Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for this time.

We are here today trying to do some pretty simple things--trying to support our veterans, keep open Veterans Affairs, open up our parks around this

great Nation, and even keep open schools right here in D.C. Heck, I take the Metro every single day. I am here supporting this. Do you know what? Even last night we saw House Democrats that are supporting the same causes.

The problem today really lies with Senate Democrats. They simply are refusing to come to the negotiating table just to even talk with us.

I have been in Washington working through the weekend--many of us have been here until 3 in the morning every night working--to simply keep the government open. But no offer has been good enough for the Senate, not one. They have rejected every single compromise that we have sent them.

Compromise is essential, especially when we have a time of divided government, because we are here to pass laws--sometimes repeal them-- but most of all to govern, to give certainty and stability to this great Nation.

We have sent four different bills to the Senate to keep government open. All of them have been rejected. We even sent legislation to simply offer a small group of Members to come to the negotiating table to compromise, again, with the Senate to keep government open. The Senate rejected us time and time again.

It is a sad day when we can't even get Democrat Senators to come to just have a conversation with us to keep government open. In fact, this is ridiculous. It is a disservice to the American people. I knew Washington was broken before coming here, but the Senate's pure refusal to even work with the House is an all-time low.

As a result of the Senate's actions, we now have a government officially shut down. Parents all across the country are now worrying where their next paycheck is going to come from, how they are going to pay their mortgage, how they are going to pay their rent, how they are going to put food on their kid's table all because Democrats won't have a conversation.

I don't think it is unreasonable for us in all of these compromises that House Republicans--and some House Democrats--I don't think it is unreasonable to ask for a simple 1-year delay of the individual mandate. After all, the President himself has already delayed ObamaCare for big business. Think about that. Big business, big corporations, are exempt from this law, but you are not.

He has delayed this, he has delayed the launch of online enrollment for small business, even delayed the Spanish language version of the Web site: If you all speak Spanish, good luck--si ustedes hablan espanol, buena suerte.

The President has been willing to exempt everyone from this signature piece of legislation, except for you. Yesterday, when you went to healthcare.gov to sign up, most people saw glitches and errors. The administration has had 3 years--3 years--to build a Web site which a 14 year old can do in his parents' basement today.

Again, ObamaCare is just not ready for prime time. All we are asking is just for this small piece to be delayed. It is a compromise that I think all of us can live with.

I stand here ready to work with the Senate to get the government open and do the right thing for you and this great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill introduced by my colleague Representative Neugebauer.

This bill reduces costs for homeowners and renters not only in my home State of Florida, but for everyone throughout the entire country.

Today, insurance brokers and agents face hurdles when they try to work across State lines. What this bill does is make it easier and less expensive for them to get licensed in multiple States. The best part about this is ultimately it saves you, the consumer, money.

This legislation streamlines the Federal role in real estate licensing while allowing States to continue setting standards for the work that best fits their States because, after all, we know what's best for our States and our communities.

Lowering costs for insurance agents and brokers means more options and lower prices for consumers. I am glad to support this bipartisan legislation.

I encourage all of my colleagues to vote for the NARAB Reform Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address some of the statements conveyed in this House concerning the continuing division of the island of Cyprus, a division that has now, unfortunately, approaching four decades.

I believe that the time is long overdue for a final agreement between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots--one which is arrived at together by both parties, with the support of the international community, which respects the human rights of all Cypriots. I call upon the Administration to reenergize its engagement on this issue, one that has largely been tolerated through Administrations and Congresses of both parties, and unfortunately by many Cypriots themselves.

While I do not wish to revisit the history that has led to this division, I would ask my colleagues to note that Turkish Cypriots voted overwhelmingly in favor of the ``UN Plan for a Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem'' in the simultaneous referenda held on both sides of the island, conveying to their Greek Cypriot neighbors, and the wider world, its desire to solve the Cyprus problem, and become integrated into the life of Europe and the international community. Additionally, Turkey has been stating that it would welcome a resolution of the Cyprus issue, as long as the rights of the Turkish Cypriot community are guaranteed. I do not believe this is an unreasonable request. Indeed, it should apply to all Cypriots.

