Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my close friend Tom Neumann, a thoughtful, dedicated and respected leader who served as an example for all those who wish to make a meaningful, positive change in our world. Sadly, Tom passed away this week, on September 9, at the age of 69. I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Agnes, and his entire family.

For more than 30 years, Tom served to help end anti-Semitism, to safeguard democratic principles and to build understanding and support for Israel. He previously served as the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) Southwest Regional Director, ADL's National Director of Community Services and its National Director of the Intergroup Relations Division. At ADL, Tom worked to build friendships and working relationships between Christian and Jewish clergy under the Christian- Jewish Committee for Israel. It was during this time that I traveled to Israel with Tom and when I observed first-hand about the challenges that Israel faces each day and why America must always stand with this ally.

Tom later joined B'nai B'rith International as Executive Vice President where he created a presence for the organization in the USSR and Eastern Europe, an important feat and the first to happen since World War II. In 1991, he served as the Executive Director of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA), where he worked until his retirement in 2012. As Executive Director, Tom helped establish JINSA as a prominent voice for U.S. national security ties as well as U.S.-Israel security ties. Through his leadership, he helped JINSA grow its membership to over 20,000 individuals. His writings on the U.S.-Israel bilateral relationship were published in outlets across the world. For his work, he was recognized as the ``6th Most Influential Jewish Leader'' by The Forward in 1999. Locally, Tom founded The Houston Center for International Affairs, a business form that focused on international and economic issues, created the Christian/Jewish Committee for Israel, a coalition of inter- denominational clergy who support Israel), and Texas 1990, a dinner discussion group of religious, business and community leaders.

Tom was someone who believed that ``people, even more than causes and things, have to be restored, renewed and reclaimed.'' To those he worked with, he was a friend and mentor. Always kind, always sincere, always focused. To our entire community in Houston, he will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathies to the entire Neumann family.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, one of the best things about Texas is the fact that Texas towns each have their own unique history. There are hundreds of stories about towns and their colorful past and the settlers who founded them. However, the most interesting part of their unique history is how each town received its name.

A notable example is Gun Barrel City that picked up its name in the 1920s prohibition era. The secluded area in North Texas was also one of the hideouts for Bonnie and Clyde. Apparently, a moonshiner living on the main road to the remote area sat in his front room with a shotgun barrel sticking out of the window, watching for Federal Revenuers and Texas lawmen. Thus, came the name Gun Barrel City.

Dime Box was first called Brown's Mill in the 1860s. Since there was no Postal Service, settlers would leave mail in a wooden box at the mill with a dime. Old Man Brown would then take the letters (and dimes) then go 15 miles away to the official post office in Giddings and pick up mail for the community. When the Post Office eventually appeared, it made the community change its name. The concern was that Brown's Mill sounded too much like Brownsville; naturally they could not have that. So, they decided on Dime Box. Not to be outdone, by the ``10 cent town,'' there is a Nickel, Texas.

Notrees, which you can guess by its literal name, is obviously in barren west Texas. It received the name when the only tree in the area was cut down for an oil and gas drilling boom in the 1940s.

There are many more such places in Texas with odd names, such as Hoop and Holler in nearby Liberty County. The list goes on, including towns like: Salty, Oatmeal, Earth, Moscow, Turkey, Tarzan, Ding Dong, Happy, Paris, Bigfoot, Muleshoe, and Hogeye.

My all-time favorite is Cut and Shoot, Texas, close to Conroe. There are several versions of how it got its name, but the one that seems the most credible comes from The History of Montgomery County, by William Harley Gandy, whose family members witnessed this story firsthand. According to Gandy, the following happened 112 years ago:

The homesteaders in this area were a God-fearing community of a couple hundred. They erected a community church/school for almost all denominations to use, including the Methodists, Missionary Baptists, and Hard Shell Baptists. However, they prohibited the Mormons and Apostolics from using the building.

All went well with the different religious groups until an out-of- towner of the Apostolic faith showed up ready to preach to the local sinners at the church house. Pastor Stamps was welcomed by some, but not by others.

