Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, this is the last time I will have the privilege to address this body.

It has been an honor to serve the people of Florida's 16th and 17th Districts over the last 10 years. I am eternally grateful for the trust that the people of Florida's heartland bestowed upon me to be their voice in the United States Congress for the last five terms.

I would not have been able to do this job without the great work of my staff both here in Washington, D.C., and back in Florida. Thank you, Team Rooney.

Thanks always to the love and support of my family: my mom and dad; my brothers and sisters, Pat, Joe, Suzanne, Terry, Chris, Molly, and Brian; and, most importantly, to my wife, Tara; and my sons, Tommy, Jr., Sean Patrick, and Seamus. I will be home soon. I love you guys.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Nathaniel Reed of Jupiter, Florida, a Florida environmental icon, who died on July 11, 2018 at the age of 84.

He loved nature and the Florida environment and devoted most of his life for fighting for Florida's national wonders like the Everglades. But my favorite memory will be hunting quail with Mr. Reed.

As an aide to the Governor, he stopped the construction of an airport in the Florida Everglades because the construction would have meant devastation to the Everglades and Big Cypress swamp.

Mr. Reed appreciated wildlife and is also one of the authors of the Endangered Species Act, which protects many animals, including several in Florida. He later ended up founding 1,000 friends of Florida to preserve special places in our state.

Nat Reed is an institution in the state of Florida and he was a wonderful mentor to me.

Our state lost a real leader and a friend to many and he will be greatly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Nathaniel ``Nat'' Reed of Jupiter Island, a Florida environmental icon who died today at the age of 84.

Mr. Reed loved nature and the Florida environment and devoted most of his life to fighting for Florida's natural wonders like the Everglades. My finest memory of him will be hunting quail near Hobe Sound.

As an aide to former Governor Claude Kirk, Mr. Reed successfully stopped the construction of an airport in the Florida Everglades because the construction would have meant devastation to the Everglades and Big Cypress Swamp.

Mr. Reed appreciated wildlife and was also one of the authors of the Endangered Species Act, which protects many animals, including several in Florida. He later ended up founding 1000 Friends of Florida, to preserve special places in our State.

Nat Reed is an institution in the State of Florida, and he was a wonderful mentor to me. Our State lost a real leader and a friend to many, and he will be greatly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 289.

Mr. Speaker, I incorrectly voted. I had intended to vote ``nay'' on rollcall No. 111.

Mr. Speaker, my district is home to over 75,000 veterans, and I am proud to represent an area that has one of the highest concentrations of veterans in the country.

With that distinction comes a duty to fight on their behalf to ensure that the VA is functioning and funded at levels deserving of their sacrifice. As a member of the Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, I am proud that we have secured increases in funding for VA programs that are important to my constituents.

On a daily basis, my staff and Members of Congress' staff across this country try to help veterans navigate the VA bureaucracy. It is no secret that the claims process at the VA is far too slow, so we all try to help veterans with their claims and expedite the process when possible. We have won countless battles against the system, and we have helped constituents far and wide to get the care and benefits they deserve.

One of our responsibilities as Members of Congress is to listen to these veterans when they tell us there is still more work to be done to help fix the system. In 2016, a group of veterans brought a disturbing problem to my attention concerning individuals who were deliberately stealing money from veterans and the VA without fear of criminal punishment. I started to hear story after story about people advertising their so-called services to veterans, claiming that, for a fee, they can help veterans obtain certain VA benefits or expedite existing claims with the VA.

There are two problems with this. Number one, it is illegal for anyone who isn't approved by the VA to charge fees for helping veterans with their claims or appeals; and two, often times these promises of assistance are empty and never followed through with. Unfortunately, there are no penalties for breaking this law.

One local VSO explained to me at length how these scammers specifically target senior veterans in low-income housing communities, almost as a rule, because they consider those veterans to be the most vulnerable and most likely to fall victim to their schemes. I have heard countless accounts of these con artists going into assisted living facilities, rounding up all the veterans and coercing them all to apply for benefits they don't even qualify for.

When I hear people are taking advantage of these heroes and making a quick buck off of them, it makes me sick, as I am sure it makes all of us sick, because it is wrong and it needs to stop.

The reality is that this isn't just happening in my backyard. It is happening in every one of our districts. These con artists are getting away with it. I refuse to let this fraudulent scheme against some of the most respectable people in our Nation continue.