The Greek Cypriot community, as the Republic of Cyprus, enjoys all of the rights and privileges of European Union membership, and participates freely in the international community. Turkish Cypriots continue to endure international isolation and embargoes--a status quo that can never be considered a long-term, permanent solution. The time has come for both parties to work together to secure a political settlement, and to put this long, sorry chapter behind them. I ask my colleagues to recommit themselves to supporting a just and comprehensive solution to the division of Cyprus.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, this amendment should serve as a reminder to the President that he does not have the authority to unilaterally send our children to war. In fact, it was Senator Obama who in 2007 said:

History has shown us time and again, however, that military

action is most successful when it is authorized and supported

by the legislative branch.

Here we are, again, seeing that Senator Obama and President Obama are two very different people; and with the rhetoric heating up on Syria in particular and with word that we will now arm rebel factions, we must make a statement today. What we are saying is: Mr. President, if you want to go to war, you go through us.

Don't get me wrong. My heart goes out to the innocent families who have been victimized and caught up in this fierce civil war in Syria, but that's exactly what it is--a civil war--and we cannot be the police of the world. If you thought that the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan were complicated, the situation in Syria has history going back 1,000 years with deep and profound complexities. We cannot just go into Syria and pick and choose who to arm. Too many times we have seen those we arm often turn their own weapons against us, weapons that we have provided. We do not have to use military force around the world to be a leader for democracy.

This amendment is about Congress doing its job instead of following the President's cloudy, unclear foreign policy. This is about the House of the people making decisions for the people--for our young men and women in the military who are serving our country today.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young).

I thank the gentleman.

Madam Chair, I now yield 2 minutes to my neighbor up north, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rooney).

Madam Chair, how much time do I have remaining?

I would like to thank the gentleman from Vermont as well.

Madam Chair, it is times like these as we debate this that we realize the heavy weight we carry on our shoulders. We are talking about people's lives as we approach this. Once again, this re-asserts the fact that this is the people's House and that we want to have a say in our foreign policy.

At this point, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry).

Madam Chair, this is excellent bipartisan discussion; whereas, this country tends to be a little war weary these days, but we see where the United States can have a role, most especially when it comes to humanitarian aid, with our allies in the region and how exactly we can help.

Once again, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have highlighted just how deeply profound these complexities are in Syria. We're not only confused when it comes to who the rebels are--I don't even know if they're good or bad anymore. We simply don't know what rebel factions are playing a part in this. You've got Hezbollah, you've got al Qaeda, and then you have the state players in this; and we know that we have sensitive relationships with Russia, with China, who also potentially, at least diplomatically, are involved in this.

Again, I just want to commend our colleagues here. This is excellent discussion.

At this point, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Bachmann).

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Pamela Jones- Morton for being awarded the Carnegie Medal for her bravery in saving Audrey L. Hart and Colleen M. Page from a burning car in Bonita Springs, Florida. I am submitting a copy of the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission's news release which includes Mrs. Jones-Morton's story.

[From the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, June 25, 2013]

Pamela Jones-Morton saved Audrey L. Hart and Colleen M.

Page from burning, Bonita Springs, Florida, December 10,

2011. Audrey 3, was the back-seat passenger in the sport

utility vehicle drive by her grandmother, Page, 49, that

collided with another vehicle and overturned onto its

passenger side. Page was suspended, restrained by her safety

belt, and Audrey was secured in a child safety seat as flames

erupted on the undercarriage of their vehicle. Driving

nearby, Jones-Morton, 64, retired educator, witnessed the

accident. She approached the sport utility vehicle and

attempted to open tis only accessible door, at the rear, but

it was locked. At Jones-Morton's urging, Page unlocked the

doors. Jones-Morton opened the rear door, cleared items from

the cargo area, and entered. The only passageway inside the

vehicle was between the tops of the seats and the ceiling,

and Jones-Morton maneuvered through it, discovering Audrey as

she did so. After struggling to release Audrey from her seat,

Jones-Morton carried her to the back of the vehicle and

stepped outside. She then reentered it for Page. She made her

way to the front of the vehicle and released Page's safety

belt, Page then falling to the passenger door. The two women

made their way to the back of the vehicle and excited. Flames

spread quickly, engulfing the vehicle before firefighters

arrived.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of Mr. Luetkemeyer's amendment that expresses the sense of Congress that States and local education agencies should maintain the ability and responsibility to set curriculum and measure achievement for their students.