Soon the community was divided into two groups: the ``Let him Preach'' group and the ``He Aint Preaching'' group. The two groups agreed to vote on it and set a meeting for Sunday morning, July 21, 1912. Someone locked the door of the meeting house, likely to keep the Preacher from preaching. Word got around that the door to the church was locked. Those who sided with Stamps vowed to break the doors down. So, both sides sent ``Paul Revere riders'' throughout the town, telling them to bring their firearms to the scheduled Sunday church meeting.

On Sunday morning, both sides showed up at the locked church building. Many had not only packed a lunch, but they also put their knives and pistols in their wagons just in case there was trouble. The obvious argument between the two sides erupted, and guns and knives were brandished. Unkind words may have been uttered as well.

Eventually, the ``Let him preach'' (in the building) crowd backed off. So preacher Stamps had to preach under a nearby tree. Later, a makeshift structure was erected for Stamps to preach all summer long under some shade--but he could not enter the church building.

However, the churchgoers headed off to court the next day. Both sides filed assault and disorderly conduct charges on the other with a nearby local Justice of the Peace (JP). Obscene language charges were alleged as well. (I guess unkind words were actually spoken at the church house by the church goers.)

When the JP inquired of a witness where the altercation took place in the County, a witness not knowing the actual location replied that it happened at the place of the cutting and shooting fight. The name Cut and Shoot stuck, and the rest is Texas history.

Let it be known that the names of Texas towns are not random, but a living symbol of what once was. They give us Texans a peak into how life used to be. The names of these towns represent vivid stories about culture and community with just a couple of words, all adding to the rich history of our great state.

And that's just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, turn off the ovens; the school bake sales are over.

Bake sales in schools are as American as apple pie and the flag. Parents like Janet Huberty in Atascocita, Texas, and other parents and PTAs and PTOs use bake sales to raise money for the school band, cheerleader uniforms, and iPads for students.

But now the almighty Federal Government has cooked up new rules controlling public school bake sales. No more cupcakes, oatmeal raisin cookies, popcorn, or pizza can be sold for playground equipment or student trips. The Washington regulators, many of whom have their kids go to private schools that are not covered by the new rules, say kale chips and quinoa are to replace snow cones and Valentine candy. Isn't that lovely.

Local parents and educators should control bake sales, not the Federal Government. So today I am introducing legislation to keep the Feds from interfering with bake sales by local schools. What is sold in bake sales to help schoolkids in Texas or anyplace across America is, frankly, none of the business of the Federal Government food police.

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, ISIS is continuing its murderous rampage on Christians, Jews, and Muslims in Syria and Iraq. America needs to go dismantle, disrupt, and defeat ISIS. Victory should be the goal. ISIS has arrogantly beheaded two Americans and sent the murder videos all over the world, and now they say they are coming to America to kill us.

Once a small band of bandit thugs fighting the Syrian civil war, these cutthroat terrorists have fighters from many nations, including the United States.

When Americans go and take up arms with foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS, when they go and give aid and comfort to America's enemies, their passports should be revoked. So tonight I introduced legislation that would prohibit the Benedict Arnold ISIS fighters from the United States from reentering our country. The bill is called the FTO Passport Revocation Act.

American traitors who go to war against America are not welcome back in our land. Their passports should be revoked. Further, ISIS fighters must be held accountable for their terror, and we should track them down and make the consequences of their terror unpleasant.

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, the Cummings Foundation, the Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment and Appeals Project, Child Justice, and the Courageous Kids Network should be commended for their work combatting child abuse and ensuring justice for abuse victims.

Earlier this year they recognized Members of Congress who work on child abuse issues, but I think these groups are the ones who should really be recognized.

Child abuse is a horrific crime.

And it's made even worse when justice is not served.

Only a monster would harm a child.

It is an inexcusable injustice when a child is ordered by our own legal system back into an unsafe situation.

As a former judge and prosecutor and as co-chair of the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus with my good friend Jim Costa of California, I know how important groups like these are in advocating for victims and helping them through court proceedings.

Not only do these organizations serve children and their protective parents, who many times are also victims of abuse, but work to fix the family court system, when justice is not served.

They counsel protective parents and help children who have been wrongly placed with an abusive parent.

These groups work with the parent and courts to bring the child back into a safe situation, some providing pro bono legal assistance.

They work to educate the public on these issues and fight for a justice system that works, striving to bring real change to our society by ending domestic violence and child abuse.

Those that work with children and their families through some of the hardest situations are true heroes.

Our country was founded on the principles of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

The Cummings Foundation, the Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment and Appeals Project, Child Justice, and the Courageous Kids Network want to make sure that victims are able to live that American ideal.

Our country cannot tolerate abuse.

Justice demands that we fight back.

Because justice is what we do.

A society will be judged by how it treats the most vulnerable.

I hope that because of the work these groups are doing, our society will be judged well.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, Tony Geldens is known locally in Kingwood, Texas for being a community and political activist and strong patriot. There is much more of a heroic story to tell.

It gives me great honor to tell you about Tony Geldens' courageous account of resistance under Nazi Germany's control of the Netherlands. Throughout World War Two, Tony courageously fought Hitler's Nazis as a member of the Dutch Underground. He helped to feed, hide, and protect Dutch Jews.

Born in the 1920s, Tony grew up in Hertogenbosch, Netherlands where his dad owned a brick factory. Like most of the world in the 1930s, the Netherlands, suffered from a Depression.

Tony grew up belonging to the Boy Scouts, like most Dutch teenagers, camping with fellow Scouts, riding bicycles along canals and by old brick buildings. Tony remembers a close circle of friends consisting of both Christians and Jews. After school, like most young boys, they all enjoyed hanging out together.

However, on May 10, 1940, most of Tony's world suddenly changed. Sixteen year old Tony was camping in the woods, close to his dad's factory, when without warning the German Army invaded the Netherlands. His dad came and retrieved Tony from his camping site, and the family quickly evacuated to their home ahead of the invading forces. The Dutch resistance held out for three days before surrendering; marking the beginning of the Nazi Germany's occupation of the Netherlands.

The Nazi occupiers soon imposed anti-Jewish measures on all Dutch Jews. As was throughout Nazi Germany, Dutch Jews were required to wear a yellow Star of David at all times. Strict curfews were enforced, Jews could not own businesses, and students were forced to transfer to segregated Jewish schools.

In January 1941, Hitler required all Jews to register themselves as Jews. A total of nearly 160,000 Jews in the Netherlands registered. They were issued ID cards stamped with the letter ``J'' for Jew.

Unlike many, Tony remained in the Netherlands during World War Two, even after having the opportunity to leave. Remaining because he felt compelled to stay and fight against the injustices occurring in his country. After Germany invaded, he withdrew from high school due to the war, and then much later attended Architecture school in Tilburg, Netherlands. It was there he met his wife, Anna.

As time went on, the harshness of the Nazi occupation grew. Notice was sent to all Dutch Jews that they would have shipped to work in Germany--forced labor.

Tony was outraged towards the Nazi's treatment of Jews, he and fellow Scouts decided to join the Dutch Resistance effort. Although, the Nazis had immediately disbanded the Boy Scouts, Tony and his friends would always remember the Scout promise, to do their best to do their duty to God and Country; and to other people.

Under Nazi control, resistance was forbidden and often quite dangerous. All resistance happened illegally and occupiers were ruthless.

Captured members of The Dutch Underground were usually shot, imprisoned, or sent to concentration camps.

Nonetheless, Tony and his loyal band of Scouts were not deterred from joining the resistance movement.

Without an organized leader, Tony began a covert four year fight against the Nazis, saving Jews from starvation, torture, imprisonment, and death.

Like a war time Robin Hood, Tony fed hundreds of Jews by holding up German food stamp offices to obtaining food ration books. Drawing from his hobby building radios, he also operated a radio transmitter which transmitted to England information about downed British pilots and Nazi movements.

He would also help downed allied pilots by hiding them among different homes of Dutch citizens until they were able to reach safety in France.

As a result of his actions, he was arrested and imprisoned numerous times. When imprisoned, the Nazis beat and tortured him for information concerning the Dutch resistance cells, or Dutch Jews.

Several times they administered ``truth serum''--it never worked! Sometimes they let him go and sometimes he escaped--just to be rearrested again. The last few days before the war ended were the hardest for Tony. One day, Tony came home and discovered an empty house. He ran next door to his priest to find answers. After investigating, the priest informed Tony that the Nazis were holding his family and they would give him three days to turn himself in.

After the third day, Nazis shot his mother first, then his sisters and then his father.

Wanted posters with Tony's picture began to be circulated on trees around Hertogenbosch. In order to save his family, Tony resolved to turn himself in to the authorities. He said his goodbyes to his priest, friends and family. He hid at a bombed out rail road station; sleeping between the railroad ties. On his way to turn himself in, he saw the Canadian Red Cross working the area.

According to Tony the hardest moment throughout everything, was to see liberators but knew he had to turn himself into the Nazis.

Halfway during his trial, shooting broke out between the Canadian soldiers and the Nazi police.

Once again, Tony was able to escape. However, while Tony was at his trial, German Nazis had evacuated his family along with

hundreds of Dutch Resistance citizens thirty miles away.

With the intentions of murdering the resistance fighters, the Nazis put them in five different buildings and subsequently blew up the buildings, including city hall. Miraculously, his family was at the end of the line going into the building and unbeknownst to the Nazi's they hadn't entered before it was demolished. Unlike so many others, they survived.

Soon after, the Netherlands was liberated. At this point however, they thought Tony was dead. Imagine the Geldens reunion when they learned they all had survived.

During World War II, the Nazis deported 107,000 Dutch Jews to concentration camps. Only 5,200 survived. The Dutch Underground helped hide 25,000 to 30,000 Jews. Two-thirds of Dutch Jews in hiding survived the war. Less than 25 percent of Dutch Jews survived the Holocaust.

Tony and thousands like him put his life on the line for freedom. He saw the concentration camps and the victims of the Nazis. He saw friends murdered.

He saw incredible numbers of new graves throughout Holland. But like so many of his generation, he never discusses the details. He does not see himself as a hero; oftentimes the greatest acts of heroism and courage are the ones that go most unnoticed.

After the liberation of the Netherlands, Tony became a successful architect. He stayed and helped rebuild his hometown and his country. Eventually, in 1967 he found his way to Texas, and became a United States citizen in 2000. He and his wife, Anna, raised five children in their home in Kingwood. He now loves this adopted country; and he loves Texas. Tony is a true patriot. He fought the good fight up until his death, July 29th, 2014. He was 90 years old.

It is with great pleasure that I recognize and honor my friend, Tony Geldens, for his part in saving Dutch Jews in World War Two. He was a person of great courage, dignity and compassion and his actions were truly heroic.

The city of Kingwood lost a tremendous man. Tony's selfless service truly made the world a better place. He leaves behind an amazing story, wonderful legacy and a grateful local and national community. I am proud to say I knew Mr. Gelden. He was one of Texas's best.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, I am one of those who comes from the State of Texas, and like many in this House, I have been down on the Texas-Mexico border. I was there last weekend. You have to be there to know what is going on. I went up and down the Rio Grande River with law enforcement officers from the State of Texas. We see the people on the Mexican side--and I think the Mexican Government is complicit--just waiting for us to pass, and then they start coming across.

And the other side talks about it just being one group of people-- children. Well, that is just not true, because the people who are being apprehended are not just children. A lot of them are teenagers. A lot of them are older. The chief of Border Patrol of the McAllen sector said there are 144 nations that came across the border this year represented. Just a week ago before I got there, there were three Ukrainians.

Why, Mr. Speaker? Why is everybody coming to America through south Texas? Because they believe wherever they start out, whether it is kids in

Honduras looking for a better life, or terrorists, or Ukrainians, or someone else, they believe that this President, this administration, said: You get to America, we are going to let you stay.

We have all kinds of different legal reasons. Some of it is called DACA, and there are other reasons. But the bottom line is you are going to get to stay in America, and Americans will take care of your needs. That is what they believe. And the reason they believe that is because the rule of law is not being enforced in America.

Third World countries protect their borders better than the United States.

And who is benefiting from all of this? Well, it is not the kids. As pointed out, many of them are dying or getting hurt. It is not America. It is not legal immigrants. Who is benefiting? It is the drug cartels, the criminal gangs, the MS-13 gang. They are making money off the fact that the rule of law in this country is not being enforced.

The rule of law is not enforced when it comes to the sovereignty and security of the Nation. And that is all we are asking. Let's have some rules and follow them so people all over the world who want to come to America, let them know there is a right way to come. And the wrong way is they shouldn't believe that you get here, you are going to get to stay because the administration is not going to enforce the law. That is why we have the chaos. That is why we have the 50,000 to 60,000 people crossing in south Texas.

So all we are trying to do with this little piece of legislation is get back to let's enforce the rule of law. Let's not grant amnesty and let's not treat people from different countries differently. Let's treat them all the same way. That is why I support this legislation, because it will send the message that even in America the rule of law will be enforced.

And that is just the way it is.

I yield to the chairman.

I continue to yield to the chairman.

Mr. Speaker, Tony Geldens was a Dutch boy when on May 10, 1940, the Nazis invaded and occupied the Netherlands. Persecution of the Jews began immediately by the occupiers. Jews were required to wear yellow Stars of David on their clothing. Jews were shot, beaten, and sent to concentration camps.

Tony and a few of his Boy Scout friends joined the Dutch resistance. Tony began a 4-year career of being the Robin Hood of the Netherlands. He would steal supplies and food from the Nazis and give them to local Jews and citizens, much to the risk of his own safety. He hid Jews and helped rescue American and Allied pilots that had been shot down over the Netherlands. He would help the pilots through the Dutch underground and help get them safely to England.

Tony was arrested, beaten, and imprisoned numerous times by the Nazis, only to escape. He was on trial by the Nazis when the Canadians liberated his hometown. Numerous Jews and Allied pilots lived because of Tony Geldens.

Tony moved to America in 1967, married Anna, had five kids, and finally became a U.S. citizen in 2000. He wore the American flag lapel pin every day of his life.

He was an architect and political and community activist. My very good and personal friend Tony Geldens died yesterday in Kingwood, Texas, at the age of 90. Tony will be missed deeply. He was quite an individual.

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, abuse is never okay. It can never be justified, defended or explained. However, the message that the NFL sent last week says otherwise.

Recently, a video emerged of Baltimore Ravens' running back, Ray Rice, dragging his unconscious then-fiancee out of an elevator after allegedly punching her in the face several times.

Rice was charged with third-degree aggravated assault. However, prosecutors later dropped the charge after a plea deal was reached. But what is equally as troubling and disturbing is how the NFL chose to handle the situation.

The league suspended Rice for two games. This pathetic punishment is just a mere slap on the wrist. The NFL has issued harsher punishments for ``offenses'' such as eating unapproved foods or taking fertility drugs without approval.

For better or for worse, our society idolizes its athletes. In 2013, over 108 million Americans watched Rice help the Ravens win the Super Bowl. Thousands of young Americans wore Rice's jersey with pride. After this decision, would a high school athlete think twice before pushing around his girlfriend? Would the abused girlfriend even bother to come forward?

Sadly, the NFL seems to be more concerned with protecting its image than taking a stand and sending a strong message that violence against women will not be tolerated.

Ravens' head coach, John Harbaugh, called the attack, a ``mistake.''

Mr. Speaker, a mistake implies an accident. Punching your fiancee until she becomes unconscious is no accident nor should it be treated that way.

Our society has come a long way; domestic violence was once seen as a ``family issue,'' not spoken of outside of the home. We have made some progress, but the NFL's actions show we still have a long way to go.

Those who commit violence against women--yes, even star football players--cannot get away with it. With the NFL's decision, another one just did. Abuse is never okay.

NFL greed, stardom and fame scores points over justice.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, I was down on the Texas-Mexico border this weekend. I met with Federal officials, and I met with State officials as well.

