing but the best in the future and thank him for his leadership, feedback, and, most of all, his friendship.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 66) to establish the Route 66 Centennial Commission, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to prepare a plan on the preservation needs of Route 66, 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 include extraneous material on H.R. 66, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 66, the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act.

I thank my colleague, Representative Grace Napolitano, for sponsoring this legislation with me, and I also thank Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio for helping shepherd this bill to the floor, along with Highways and Transit Subcommittee chairman, Mr. Graves.

I am proud to have Route 66 run through the middle of my district, and I believe it is important that we celebrate the history of Route 66.

In 1926, Route 66 became our Nation's first all-paved highway under the U.S. highway system, connecting Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. Early on, the road was used by hundreds of thousands of Americans seeking to escape the Dust Bowl and provided critical employment opportunities for road crews paving the road during the Great Depression.

During World War II, the highway transported troops, equipment, and supplies to military bases across our country and was used after the war by thousands of troops returning home to their families.

By the 1950s, Route 66 began to see a rise in tourism and became the true symbol of American freedom and independence that we all know today.

In April of last year, I went on an extended tour of Illinois' stretch of the highway with my colleague Representative Darin LaHood and also many State and local leaders. I had the opportunity to see the economic impact that the Mother Road brings to Illinois. It supports many jobs and key economic activity in small towns, and it helps to generate important revenue to support those small rural communities.

For example, travelers along Route 66 in Illinois can see a giant pink elephant statue and other larger-than-life sculptures at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston, Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, as a matter of fact, my family and I were coming back to my hometown of Taylorville yesterday, and we stopped and had a great lunch at the Twistee Treat, which is attached to the Pink Elephant Antique Mall. So

if you ever want to go there, they have great burgers. I happened to have a pork tenderloin sandwich that I probably shouldn't have eaten, but it was really, really good, and topped it off, of course, with Twistee Treat's famous ice cream.

You can also, if you are traveling Route 66, stop and see a movie at the Wildey Theater in Edwardsville, Illinois. That originally opened in 1909. Or stop for an all-day breakfast at Jungle Jim's Cafe, a quintessential roadside diner in Springfield, Illinois.

Those are just a few of the thousands of local businesses along Route 66 whose livelihoods depend upon the historic highway.

You don't even have to be in a car to ride along Route 66. The Illinois Route 66 Trail is a system of off-road paths for bikes, hikers, or anyone else looking to see the Mother Road in a different way.

The centennial of this great highway will be an international celebration, and the State of Illinois will be ready to welcome travelers from around the world who want to experience the history and magic of this scenic byway.

This bill, Mr. Speaker, will create a 19-member commission to recommend activities to honor the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road in the year 2026.

It also directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop a plan to ensure the first all-paved U.S. highway connecting the Midwest to my colleague's, Mrs. Napolitano's, district in California will be preserved for many years to come. In doing this, the Secretary of Transportation will work with the Governors of the eight States that this historic highway passes through to develop a comprehensive preservation plan.

H.R. 66 is endorsed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation; the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership; the National Historic Route 66 Federation; Auto Club Enterprises, also known as AAA; and the Route 66 Alliance.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record their letters of support of the bill.

National Trust for

Historic Preservation,

July 16, 2018.

Dear Members of the House of Representatives: We appreciate

this opportunity to present the National Trust for Historic

Preservation's perspective on H.R. 66, the Route 66

Centennial Commission Act, which is scheduled for House floor

consideration today. The National Trust enthusiastically

endorses this legislation and looks forward to its enactment

this year.

interests of the national trust for historic preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a

privately-funded charitable, educational, and nonprofit

organization chartered by Congress in 1949 to ``facilitate

public participation in historic preservation'' and to

further the purposes of federal historic preservation laws.