This historically has been the case, but today, under current law, the Federal Government believes they should dictate policy at all levels of government.

The Department of Education heavily incentivized and pressured States into adopting the Common Core State Standards Initiatives. These national standards and assessments ultimately determine the curriculum and teaching materials used in the classroom across the nation. Common Core is a one-size-fits-all approach to instructing kids from Florida to Alaska. Washington cannot demand a similar teaching style or test result from a teacher in Cape Coral as they would from one in Milwaukee.

Common Core was adopted by many States through a heavy-handed waiver for the Administration's ``Race to the Top'' grant program and Title I funding. This ``Race to the Top'' program imposes a national K-12 core curriculum-testing program in return for funds. This top-down influence erodes state authority over education.

We have little to show for the trillions we have spent on national education mandates. Failed federal education mandates have done enough damage and it is time to once again allow our public schools the freedom to make decisions on what is best for their students.

Mr. Chair, you make the best decisions on how your child should be raised, where your child should go to school, and what your child should learn--not Washington bureaucrats. Teachers, principals and members of your local school boards, should run your child's classroom, school, and school district, not some random bureaucrat in Washington who has no clue about the challenges they face.

You know what's best for your kids, not an empty suit thousands of miles away, and that is why I rise today to support Representative Luetkemeyer's efforts to fight for competitive excellence and innovation in our nation's education system.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak on this important legislation that will get the FAA out of the way for small aircraft owners and manufactures.

In my home state of Florida, general aviation is a booming industry. We have 130 public-use airports, nearly 52,000 pilots, and more than 25,000 general aviation aircraft. Southwest Florida, my home, is an especially popular area for small aircraft. Anyone flying into the Fort Myers airport, over the beautiful beaches and the big blue Gulf--can appreciate why so many retired Air Force and airline pilots move to Florida and continue to take to the skies.

Unfortunately, the burdens placed on small aircraft manufacturers and owners stop them from enjoying flying. When government bureaucrats become more focused on their own job security than the safety of pilots, it is time for a change. This important legislation will save pilots money and time while ensuring safety in our skies and it deserves your support.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Ultimately, we would hope that the Senate can agree on this, and the administration, regardless of what we hear. We would love to have some compromise, although it is important to debate this here today.

Here's what I know, and it's important to you--how much you're paying at the pump every single time you go and fill up. What you're paying at the pump is eating into what you pay for groceries, your rent, your mortgage. But House Republicans, right here, right now, have a plan to help you put more money in your pocket and save on the important stuff like your gas and your grocery bill.

We started by approving the Keystone pipeline, and what we're debating here today is an energy agreement with Mexico. The agreement encourages development of energy resources in both countries-- development in the U.S. and in Mexico. You know, it strikes me, right now we have all of this talk about illegal immigration and how we're going to prevent it here in the United States. The best way is to make sure that we have a strong economy south of the border. Not only do I know that as the vice chair on the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, but I've lived in Mexico.

(English translation of the statement made in Spanish is as follows.)

There are mothers and fathers today looking for opportunities for their children.

Hay madres y padres buscando opportunidad para sus hijos.

Because at the end of the day, this is about jobs, jobs, jobs, and it's about improving our national security. Think about it: In terms of national security, do you really want to send your money to countries who really may not have our best intentions in mind? Or do you want to partner with our energy allies to the north and south of us, making us energy independent for generations to come, working with our neighbors and our friends.

Now Mexico ratified this agreement over a year ago. They sent it to the President. Now we are calling on the President to help us lower your price at the pump. This is as bipartisan as it gets. What we're trying to do here in Washington is just help make everyday life a little easier for you. Our goal is to save you money so you can spend less time worrying about your budget and enjoying more time with your family.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment because I believe that American taxpayers should be considered when their money is basically being divvied up here in Washington. That's what we're deciding. This amendment--which I thank the gentleman from Delaware for offering with me--simply allows for savings to occur in a renegotiation of crop insurance agreements.

