Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, a couple of weeks ago, we began the ``150 Reasons to Love West Virginia'' project to honor our State's 150th birthday, which is tomorrow. We asked West Virginians to send us what they love about the Mountain State, and they delivered.

Many people cited West Virginia's strong heritage and rich history as reasons to love our State. We all know that West Virginia is rooted in the values of hard work and the respect of our neighbors. I love how West Virginia friends are for a lifetime. My family's history is deeply rooted in the State of West Virginia, and I love that. I love the State's nicknames, ``Wild and Wonderful'' and ``Almost Heaven.''

David J. Stoffel said:

We are a collection of communities joined by a common

trust, respect, love, and willingness to help our neighbor.

Once you are a Mountaineer, you will always be a Mountaineer.

Anita Keaton wrote that small, quaint towns throughout West Virginia like Thomas and Thurmond are the ``heart and soul of our great State.''

It all began in June in 1861, when a group of pro-Union Virginians met in Wheeling, West Virginia. Together, they created the Restored Government of Virginia, which sought to rebuild ties with the Union. On April 20, West Virginia became the only State in the Union to acquire its sovereignty by proclamation of the President of the United States, and that President was Abraham Lincoln. And on June 20, 1863, 150 years ago tomorrow, we formally joined the Union.

As a community flourishes, it gives birth to local myths and legends. We tell stories to our children so they can someday tell those stories to their children. West Virginia has its fair share of true stories and legends. We have Mothman, and we also have a tale of the Hatfield and McCoy feud, which is a story of family honor, justice, and vengeance. We have very well respected West Virginians who are here today with us: Chuck Yeager, Jerry West, Mary Lou Retton, Jessica Lynch, Jennifer Garner, and a gentleman who shares my hometown, a very small town of West Virginia, Glen Dale, Mr. Brad Paisley.

``Pioneer stories'' like the Hatfields and McCoys have been passed down from generation to generation, as noted by Deb Walizer. These legends bring the people of West Virginia together. They allow us to put aside our differences and share a common bond in our heritage.

That strong-knit community is also built through events like the one I've attended many times--and one time with President Bush--the Fourth of July celebration parade in Ripley, West Virginia. As Tracy Wolford Kelley mentioned, she loves the parade in Ripley, Symphony Sundays or the Forest Festival or attending a Mountaineer football game on a crisp fall evening. All victory is welcome.

West Virginia is not only rich in history, but it is rich in natural beauty. From ``trout fishing the Cranberry and Williams River,'' as Jo Belcher noted, or West Virginia's ``beautiful vistas of tree-covered mountain,'' as mentioned by Emmett Pepper of Charleston, there are many reasons to love and enjoy our State's scenic beauty. West Virginia is a peaceful place.

These images and places make the changes in season particularly beautiful, which Robin Barnette says looks like ``God's coloring book.'' They also bring families and friends together, as Connie Sherman of Moorefield, West Virginia, mentioned talking about the Trough River.

Whether it's simple things like West Virginia pepperoni rolls or the coal fields and natural gas that power our economy, there is so much to love about the State we call home. For 150 years, its country roads have provided the men and women who have traveled them with a sense of comfort and pride.

And no matter where we are in the country or around the world, we all do like to sing the John Denver song ``Almost Heaven, West Virginia,'' which, by the way, my granddaughter can sing from front to back.

While these anecdotes about why we love West Virginia only touch on what makes our State so great, I want to thank you and the folks of West Virginia for celebrating with me. There will be celebrations all throughout the State over the next several days.

I love West Virginia, and I'm honored to serve the citizens of an outstanding State. So from me to you, happy 150th birthday, West Virginia.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2013 Hedgesville High School baseball team. The Eagles defeated Cabell Midland High School 4-2 to win the West Virginia Class AAA State Baseball Championship on Saturday, June 1, 2013.

Hedgesville High School is located in a rural part of Berkeley County, West Virginia, which is part of the district I represent. The school has claimed many state titles over the years, but one always seemed to slip away. The Eagles earned their first trip to the West Virginia State Tournament since 1974 by defeating Hampshire High School 4-3 in the regional final. They moved on to face Parkersburg South in the Class AAA semifinal game and defeated that team 6-3. This launched the Eagles into the title game for the first time in school history.

The Eagles found themselves trailing Cabell Midland at the beginning of the game, but soon rallied to a 4-2 lead and never looked back. The Eagles brought home the first baseball championship in Hedgesville High School history.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the State of West Virginia, I would like to congratulate the 2013 Hedgesville High School Eagle baseball team on their state championship. They have made their hometown extremely proud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lieutenant Colonel John D. Wroth's recent retirement from a distinguished military career in the United States Air Force. His service to our nation is one of honor and devotion, to which the people of West Virginia and the United States of America owe a tremendous debt of gratitude.

Born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, John Wroth received his bachelor's degree from the University of Charleston in 1987 and began serving his country in 1989, the year he received his commission from the United States Air Force Officer Training School. He has led unit deployments to Europe, the Pacific and Southwest Asia and, as a graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he led as mission commander on the first night of Operation ALLIED FORCE in the Balkan Peninsula and served as the Master Air Attack Plan Team Chief in support of both Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. In addition, Lieutenant Colonel Wroth has served as a unit scheduler, standardization/ evaluation officer, tactics and training instructor, flight commander, platform instructor and lead electronic warfare instructor at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School.

Lieutenant Colonel Wroth has received numerous awards and decorations throughout his service to our nation: the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the NATO Medal. Furthermore, Wroth led the Air Force ROTC of Duke University to a number one rating for all small detachments.

Currently, Lieutenant Colonel Wroth is Chief, Nuclear Operations Branch serving on the Nuclear Command and Control System, and is the primary liaison to the Department of Homeland Security and the White House Military Office.

In addition to his devoted service to our country, Wroth also managed to raise a wonderful family with his wife, Lydia. Together they have four children, Ian, Sarah, Jacob, and Dylan.

Mr. Speaker, the exemplary service of Lieutenant Colonel John D. Wroth is deserving of the utmost respect. His dedication to country and family is a model for all of us, and I am proud to call him a fellow West Virginian.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mark Zangara who has established a 501(c)3 in Harpers Ferry, called ``World War Two History Archives''. The purpose of this non-profit organization is to honor WW2 Vets with oral history interviews as well as commemoration of WW2 military service.

On the week of June 4-8, 2013, Mark Zangara sponsored the reunion of survivors of the USS Tide. On June 7, 2013, 1100 hours, the USS Tide Veterans was honored at the Navy Memorial at the plaque dedication ceremony of their ship, itself a minesweeper. June 7 was a significant day for the crew since it was on that day June 7, 1944, that the Tide hit a mine and was split in two. 25 percent of the crew were killed immediately, while all others on board were wounded and hospitalized. The USS Tide is the only American Naval ship to have 100% casualties (either KIA or WIA) in one single incident. The heroic acts of the sailors involving great risk to themselves to save others are extensive and numerous. They will be covered at length in Mr. Zangara's forthcoming book to be released this year ``Reflections: World War Two Veterans Tell their Remarkable History.''

We owe everything to these Veterans of World War Two. We owe them a debt that can never be repaid.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished military career of West Virginia National Guard Command Sergeant Major Lawrence Ray Vance. CSM Vance's service is one of honor and devotion; to which the people of West Virginia and the United States of America owe a tremendous debt of gratitude.

Lawrence Vance began serving his country in 1971 when he enlisted in the United States Army. Following a short stint as a civilian, Vance joined the WVNG in 1975 and embarked on a journey that would take him around the globe. He began as an Armor Crewman at Fort Hood, Texas, and gained extensive experience as a Tank Commander at Camp Casey, Korea; Fort Benning, Georgia; Ferris Barracks, Germany; and Fort Polk, Louisiana. He returned to WV in 1981 as a Motor Sergeant with the WVNG, later earning the rank of Command Sergeant Major after completing the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Course in June of 2005. In the same year, he was promoted to the fourth highest position of leadership in the WVNG, State Enlisted Leader.

CSM Vance has received a host of awards and decorations throughout his service to our country, including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medals, Achievement Medals, Good Conduct Medals, and Reserve Components Achievement Medals, among many others. In addition to the federal awards, CSM Vance received state recognition in the form of multiple WV Achievement Ribbons, Emergency Service Ribbons, State Service Ribbons, and Minute Man Ribbons, as well as a North Carolina Achievement Ribbon for his service to the state.

CSM Vance lives in Charleston, West Virginia, with his wife, Ute. Together they have five children and sixteen grandchildren, many of whom followed their father's footsteps through work in the military or ministry.

