Floor Statements

I'd like to thank the gentleman for yielding.

As a Member of Congress and a serviceman, I was as shocked as everyone else by the stories coming out late last year about Dover Air Force Base mortuary sending cremated unidentified remains to the Prince George's landfill. It's a terrible injustice to our servicemembers, and it can't be allowed to happen again.

While unidentified partial remains are now cremated and buried at sea, I believe we should not leave those heroes behind. My bill that became section 3 of H.R. 5948 creates a place of remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery for each conflict moving forward and ensures the remains of those who served and gave their lives have a final resting place that's deserving and worthy of their dedication and devotion.

I'd like to thank the chairman, and I'd like to thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Walz), and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Runyan) for their help and assistance on the bill.

I would ask my colleagues to support H.R. 5948 and help ensure that there's a place of remembrance for those who've given their final measure of devotion, especially if their remains are unidentified, and make sure we send their remains to a place worthy of their dedication and commitment and devotion.

I would like to thank the gentleman for yielding, and I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Walz, for his help as we've tried to enact the Hire at Home Act, which has been rolled into this bill. The legislation came from a roundtable in my district of veterans last fall. And as veterans return home today with military training they've received, that training is not recognized by civilian authorities and States, and therefore they're forced to go through redundant training to do the job they were doing in the military.

However, if somebody can do a job while serving in a war zone, they can certainly do that same job at home in a safe environment.

With so many veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan, we need to make sure we do everything we can to help get them back to work. It's shameful that the unemployment rate among post-9/11 veterans is 12.7 percent, according to a recent report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's why we introduced the Hire at Home Act. It will help, as Representative Walz said, remove barriers in front of these soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines and get them the civilian certifications they need to get them to work as soon as they get home. It forces States to do this by ensuring that in order to receive certain workforce development grants, they have to streamline these certifications.

I would like to thank all those who have helped make this bill happen today: Representative Walz, Representative Bilirakis, Representative Miller, and Representative Stutzman. And I'd like to thank Senator Pryor for his interest in the Senate. I would like to call on the United State Senate to pass this bill as soon as we get it done. I'd like to thank the Members of this body for their support and urge all the Members to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Upper Arlington resident, Abby Johnston, on winning an Olympic silver medal in the women's 3-meter springboard synchronized diving competition at the 2012 London Olympic Games. On July 29, 2012, Miss Johnston and her diving partner, Kelci Bryant, took home America's first-ever Olympic medals for this event.

In Columbus and Central Ohio, we take our sports very seriously. Abby Johnston was cheered on by her fans both here at home and abroad. In London, her parents, Elaine and David Johnston, as well as former coaches and teammates from Upper Arlington High School and the local U.S. Elite Diving Academy rooted for her poolside. Back in Ohio, Abby's accomplishment is a true point of pride for our city and it brings us together to celebrate as a community.

An athlete works hard, dedicates many hours to practice, and puts forth a great deal of effort, but an Olympian takes all of that to a much higher level. I ask that all Members of Congress join me in offering my congratulations to our very own hometown Olympian, Abby Johnston, on winning her silver medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize one of Central Ohio's very own hometown heroes, cancer survivor, Ryan Hardy.

Ryan's long, difficult journey finally came to an end when he joyously rang the bell to signify his final chemotherapy treatment last month at Nationwide Children's Hospital. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the young age of two and was later diagnosed with leukemia when he was only eight years old.

Ryan was extremely courageous, enduring treatments for almost 10 years with the love and support of family, friends, and the hospital's staff. Ryan and the people around him never gave up hope. He tried to live life as normally as possible by taking part in activities like playing on the youth football team.

Ryan's story reminds us that we shouldn't take life for granted. With faith, hope and endurance we can overcome many obstacles in life. I am proud to represent heroes like Ryan Hardy in Ohio's 15th Congressional District. I commend him for his courage and am happy to hear that he was able to finally ring the bell.

Mr. Speaker, the House and Congress this week should pass the health care repeal bill because the President's health care bill is making the economy worse.

I saw a recent poll that said 50 percent of small businesses are less likely to hire new employees because of the health care bill. As an example, in my district, I spoke to a small business owner who is scared to hire his 50th employee because it would subject his company to the mandates under the health care law.

Greg Fortney, who is a small business owner, told me he has great concerns about the health care law. He said it would prevent him from expanding his operations and giving his employees a chance to grow their own businesses. To comply with the health care law, it would take all of the profits from his business, his annual profits, just to comply.

We need small business owners focused on creating jobs, not worrying about complying with a new mandate.

And it will tax our families who are struggling. Just last night, on a telephone town hall, I heard from a real estate agent who was concerned about the 3.8 percent tax on sales of homes that will go into effect in January of 2013. On a $100,000 home, that's $3,800, and it could make the difference between somebody being able to sell their home for a profit and a loss. So this isn't on the gain; this is on the net price. It has nothing to do with the health care bill. It was just a way to pay for the extra costs in the bill.