I love the fact that we're working on both sides of the aisle. This is as bipartisan as you can get, Mr. Chair. Oftentimes on our side, as fiscal conservatives, we are accused of ``cut, cut, cut.'' But what this is really about is save, save, save. The Members of this House should be encouraging this administration to save, save, save when we can.

This amendment allows for the USDA to attempt to find savings when negotiating. So let's not tie the hands of our negotiators, as this current bill does. Let's allow them to pursue savings on behalf of the hardworking American taxpayer working day in and day out right now.

All around the country people are struggling to get by. So instead of requiring the maximum amount of taxpayer dollars to be spent on this government program, all we're asking is let's just try and save some money with this, and that's what this amendment does.

So a vote for this amendment is a vote to keep the taxpayer--the hardworking American taxpayer--in mind, what is fair for them, when we set up this crop insurance policy. It's plain. It's simple.

I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

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

Mr. Chairman, I've only been here a few months. In my short time I've witnessed firsthand just how we spend your money here in Washington--your money, the hardworking, tax-paying American.

Even I was shocked though to learn about something that is hidden very, very deep in this year's farm bill. It's actually filed under miscellaneous. It is for sheep shearing. Sheep shearing. Sheep shearing. We have already spent $50 million--$50 million--on sheep shearing, an industry that basically goes back to the Old Testament. Moses was sheep shearing. So my amendment right here--one page, one sentence--will stop another $50 million from being wasted.

But let's take a look at what $50 million of your money has purchased you as a hardworking, tax-paying American. This program funded a trip to Australia for the Tri-Lambs. It's kind of a play off of ``Revenge of the Nerds,'' if anyone saw that movie in the eighties.

Look, as much as I love that flick, the purpose of this trip was to get people to eat lamb. And Mr. Chair, I'm sorry, but I think that we can find a better way to use our money here in the United States.

In another grant, two beginner sheep shearers were given--here we go--free combs, brushes, razors and scissors with our $50 million. What we're talking about here are startup costs. Think about that. If you are a business owner and you had $50 million, what you could do with that kind of money. It was startup money. And here again in Washington, where the people of the United States of America are so sick and tired of us picking and choosing who will succeed or who will lose, that's debatable right now when we look at this.

It's not fair. You're struggling to make ends meet. We have Democrats right now and Republicans who are debating our social safety net in this country right now about how hungry children are, and we're talking about $50 million to shave sheep. It would be laughable if it was not so sad. This could be your money that you could be saving up for your rent, for your mortgage, for your next vacation.

This is as bipartisan as you can get. We are looking for places to save and show how we here in Congress can be more efficient with your money, accountable and transparent with your money--you, who are working 40, 50, 60 hours a week.

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

Mr. Chairman, we are defending sheep shearing: ``$50 million in appropriations, $1 million under government accounting.''

When we look at the industry ``best practices''--again, those quotes dripping with practically sarcasm--they could have been written by Moses with how old this industry is. The proposal funds ``an informational video describing recommended goat handling practices.''

When we look at the positions in this, the nine, seven are from the industry itself, two are from the Federal Government. They're using this money on social media. Mr. Chairman, you know as well as I do, we're talking this is free--social media, the Internet. This doesn't cost money to ``create a buzz'' among consumers. This is their quotes about lamb.

I love lamb. Sure, I'll have dinner with lamb any night, but I don't think that the Federal Government needs to fund a PR campaign for one industry.

Again, this is why the American people are so frustrated with both Democrats and Republicans picking and choosing industries. Congress has wasted $50 million, yes, in appropriations since 1996 on this program. It is time that this House elected to save taxpayer dollars at a time where we have record deficits and runaway spending. Put our votes where the Americans, the hardworking, taxpaying American's money is.

I urge my colleagues to vote for this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, only in Washington, D.C., can someone call $1 million a modest amount. There's one thing that I live by that I hope I can serve the American people with, and it is that the individual raindrop does not blame itself for the flood.