On May 31, 2013 CSM Vance will retire from the WVNG after 38 years, 5 months, and 18 days of commendable service. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the State of West Virginia and the United States of America, I would like to thank CSM Lawrence Vance for his years of selfless service to our state and country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Karen Price, a dear friend and President of the West Virginia Manufacturer's Association; she is retiring this year after 22 years of service. I have known and worked with Karen in the West Virginia Legislature and in Congress, and I have watched her tireless efforts for the manufacturers' of West Virginia with great admiration.

Karen is a very accomplished woman who has diligently and successfully pursued her career in a very male dominated arena, namely economic development and manufacturing. Such success can be attributed to her hard working nature, as well as her tenacious character. She worked her way through college, the first child of her family to do so, and she has not looked back since.

Karen's start in economic development was as a member of the West Virginia Economic Development Office, serving as its Legislative Director. Karen was responsible for recruiting new businesses to the state, including Bruce Hardwood, now known as Armstrong Products in Beverly, WV. She also worked to ensure that these businesses were able to hire capable women and men. Karen has always been committed to recruitment through a trained workforce, and she continues to emphasize the importance of an educated, skilled workforce today.

Karen's talents have been recognized by many through the leadership positions that she has held including, Member, Board of Trustees' Charleston Area Medical Center and the David Lee Cancer Center; Charleston YWCA; and Bridgemont Community and Technical College. Karen has served as Past President of the following organizations: American Society of Association Executives; Charleston Vandalia Rotary Club; and West Virginia Business and Industry Council. Karen and I share the distinction of being recognized as a ``Woman of Achievement,'' by the YWCA of Charleston. The list is exhaustive, with each role further lending proof to the fact that Karen has lived an exemplary life.

I am grateful for the work that Karen has performed representing West Virginia's manufacturer's, the backbone of West Virginia's economy. Throughout her career she has worked with numerous governors, the West Virginia Legislature and regulatory agencies to address barriers to economic development. Those accomplishments include reform of the West Virginia Workers Compensation Program, and addressing taxation and environmental protection regulations to name a few.

Mr. Speaker, this high level of commitment to the State of West Virginia is one deserving of great honor and respect. Through this Extension of Remarks, I would like to thank Karen for her service and for the tremendous, positive impact she has made on West Virginia and its economy. Karen exemplifies the qualities of Mountaineer integrity that we cherish at home, and I am honored to call her my friend. I wish her the best moving forward toward her much deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished military career of West Virginia National Guard Command Sergeant Major Lawrence Ray Vance. CSM Vance's service is one of honor and devotion; to which the people of West Virginia and the United States of America owe a tremendous debt of gratitude.

Lawrence Vance began serving his country in 1971 when he enlisted in the United States Army. Following a short stint as a civilian, Vance joined the WVNG in 1975 and embarked on a journey that would take him around the globe. He began as an Armor Crewman at Fort Hood, Texas and gained extensive experience as a Tank Commander at Camp Casey, Korea; Fort Benning, Georgia; Ferris Barracks, Germany; and Fort Polk, Louisiana. He returned to WV in 1981 as a Motor Sergeant with the WVNG, later earning the rank of Command Sergeant Major after completing the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Course in June of 2005. In the same year, he was promoted to the fourth highest position of leadership in the WVNG, State Enlisted Leader.

CSM Vance has received a host of awards and decorations throughout his service to our country, including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medals, Achievement Medals, Good Conduct Medals, and Reserve Components Achievement Medals, among many others. In addition to the federal awards, CSM Vance received state recognition in the form of multiple WV Achievement Ribbons, Emergency Service Ribbons, State Service Ribbons, and Minute Man Ribbons, as well as a North Carolina Achievement Ribbon for his service to the state.

CSM Vance lives in Charleston, West Virginia with his wife, Ute. Together they have five children and sixteen grandchildren, many of whom followed their father's footsteps through work in the military or ministry.

On May 31, 2013 CSM Vance will retire from the WVNG after 38 years, 5 months, and 18 days of commendable service. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the State of West Virginia and the United States of America, I would like to thank CSM Lawrence Vance for his years of selfless service to our state and country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Curtis Edward Price Jr., who passed peacefully in his home, surrounded by family, on May 30, 2013. An able athlete, gifted musician, and beloved mentor, he epitomized the notion of a true gentleman. It goes without saying that Curtis made quite a positive impression on all of us, and he will be sorely missed.

Curtis was born in Charleston on May 6, 1950, to the late Curtis Edward Price Sr. and Ethel Price. He was a graduate of Charleston High School and West Virginia University. Upon receiving his bachelor's degree, he became the youngest head basketball coach in the country when he accepted the position at West Virginia State College. After leaving WVSC he worked with then-Governor Jay Rockefeller as the Director of Affirmative Action for the State of West Virginia. He ended his career at the Charleston Job Corps Center as its Center Director, where he continued to use his gift of helping others.

Throughout his life, Curtis possessed a profound belief that he could make a positive difference in the lives of others. He was a beloved husband, a devoted father, and a loving grandfather, and worked tirelessly for those outside of his family. Although he is best known for his skills on the basketball court, his passion for politics, championing of the rights of others, and efforts toward ensuring quality education for all children were important facets of his life's work. He was also deeply involved in serving churches through the Ministry of Music, and cherished spending time with his family and close friends.

Curtis is survived by his wife, Judy; two daughters, seven grandchildren; one brother; and two sisters-in-law.

Mr. Speaker, this high level of devotion to both family and the State of West Virginia is one deserving of great honor and respect. Through this Extension of Remarks, I would like to thank Curtis for returning to his native West Virginia to share his life and wonderful spirit with us. We, in the mountain state, are fortunate to remember him as one of our own.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jane Marks for her years of work helping families affected by Alzheimer's disease, not only in West Virginia, but across the United States of America.

Jane Marks joined the Alzheimer's Association, West Virginia Chapter in 2001 as Executive Director and has been serving in the role as a tireless advocate ever since. Through her work with the State chapter, Jane has raised the association's profile by expanding their programmatic reach and championing various policy initiatives.

Recently, Jane served on the 2012-2014 Alzheimer's Association Strategic Plan Steering Committee, which aimed to aggressively advance their mission to eliminate Alzheimer's disease. In addition, she presented at the White House Conference on Aging Solutions Forum and has testified at numerous legislative committee hearings. Jane has also developed a wide variety of training and curriculum for families and caregivers, focusing on all facets of Alzheimer's, from caring for the baby boomer generation to a new extended learning course in partnership with West Virginia University.

On May 23, Jane Marks will receive the 2013 Rockefeller Award for her outstanding support and dedication to the cause of Alzheimer's disease in West Virginia, and indeed, throughout the United States. Jane is truly deserving of this honor, as thousands of Alzheimer's families, including my own, have her to thank for many years fighting this disease and helping those affected by it. After twelve years as Executive Director, Jane will be retiring June, however, she will remain a passionate advocate for everyone facing this terrible disease.

Jane lives in Charleston with her husband, John. She has two children, John Thomas and Elizabeth, and is expecting her first grandchild in just a few weeks.

Mr. Speaker, the State of West Virginia, the United States of America, and my own family owe Jane Marks a sincere and heartfelt thanks for her tireless service to everyone affected by Alzheimer's disease.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nancy Cipoletti for her twenty-two years serving thousands of West Virginia families affected by Alzheimer's disease through outreach and support programs.

Nancy Cipoletti began her work with the Alzheimer's Association as Executive Director of the Southern West Virginia Chapter before becoming Program Director for the merged statewide chapter. Currently, Nancy works with Alzheimer's families as Director of Alzheimer's Programs for the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services, where she manages and monitors the Family Alzheimer's In-Home Respite (FAIR) Program and Title III-E of the Family Caregiver Support Act.

In addition, Nancy serves on the Advisory Council of the West Virginia Partnership for Elder Living as well as the Direct Care Worker Curriculum Work Group, which developed a standardized curriculum and certification process for in-home direct care workers. As a part of the Alzheimer's Association's Make-A-Plan Subcommittee on Care Systems, Nancy helped develop West Virginia's Alzheimer's State Plan in 2011.

On May 23, Nancy Cipoletti will receive the 2013 Rockefeller Award for her outstanding support and dedication to the cause of Alzheimer's disease in West Virginia. Nancy is truly deserving of such an honor, as thousands of West Virginia Alzheimer's families have her to thank for support coping and fighting this awful disease.

Nancy lives in Charleston with her husband of forty-six years, Jack Cipoletti. Together they have two sons, Jay and Chad, and three granddaughters.

Mr. Speaker, the State of West Virginia owes Nancy Cipoletti a debt of gratitude for her many years of working with, and caring for, Alzheimer's families.