I want to commend the work that the State of Texas is doing to protect and secure the sovereignty of the United States, including the Department of Public Safety, local law enforcement, Parks and Wildlife law enforcement, the Texas Rangers, and soon to be the National Guard. It is obvious to me that they are on the border and they are protecting the sovereignty of our country for all Americans.

While meeting with the Border Patrol, I asked them where are these people coming from that are so quickly coming to the United States. They told me they are coming from 144 countries. Most recently, 2 weeks ago, there were three Ukrainians who crossed into the United States. The reason why is because the word is out to the world that if you can cross into the United States through Texas, you are going to get to stay. That is too bad. That is tragic.

It is the first duty of government to secure the national borders of any country. That is the obligation of our country, and it is the obligation of this administration. We protect the borders of other nations. It is about time we protect the border of the United States of America.

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, it was called the ``war to end all wars.'' It began on July 28, 1914, 100 years ago today. It concluded in 1918, only after millions had died. It was just the first of many wars in the last century.

It was at a stalemate in the bloody, deadly trenches of Europe in 1917 when tenacious American Doughboys entered the battle. It was World War I.

Over 100,000 young American warriors never returned. One was President Teddy Roosevelt's son, Quentin. Thousands more died from the Spanish flu that they contracted.

The last American survivor was Frank Buckles, Jr., who lived to be 110. I got to know Buckles, as did many other Members of Congress. His dying wish was that a memorial be erected on the Mall to honor all the Americans who fought in the Great War: those that returned, those that returned with the wounds of war, and those that did not return.

It is unfortunate and tragic that a memorial has not been erected because, as it has been said, the worst casualty of war is to be forgotten.

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, when danger occurs, when disaster happens, when 911 is called, it is the first responders who heed the emergencies.

While most of us flee danger, the men and women who are the thin blue line head toward danger.

They are America's finest.

They are the peace officers.

Officer Melvin Santiago was just 23 when he was gunned down and assassinated for sport by a fugitive, an outlaw.

Santiago was going about his duties as a Jersey City, New Jersey police officer responding to a disturbance at a local drugstore.

When he arrived he was shot multiple times before even exiting his patrol car.

The name of the cold blooded killer who murdered rookie Jersey City police officer, Melvin Santiago shall not be mentioned.

This cowardly murderer thought he would become famous by killing a cop.

The gunman was lying in wait to murder a peace officer.

The criminal was killed by police.

He has gone to meet his Maker.

I doubt the meeting will be pleasant.

Officer Santiago wanted to fight crime and protect the citizens in the toughest neighborhoods.

He wanted to make a difference.

The west section of the city was where he thought he could do that best.

This was not just a job for Officer Santiago; it was a goal he had worked toward.

He excelled in his entrance exam with a score of 98.

This first responder wanted to be like his Uncle Frank, a retired detective.

Santiago looked up to his uncle and often sought his advice.

Officer Santiago graduated from the police academy in December, patrolling the area that he knew he could help turn around, when his life was stolen from him by a worthless criminal.

Law enforcement officers are a special kind.

They put their lives on the line every single day to ensure the safety of their communities.

There aren't many other professions where a person willingly puts themselves at risk on a daily basis in order to protect others.

Mr. Speaker, as a former prosecutor and criminal court judge in Texas for over 25 years, I have known a lot of men and women who have worn the badge--the shield--or the star over their heart.

These are symbols of their willingness to put our safety above theirs.

Unfortunately, I have known and attended funerals of first responders like Santiago who gave their lives in an effort to make our communities safer.

We as a society should never forget the true sacrifice first responders and their families make for our nation.

Officer Santiago went above and beyond to make his hometown of Jersey City, the state of New Jersey, and his country a better place.

Over a thousand officers joined Officer Santiago's family and friends to honor his life and lay him to rest on July 18th, where he was posthumously promoted to detective and given the Jersey City Police Department Medal of Honor.

In his short time on the squad, he quickly gained the respect of many.

We remember his hard work and commitment to family and community.

I commend Detective Melvin Santiago for his service to the people of New Jersey.

Our thoughts and prayer are with Jersey City Detective Melvin Santiago's family, the local peace officers, and the community of Jersey City.

Peace officers stand between the law and the lawless.