Mr. Chairman, we are in a time of record deficits, a debt that hangs over to the point that it is a national security problem for our country. I encourage my colleagues to vote for this amendment and slow the torrent of wasteful spending.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

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

Mr. Chairman, for too long, and at the hands of both parties, the White House has been operating with secret memos and behind closed doors hidden from you. This is why we are offering this amendment requiring the Department of Defense to submit an annual report to Congress which basically goes over who, why, and what.

Who? The names of any U.S. citizens subject to military detention.

Why? The legal justification for their detention.

What? The steps the executive branch is taking to either provide them some sort of judicial process or the path of possible release.

Now, this amendment requires that an unclassified version of the report be made available to every Member of Congress. This amendment shines light where there has been darkness in this country, ensuring freedom, liberty, and justice for all.

While there is a legitimate need that we recognize that the government protects us from terrorism, we almost always must ensure--we must ensure--that Americans' rights to their due process and their day in court are always, always protected. You need to be guaranteed that your government is looking out for your rights.

Upon our founding, every American was guaranteed fundamental God- given rights that cannot be taken away by the government. These amendments ensure that these rights are safeguarded.

I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Salmon).

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

Parliamentary Inquiry

Certainty and stability are really all that our businessowners are asking for from us here in the government so that they can grow and create jobs. Instead, we handed them ObamaCare--a nightmare for people who own businesses or who are trying to start up their own businesses. Worse, it is a nightmare for you and your family. It's not fair for you, for your kids, for your grandkids. ObamaCare will and is cutting your wages, your hours--it may even cost you your job--and it is weakening our social safety net.

In the big picture, ask yourself: When it comes to your health care, who knows how to care for you and your family most--you or some stranger here in Washington?

ObamaCare is bad for business, putting 3 million American jobs in jeopardy--and that is not speculation, Secretary Sebelius. It's plain and simple. The Affordable Care Act is not affordable. It's not about your health; it's not about care--and it is not fair. It's not fair to our seniors, our kids, our grandkids, or to you.

Gas and groceries. Ask yourself: Is there anything else that eats more into your budget day in and day out?

When we talk about your family budget, wouldn't it be great if your dollar could go further? Better yet, at least the prices could stay normal instead of changing every week.

Think about it: gas and grocery prices are all over the place. One week, you go pay for your gas and buy your groceries and maybe have some extra money in your pocket for date night on the weekend; but the next week, the prices shoot up, and you barely have enough money to pay for your rent.

But I've got great news--cheaper prices at the pump and a less expensive grocery bill start right here and right now with the approval of the Keystone pipeline.

This issue is really as bipartisan as you can get. Why? Because it means jobs, jobs, jobs. We're not talking Republican or Democrat, red or blue. We are talking about green, meaning more money in your pocket. In that bipartisan spirit, even union members support this pipeline because they know how many jobs will be created. With Republican leadership, we are going to get this done.

Union members, this is about you. This is about your opportunity, your job.

Not only is this about jobs; it's about our national security here in the United States.

Ask yourself: Do you really want to continue sending money to countries that really don't have the best intentions for us in mind, or do you want energy independence, meaning a safe and secure United States for you and your family for generations to come?

Of course, it's more money in your pocket the next time you go to get some gas in your car or buy your groceries. This is about you, your family, your dreams.

Heavy-handed government has been chipping away at our freedom and your freedom and your opportunity for generations, whether it's Big Government Democrat programs or, to be bipartisan, Big Government Republican programs. And that brings us to this debate today on the Affordable Care Act, which is not affordable and it is not about health care. It is about control.

Your freedom, your choices between you and your doctor no longer between you and your doctor. Someone from here in D.C., in some way, shape, or form will be involved in your most personal decisions. Freedom and opportunity, the freedom to choose insurers, insurance, and your doctor in a truly free market now gone.

This repeal is about your opportunity, which ObamaCare is already taking away from you. I want you to have a job. I want you to work more than 39 hours a week.

This repeal is about your freedom. I want you to keep more money in your pocket. I want you to have low premiums. I want you to have a choice--your choice, not Washington, D.C.'s.

This Affordable Health Care Act is not affordable and it is not about health care. It's about control.