Mr. Speaker, this Wednesday, the House will vote to approve the Keystone XL pipeline. This vote will come after more than 1,700 days since the application for the project was filed. Despite the outpouring of support from the American people, the President continues to delay the approval of the Keystone pipeline, which would directly create 20,000 jobs and lead to $7 billion in spending. The President keeps dragging his feet.

Business and labor organizations have joined together to support the Keystone project because it will bring jobs to American workers. West Virginians support the Keystone pipeline. The permitting delay that is standing in the way of the Keystone project demonstrates that this administration and its environmental agenda will put everything ahead of our Nation's economy and jobs for working Americans.

Mr. Speaker, an energy economy is a jobs economy, and I hope my colleagues will join me in fighting back against the administration's anti-energy agenda. Passing H.R. 3 would mean more American jobs and move us closer towards energy independence.

I'd like to thank my colleague from Pennsylvania. And I'm glad we're talking about this because tomorrow I intend to vote again to repeal ObamaCare and put an end to what its lead author himself said is a ``train wreck.''

I'd like to read an email that I received about 2 or 3 weeks ago:

I own a daycare center (260 children and 73 staff). Been in

business 24 years. I just got the info on ObamaCare from my

insurance company. The numbers will cause me to close my

business. How can my own government do this? I have worked

hard to have a first-rate child care center, seldom taking

vacations and easily putting in 10 hours a day year-round. I

have always done the right thing for my employees and

clients. This is so discouraging to me. Is there any way to

fix this?

So I visited the daycare center and talked with the owner of the business. If she moves forward and doesn't offer insurance, she is going to have to pay $83,000 a year in penalties. She cannot afford this.

So what are her options? She's looking at going from 73 employees down to below 50. Well, that's 24 jobs right there that she's talking about cutting. But let's think of the further implications of cutting 24 jobs in a daycare center. It's over 70 children who are no longer going to have good, high-quality daycare in her small business. She's worked hard for 24 years and she doesn't understand.

She tells me most of the people in her business now have insurance. Those who aren't, because they work at the lower wage scale, are able to access Medicaid and have other health care available to them. She's very, very discouraged.

Another business person in my State of West Virginia just sent me his tax collection for next year for the ObamaCare health plan. He has 105 people. His premiums are going to go up $180,000 more a year. His annual premium in a small business like this is $788,000-$180,000 more than it was the previous year. And this is for a plan that has a $3,000 deductible, which is going to break the back of a lot of employees in his business.

His change? We heard from the gentleman from Pennsylvania that we were promised that premiums would not go up, that it was going to be affordable and premiums would come down. His premiums have gone up 30 percent.

We've already talked about how many folks across this country are going to lose their coverage, how many are going to lose their jobs. These are just two small businesses that are thinking about either cutting their full-time employees down to part time to try to get under the threshold--which means that employee has to go out and find another job to supplement the income to be able to have enough income to sustain their families.

We also learned, as the report from the Energy and Commerce Committee has stated, that for younger people and people going on the individual market, the premiums are going to be 96 percent higher. We've also learned that 80 percent of single adults between the ages of 21 and 29, with incomes at just $16,500, will pay more for their health care than they do today. It's very discouraging to hardworking folks.

I was reading The Wall Street Journal the other day and saw an op-ed by Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, who I think played a large role in creating ObamaCare. He noted that the exchanges would only work if younger Americans decided to participate. The gentleman from Pennsylvania has just pointed out that the younger working population is the one where the premium increase is going to hit the hardest.

But he further suggests that the President, through the force of his popularity with younger Americans--because they voted for him--could convince them to sign up for health plans because of the popularity of the President. It's difficult to encourage people through a sheer force of personality to act against their own economic instincts. I mean, we're talking about young people that will go across the street--and most people in America that will go across the street--to save a nickel on gasoline even if their dad owns the gas station on the other side. In my view, this just doesn't even hit reality of what's actually going to happen with our young people.

He further states that health insurance needs to be seen as an individual responsibility. You know what? Health insurance right now is an individual responsibility in this country. But instead, purchasing insurance after January 1 will be a requirement imposed by Big Government.

I have shared the concerns of mine. We've talked about the taxes. As I was reading through the renewal summary of the small business that has 105, he has three taxes listed here that his insurance company has enumerated for him:

One is the annual fee on health insurance providers called an insurance fee. This is a nondeductible excise tax applied on health insurance to help finance ObamaCare.

Number two, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund. This provides funding for an institute to assist patients, clinicians, purchasers and policymakers to make informed health decisions.

The other is a transitional reinsurance contribution for those who are in high-risk pools.

This is added tax to small businesses, the employers in our country. They're

going to have to make tough choices because it's unaffordable. Even paying the penalties is unaffordable, which is going to result, as you said, in over 700,000 jobs lost in this country.

We have a better way to do this, a more patient-centered, market- based approach where affordability and accessibility are goals that we all want. We could have, I think, a much more economical, and probably a better health approach because it will have the patient-centered doctor/patient relationship in full consideration.

So I would say to you that I have two concrete examples. I would encourage my colleagues throughout--and I'm sure we have--the House and Senate to talk to these employers who have over 50 employees to see what kind of impact this is going to have. Twenty-four possible people losing their jobs in a day care center; 70 children losing after-school care. What are those families going to do?

I tried to help with this business owner to try to help her find solutions. I couldn't come up with one because this is getting rammed down her throat no matter what.

So, with that discouraging bit of a small business viewpoint of the impact of ObamaCare as it approaches, and with the attitude of some of the architects of ObamaCare that it's our responsibility, or because we voted for somebody, we are going to work against our own economic interests, it just doesn't even pass the laugh test in my opinion. So I think we're in for a rough ride.

I want to thank my colleague for letting me join him on this Special Order and all my colleagues here tonight.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Steptoe and Johnson PLLC, a law firm founded in Clarksburg, West Virginia by Phillip P. Steptoe and Louis A. Johnson. Steptoe and Johnson quickly gained a reputation as one of central West Virginia's most prominent law firms, specializing in the fields of banking, insurance, litigation, mineral, and public utility law.

Since opening its first office, Steptoe and Johnson has expanded across West Virginia, with locations in Bridgeport, Charleston, Huntington, Wheeling, Morgantown, and Martinsburg. The firm increased their regional presence, opening offices in neighboring states, with operations in Canton and Columbus, Ohio; Meadville and Southpointe, Pennsylvania; and Lexington, Kentucky. Recently, Steptoe and Johnson established offices in Denver, Colorado and Houston, Texas.

In total, Steptoe and Johnson employs an impressive 275 attorneys and approximately 570 staff members, working in fourteen offices in six states. As Steptoe and Johnson's practice has grown throughout the years, so has their reputation, gaining national recognition as an energy firm with strengths in corporate transactions, labor and employment law and litigation.

In addition to Steptoe and Johnson's legal work, the firm also contributes substantially to the communities they serve. In December 2012, Steptoe and Johnson donated more than 100 cell phones to benefit United Way organizations, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Central West Virginia and Hope, Inc., a support group for victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence. Further building on the firm's reputation as a socially responsible community member, in the past year Steptoe and Johnson increased their pro bono work by 77%, earning them a fifth straight Kaufman Pro Bono Award from the West Virginia Bar Association.

Mr. Speaker, celebrating a 100th anniversary is quite an accomplishment, and I commend Steptoe and Johnson for their many years of exemplary work and dedication to community service.

Thank you, Steptoe and Johnson. The State of West Virginia is proud of your service and looks forward to sharing another 100 years with you as an outstanding corporate citizen.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Virginia Lewis for her many years of community service by helping families obtain affordable housing in her native Mingo County, and throughout West Virginia.

Virginia Lewis began her career in 1977, when she helped create the Mingo County Housing Authority, an organization she continued to serve for 30 years as executive director. After realizing the difficulty of building and maintaining homes without running water or sewer systems, she became the project coordinator for the Mingo County Commission, a position which enabled her to help equip 75 percent of the county with clean public water. Virginia Lewis was also instrumental in lobbying the state legislature to create the West Virginia Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which provides support to nonprofit housing organizations across the state.

On May 2, 2013, Virginia Lewis will be inducted into the Affordable Housing Hall of Fame by Habitat for Humanity of West Virginia. Mrs. Lewis is truly deserving of such an honor, as hundreds, if not thousands of West Virginians have her to thank for a higher quality of life.

Virginia Lewis currently resides in Charleston, where she owns and operates a consulting firm, continuing her community service by assisting with grant applications and serving as a vital housing resource on state and federal levels.

Mr. Speaker, Mingo County, as well as the State of West Virginia, owe Virginia Lewis a debt of gratitude for her many years of devoted community service.