The bottom line is that the health care bill is making the economy worse. It's hurting job creators and it's hurting our struggling families and hurting real estate values. We need to repeal it and start over by focusing on cutting costs in our health care system and improving the efficiency. If we have a real crisis in health care, it's a crisis of cost.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sergeant Joseph Angel Capocciama. Sergeant Capocciama passed away on Sunday, May 20, 2012, from complications of injuries sustained in service to his country in Iraq.

The son of Alan and Maria Capocciama, Joseph Angel Capocciama was born on May 29, 1987, and raised in Grove City, Ohio. He graduated from Grove City High School in 2005. A true patriot, Sergeant Capocciama joined the United States Army on May 23, 2006, just one week before his 19th birthday.

While proudly serving his country in Iraq, Sergeant Capocciama received the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon. He retired from the Army on April 7, 2010.

It is because of the sacrifices of men like Joseph Capocciama that we continue to enjoy the freedoms that we do today. I am deeply thankful for all that Sergeant Capocciama endured to preserve our freedom and for his heroism. He is survived by his wife, Kayla, and his children, Joseph Angel Capocciama, Jr. and Cheyenne Faith Capocciama, for whom he set an inspiring example of service and patriotism.

On behalf of the citizens of Ohio's 15th Congressional District I would like to honor the service and memory of SGT Joseph Angel Capocciama.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption on the occasion of its 20th anniversary.

This foundation, established in 1992 by Dave Thomas, has continuously strived to help every child in foster care find a loving, permanent family. It has dramatically increased the number of adoptions, including finding families for 3,000 children in the United States foster care system, and for that I commend them.

The Foundation shows its commitment to the foster care system by awarding grants to public and private adoption agencies all across the country. As a founding member of National Adoption Day, it has helped brighten the lives of countless children.

Last year's awarded grants totaled more than $8 million and focused on supporting adoption professionals who assist the longest-waiting children from foster care into adoptive families. This genuine program, Wendy's Wonderful Kids, has increased children's likely hood of being adopted by up to three times.

As an accredited charity of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, Standards for Excellence certified, the Foundation has received the highest possible rating on Charity Navigator, an exceptional honor.

For these reasons, I am proud to applaud the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption for representing Central Ohio through its extraordinary contributions to the United States foster care system.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Forest Park Civic Association on its 50th anniversary.

The Forest Park community and its people have played many significant roles throughout their rich history. Many communities across this great nation have been modeled after Forest Park and its pedestrian-friendly design. In 1976, resident Tina (Bishoff) Lovin set a then-world record when she swam the English Channel at the age of 17. The Montreal Olympics featured a Forest Hill local, Debbie (Keplar) Wilson, when in 1976 she won an Olympic Bronze Medal in the Platform Diving event.

The hard work and selfless contributions of Forest Park and the members of its community have contributed to the vibrancy and sense of unity in Central Ohio. I ask that all Members of Congress join me as I offer my congratulations to the Forest Park Civic Association on its 50th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize one of Central Ohio's very own hometown heroes, fifth-grader Matt Woodrum of Worthington, Ohio.

Matt is battling Spastic Cerebral Palsy, but his courage, inner strength, and determination came together in May when he ran and completed a 400-meter race at a Colonial Hill Elementary School field day.

When I learned of Matt's story from a YouTube video that gained worldwide attention, I was particularly moved by his courage and perseverance. The inspiration I felt became two-fold when Matt's classmates surrounded him and cheered by his side all the way to the finish line. The explosion of excitement at the end of the video from the children, parents, and teachers was truly infectious.

I invite all Members of Congress to take a moment to think about the drive and discipline Matt Woodrum demonstrated that day when he charged through the pain of his condition to continue onward and finish that race--one determined step at a time.

I am so proud to represent the people of Central Ohio in Congress, because our communities shine with genuinely kind and selfless heroes like Matt and his classmates. Those same students at Colonial Hill Elementary School will grow up to be the future of our communities in Central Ohio, and their story gave me hope that it will be very, very bright.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the courageous actions of Hilliard resident and 2011 graduate of Hilliard Davidson High School, Vince Gill. On May 27, 2012, Vince rescued a drowning man in New York's Genesee River.

I ask that all Members of Congress join me and the people of Ohio's 15th Congressional District in thanking Vince Gill for his brave actions. Despite the grave risk to his own life, he selflessly rose to the occasion when he dove into the river and swam almost a pool's length to save the life of 26-year-old Abdulma Alhari, of Rochester, NY. For his heroism, the New York State Park Police will nominate Vince for a well-deserved civilian lifesaving award.

I extend my sincere thanks to Vince Gill for his heroism. While to some he may be an ordinary young man, his extraordinary act is exactly what makes me so proud to represent the everyday heroes of the Central Ohio area.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the courageous actions of Grove City resident, Eric Babcock. On December 18, 2012, Eric rescued a neighbor's young granddaughter from the second floor of a burning garage.

I ask that all Members of Congress join me and the people of Ohio's 15th Congressional District in thanking Eric Babcock for his brave actions. Despite the grave risk to his own life, he selflessly rose to the occasion and saved the life of his young neighbor. For his heroism, Eric received well-deserved recognition from the Jackson Township Board of Trustees.