Mr. Speaker, in this great country of ours, since our founding, we've always had a distrust of government. And, quite honestly, I think that's a healthy thing, most especially today as we learn about what both the Department of Justice and IRS have done.

What we are learning is that this is a threat to your First Amendment: freedom of speech. And let there be no question the order of importance. It is your very first in your Bill of Rights: freedom of speech.

I believe that these rights are so sacred, so precious that I'm introducing the Free Flow of Information Act to protect journalists from the prying eyes of this Federal Government. It is my hope that Republicans and Democrats alike will support this just like then- Senator Obama did in 2007.

A select few in these agencies represent the worst when it comes to a heavy-handed government working to shut down your basic right to speak out as an individual or report the news as an organization. Now is the time that we stand up and say, Our society is not about I, the Federal Government; it is about we, the people. And to quote my generation's music from Public Enemy to Rage Against the Machine: ``We gotta fight the powers that be; we gotta take the power back.''

In other words, we need to stand up and say that we see the abuse from a few in Washington and we must return the power back to the people. After all, Washington works for you. Not a party. Not an ideology. Your government--elected and unelected--works for you, not against you.

But now we clearly see that both the IRS and the Department of Justice are working against you, working to stifle, to shut down your God-given right of freedom of speech, that freedom often carried out by the press.

In the United States, we are so unique and so powerful because we really share a common belief of some pretty simple things. You should be able to speak your mind. Again, it's called ``freedom of speech.'' And journalists should be able to do their job and do so without the fear of a heavy-handed tyrannical government threatening or stifling them. It's called ``freedom of the press.''

But now we see an entire culture of government acting on their own behalf, not even beholden to an administration, party, or even a belief. These are rogue agencies that we are talking about, unelected, unchecked, without boundaries, without ethics, and without a shred of respect for the Constitution or you. These individuals are some people on some floor of some building named after some dude that you've never even heard of messing with your life.

And if you don't think that wiretaps or IRS audits are going to hit you, think again. Two groups from my home in southwest Florida were hit so hard by the IRS that they quit. They shut down their groups. That was it; enough is enough. This is the clearest example of how the government is coming after you to strip away your most basic rights. These groups were made up of hardworking Americans just like you. Their goal: to teach people about the Constitution. Think about that for a second. They wanted to teach people about the very document that tells you you have the right to say what you want. They're now gone.

And let's look at the Department of Justice wiretapping, seizing and prying into the lives of journalists. I worked as a journalist for almost 20 years, living with what I thought our government also believed in--freedom of the press. The freedom to investigate, share, and speak out on injustice.

And from journalists to partisan pundits, Rachel Maddow to Bill O'Reilly, they're coming for you next. Sean Hannity to Chris Hayes, you'll be tapped next as you try to shed light on truth, on injustice, or just try and get some answers.

Where does all of this end?

Well, this is where the so-called far left and far right need to embrace each other. Whether you are a Tea Partier or part of the Occupy movement, this is about you. Whether you are an evangelical Christian wanting to share the word of God or an atheist simply asking for a more secular society, this is about you. This is about you--your freedom of speech, your ability to express what you believe in. This is about you.

Washington insiders should not be dictating your life. The more it's about them, it's not about you. The more government grows unchecked and unbalanced and out of control, the more it's about them and not you.

I believe in you. Stand with me and let's take the power back and return this government to we the people. I promise to stand with you.

Mr. Speaker, I was recently in the beautiful, spectacular, booming country of Colombia, in part reaffirming a relationship with our ally and friend, and also there to make sure our investments are safe.

Our investments are safe, and they're paying off by growing the Colombian economy, and for you, the hardworking American taxpayer, growing our economy right here in the United States. Free trade and economic freedom mean that both countries prosper.

Their economy is growing and the income inequality gap is getting smaller and smaller, meaning a larger middle class. When Colombia does well, the United States does well. And while we may have a few differences here and there with other countries in Latin America, let there be no doubt that Colombia is a bright, shining example for all of the world when we work together.

So to our friends from all over Colombia: paisas, rolos, costenos, vallunos, opitas, llaneros, y Calenos.

Using your native language, let's continue to share our common dream of opportunidad y libertad para todos: opportunity and freedom for all.