Without a Federal criminal penalty, we have been unable to prevent these financial predators from preying on our veterans and defrauding the VA.

My friend and fellow Congressman, Democrat Ted Deutch from south Florida, joined me in introducing this bipartisan bill to penalize these scammers who make their living stealing from our veterans. Our bill would give prosecutors and law enforcement the tools they need to appropriately penalize these predators by imposing a hefty fine, imprisoning them for up to 5 years, or both.

I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this commonsense, bipartisan bill, and I hope that the Senate will act quickly to send it to the President's desk.

These criminals need to pay the price for these actions. Our veterans have done everything to protect us and our way of life. Now it is our duty in Congress to make sure that they are protected as well.

Mr. Speaker, when you drive through Florida's heartland in Highlands County, you will probably see signs that say ``Kahn Groves,'' and then you will drive through miles of citrus groves.

Marvin Kahn has been a passionate advocate for citrus over the last five decades, leading his management company from managing 400 acres to over 5,500 acres at its peak.

Mr. Kahn is one of the State's most innovative growers, caretakers, and marketers. He served on the Florida Citrus Commission for 8 years and worked on the long-range planning committee for several years after that. His devotion to Florida citrus and agriculture was real, and he did everything he could to share his passion with others, especially with young people.

Each year, the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame honors the most distinguished leaders who have made significant contributions to the Florida citrus industry, and there is no one more deserving of a spot on that hall of fame than Mr. Marvin Kahn. When it comes to serving Florida's agriculture industry, his passion for Florida's citrus is unparalleled.

Florida is a better place because of Mr. Kahn, and it has been an honor to serve him in the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2018.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Friday, February 2, 2018, it adjourn to meet on Monday, February 5, 2018, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Bud Adams, who passed away at his home on Adams Ranch in Fort Pierce, Florida, on September 22. He was 91 years old.

Mr. Adams was a larger-than-life cowboy. He was a fixture in Florida's agriculture community, and the patriarch of Adams Ranch, a 4- generation family operation that spans 80 years and spreads across 50,000 acres in Florida in four counties.

After serving in the Navy in World War II, Bud began managing Adams Ranch with his father and quickly became a legend among Florida cattlemen for innovations like the development of the Braford breed of beef cattle, a breed capable of withstanding Florida's hot and rainy summers.

He has also served as the president of the Florida Cattlemen's Association and is a member of Florida's Agricultural Hall of Fame.

He was an avid outdoor photographer and award-winning conservationist. He has shown a generation of farmers and ranchers and admirers like me that it is possible to work the land while still preserving God's beauty.

Bud is survived by his loving wife, Dot, of 67 years, his three sons, his 14 grandchildren, and his nine great-grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, Florida has lost one of its greatest sons, and it was an honor for me to serve him here in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Alto ``Bud'' Adams, Jr. of Fort Pierce, Florida, who passed away on September 22nd at the age of 91 in his home on Adam's Ranch in Fort Pierce.

Bud Adams, a larger than life cowboy known for his integrity and firm handshake, was a fixture in Florida's agricultural community. Bud was the patriarch of the Adams Ranch, a four generation family operation that spans 80 years and spreads across more than 50,000 acres in four counties. He began managing the ranch with his father in 1947 after serving in the Navy during World War II. A legend among Florida cattlemen, Bud was responsible for the development of the Braford breed of beef cattle, a breed capable of withstanding Florida's hot and rainy summers. He served as the President of the Florida Cattlemen's Association, and is also a member of Florida's Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Bud was also an ardent conservationist and environmentalist who not only believed, but proved, that the land could be worked in a way that preserved Florida's natural beauty. He was an avid wildlife and nature photographer who could capture the natural splendor of God's creation through the lens of his camera. His photographs of Florida's landscape and wildlife have been featured in numerous books and magazines. For his conservation efforts, Bud was recognized by both the National Cattlemen's Association and the Florida Cattlemen's Association for environmental stewardship, and he was named landowner of the year by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Bud's land that he bought, developed, managed, and cared for with his family, will continue to stand as a lasting testament to his dedication to preserving Florida's beauty.

Bud is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Dorothy ``Dot'' Adams, his three sons Alto, Michael, and Robert, his fourteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, Florida has truly lost an icon. My thoughts and prayers are with Bud's family and loved ones as they mourn his passing. Bud Adams will be greatly missed.