I extend my sincere thanks to Eric Babcock for his heroism. While to some he may be an ordinary person, his extraordinary act is exactly what makes me proud to represent the everyday heroes of the Central Ohio area.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentlelady from Illinois for yielding me time. I'd like to thank her as chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Insurance and Housing for the Financial Services Committee for her incredible bipartisan effort that she led on this bill, along with Members of the other side, including the gentlelady from California and the gentleman from Georgia. It's been a true bipartisan effort. Obviously, that's reflected in the 402 18 vote coming out of this Chamber in May.

I'm happy that the Senate has finally reached an agreement to move forward with the multiyear extension of the National Flood Insurance Program because if we don't have a multiyear extension, what could happen is it could really cause problems in our housing market. I think the gentleman from Georgia has really talked about the importance of continuity and why that's really important for people that live in a flood plain to be able to know they can sell their house and also know that somebody can buy a home that happens to be in a flood plain.

I think it is important that we have accurate flood maps. This bill will ensure that we have much more accurate flood maps that have three dimensions on them, and that will result in better knowledge of where the flood plains are and where the risk is.

This bill will help stop the taxpayer-funded bailouts. As you know, the National Flood Insurance Program owes $17 billion to the taxpayers. We've got to make sure that it is sustainable into the future.

I think some of the Senate changes are good. The amendment by Senator Coburn that makes sure that we don't subsidize second and third homes that happen to be vacation homes makes a lot of sense. It steps up the premiums 25 percent a year for multiple years until they become actuarially sound. We need to ultimately move the whole program to an actuarially sound basis. That's why I'm concerned about some of the other provisions in the amended Senate language that removed the GAO study regarding privatization and allowing a chance to look at the flood insurance program's ability to pay claims over the long term.

I think it is important that we know the viability of the flood insurance program. But overall, I think having Senate amendments and a Senate agreement is a major step forward. I'm excited about continuing to work together to move this program forward and reauthorize it, hopefully, for a 5-year term. But this step to agree to Senate amendments to extend the time for a total of 60 days to get us past July so that hopefully the Senate will have time in June to bring this up, I think allows us the time we need to make that happen.

I do think if anybody in this body cares about our housing market or cares about stopping taxpayer-funded bailouts or wants to make sure that we have accurate flood maps, they should vote to agree to these amendments, and I hope all my colleagues will do so.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 225, I was unavoidably detained during the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of a grateful nation to celebrate the life of Ohio Army National Guard MSG Jeffrey J. Rieck--a true American hero who lost his life on April 4, 2012, while deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. An Ohioan and fellow soldier from Columbus, Ohio, he recently joined the countless number of fearless warriors who have given the final measure of devotion in defense of our great nation.

Master Sergeant Rieck, 46, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and served a 25-year career with the military that began in May 1987. Among the medals awarded for his heroism are a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, which are just the beginning to the honors owed to him.

A dedicated and loving father, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend, Master Sergeant Rieck will be remembered as a true hero who dedicated every aspect of his life to his family, loved ones, and country--a man who served with true pride and grace. I feel absolutely privileged that I had the opportunity to serve with Master Sergeant Rieck in the Ohio Army National Guard.

George Orwell is known to have said, ``We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.'' Master Sergeant Rieck highlighted this quote as one of his favorites, and no better quote could be referenced to describe the soldier we lost a few weeks ago.

As I pray for the family and friends of Master Sergeant Jeffrey Rieck, I ask that all Members of Congress join me in offering our eternal appreciation for his life and sacrifice. He went to the furthest and greatest extent in order to secure our freedom here at home, and that must never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of a grateful nation to celebrate the life of Ohio Army National Guard Master Sergeant Shawn T. Hannon--a true American hero who lost his life on April 4, 2012, while deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. A fellow Ohioan and soldier from Grove City, Ohio, Master Sgt. Hannon, 44, gave the final measure of devotion when he was killed in action while serving in the line of duty in the protection of our nation.

Master Sgt. Hannon was a lifelong soldier who served for almost 20 years in the Ohio Army National Guard. Hannon was the kind of soldier who makes the citizens of Ohio's 15th Congressional District so proud. He served in multiple deployments, which included Iraq, RAF Lakenheath, England, Mississippi for Hurricane Katrina, and Florida for Hurricane Andrew. He earned a well-deserved Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the Ohio Distinguished Service Medal for his outstanding service. As a father, husband, son, brother, and friend, Master Sgt. Hannon was known for his charisma, love, and loyalty. I consider myself privileged to have had the opportunity to serve with him in the Ohio Army National Guard.

We should thank God every day that heroes like Master Sgt. Hannon exist, because every day he stood ready to protect and fight for our freedom. His bravery, selflessness, and sacrifice will be forever remembered, as will his unwavering commitment to God, country, and his family.

I ask that every Member of Congress join me in paying tribute to the life of Master Sgt. Hannon--his bravery and selflessness are deeply missed and felt. We are able to have freedom and safety today because of the ultimate sacrifice that he has made, and for that we owe a great debt of gratitude.