Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great Son of The South, SSGT Johnny Morris of 2nd EOD The United States Marines and his family of Loxley Alabama. Johnny has one of the most dangerous jobs in The United States Marines, and on July 2nd 2011 SSGT Morris was almost killed in an IED blast as he was sweeping for explosives. He lost his leg and almost his life, but he never lost his faith or his courage. Him and his lovely wife Natalie and their new son Gage are a great American story and family. All you need to do is spend 10 minutes with this young man and you will walk away inspired and impressed. They make us all proud to be Americans. I submit this poem penned in in his honor by Albert Caswell.

I'm EOD

I'm EOD . . .

So don't mess with me . . .

I'm country and I like it . . .

I'm a United States Marine!

And I Roll with The Tide . . .

And whenever they win National Championship,

it makes me so all warm so inside . . .

I've got a beautiful wife,

and Natalie she's but the love of my life . . .

And I'm EOD and I'm as bad as can be!

And now our baby son Gage,

he makes it three!

Because,

in this US of A . . .

there's nothing you can not so be!

And I'm all dressed in those Most Magnificent Shades of

Green,

that's where you'll see me convene!

For as long as you work hard,

and in your self so believe . . .

That's why this Father's son,

became oh yes one of those few ones so indeed . . .

Who stand ever so tall,

and so protect us all . . .

Yea, and so fight to be free . . .

yea that's The Leather Neck all in me!

All dressed all in Those Most Magnificent Shades of Green . .

.

Oh yes,

I am so proud as can be . . .

But to be a United States Marine!

So let it be said,

that I'm ajar Head and so proud so to be!

Yes, I'm EOD,

and I'm as bad as can be!

Because, me and my brothers . . .

my fellow Marines . . .

So go where angels so fear to tread,

as ever we're seen!

Right there but on that very edge death,

if you know what I mean . . .

Because, we are EOD and we are as bad as can be!

While, in one another we all do so believe!

As a Band of Brothers so all dressed in Green!

Doing what most people would not so choose to be!

Being EOD!

But, I do it all again . . .

But for my sweet Country Tis of Thee,

as to her all of our lives are so pledged and that's how it's

going to be!

For it's better to die for something,

than to live for nothing at all!

And that's why I put my boots on,

and I so answered that call . . .

That Call To Arms!

Because, I'm EOD . . .

so don't dare mess with me!

And I'm as bad as can be!

With nerves of such steel!

Remember, Superman is not real!

But I am you see!

But, we are the 2nd EOD!

As on each new day,

it's with death that we so play!

Yea, I lost my leg . . .

but I won't moan, and I won't beg . . .

And I'd do it all over again,

because I'm so proud to say that I took that stand!

All so my wife Natalie,

and my son Gage can live in a free land that is so free . . .

As here I so stand,

with my family in hand and a smile on my face . . .

It's just a speed bump on the road of life,

and I have no regrets and as I'm not losing pace!

So you better start running,

if you want to catch up to me so don't wait . . .

Because, I got nothing to complain about

. . .

compared to all of my Brothers who are now in the ground . .

.

As why I so honor them on each new day,

as I so awake with a smile on my face . . .

And for them I will always so feel the wind in my face,

and so carry them with me so every place!

As I take what my Lord has so given to me,

as I'm just glad to be back in these here The United States!

All in this most beautiful place . . .

That we call The U. S. Of A.

In soon back in sweet Alabama hip . . . hip . . . hooray!

And when I'm so done my rehab,

I'm going back to my sweet home Bama one day . . .

Living large,

and grow old and so grey!

Because, when you've lived on the edge of death . . .

And you've so witnessed your magnificent Brother's own death

. . .

With tears in your eyes,

while holding them tight,

as they give them last rites . . .

As than you so understand,

just how lucky you are man, just to be alive!

And how you are so very blessed,

to have so known such magnificent men such as this!

And carry them in your hearts each day!

And for all of them now,

I will so live a great life to make them so proud!

And to all of their children and to all of their wives,

and to their moms and their dads standing here with tears in

my eyes . . .

I will always let them know that they were but the best,

and in our hearts so keep them alive!

Because they were EOD,

and were as brave as could be!

Yea, Heroes like you SSGT Morris,

have our Country Tis of Thee So Blessed!

As They So Teach Us!

And So Beseech Us!

As we so watch their fine hearts so crest . . .

Yea, Johnny your EOD . . .

and oh how do you make me so proud but be an American you

see!