Mr Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the accomplishments of James W. Parish, executive director of the Punta Gorda Airport, who was recently recognized as the 2017 Aviation Professional of the Year by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Every year, the Florida Department of Transportation honors one executive member of the aviation community with the title of Aviation Professional of the Year. The recipient is selected based on the management and logistical organization of their airport, as well as the safety and technological advancements that take place under their watch.

Mr. Parish earned this award because of the impressive progress that the Punta Gorda Airport has made under his leadership and his overall contributions to the Charlotte County community. During his tenure in Punta Gorda, Mr. Parish elevated the airport from one that only served the general aviation community to one that now offers commercial services and has brought over $200 million dollars into the local economy while serving over 1 million customers. Under his guidance, the airport has modernized and streamlined its safety protocols while still maintaining a low-cost business model.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Mr. Parish and thank him for all that he has done for the Punta Gorda community. He is truly deserving of the Aviation Professional of the Year award, and I am honored to represent him in Congress.

I was not present for these Roll Call votes.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 407, YEA on Roll Call No. 408, and YEA on Roll Call No. 409.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Young Guns at Quail Creek for winning the 2017 Scholastic Clay Target Program National Championship. Based out of my hometown, Okeechobee, Florida, the Young Guns have won the SCTP State championship for the past 3 years.

The Young Guns had the highest combined team score of all 38 teams competing. Specifically, one participant, Nicholas Blenker, had the highest overall score in the competition for trap, skeet, and sporting clays. Over the course of the 2-day competition, Nicholas shot 575 out of 600, only missing 25 shots.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the whole team on their success and for making Okeechobee proud.

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

Mr. Chairman, on April 29, Secretary Mattis issued guidance requiring graduates of the Air Force Academy, West Point, and the Naval Academy to compete 2 years of active commissioned service before they can seek permission to pursue a professional sports career while at the same time fulfilling their service obligation.

Traditionally, the service Secretaries may exercise discretion over whether or not to permit the very few academy graduates with the exceptional athletic talent to jointly serve either in the reserves, in Active Duty, or a combination of both, and be part of a professional sports team.

My amendment supports the flexibility and the discretion that has always been built into the Secretary of Defense's discretion to determine on a case-by-case basis how to deal with his own personnel.

Section 541 of this year's NDAA replaces Secretary Mattis guidance with a far more stringent, one-size-fits-all policy that allows for no exceptions, without explanation.

No one is saying that graduates should not fulfill their service requirement. No one is saying that graduates shouldn't pay for their education.

Section 541 is a significant departure from the policy which allows the Secretary of Defense and the military branches discretion, and more specifically, today, it handcuffs our own Secretary Mattis from implementing the policy as he sees fit, just like Secretaries of the past have always done.

Section 541 stipulates that academy graduates must fulfill, without exception, 5 years on Active Duty before they are able to request release to pursue an athletic career. This policy is overrigid and will make it nearly impossible for graduates of our service academies to pursue any professional athletic career.

Denying student athletes on a Secretary-approved, case-by-case basis the opportunity to pursue a professional athletic career in conjunction with their military service is a mistake. The possibility, no matter how remote, of going pro is a powerful recruiting tool that can attract exceptional, diverse high school athletes to attend and excel in our service academies.

Very few college athletes are talented enough to play professionally. I played college football and I ended up here. Most high school athletes dream and believe that they can go pro. The truth is, most won't. But to kill that dream before a student chooses a college also ruins the chance of the academies from recruiting top athletes.

Why does this matter? Because striking section 541 will maintain Secretary Mattis' policy, which was created to ensure that preserving the option for our academy athletes, we do so in a way that maintains the readiness and lethality of our military services. But it is also about morale at the academies.

I taught at West Point. I serve on their board today. I served on the Navy board before. I can tell you that if section 541 is retained, we lose out on the boost in morale afforded to the academies with competitive athletic departments and the recruitment benefit of the soldier athletes' exposure with professional sports teams and their fans.

If section 541 is retained, we will be sending a message that if you are a highly talented high school athlete and you also want to go to the Naval Academy, West Point, or the Air Force Academy, you need to give up any possibility of athletic aspirations after school.

We will be doing ourselves a disservice by not recruiting the absolute best and brightest individuals who could be so versatile enough to be professional athletes and also serve their Nation honorably.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Murphy).

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

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.