Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor LTC Anthony Somogyi, a native of Palisade, Colorado, for his unwavering commitment to this nation as he prepares for retirement.

LTC Somogyi graduated from Palisade High School in 1994, later attending the University of North Dakota on an Army ROTC Scholarship. After completing his degree in Aeronautical studies with an emphasis in rotary wing aviation and a minor in Military Science, he went on to attend Army flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

LTC Somogyi began his military service when he was assigned to 1st Squadron, 10th U.S. Cavalry, 4th Infantry Division in Fort Hood. After a promotion, he was deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom where he had the rare opportunity as an Aviator to serve as a crewmember on an M-3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle and established the Tactical Operations Center and Remote Retransmission Sites for the squadron.

Upon his return home, LTC Somogyi attended the Aviation Captain's Career Course at Fort Rucker, where his hard work earned him a place in the last class to attend resident Combined Arms Services Staff School at Fort Leavenworth. While there, he completed the Aviation Maintenance Manager's Course and the OH-58D Maintenance Test Pilot's Course on his way to Fort Polk. After six months, LTC Somogyi took command of F Troop, 4th Squadron, 6th U.S. Cavalry in time to move the unit to Fort Lewis. Once he established operations, he spent a year as Commander before leaving Active Duty and moving back to Colorado.

Most recently, he served as Commander at the High-Altitude ARNH Aviation Training Site. He trained students in power management and environmental flight techniques. In this capacity, he routinely conducted search and rescue missions in the mountainous regions of Colorado. LTC Somogyi's lifelong work has resulted in his receiving the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Army Achievement Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Cavalry Spurs, and the Order of St. George.

LTC Somogyi has not only had a fulfilling professional life, but a rich personal life as well. He married his high school sweetheart, Korey, and they were blessed with two daughters, Noel and Andee. When he is not working, LTC Somogyi spends most of his time in the great outdoors, either hunting, camping or fishing with his loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, LTC Somogyi has dutifully served his nation for twenty years and his dedication will be remembered. It is my privilege to recognize him for the important work he has done throughout his life and I wish him all the best in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sheriff Dominic Mattivi, Jr. for his 27 years of service to the Ouray County Sheriff's Department as he prepares for retirement.

Sheriff Mattivi began his career with the Ouray County Sheriff's Department as a Deputy Sheriff, and became Sheriff in 2001. With Ouray County at the beginning of the ``Million Dollar Highway,'' Sheriff Mattivi has been on the scene of many accidents and rescues over the years and has impacted many lives. Sheriff Mattivi's job has certainly not been easy, but throughout his career he has always risen to the occasion as a dedicated and professional lawman. His work and commitment to Ouray County has never wavered and he has become one of the most respected members of the community.

His service goes beyond working hours, and when he's not on the job Sheriff Mattivi can often be found volunteering in his community. He has spent 35 years with the Ouray Volunteer Fire Department, including 20 years with the Ouray County Extrication Team. Additionally, he has worked as a volunteer for the local Red Cross, taught CPR classes, trained lifeguards at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool and annually donated his efforts to ensure the firework displays were properly put together on the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve. The Ouray community has been truly fortunate to have Sheriff Mattivi looking out for its safety and working to make it the vibrant community that it is.

Mr. Speaker, Sheriff Mattivi has dutifully served the Ouray community and his dedication will be remembered. It is my privilege to recognize him for the important work he has done throughout his life and I wish him all the best in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6729) to allow nonprofit organizations to register with the Secretary of the Treasury and share information on activities that may involve human trafficking or money laundering with financial institutions and regulatory authorities, under a safe harbor that offers protections from liability, in order to better identify and report potential human trafficking or money laundering activities.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner).

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner), and I ask unanimous consent that she be allowed to control that time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5036) to establish an Independent Financial Technology Task Force, to provide rewards for information leading to convictions related to terrorist use of digital currencies, to establish a FinTech Leadership in Innovation Program to encourage the development of tools and programs to combat terrorist and illicit use of digital currencies, 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 this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Budd).

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time on this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

I thank my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for bringing forward this legislation to better protect our consumers and our neighbors from illicit financial activity and I urge passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6332) to require the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to submit a report to Congress on the way in which data collected pursuant to title 31 is being used, and for other purposes.

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 materials on this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the consideration of this important measure on the floor here today. The work of the Terrorism and Illicit Finance Subcommittee on Financial Services has uncovered time and again that the activities of terrorists and criminal organizations are powered through financing and that illicit operations cannot continue if the revenue streams that fund those operations are shut off.

The measure before the House today would provide greater clarity into how exactly the global financial system can cut off financial schemes that enable access to illicit nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.

H.R. 6332, the Improving Strategies to Counter Weapons Proliferation Act, would study how our financial institutions, intelligence collecting agencies, and law enforcement share information regarding known weapons financing activities to better identify weapons financing schemes.

To effectively prevent the spread of dangerous weapons into the hands of bad actors like terrorists, we must close the gaps that allow those bad actors to take advantage of the global financial system. The ever- increasing number of threats posed by foreign adversaries and dangerous organizations make it all the more important to close those gaps now. By helping financial institutions and law enforcement better identify the signs of illicit proliferation financing through this bill, these institutions will be able to maximize the effectiveness of their information and more easily coordinate strategies that disrupt and ultimately prevent dangerous crime.

In the United States, we have robust protections in place to be able to prevent financing of weapons proliferation involving suspicious activity reports that go to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and get reported over to law enforcement. By requiring FinCEN to report yearly to Congress on intelligence products it generates from suspicious activity filings on weapons finance transactions as well as how those intelligence products have informed law enforcement action, we can learn the indicators for proliferation finance and move to more effectively combat those illicit financial activities.

The bill before the House of Representatives today is a good first step in making sure the financial institutions, law enforcement agencies, and Congress have the tools that they need to be able to combat financing for illicit weapons proliferation, and I urge its passage here today.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4753) to amend the Federal Reserve Act to require the Vice Chairman for Supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to provide a written report, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas).

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6737) to amend the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act to clarify seasoning requirements for certain refinanced mortgage loans, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Zeldin).

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6751) to increase transparency with respect to financial services benefitting state sponsors of terrorism, human rights abusers, and corrupt officials, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Utah (Mrs. Love).

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3834) to provide that members of public safety agencies who died of 9/11-related health conditions are eligible for the Presidential 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor, and for other purposes.

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 this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 3834, the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor Act of 2017, introduced by our colleague from New York, Representative Crowley.

Mr. Speaker, the terrible sights and sounds and memories of September 11, 2001, are seared into America's memory, but none more so than the stories of incredibly brave police and fire officers who rushed into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, ignoring danger to themselves, to help others escape. 442 of those brave public safety officers died, and in recognition of their bravery and sacrifice, in 2005, Congress created the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor awarded in their memory to their families.

Since then, as we now know, many more of those who rushed to help others to safety from the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, or on the attack that resulted in the crash of the fourth airplane in Pennsylvania have died as a result of their heroism because of health conditions resulting from the attacks. Mr. Speaker, they were just as brave, and many suffered terribly. We can do no less than ensure that they are eligible to receive this medal as well.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we make all first responders who have died as a result of their heroism eligible for the medal, whether they died on that terrible day or at some later date. I support this bill, salute those brave souls, thank Representative Crowley for introducing this legislation, and urge its immediate passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 754) to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Anwar Sadat in recognition of his heroic achievements and courageous contributions to peace in the Middle East.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Stewart).

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Colorado Mesa University Hockey Team for recently being awarded the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Community Service Award for 2017-2018. The American Collegiate Hockey Association chose them as their annual winner for their unwavering commitment to community service outreach.

The players and staff have organized and participated in numerous community outreach events. In 2017, they put together the 1st Annual Sledge Hockey Event for Disabled Veterans done in conjunction with the Grand Junction Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital as well as the 2nd Annual ``Pink the Rink'' Cancer Charity Game. In 2018, they led the 2nd Annual Grand Junction Coyotes Youth Hockey Outreach and the 4th Annual Hilltop Youth Home free entrance and VIP Treatment Event.

One of their greatest achievements was raising $13,500 for cancer research, which beat their last year total of $10,000. All of the proceeds were donated to the St. Mary's Hospital Cancer Survivorship Program, which helps cancer survivors develop a care plan with their doctor to help them maintain their health once their treatment has concluded.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have these incredible students representing Colorado Mesa University and the people of the Third Congressional District in Western Colorado. They have proven themselves to be exemplary students and upstanding citizens in the Grand Junction community. I wish them luck in the future endeavors, and I am eager to see what they will accomplish going forward.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sheriff Rick Dunlap for his service to his community and nation.

Originally from Tennessee, Rick grew up in an impoverished family. A large part of his childhood was spent working in his family's tobacco fields, using those earnings to help support his family. It wasn't long before he realized there was so much to see and experience in the world, so he joined the United States Army at 17 to serve his country. Upon completing basic and advanced training, Sheriff Dunlap was sent to Vietnam. While overseas, he was attached to the 101st Airborne Division as a member of a helicopter platoon and later served in the Asha Valley for Operation Lam Son 719.

As the result of his heroic service during Operation Lam Son, Rick and his fellow crew members were awarded the Bronze Star and the Medal of Valor. Throughout his military career, Rick served in many roles including field artilleryman, helicopter door gunner, aviation

maintenance, recruiter, instructor at Fort Sill Oklahoma and training officer for a local National Guard unit. Later in his career, Rick was reassigned to an aviation unit in Fort Carson, Colorado. It was there where he met his wife of 42 years, Karen Starbuck Dunlap and together they have three sons and eight grandchildren.

Having proudly served his country in the military for 21 years, and retiring young enough to continue a life of service, Rick embarked on a career in law enforcement. His law enforcement career began as a Deputy Sheriff at the Montrose County Sheriff's Office under long-time Sheriff Tom Gilmore. His hard work payed off and eventually he was chosen as Sheriff of Montrose County, a job he has thrived in ever since.