I could climb way up,

but to the highest mountain top . . .

But still,

I could never so reach as high as you Morris,

where you now so stand high atop!

As an American Hero,

and you and your family are but the very best that we've got!

For Only The Few!

For Only The Brave!

For our Nation their hearts so gave!

And so teach all just how to behave,

yea SSGT Morris you're the cream of the crop!

And that's why you and your family,

America so loves and we will never stop!

And yea You are EOD,

and You are as bad and as brave as can be!

And if ever I have a son,

I wish he could be like this one!

One of Alabama's bravest of all ones!

For Heaven so awaits,

for such men of courage and faith,

all so dressed all in green!

Because, he's EOD and as bad as can be!

And his name is Johnny!

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great American, Ret. Spc. Jim Mayer and all of the thousands of Disabled American Veterans out across America who are making a difference in the lives of our newly returning wounded warriors. He is a former native of Missouri, who lost both of his legs when he stepped on a mine two months in his first tour in Vietnam. I submit this poem penned in his honor by Albert Caswell.

Follow Me

Follow Me . . .

I'll walk with You . . .

Follow me in all I do . . .

For I was once just like you . . .

A young man, who went off to war . . .

All for my Country Tis Thee, with such burdens bore . . .

So strong and bold, and so self assured . . .

So dashing there, all in uniform . . .

Follow me, I'll lead the way . . .

to somehow help you move on this day . . .

As I bow down my head, and for you I now so pray . . .

For I was once like you, just moments away from my grave . .

.

As I too, remember that fateful morning as I awoke . . .

While, against all odds there seemed no hope!

As I so too, had such tears in my eyes as invoked!

And too so wondered, so wondered how I would cope!

When, all that I had so left . . . was but only hope!

Follow me, they call me The Milkshake Man!

For I have walked that walk!

And I know you can!

All in your shoes, as I so too have had all of those same

such thoughts!

As I so understand, how much you have to gain!

And how much so too you have lost, all in your pain!

So don't give up! And don't give in!

Let go of such thoughts, my friend!

Lift up your head, and raise that chin!

Follow me, for this is how your first steps begin!

So begins with you my friend . . .

For you will learn to walk again . . .

Or somehow replace your arms, your hands, your eyes my friend

. . .

All with that heart which beats with in!

For you can live or you can die?

Or you can so feel so very sorry for yourself, with tear in

eye . . .

Or with each new step, you can but let your fine soul rise!

And oh yes, you will have many . . . many . . . dark days

ahead . . .

Follow Me, take my hand . . . and listen to what my life has

said!

Walk with me, listen to your heart instead!

For your fine Life is worth living, and you're not dead!

Live for all of your Brothers and Sisters, who so died for

you instead!

For them, feel the breeze on your face . . .

And at night take them with you to bed!

Follow me, there's so much more to be said!

For my Son, my Daughter . . . I was once like you . . .

With all of that anger and hate inside of me, and such self

doubt too!

For I know where your are going, and I know where you have

been!

And oh yes, I know that its not fair . . . but these are

war's deadly sins!

All in what it can so do, to such magnificent women and men .

. .

For I was once like you, right on that edge!

All between life and death!

Follow me, and I promise you . . . your fine life will be

blessed!

As you Bless Our World, with all of your gifts . . .

As you so teach us all, that hope and faith are alive and

still exists!

And that your fine life, is one that is so worth to living

this!

For what you give, is what you get!

For the best is still yet to come, as so is yet!

Follow me, and yes it will be hard!

For now it's time, to do your part!

Lead my Son, lead my Daughter . . . lead but with your great

heart!

Rise Up . . . Rise Up my Son . . . my Daughter,

into now such a fine work of art!

Follow me, and take my hand . . .

As all of your great pain, I do now so understand!

For up in Heaven you need not arms or legs . . . nor eyes so

made!

And that's where we will all so meet again, on one fine day .

. .

Listen to these words I say, and you will find your way!

As over this hospital bed, I now so stand . . .

With tear in eye . . .

Looking at you, finding it so hard not to cry . . .

As these words I will say, ``Follow Me . . . and Take My

Hand''!

Walk with me, and one day because of your faith and courage

you will stand!

And I will be the one, following you my friend!

