Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Teamsters Local Union No. 600, in celebration of their 100th anniversary and service to the members of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.

Teamsters Local Union No. 600 is deserving of special public recognition for its many accomplishments. It has distinguished record of service to working men and women, as well as to their families. Its immeasurable contributions to the advancement of the union labor movement in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area have made our community a better place.

Teamsters Local Union No. 600 has worked to improve the working conditions, benefits, and wages for the men and women of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. In addition, their influence was appreciated and felt by those who drove freight trucks, worked in warehouses, made milk deliveries, and worked at the Anheuser Busch beer distributorships.

But there work has not only been limited to St. Louis. As a Member the US House of Representatives' Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Teamsters Local Union No. 600 advice and counsel has been invaluable to me when working on local, regional, and national transportation issues.

Teamsters Local Union No. 600 has also lead the way in providing employers in the transportation industry with the best trained employees, making it possible for the goods and services that millions of Americans rely on to be delivered safely, on time and in good condition. This kind of commitment by the Teamsters makes our US economy work, grow, and prosper for all us.

Again, I congratulate Teamsters Local Union No. 600 on their 100th Anniversary, and wish them more success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to today to recognize the 100th anniversary of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562.

Local 562 has a proud history in local labor movement which began in the 1800s and I am honored to rise today to honor its people, and its work, over the last 100 years. Local 562's 4,500 members serve the plumbing and mechanical industry in 67 counties in Eastern Missouri. In 1999 Plumbers Local 35 was merged by the International Union with Pipefitters Local 562 to create the new Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562.

Plumbers and Pipefitters local 562 provides some of the best educated and trained labor workforce in the world. Its workers have participated in the successful construction of some of St. Louis' most significant initiatives, ranging from large private buildings to major transportation and infrastructure projects. This success is due to Local 562's attention to quality service and craftsmanship.

Local 562 has also been a leader in the industry, as exemplified by its investing over $12 million in a new training facility. Because of rigorous training, members of local 562 are at the forefront of innovative new industries in our ever changing economy. They are integral to our regional and national economic development, as a well skilled and educated workforce is critical to a growing economy.

For all of Local 562's contributions to our economy, it is also well known for its volunteer and charitable efforts in the community. The Plumbers & Pipefitters annually provide thousands of dollars worth of services to help St. Louis' poor and elderly citizens pay for their utility bills; donate plumbing repairs and home renovations for the less fortunate; help build decent and affordable housing; raise funds for police officers, firefighters, and emergency responders who have fallen in the line of duty; and volunteer time and money to children's hospitals.

Recognizing a century of leadership and excellence in the construction industry, and in our community, I offer hearty congratulations to the members of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562, and thank them for their service.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the Moran Amendment.

The streams, lakes, and wetlands of America are in desperate need of protection. These areas provide citizens with clean drinking water, are essential to sports and recreation, and, importantly to my district in St. Louis, protect cities from floods. The Army Corps of Engineers, and the Environmental Protection Agency developed a guidance plan this past summer to clarify the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act, the paramount piece of legislation protecting these important areas. This guidance will confirm the water protections we depend on to keep our water safe. Thus, I support the Moran Amendment which would eliminate Section 110. Section 110 prevents the Corps from doing a critical part of its job: maintaining our country's significant water resources.

The Corps has already proposed guidance that would significantly clarify the Clean Water Act and ensure the safety of American waterways. Without these clarifications, 20 million acres of wetlands will continue to be left without legal protections. The American public depends on this Act for clean drinking water, protection from flood waters, and maintaining the habitats of important wildlife. The American public depends on us to support the Corps and place safeguards to keep our water clean. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of the Moran Amendment and not prevent the Army Corp of Engineers from doing their job. We must allow the Army Corps of Engineers to clarify the scope of the Clean Water Act, so that Americans can trust their waterways are clean.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the Graves amendment.

The Missouri River, the Nation's longest, is an important economic tool for not only the state of Missouri but the Nation as a whole. The river is critical to the local water supply, is home to a diverse ecosystem, and also serves residential and recreational roles. Due to our dependence on the River, three million acres along the river have been distorted or changed, causing natural habitats to disappear. Reinvigorating the river and its wildlife will not only benefit those who live along the river, but those who depend on its resources as well.

I stand in strong support of the Missouri River Recovery Program, a program which serves to revitalize the Missouri River and allow native species populations to grow. Missouri needs this program to ensure that the future of the Missouri river ecosystem is one that is sustainable and affordable to maintain. This amendment does nothing to redirect funds for other means of flood control, but instead limits a program that is integral to the River's recovery. Without the funding this program needs, we risk programs that provide habitats and safety for federally listed endangered and threatened species. The maintenance and recovery of the Missouri River is vital to the millions of Americans impacted by the Missouri River basin. I urge my colleagues to consider the economic and environmental impact that a cut to funding for the Missouri River Recovery Program would have, and urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

I want to first say thank you to the gentleman from New York for his efforts on this amendment and also that he has done this in a bipartisan way. I also want to thank President Obama for his executive order in doing this to encourage project labor agreements, not require

them. I think they speak for themselves.

My friends on both sides of the aisle have a responsibility to the American people to get both low cost and high quality in job-creating military construction projects. Project labor agreements have a proven track record to ensure that. We should come together to support the Grimm amendment. We can help create fewer cost overruns, faster project completion and a fair day's wage for an honest day's work for American workers.

I support the Grimm amendment that strikes the anti-PLA measures in the Military Construction appropriations bill.

PLAs are simply rules of the road for workers and management on construction projects. We know they cut taxpayer spending. They save time; they save headaches. They create good, local jobs and better quality and value. Why would we not want that?

Very simply, unions prefer PLAs because they treat workers like human beings instead of investment capital. Some people here think unions are unacceptable. I think those people are wrong. History shows unions have largely helped create America's middle class and workers' rights enjoyed by all Americans, whether they are members of a union or not.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, if you want to help cut spending and improve efficiency, stand with American taxpayers and with American workers. Vote for the Grimm amendment. Remove the anti- PLA language to fix this bill. Let's get it right.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, the original Violence Against Women Act was championed by then-Senator Joe Biden, who understood that all women must be protected from domestic abuse and violence. He understood that many women are afraid to come forward to report abuse. The Violence Against Women Act gave women a better chance to live their lives without that fear.

Again, the Senate has taken the lead. They already reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act and did it in a way that protects all women. It does not discriminate. It promises that America will stand by women; we will protect women, and we will prosecute their abusers.

The Republican bill that barely passed this House yesterday breaks our solemn promise. I call on leadership to allow a fair up-or-down vote on the ``real'' Violence Against Women Act and not some watered- down, weakened version. We owe it to our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, our friends, and to the memory of those we have lost to abuse.

I have an amendment at the desk.

At this time, I would like to engage in a colloquy with the chairman of the Armed Services Committee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

My amendment integrates duplicative functions related to overseas contingency operation planning, management, and oversight into the U.S. Office for Contingency Operations--responding to a litany of concerns that have been raised in recent years pointing to the mismanagement of U.S. tax dollars in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In fact, last August, the Commission on Wartime Contracting estimated that as much as $30 billion to $60 billion may have been lost due to waste and fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan. Poor accountability and oversight has also undermined the effectiveness of U.S. operations.

As the commission's report notes, there will be a next contingency, whether it takes the form of overseas hostilities or responding to emergencies like terror attacks, natural disasters, or other humanitarian crises. We must take action to ensure we are fully prepared for these scenarios.

Systemic problems within the U.S. Government have contributed to serious flaws in the preparation, management, and execution of contingency operations. Currently, responsibilities for these initiatives are spread over several U.S. departments and agencies, resulting in diffused accountability. While there have been positive steps to address issues of coordination, a great deal more needs to be done.

In fact, many of our key allies in NATO already have agencies or offices with cross-cutting functions, similar to that proposed in my amendment, that reflect the nature of the 21st century security challenges we face. It will certainly require an act of this body to streamline our system. More importantly, it is our duty as Members of Congress to exercise the strict oversight of conflict and stabilization initiatives. As then-Senator Harry Truman found when fighting the waste and mismanagement of funding during World War II, effective congressional oversight cannot only save lives and money, it makes our efforts stronger.

For these reasons, I have worked over the past couple of years to develop this legislation, with many others' input, that integrates duplicative functions into one streamlined office. It further ensures the proper acquisition, planning, contract management, and enhanced inspector general oversight to protect our resources from waste, fraud, and abuse. Beyond safeguarding spending, it promotes the readiness and safety of our deployed personnel and of our overall ability to effectively execute operations.

Chairman McKeon, I understand you have raised some questions with regard to this amendment. I respect your points that you have made, and will be withdrawing this amendment. However, I would like to work with you and the committee in responding to these issues so we then have an opportunity to move this concept forward. Specifically, I hope the Armed Services Committee will hold hearings on this legislation and work toward incorporating its goals during the conference committee of this authorization bill.

I thank the chairman for that commitment.

I now ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment from further consideration, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Maureen Clancy-May, and honor her for her years of service to the people of the St. Louis area.

Dr. Clancy-May has achieved many milestones during her 33 years in education. She received her Bachelor's in Teaching Exceptional Children from Southeast Missouri State University, her Masters of Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and her Ph.D. from Saint Louis University in Educational Administration. Dr. Clancy-May then applied her knowledge as a teacher, a Director of Student Services, a Principal, and as an Assistant Superintendent for schools across the St. Louis area. She has also shared her knowledge and experience with other educators as an adjunct professor in the Education Leadership Department at Saint Louis University.

Since July 1, 2004, Dr. Clancy-May has worked as the Superintendent of Schools for the Bayless School District. There, she led the Bayless School District to achieve full accreditation and Missouri's Accreditation with Distinction. Under her guidance, Bayless Elementary School and Bayless Junior High earned both the Missouri and the National School of Character awards. Her determination to improve her school district resulted in numerous awards for the district, as well as a $1.5 million math and science grant.

In addition to her work in education, Dr. Clancy-May supports her community in many ways. She is an active member of the Rotary Club of St. Louis County and the Lemay Chamber of Commerce, and has served four years on the Board of the Affton Community Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of numerous education organizations, serving as a representative on the Missouri Association of School Administrators' Executive Committee and as the president of the Cooperating School Districts of the Greater St. Louis Area's Board. Dr. Clancy-May has also been recognized for her many accomplishments, including: being awarded with the FOCUS St. Louis What's Right with the Region Award; Hardee's Hometown Hero Award; and the Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Merit Award.

Dr. Clancy-May has dedicated much of her life to serving the St. Louis community. I congratulate Dr. Maureen Clancy-May for her devotion to one of the nation's most important professions: educating our children and preparing them for a responsible and productive adulthood.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Barbara Hehmeyer, and honor her for her 23 years of dedicated service to the Lemay Chamber of Commerce. She has made the Lemay Chamber one of the most vibrant Chambers of Commerce in Missouri's Third Congressional District.

Ms. Hehmeyer began working for the Lemay Chamber of Commerce in 1989 and has accomplished many great things during her tenure. She tirelessly pursued many projects that resulted in redeveloping and improving her community. She led the Lemay Development Corporation as it engaged in workforce and youth development activities, as well as neighborhood beautification efforts. Her advocacy for the Community Reinvestment fund will result in at least $15 million dollars in direct investment for the Lemay area. Barbara also played an instrumental role in bringing Pinnacle Entertainment's River City Casino to Lemay; a project that resulted in over $380 million in investment and has created 1,000 jobs for the people of St. Louis.

Barbara has also worked to strengthen not only her community but also the Lemay Chamber of Commerce itself. She has doubled the levels of membership in the Lemay Chamber and has established many innovative member benefits. She developed a modern day newsletter, and started annual events which recognize outstanding educators and provide scholarship for area high school students. Barbara also worked with the Lemay Child and Family center, BJC School, the Hancock Place school district, the Salvation Army, the Carondelet YMCA, and St. Louis Community College in implementing the successful Lemay Charting for Change project.

Barbara's commitment to the Lemay Chamber of Commerce and to the St. Louis region has been outstanding. For over two decades she has strived for and achieved excellence. I thank my constituent and good friend, Barbara Hehmeyer, for her work and dedication to our community, and invite my colleagues to join me today in recognizing her great work.

Mr. Speaker, today is Peace Officers Memorial Day. Throughout the Nation, and in my home State of Missouri, flags fly at half staff at all our State buildings in honor of the members of our police forces who have reached the ends of their watch, including seven in 2011 and two in 2010.

These men and women gave their lives for their Nation, not on a battlefield with a foreign name, but in our neighborhoods, on streets our children walk. They're heroes, seldom recognized, frequently in danger, always ready to give what Abraham Lincoln called ``the last full measure of devotion'' to protect and serve our friends, our family, our community.

The peace officers lost in Missouri fell as enforcers of law and as first responders in times of need. We remember them all with an empty spot on the force and hearts full of thanks for their sacrifice and service.

Mr. Speaker, due to being unavoidably delayed, I missed the vote on the Huelskamp Amendment, which prohibits the use of funds in contravention of the Defense of Marriage Act, to H.R. 5326 (roll No. 235), the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Appropriations Act for FY 2013. I would have voted against this amendment, had I been present to record my vote.

Yesterday was President Harry S. Truman's birthday. One of his quotes is particularly appropriate today. He said:

The purpose of our society is to enable the individual to

attain the highest achievement of which he is capable.

The highest achievements that have sprung from our education system have included harnessing the atom, claiming the high ground in space, and curing previously fatal diseases. But now, because of our failure to adequately fund education, tuition is skyrocketing. Graduates who wish to reach for achievement are anchored to Earth by thousands of dollars in debt. For us to also allow interest rates to double on these student loans is morally unacceptable and economically foolish.

To paraphrase President Truman: the extra bucks stop here.

Let's stop the student loan interest rates from doubling July 1. Stop the political games. Let's support American students to attain their highest achievements.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to be removed as cosponsor of H.R. 1588.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the state of Israel, one of our country's great allies, on the 64th anniversary of its independence.

On May 14, 1948, the people of Israel proclaimed the establishment of the sovereign and independent State of Israel.

Shortly after, President Harry Truman signed the order recognizing this new Jewish State of Israel.

Ever since, the United States and Israel have had an unshakeable relationship, bound together by common interests and shared values.

As the great symbol of democracy in the Middle East, the people of Israel continue to prosper despite the on--going challenges they face.

The Israeli people remain committed to achieving a lasting, long-term peace with their neighbors.

We must continue to support Israel, and to ensure that the peace process moves forward.

Today, I honor our ally and its commitment to democracy and freedom and offer congratulations to the State of Israel on the 64th anniversary of her independence.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Nurses For Newborns Organization, as they celebrate their 20th anniversary.

Since 1992, Nurses For Newborns has served our most vulnerable citizens-newborn babies. As a nurse home visiting agency, volunteers help provide a safety net for families most at risk to help prevent infant mortality, child abuse, and neglect through home based programs that provide education, healthcare, and positive parenting skills. Services also include programs for teen moms and moms that are mentally and physically challenged, as well as referrals to medical, social or government services.

Nurses visiting new mothers for whom poverty is the primary risk factor provide maternal depression, risk for domestic violence and child abuse and neglect screenings in the home. ``Medically fragile'' babies--those born prematurely, diagnosed with Down Syndrome or other genetic disorders, or who have been exposed to drugs or alcohol are afforded extra special care by volunteer nurses.

Moms with intellectual or physical disabilities who need assistance with routine tasks like formula preparation and feeding; administration of medications or managing appointment schedules will receive support from Nurses For Newborns with more frequent home visits.

Our citizens have rallied around this worthy organization. Churches, school groups, and businesses, and community members routinely donate clothes, toys, diapers, blankets, car seats, baby beds, and formula to the Nurses For Newborns organization, for families in need.

Evidence based outcomes of the hard work of Nurses For Newborns staff and volunteers are impressive. Ninety-nine percent of babies whose parents are enrolled in the program do not suffer from abuse or neglect; 89 percent are current with immunization schedule; 99 percent have established a medical home for their babies, and 99 percent are not unnecessarily hospitalized.

I thank Chief Executive Officer Melinda Ohlemiller, her staff, and all of the volunteers who have made Nurses For Newborns the effective and vitally important organization that it is today. Because of their compassion and hard work, all St. Louis area babies can have the best possible start and the brightest possible future.