Sheriff Dunlap's service to his community has gained him tremendous respect not just in Montrose, but across the entire state of Colorado. He has brought the Sheriff's Office forward progressively during his tenure, with the implementation of the Professional Standards Office in the Sheriff's Office, the K-9 program, and the creation of the School Resource position. Additionally, he instituted crime mapping and updated policies and procedures in the Sheriff's Office.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Third Congressional District of Colorado, I would like thank Sheriff Rick Dunlap for his commitment to the Montrose community and the nation. We are proud to call him a Western Coloradan, and his integrity, intelligence and loyalty will be greatly missed. I wish him luck as he enjoys a well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Cody Family and the Colorado Malting Company and Colorado Farm Brewery of Alamosa, Colorado for their entrepreneurial spirit.

Over 80 years ago, Ray Cody moved his family from Oklahoma to the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado and started what is now known as the Colorado Malting Company. Almost four generations later, Ray's grandson and great-grandsons now own and operate the business he created.

Ray's son Bob eventually took over the then-humble farming operation and expanded it several times. Thanks to Bob's ambition, the business entered into a contract with Coors Brewing Company, growing high country barley for one of the world's foremost breweries. Along the way, Bob also started a dairy operation with the help of his sons. For many years, the Cody's lived and farmed on Henry Road, growing barley for Coors using malting equipment they made from scratch. In the early 1970s, Bob's son Wayne took over the dairy operation.

In 1994, Wayne sold the dairy cows and focused full-time on farming Coors barley and alfalfa hay. Almost 15 years later, Wayne, with the help of his friends and family, converted the old dairy barn into a malting facility. Now, Wayne's son Jason, who was one of the founders of Colorado Malting Company, runs the day to day operations of the facility, while Wayne's sons Joshua and Bobby have played active roles in the design and growth of the company in recent years.

The Cody family's tenacity has led to many accolades, including national recognition from the New York Times. Colorado Farm Brewery is also the first in the state to have a tasting room on location at the farm.

Mr. Speaker, the success of the Colorado Malting Company and the Colorado Farm Brewery is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Cody family. Their entrepreneurial spirit has paved the way for them to become one of Colorado's premiere brewing and malting companies, and it is my honor to recognize them. I look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from West Virginia for the time.

The Department of Energy's Cheney disposal cell in Mesa, Colorado, is a critical component of DOE legacy management's mission to be able to protect public health and the environment. The cell receives radioactive waste materials that were produced decades ago during the uranium milling process. The waste materials continue to be uncovered during road construction, bridge replacement, home foundation excavation, and other construction activities in several towns in western Colorado. Once the waste materials are discovered, they must be properly disposed of at the Cheney cell.

The authorization for the Cheney disposal cell expires at the end of 2023 or when the site is filled to capacity. Currently, the remaining capacity in the cell is approximately 234,000 cubic yards, and, therefore, an extended authorization is required. H.R. 2278 would extend that authorization until 2030.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment supports extending the reauthorization for the Cheney cell and will remain a strong partner in DOE's legacy management program.

I would like to thank my colleague from Colorado, Ms. Diana DeGette, for her support on this legislation. I would also like to thank the Energy and Commerce Environment Subcommittee chairman, John Shimkus, and Ranking Member Paul Tonko, as well as the full committee chairman, Greg Walden, and Ranking Member Pallone for recognizing the importance of the Cheney disposal cell and working to bring this bill to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Master Chief Petty Officer John Boughton for his service to both the Third Congressional District of Colorado and the entire nation.

Officer Boughton dedicated 24 years of his life serving in the United States Navy. Once his honorable service came to an end, he used his wealth of military experience to enhance the lives of others in his community, spending 16 years as a naval science instructor at Montrose High School and Olathe High School. His work in the school system helped build the character of countless hundreds of young men and women who served as his cadets in the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC).

Chief Boughton played an integral role in taking the Montrose High School and Olathe High School NJROTC program to the nationally recognized competitive state championship on three separate occasions. Both schools' teams made their mark as a drill and marksmanship team, becoming nationally ranked in shooting for over 10 years. Chief Boughton's extraordinary care and dedication, positioned his cadets to achieve such success. To create additional growth opportunities for his students, Chief Boughton built the school district's first STEM Sea Perch Tank and began holding Sea Perch Competition games for area cadets several years ago.

As a result of his hard work and commitment to his students, Chief Boughton has been awarded several honors by various organizations in his community. Chief Boughton was named the Colorado Citizen Education Teacher of the Year in 2011 and 2012 by the Department of Colorado Veterans of Foreign Wars. He has also been nominated three times for the Montrose County School District Teacher of the Year during his tenure as a NJROTC instructor.

Mr. Speaker, Chief Boughton has spent his life in service to his country, his community and his students. His work has had an indelible impact and it is my honor to acknowledge his achievements, as well as express heartfelt gratitude for his service. I wish him luck in his future endeavors.