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a great American Son from Ohio, Captain Atoine Bates of The United States Marine Corps. Captain Bates, while out on patrol with his men on June 26, 2011 in Sangin in Afghanistan, almost lost his life in a IED explosion. He lost his leg and sustained numerous other life threatened injuries at the time. Captain Bates has always been a leader. Already, in such a short time he's made a great recovery over at Walter Reed. His example to our nation and to his men inspire us all. He plans to stay in the Marines, for he was born to be a United States Marine. Families are the key component to recovery, and his has been there for him from the very beginning. His father like many other families has stopped what he was doing to be with him every step of the way. I submit this poem penned in honor and his recovery by Albert Caswell.

I'm Your Captain

I'm. . .

I'm your Captain . . .

Follow me . . .

I will lead!

For we all so proudly wear those most magnificent shades of

green!

For we all are The United States Marines!

One of the greatest things,

that this country has ever seen!

Men and Women,

of honor bright . . .

Who so go off to war to win that battle,

to win that fight!

All for God and Country,

are but our burdens bore . . .

As we all so march off out into that darkness for sure!

For we all so live and so die,

for something far much more greater and do not ask why!

While, marching out into that face of hell as our colors fly

. . .

For where you go men,

will go I!

Out in front,

into that face of death as upon each other we so rely!

As Brothers In Arms,

for each other we are all so willing to die!

All in that name of freedom,

we all so wear that uniform to reach new heights!

As one,

together we all so bond!

As brave hearts we move out and move on!

To so soar!

For We Are All The United States Marine Corps!

Follow me,

and I will lead!

So willingly for you Marine,

I will die and I will bleed!

So proudly,

all in those Magnificent Shades of Green!

As it was out on that fateful day!

While, on patrol . . . .

when an IED explosion almost took your fine life away . . .

Right there on that edge of death,

as when your fine heart so sung and began to crest!

As you so pledged to yourself near death,

to get up and run again no less!

Because,

pity is not where your friend!

And Faith and Courage,

are what you are so armed with my son!

And as we so listen to your fine heart so very deep down

within!

As with each new step,

your recovery has so gained so much then!

For Captain Bates, you've got a life to so live . . .

And its where you are going,

not where you've been!

And Marine you were so born to lead!

And Captain Bates,

your fine heart will not so stop . . . nor so heed!

Because,

failure is not an option for this here United States Marine!

As You So Teach Us . . .

So Reach Us . . .

and in every way To So Beseech Us!

For you are but an American Hero,

A Leader . . . one of a special breed!

For you are a United States Marine!

I am your Captain . . .

you are my women and my men!

Where you go,

I will go time and again!

For I will always have your back against the wind!

Because, I'd rather die with you . . .

than live without!

All In That Fight,

I am with you each and every step of the way no doubt!

Because, Moments are all that we so have!

To Make A Difference!

To Grab Hearts!

I'm your Captain!

Follow Me!

I will lead!

All in my Most Magnificent Shades of Green!

Because,

you Captain Bates were but born to lead!

And you so give to your Brothers and Sisters In Arms in the

battle all they need!

Oooh Rah Jar Head,

for you are fine United States Marine!

I'm your Captain let me lead!

Mr. Speaker, Angi Corrothers is retiring from public service after 32 years of dedication to the constituents of the 9th Congressional District of North Carolina.

She has been a valuable asset to my staff, and to the staffs of both Congressman Alex McMillan and Congressman Jim Martin before me. She truly exemplifies what it means to be a public servant.

She has spent many years patiently guiding constituents through the process of getting the benefits that they deserve. But it's through Angi's compassion and kindness that she helps anyone who needs it and gives of herself without a second thought.

Angi has truly been a delight to work with for these past several years. She has a great sense of humor, and we will miss hearing her stories and her wonderful, heartfelt laugh.

She will be greatly missed by myself, her colleagues, and the countless constituents that she helps, but we wish her well as she enjoys a well-deserved retirement.

Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Like my colleague, Mr. McHenry, I also am rising because I do oppose this amendment, saying that the Department of Defense has to limit what they do and decide how they can recruit. And mainly, it's micromanaging.

The biggest issue here is this approach is not going to save a dime in the long run because when recruitment goals aren't met--and that is a challenge--the military pays out nearly $1 billion a year in extra recruitment bonuses to maintain needed recruitment numbers. We're talking, of course, about the National Guard, who did have a 4-1 return on investment in motor sports.

But we've got to be aware that we've got to recruit men and women where they are. We need the best men and women that we can in our military service. Of course, we owe all of those who are currently serving a great debt of gratitude, but I don't believe that we need to tell them how to best do their recruiting.