I would like to thank the gentleman from Kentucky for hosting us today to talk about coal. As he mentioned, I am from the great State of West Virginia, one of the largest coal-producing States in our Nation, and, historically, some of the largest coal-producing areas of our Nation.

As we know, coal is a huge part of the economy in West Virginia. But we also know that energy is a jobs economy. When you're generating energy in any capacity, you're generating jobs. We have over 7.6 percent unemployment across the country, and yet we have a President who wants to pick winners and losers on the energy front. Coal has been one of the President's favorite losers, as we have seen and heard from our colleagues.

But there are three reasons I'm standing here today. The first reason I'm here is to stand up for the jobs of tens of thousands of West Virginians, whether that's a coal miner, as you mentioned, transportation, shop owner, electrician, fuel supplier, and all the different jobs that are connected with getting to and burning our Nation's most abundant resource. And I'm very concerned about it. We lost 1,200 jobs in the last quarter of 2012 in West Virginia alone.

Secondly, I'm here to stand up to the families and those who are on fixed incomes. As the gentleman from Kentucky brought up, when you think about the largest part for a senior who lives on a fixed income, the most difficult thing for them is the fluctuation in their power bill, whether it's heating or air conditioning. And when you start chipping away at $50 or $100 a month, you're going to find our seniors and those who live on fixed incomes really suffering.

Finally, I'm here to talk about the reliability of our electrical grid. If we disadvantage ourselves as a Nation, as we have been, and say no more coal generation, no more coal-fired power plants, we're going to disadvantage ourselves as an energy economy and the manufacturing jobs that come with that.

We've heard a lot about the different regulations that are out there that we've tried to battle back in the House and say, Unacceptable; you can't regulate; you have to legislative, you have to let this body, the representatives of the people, decide who are going to make these decisions. We've already had 266 coal-fired power plants close.

I know we have the gentleman from Kentucky. We've got Virginia, West Virginia. Permitting has been very, very difficult. We've got regulators who are coming in and have yanked back one major permit retroactively. After the 10 years of going through all the permitting, all of the reissuing, all of the capital investment, the EPA comes in and grabs back on that permit. The court said, No, you can't do that. And so we have an overreaching EPA that is willing to overreach into the legal area until the courts say, No more.

Now we've worked in the House to try to stop this war on coal. We've passed a lot of things. We did pass the Stop the War on Coal Act last September. Unfortunately, the Senate did not act on this. It's sort of a bit of a repeating theme for us in the House.

But the administration is seeking to turn us away from coal and keep the war on coal and drive up energy prices. People around the world are buying West Virginia coal. Our exports in the Nation almost doubled since 2006, and in West Virginia we exported more than $5 billion of West Virginia coal. Now we all know it's going to China because they have an insatiable demand, right? Guess where else it's going? Europe, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany. These are countries that are going to use our cheaper resource to power themselves into a burgeoning economy, and we're going to disadvantage ourselves here with our own natural resources.

So the rest of the world wants American coal.

Myself and my colleagues here today can't for the life of us see why we don't have a President and an administration that believes that coal has a great future in our energy mix. He always says he's for all of the above, but we all know standing here it's ``all of the above, except.''

I always try to end everything on a bit of a positive note. And there's some great technological advances with coal. This is why I think we've got to keep coal active and in the mix and viable as our energy resource because the future for coal is very good. One of the discoveries was at Ohio State University, where they were able to do a laboratory experiment. We don't know if it'll go full-scale, but the technique would release the heat from the coal without actually burning it. So there's no carbon emission. That has great potential.

Also, in another use of coal, the carbon could be used commercially for enhanced oil recovery. We hear about all of the oil sands and the oil shale in the northern part of our country and even in West Virginia. There are technologies that enable the use of carbon to enhance that recovery so that we get more from the recovery. And I think that's something that has a tremendous future for us.

We stand here today on a united front. I look at my colleagues and I see folks from States all across this country. We formed a Coal Caucus, of which I'm the chair, to talk to our other Members of Congress who don't have this passion and realistic view of the place that coal can play in our energy future.

I want to thank all of my colleagues here for fighting the good fight. We have a lot of miners and their families, other business folks, jobs, manufacturers, and elderly folks who understand what it means to try to have availability of cheaper energy resources. We've got a whole lot of America behind us. This is the reason the opportunity to talk about these things tonight, I think, sends a powerful message across the Congress, across to the Senate, across to the President that really an all-of-the-above energy plan does include coal, must include coal, and we're going to fight like heck to make sure it does.