The intent of Congress was for the National Trust ``to

mobilize and coordinate public interest, participation, and

resources in the preservation and interpretation of sites and

buildings.'' With headquarters in Washington, D.C., nine

field offices, 27 historic sites, more than one million

members and supporters, and a national network of partners in

states, territories, and the District of Columbia, the

National Trust works to save America's historic places and

advocates for historic preservation as a fundamental value in

programs and policies at all levels of government.

h.r. 66, route 66 centennial commission act

We appreciate Representative Rodney Davis' leadership on

this legislation to create a Route 66 Centennial Commission

that recognizes and honors Route 66 on its centennial

anniversary. Historic Route 66 stretches approximately 2,400

miles from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA, passing through

eight states and more than 300 communities. This vital

transportation corridor between the Midwest and southern

California has endured as a symbol of freedom and mobility

while epitomizing a new optimism that pervaded the nation's

economic recovery following World War II.

Route 66 was found by the National Park Service (NPS) to be

nationally significant in its 1995 Route 66 Special Resource

Study, which determined that Route 66 met the eligibility

requirements for a National Historic Trail. Numerous

buildings along Route 66 are listed on the National Register

of Historic Places (NRHP), and a 2012 Multiple Property

Documentation Form (MPDF) establishing the road's national

significance was recently approved by the Keeper of the

National Register. Route 66 has been designated a National

Scenic Byway in four states, including one segment that has

been designated an All-American Road--the highest designation

offered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Route 66 is internationally recognized as representing

America's love of the automobile and open road. As a Dustbowl

migration route, a World War II strategic military route, and

a vacation travel route, it has been celebrated in music,

literature, television, movies, and popular lore. The

National Trust has been supportive of Route 66 preservation

efforts for many years, including it in our signature

National Treasures program, participating in symposiums,

providing strategic assistance, and including Route 66 on the

2018 list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.

When Congress passed the Route 66 Corridor Preservation

Program in 1999, a program administered by the National Park

Service (NPS), Route 66 was described as a symbol of the

American people's heritage of travel and their legacy of

seeking a better life. We applaud Representative Rodney Davis

and the over 40 cosponsors of H.R. 66 for their commitment to

recognizing the national significance of Route 66.

Thank you again for the opportunity to present the National

Trust's perspectives on this legislation, and we look forward

to working with Congress to ensure H.R. 66 is enacted into

law this year.

Sincerely,

Pam Bowman,

Director of Public Lands Policy.

Mr. Speaker, throughout its history, Route 66 has become more than just a way to get from point A to point B. It has evolved into a symbol of American independence and prosperity. I am proud to help continue the legacy of Route 66, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 66.

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

Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank my colleague Mrs. Napolitano, and also my colleague Mr. LaHood, for going on the Route 66 tour and passing legislation through the Natural Resources Committee when he was a member of that committee to ensure that this Mother Road gets the recognition that it deserves when it turns 100 years old.

I will tell you, you talk about economic impacts, this road has a tremendous impact in rural America and central Illinois. When I pulled into the Pink Elephant Antique Mall yesterday, it was tough to find a parking spot on a Sunday in Livingston, Illinois, when that town has 850 people who reside there. This is a big deal.

I yield to the gentlewoman from California.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember David Freyling, a dear friend and dedicated patriot who passed away over the weekend.

Dave's entire life was about serving others. He served in the Army from 1956 to 1966 with the 82nd Airborne in Berlin during the construction of the Berlin Wall, and was later stationed in Korea, where he helped build roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.

Dave dedicated his life to fellow veterans. He was the chairman of the Help for Heroes fund and the Veterans Assistance Commission of Macon County for 13 years, and many knew him for his selflessness in getting veterans the help they need. For many years, he voluntarily drove veterans to the Danville VA hospital nearly 90 miles away, taking 389 total trips and racking up over 70,000 miles, to shuttle his fellow veterans to the VA to get the healthcare they deserved.

He was active in his church, volunteered with the American Red Cross, and was a prominent member of both the American Legion and the Macon County Honor Guard. He served on the Decatur Civic Center Board and worked tirelessly to bring to life the World War II Memorial in town, which was finally completed in 2012, thanks to Dave's hard work. By all accounts, Dave was a true example of patriotism and service.

Words cannot express how much he will be missed. He made an immeasurable impact on the lives of veterans and the entire Decatur community. I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Jeannine, and to all those who knew Dave. I am so glad he got to watch the fireworks before he passed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise along with my colleague Rep. Shimkus, to honor John Foreman, longtime editor of the News-Gazette who tragically passed away over the weekend.

John graduated from Atwood-Hammond High School in 1970 and first joined the newspaper after graduating from the University of Illinois in 1977. He was a part-time weekend reporter, and eventually made his way to editor-in-chief by 1986. In 2003, John was made publisher of his hometown newspaper.

John loved everything about working at the News-Gazette. He loved local journalism and knew better than anyone the importance of the relationship between a community and its newspaper. To many, he embodied the spirit of everything the News-Gazette stands for.

John was widely-respected in his career as an established journalist and a fierce advocate for the freedom of the press. He dedicated his professional life to protecting this First Amendment right and held several leadership roles in organizations like the Illinois Press Association, the Illinois Associated Press Editors, Mid-America Press Institute and many more. He was the first recipient of the James C. Craven Award for Freedom of the Press from the Illinois Press Association and he was also named Illinois Journalist of the Year in 2006.

He was both a mentor and friend to us, and many at the News-Gazette, and his absence will not go unnoticed.

We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Sharon, his News- Gazette family and all those who knew John. He was a valued member of the Champaign-Urbana community and will be truly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, William Dalluge, Jr., a lifetime resident of Blue Mound, Illinois, who retired as Pleasant View Township clerk in April.

William, who is known to everyone as ``Whompie,'' is a staple in the Blue Mound community. Born and raised there, Whompie has always called Blue Mound home. Even from a young age, he knew the importance of giving back to his community. In 1961, he started a small business by leasing and operating the Standard Gas station in town for 9 years. The following 16 years, he was co-owner of the Blue Mound Furniture Store.

What is most remarkable about Whompie is that he has spent nearly all his life in the service of others. Not only is he a U.S. Army veteran, but Whompie sat on the Blue Mound Town Board for 4 years, serving as the village president another 4.

He volunteered his time as a Boy Scout troop leader and has been actively involved in the Interchurch Food Pantry since 1984. For the past 29 years, the citizens of Blue Mound have known Whompie as their Pleasant View Township clerk until his retirement this spring.

However, if you ask him, Whompie's greatest accomplishment has been his nearly 69-year marriage to his wife, Nelda. Together, they have three children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Whompie, congratulations on a well-earned retirement. Best wishes to you and your family.

Mr. Speaker, I wish I could use that picture that my colleagues had up because we are debating a solution to an issue that Congresses for decades have not addressed.

Immigration is a difficult issue. It invokes strong feelings on both sides. But it is an issue that is long overdue. This vote today is important for showing the American people that we can govern.

The President supports it because it is strong on border security, provides a permanent solution for the DACA population, supports merit- based legal immigration, and codifies the law to allow families to stay together.

Frankly, these are all issues I have heard Republicans and Democrats talk about fixing. I hope some of my friends on the other side of the aisle will vote for this bill, and I think, if we were in a different time, many would.

But I am not sure that is going to happen. That is why we need every Republican to be with us.

It is not an easy issue, but we were elected to lead. By passing this bill, which has the best chance of making it through the Senate and being signed by the President, we could be the leaders who finally secure our borders, provide certainty for people who were brought here as children through no fault of their own, move our legal immigration system to a merit-based process, and keep families together--all issues that both sides have talked about solving, but today, with this vote, we could be the ones who solve these problems for decades.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' because it is a vote to govern. Governing is hard, but I am confident that we can get it done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tom Klasner, who was honored with the 2017 Rural County Engineer Award in April.

Over the last 16 years, Tom has worked to reduce the number of 19 structurally deficient or obsolete bridges in Jersey County down to

just five, with plans to further reduce that number. Tom has been an outspoken advocate for improving this infrastructure, especially those traveling with heavy farm equipment. Most of the bridges had been made of timber during the 1920's and 50's, and were deteriorating rapidly.

Tom has been a strong advocate for improving the Highway Department facility on Illinois Route 16. He has worked relentlessly to make sure Jersey County's Highway Department employees and their equipment is being protected and kept safe especially during the harsh winter months.

Tom is an exceptional individual within my congressional district. His leadership and expertise has made a lasting impact on Jersey County. Congratulations, Tom, on receiving the 2017 Rural County Engineer Award. I look forward to continuing to work with him throughout the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lieutenant Eric Schrage of the Collinsville Fire Department and congratulate him on being awarded the Medal of Honor Award from the Firefighting Medal of Honor Awards Ceremony this past May.

Lieutenant Schrage was recognized for his actions in responding to a fire

in an apartment building while driving his own personal vehicle last September. After Lieutenant Schrage assessed the situation and determined that the residents were trapped, he took matters into his own hands.

Without regard for his own safety, he was able to enter the building and rescue a semiconscious woman trapped in her apartment, remove her from the complex, and remain with her until medical attention arrived.

After rescuing the woman, he took actions to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the apartment. His quick actions helped prevent further damage and loss of life in the surrounding apartments.

I am proud to recognize Lieutenant Schrage for his courage and selfless actions that saved a woman's life.

Thank you, Lieutenant Schrage and all the first responders for all that you do to protect us and keep us safe every day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the courageous members of the Pana Fire Department and congratulate them on being awarded the Firefighter Excellence Unit Citation Award at the Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Firefighting Medal of Honor Awards Ceremony in May.

Chief Rodney Bland and the firefighters from the Pana Fire Department were recognized for their actions in responding to a house fire in April of 2017. After responding to a call and being told that two children were trapped in the house, firefighters made multiple attempts to enter the second floor and

save the children before a fire engine arrived on the scene and without breathing equipment.

The firefighters continued to attack the blaze, but were forced to leave the building due to deteriorating conditions in the house. Although they were unable to save the children, the team from the Pana Fire Department displayed bravery, heroism, and selflessness throughout their actions that day.

I'm proud to recognize their efforts and the citation they received earlier this month. To the members of the Pana Fire Department, and all the first responders across the country, I thank them for all that they do to protect us and keep us safe.

Mr. Speaker, on June 7, 2018, during consideration of H.R. 5895, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2019, I am recorded as voting `aye' on roll call No. 246. On this vote, I was misreported. I duly intended to vote `no' on roll call No. 246.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Rob Widmer, who will retire this month after more than twenty-two years of service to Heartland Community College in Bloomington-Normal.

Rob has been in higher education for over forty years--half of which he spent with Heartland. He joined the college in 1996, serving as the vice president of business services until 2013, when he began his role as Heartland's third president. I can attest that he has been a great advocate for community colleges and technical education.

During his time there, Heartland expanded into one of Central Illinois' primary institutions for workforce development and is now among the state's most renowned community colleges.

This week, the newly-revitalized quad at Heartland's campus will be dedicated as the Rob Widmer Quad, in recognition of Rob's service to the school.

While he plans to travel and spend time with his four sons and ten grandchildren, I know Rob will continue serving the Bloomington-Normal community with his time and talents.

Congratulations, Rob, and best wishes on this new chapter of life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Iris Nigg Lundin, First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, who served in World War II.

Iris enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943. She had earned her teaching degree and was only 2 years out of college working at a summer job when she heard the call to serve her country. She heard it through slogans like, ``Uncle Sam Needs You,'' and ``Free a Man to Fight.'' With the U.S. Marine Corps Women's Reserve newly authorized, Iris walked into a recruiting station and signed up to serve.

She completed boot camp at Marine Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, and was selected to go through Officer Candidate School. After graduating, she was commissioned to 2nd Lieutenant, and she and three other women were sent to Florida to attend navigation school.

While there, Iris was one of the first four women to earn aerial navigator wings. She was trained to teach aerial navigation, meteorology, and radio technique to the men who flew combat missions.

Iris served in the Marines until she was discharged in 1945. This weekend, she will celebrate her 100th birthday. I am beyond proud to honor her today. She is a trailblazer for women in the Armed Forces, and I am honored to commend her for her service.

Iris, thank you, and happy birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 234.