I'm also a conservative, and I believe strongly in rooting out government waste, but that's not what this amendment does because in the long run we end up spending more money on recruitment.

As my colleague said before, the House has twice voted down this amendment--it's the same vote--and I urge them to do so again.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

Rollcall vote 452: on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4155--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 453: on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4367--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 454: on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5892--I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: June 26, 2012--rollcall vote 416, On agreeing to the Connolly Amendment--I would have voted ``nay'', rollcall vote 417, On agreeing to the McClintock Amendment--I would have voted ``aye'', rollcall vote 418, On agreeing to the Garrett Amendment--I would have voted ``aye'', rollcall vote 419, On agreeing to the Capps Amendment--I would have voted ``nay'', rollcall vote 420, On agreeing to the Gosar Amendment--I would have voted ``aye'', rollcall vote 421, On agreeing to the Broun Amendment--I would have voted ``aye'', rollcall vote 422, On agreeing to the Broun Amendment--I would have voted ``aye'', rollcall vote 423, On agreeing to the Broun Amendment--I would have voted ``aye''.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The bill before us contains critical improvements to the current law. Among them is the creation of a priority review voucher program for companies that develop treatments for rare pediatric diseases. I am pleased with this and other advances.

Yet the long-term success or failure of crucial drug and device approvals doesn't just depend on approving new funds and guidelines for the FDA. It also depends on instilling a culture at the FDA that seeks out practical solutions to the diseases that our constituents face. The FDA must recognize that patients, especially those with fatal illnesses, deserve to have potential treatments made available.

Whenever possible, the FDA should use all the tools it has available to appropriately warn doctors and patients of risks associated with a treatment without removing patient access. Patients facing fatal diagnoses, whether it's metastatic cancer, ALS or others, should be given the benefit of the doubt unless treatments are very risky. This should be a guiding principle of the FDA and not simply a consideration.

I urge the support of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

Rollcall vote 362, On agreeing to the King Amendment--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 363, On agreeing to the King Amendment--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 364, On agreeing to the Blackburn Amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 365, On agreeing to the Blackburn Amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 366, On agreeing to the Sullivan Amendment--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 367, On agreeing to the Turner Amendment--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 368, On agreeing to the Polis Amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 369, Motion to Recommit H.R. 5855--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 370, Final passage of H.R. 5855--Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act--I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

June 5 2012:

Rollcall vote 315, On agreeing to the McClintock Amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 316, On agreeing to the Hirono Amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 317, On agreeing to the McClintock Amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 318, On agreeing to the Matheson Amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

June 6 2012:

Rollcall vote 345, On agreeing to the Moore amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 346, On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 347, On agreeing to the Holt Amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 348, On agreeing to the Clarke Amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 349, On agreeing to the Clarke Amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 350, On agreeing to the Hahn Amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 351, On agreeing to the Hahn Amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 352, On agreeing to the Poe Amendment--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 353, On agreeing to the Bishop Amendment--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 354, On agreeing to the L. Sanchez Amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 355, On agreeing to the Jackson-Lee Amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 356, On agreeing to the Higgins Amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 357, On agreeing to the Bishop Amendment--I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, first, like other Members today, I want to express my gratitude and thanks to Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Ruppersberger for all of the work that they've done, just the incredible bipartisan working relationship that they've established on our committee. It really is kind of unheard of, and we're very proud of it, and I'm very proud to be a member of the committee.

I rise today to urge my colleagues to support my amendment to the Intelligence authorization bill, and I'm pleased that Representative Wolf is a cosponsor of this initiative, and I'd like to thank him for his support and all his work on this issue.

This amendment would require the Director of National Intelligence to submit an unclassified report to Congress that would identify foreign suppliers of information technology with ties to a foreign government, military, or intelligence service. It would also require the DNI to provide an assessment of the risks associated with such entities.

The U.S. Government has serious concerns about public and private sector information technology supply chains. A network is only as secure as the components that make up that network. If the origin of those components is unknown or the security of those components is compromised, that's a major flaw in the network.

I believe these concerns need to be better shared with industry and the public. Sharing more information along these lines will help the private sector better understand potential risks and take action that will help the U.S. Government mitigate its supply-chain concerns.

The more that the private sector knows of potential problems, the better it can protect itself. If the private sector is more aware of potential risks, then it can better work with the Federal Government to mitigate potential supply-chain concerns.