Peace officers are the last strand of wire in the fence between the fox and the chickens.

Mr. Speaker, peace officers are a rare breed.

Melvin Santiago was one of those individuals.

General George Patton said it quite appropriately when talking about his young troops killed in battle: While we mourn the loss of these men. We should thank the Good Lord that such men ever lived.

And that's just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, the border crisis continues with the influx of migrants, mostly Honduran teenagers. Rather than quickly reuniting recent migrants with their homeland, the President is considering giving them refugee status.

The amnesty President again is going to go his own way. Obviously, he doesn't understand the consequences of his newly proposed executive mandate made from behind the White House fences.

The migrants are coming to the United States illegally because the President has sent the word out far and wide that he will not enforce the border security laws.

The President of Honduras, whom I met with in January, said as much again yesterday. He said the minors are coming because the drug cartels, who smuggle the minors for a hefty fee, tell them that this President will let them stay in the United States.

So now Americans who are struggling to take care of their own families will be expected to permanently pay for the housing, education, and health care of these individuals.

The rule of law seems to be a mere suggestion to the amnesty President. This crisis--that is the President's doing--will just continue.

And that is just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, we have a saying in Texas that one should ``practice what they preach.'' But the IRS has released a video that states the importance of keeping good records.

Now, isn't that lovely?

Maybe they should save the lecture for Lois Lerner and the IRS ``Taxocrats.''

In the video, ``Helen'' from the IRS says:

Whether you are an individual or a business owner, you can

avoid headaches at tax time by keeping good records during

the year. Keeping well-organized records helps you answer

questions if your return is selected for examination by the

Madam Speaker, in the sky above eastern Ukraine, a surface-to-air missile was launched, and it destroyed a Malaysian civilian airliner. The dastardly deed killed--rather, murdered--298 people.

It appears the missile and launcher were Russian. The individuals shooting down the plane were so-called ``Russian-backed separatists'' in Ukraine. Apparently, the crash, which is a crime scene on the ground, is controlled by pro-Russian sympathizers, and it has been compromised by unknown malcontents.

It seems to me the Russian emperor, Putin--the Napoleon of Siberia-- has his pitiful, complicit fingerprints all over this Lusitania-type incident. This is the latest in a series of aggressive acts by the Russian bear. In 2008, the Russians invaded the sovereign nation of Georgia. The bear gobbled up one-third of the nation. The world leaders protested loudly, but they were glad it wasn't their homelands. Then the world moved on.

Madam Speaker, the Russian tanks are still in Georgia. I have seen them.

Then the bear hibernated and woke up hungry in 2013 and invaded Crimea--a part of the country of Ukraine--to satisfy its appetite for more aggression. Now the Russians unlawfully occupy Crimea. The world leaders, once again, voiced opposition but went back to their policy of appeasement.

But Crimea did not fill the belly of the bear. So, still hungry, the bear of the north moved into eastern Ukraine and looked for more prey. It subversively has supported insurrection against the Ukrainian Government to gain more territory. Reports indicate Russian special forces are playing the role of pro-Russian separatists. Battles are being fought. People are dying. Russian imperialism persists in its aggression.

Then, recently, the Malaysian airplane was shot down over Ukraine. Also, in the last 24 hours, two Ukrainian military jets were shot down by Russian-backed rebels. The world leaders are self-righteously outraged. However, nothing has stopped the Russian bear.

What will the heads of state do? Will the leaders continue to take the position that, since the bear hasn't eaten them, they will do little but pontificate and hope the bear's appetite is satisfied?

Maybe the bear will hibernate again, Madam Speaker, but when it wakes up, like it always does, it will wake up hungry. Then, when it roars, who will be devoured next, the rest of Ukraine?--or maybe Moldova or Latvia or Estonia or Poland?--or just another innocent group of men, women, and children on a civilian airline?

Only Putin knows what the awakening roar of the Russian bear will bring to the rest of humanity. Appeasement certainly doesn't seem to be working, and it is not the answer to stopping aggression.

Madam Speaker, is there not one bold Churchill to be found amidst the overpopulated, boastful Chamberlains among us?

And that's just the way it is.