I would like to thank Chairman Rogers for his support of this amendment,

and I again urge my colleagues to support the amendment on the floor.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the chairman of our committee, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Rogers).

I thank the gentleman for his kind words, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I rise today in support of the supply-chain security language that Representative Turner included in his Strategic Forces Subcommittee section of the National Defense Authorization Act.

Information technology procurement and supply-chain management continue to be a challenge for both the private sector and the Federal Government. Congress must continue to ensure that those entities have the resources and legal authority necessary to prevent certain companies from inserting potentially malicious equipment into various supply chains. The threats amplify when our public and private sectors consider Chinese State-owned and government-affiliated telecommunications companies as potential business partners.

I would like to submit an article into the Record, Madam Speaker, that demonstrates a recent concern about the ZTE Corporation. ZTE is a Chinese State-owned and -operated company.

[From ZDNet, May 15, 2012]

Backdoor Found in ZTE Android Phones

(By Michael Lee)

Two mobile phones, developed by Chinese telecommunications

device manufacturer ZTE, have been found to carry a hidden

backdoor, which can be used to instantly gain root access

with a password, that has been hard-coded into the software.

Android devices typically ship with the user unable to run

commands as the ``root user'', in order to protect customers

from any inadvertent damage they could cause, and to reduce

the chance of rogue applications taking complete control of

the device. However, following an anonymous post to Pastebin,

security researchers have found that ZTE has installed an

application on the Score M and the Skate mobile phones, which

make rooting these phones simple.

The post said:

``There is a setuid-root [set user ID upon execution]

application at /system/bin/sync__agent that serves no

function besides providing a root shell backdoor on the

device. Just give the magic, hard-coded password to get a

root shell.''

The phone is available in the US and the UK, amongst other

markets. While no telco in Australia appears to be selling

the Score M or Skate mobile phones outright, it is still

possible to purchase it online or through smaller firms. ZTE

has offices in Sydney and Melbourne, and is a supplier of a

large number of Telstra mobile phones, typically rebranded as

Telstra's own T- and F-series mobile phones. Telstra is aware

of the issue, and is in the process of testing its devices,

to determine if the backdoor exists on them.

``Our preliminary tests suggest that handsets supplied to

Telstra are unaffected by this issue. That said, we take

device security very seriously, and we are conducting more

extensive testing to confirm our initial findings. Should we

discover any issues, we will contact customers directly,''

Telstra said in a statement.

ZTE is also the company behind the Optus-branded MyTab

tablet, which runs Android.

ZDNet Australia contacted Optus to comment on whether its

devices may be affected, but did not receive a response at

the time of writing.

Although Vodafone sells ZTE-branded USB modems, it does not

sell any Android devices from ZTE in Australia.

Former McAfee threat research vice president Dmitri

Alperovitch is a security researcher that has independently

verified the original claim, posting the password to the

hidden application on Twitter.

I would like to thank the Judiciary Committee for bringing this bill forward and a special thanks to Sandy Adams for the incredible work she's done on this bill. It took tremendous courage on her part to produce a good bill in the face of tremendous relentless partisan attacks. Sandy has seen the challenges women face daily as a former law enforcement officer.

As a woman, I'm proud of this bill. It reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act programs for 5 years and provides more than $600 million per year to help prevent domestic violence and protect those victims of abuse. For almost two decades, VAWA provisions have helped women across the country, and Congress needs to continue these important initiatives.

Most of us know of domestic violence situations that take place in our districts all the time, unfortunately. Again, unfortunately, this problem is increasing all across the country. The need for help is huge. So it's very important that we provide the resources to the women who are being abused, and they can have a place to go and someone to help them get through what has to be an absolutely horrible experience in their life. Thank goodness I have never experienced it.

Our bill offers significant improvements. There is greater accountability and transparency with the funding of these programs. We have strengthened the penalties against abusers, which is so important, and we've improved the services and protections for younger victims. Lastly, we've streamlined and updated the immigration provisions in the bill to address considerable fraud while still offering protections under the Violence Against Women Act, the statutes that are there to protect immigrant victims.

So I'm very proud to offer my support for the bill, and I'm very proud to be a cosponsor. I would urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this reauthorization.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following vote. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall vote 200, H. Res. 643--Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5326) making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce

and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes; waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules; and for other purposes--I would have voted ``aye.''

Stated against: