Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating St. Paul United Church of Christ on its 175th anniversary.

From humble beginnings in 1839, St. Paul's has seen an incredible cross section of American history in the Midwest. Born from Belleville's German immigrants, the church first held services at the local court house, while awaiting a physical structure to be built.

St. Paul's provides worship and community appeal to the Belleville area and beyond. What makes St. Paul's exceptional is its mission to serve those who need it most.

Through Christmas and Thanksgiving charitable programs, the Franklin Community Neighborhood Association, Tuesday Community Dinner, afterschool programs, a food pantry, and much more, the church reaches out to every age group and background in the community.

A shining star of St. Paul's Church is the love and care that developed and grew St. Paul's Home into the senior community it is today. For over 85 years, St. Paul's Home has faithfully provided respite care, memory care, assisted living services, and skilled nursing to the elderly in Belleville and surrounding communities. And today, the church can proudly boast its new additions coming soon.

St. Paul's is proud to call the Illinois metro east home, and Belleville is proud to call St. Paul's one of its own.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating St. Paul's United Church of Christ on 175 years in the Belleville community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Charles Garnati, who retired this month after 30 years as State's Attorney for Williamson County, Illinois.

Charles Garnati has actually served in the Williamson County State's Attorney's office for parts of five decades. He worked in the office for a brief time in the 1970s and then was elected to his first term as State's Attorney in 1984. He would serve continuously as State's Attorney until retiring this month due to health reasons. At his retirement, Garnati was the longest continuously serving state's attorney in the State of Illinois.

During his career as State's Attorney, Garnati has prosecuted perpetrators of the most heinous crimes, including 30 murder trials. He was able to get first degree murder convictions in 29 of those 30 trials. Garnati is quick to praise his legal staff in the State's Attorney's office as well as the law enforcement agencies within his jurisdiction for the success rate of his office.

Garnati always approached his job as both making those who commit crimes pay for their actions and also to provide justice to the victims of those crimes. Particularly in murder cases, he was keenly aware of the pain suffered by the families of victims.

Garnati accepted as a personal challenge the prosecution of those who harmed children. As part of that crusade, he helped found two programs for children, the Williamson County Child Advocacy Center and the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Williamson County program. His annual golf scramble has raised more than $350,000 for these programs.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Charles Garnati well and thanking him for a lifetime of service to the people of Southern Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Karl Britton who today, September 17, 2014, celebrates his 30th anniversary as a staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives.

As an incoming freshman Member at the beginning of the 113th Congress, I, like all freshman Members, was faced with the challenge of setting up offices while also learning the workings of Congress and my role as a Member. I was extremely fortunate that Karl Britton joined my DC office staff, where his 28 years of experience and knowledge of working on the Hill were invaluable assets.

Karl Britton, a native of West Virginia, began working on the Hill on September 17, 1984, as a staff member for his Congressman, Harley Staggers, Jr., from the West Virginia 2nd Congressional District. Karl would serve on Congressman Staggers' staff until June of 1990 when he went to work for Congressman Jerry Costello, who was in his first full term representing the Illinois 21st District. Karl would work for Congressman Costello until the end of the 112th Congress when Costello decided not to run for re-election. Karl joined my staff at the beginning of the 113th Congress.

Karl has worked for three Members of Congress in his 30 years but has served during the terms of five Presidents, starting with Ronald Reagan, and seven Speakers of the House, starting with Tip O'Neill.

To understand the scope of Karl's popularity on the Hill, one only needs to walk with him anywhere within the crowded corridors of the Capitol complex. You cannot go more than 10 feet without someone calling out to Karl and everyone seems to be his friend. Karl knows someone in just about every office. He knows how to get things done and who to ask for any information. Karl has conducted countless tours for constituents and has provided assistance for dignitaries, all with the same professional courtesy.

Karl has two children, a son, Andrew, 24, and a daughter Aliyah, 14.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Karl Britton on his 30th anniversary of congressional service and wishing him all the best for many more years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Orlando Martorani a Happy Birthday as he turns 100 years old on October 19, 2014.

Orlando Pedro Martorani was born October 19, 1914 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. He began a career as a bookkeeper and married Mercedes Delgado Garcia in San Juan, Puerto Rico on December 14, 1941, exactly one week after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Orlando and Mercedes began their life in Puerto Rico and their first child, their daughter, Gilda, was born in 1942. In December of 1943, Orlando answered the call to military service, joining the U.S. Army as a member of the Coastal Artillery Corps.

The Coastal Artillery Corps was responsible for the defense of the coasts and harbors of the United States during the first half of the 20th Century. As a member of that corps, Orlando was briefly assigned to duty in Inglewood and San Diego, California before being stationed in Panama, guarding the Panama Canal. He also would be stationed in Boston, Massachusetts to guard German Prisoners of War.

On being discharged in February of 1946, Orlando returned to his life in Puerto Rico where he and Mercedes raised their family. After retiring in 1980, Orlando and Mercedes came to live in Murphysboro, Illinois.

A short-wave radio enthusiast, Orlando is also a Chicago Cubs fan and, even though he has been waiting 100 years, he still has hopes of seeing the Cubs win a World Series in his lifetime.

Orlando cared for Mercedes until she passed away in 2003. He has two children, Gilda and a son, Orlando, who is also a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam. He also has six grandchildren and one great- grandchild.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Orlando Martorani a Happy 100th Birthday and wishing him all the best in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the careers of a true champion of Southern Illinois, Dr. Glenn Poshard. I say the ``careers'' in the plural form because Glenn wore many hats--soldier, educator, legislator, administrator and advocate, in his service to his community, his state and his nation.

Born and raised in Southern Illinois, Glenn Poshard served in the U.S. Army, deployed to Korea. On returning home, Glenn used the GI Bill to begin a relationship with Southern Illinois University that would span over 40 years and include roles as a student (Glenn earned bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees from SIU Carbondale), adjunct professor, administrator and University President.

Glenn began a career in education as a high school teacher and coach, and served as the director of the Southern Illinois Educational Service Center. He began his legislative career when he was appointed to fill a seat in the Illinois Senate in 1984. He would represent Southern Illinois in that body until 1988 when he was elected to the U.S. Congress. Glenn would serve in Congress until 1999 and there are still a number of members who served with Glenn in this chamber who continue to count on him as a trusted friend and colleague.

Throughout his tenure in Congress, Glenn was well known as a champion of working men and women who stood up for the needs of his constituents in Southern Illinois. Glenn worked tirelessly to secure job creation, educational opportunities, health care facilities and fair wages. He also led by example on campaign finance reform and worked to limit the influence of money in politics. Throughout his political career, Glenn was known as a fiery orator who brought crowds to their feet. By word and deed, Glenn always inspired his constituents and instilled optimism and hope.

After retiring from Congress, Glenn returned to education and his beloved Southern Illinois University where he was named vice chancellor of administration at SIU Carbondale. He served on the Board of Trustees until 2005, when he resigned to seek the position of University President, a post he held until retiring from that position this past Spring. Glenn Poshard's tenure as SIU President was the second longest in the university's history.

Fifteen years ago, Glenn and his wife, Jo (also an educator), cofounded the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children. This charitable organization has provided invaluable assistance to children who have suffered abuse and also serves as an advocacy tool in the fight to permanently eradicate the scourge of abuse that impacts far too many children and families in Southern Illinois and throughout our nation.

Throughout many roles, Glenn Poshard has always worked for the betterment of Southern Illinois and its people. He has done so as a model of integrity and inspiration. I am proud to call him my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Glenn Poshard and expressing our appreciation for his lifetime of public service.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, today I rise in support of this legislation and to share my concern about overreaching jurisdiction in the proposed rulemaking expanding the reach of the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers.

I have spent the last 5 weeks talking to constituents in my district, meeting with landowners, and discussing legislation with my agriculture advisory committing, talking to leaders from small communities and large cities alike.

Again and again, I hear the same thing: southern Illinoisans believe the Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA went too far rewriting the Federal Government's jurisdiction over waters of the United States. The Federal Government is claiming to have jurisdiction over small private property waterways.

The biggest concerns voiced by constituents were over the new areas that would become waters of the U.S. Under the proposed rule, many ditches, small ponds, and low spots in fields could be considered within the purview of the Federal Government.

Farmers and growers already protect their waters. They need it for livestock, orchards, soybean fields, and cornfields. Our Nation's farmers are the first conservationists of our time.

Additionally, I am further concerned about the lack of scientific analysis and economic outlook used to determine the scope of jurisdiction. Our farmers, land owners, communities, and our country's waterways deserve better planning than this. They deserve detailed studies and thoughtful execution. Our constituents sent us to Washington to keep their best interests in mind, not to pile on more red tape in a blanket fashion.

I urge you to join me and take into consideration those who will be affected by the proposed expansion of the EPA and the Corps' power.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dave Dobill, who will be retiring at the end of this year after over 29 years as County Clerk for Franklin County, Illinois.

Dave Dobill began his service to the people of Franklin County in 1979 as Supervisor of Assessments. In June of 1985 he was appointed to the position of County Clerk and was elected to that position for the first time in 1986. He has held this office continually ever since.

Dave is not only one of the longest-serving county officials in Illinois, but he is well known among his peers as a knowledgeable leader willing to help his constituents and his colleagues. Dave is one of the foremost experts in property tax law in the State of Illinois and has assisted numerous colleagues and officials understanding the law to ensure fair and lawful taxation. He has also been a leader in election administration, having modernized the election process in Franklin County to an electronic voting system long before the Help America Vote Act mandated such improvements.

Dave has earned the respect of his peers and was recognized for his professional accomplishments last year when he was named the State of Illinois County Clerk/Recorder of the Year at the Illinois Association of County Clerks/Recorders fall conference.

Known as the ``go-to guy'' in Franklin County, Dave has not limited his community service to his official duties as County Clerk. The community and fraternal organizations that have benefited from Dave's involvement have included: the Franklin County Tourism Bureau, Six Mile Democratic Club, Benton Chamber of Commerce, Royalton Jaycees and Little League, Zeigler Rotary and Eagles and West Frankfort Moose.

Dave is also very active in his church, St. Aloysius, and has served as treasurer of the St. Aloysius Men's Club.

Dave and his wife, Dixie, had two children and have one grandchild. Dave looks forward to spending more time with his family, and more time engaging in his favorite pastime, fishing. The fish in Rend Lake and around Southern Illinois have reason to be worried as Dave approaches retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Dave Dobill well and thanking him for a lifetime of service to the people of Southern Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mrs. Jeannine Baxter who is returning for her 25th year as the First Lady of the front office at the Du Quoin State Fair.

Since its beginning in 1923, the Du Quoin State Fair has brought joy and entertainment to generations of families in Southern Illinois and throughout the entire Midwest. And for a quarter of the fair's history, Jeannine Baxter has been greeting fair goers, workers and visiting dignitaries with grace and her ever present smile. Jeannine's love of the fair is infectious and her knowledge and professionalism ensure that everything runs smoothly so everyone is sure to have a good time.

While Jeannine has been at her post for a quarter of a century, the 84 year old shows no sign of slowing down. She worked for 20 years at Illinois Power Company in Du Quoin where her professionalism and enthusiasm proved as much of a joy for customers and staff of that utility company as for the fair goers and staff of the Du Quoin State Fair.

The Du Quoin State Fair opens on Friday, August 22, which has been declared Jeannine Baxter Day at the Fair and Jeannine will serve as Grand Marshal for the opening day parade.

In addition to her work at the fair, Jeannine is active in the community in other roles. She has served for many years on the Du Quoin Park Board, working to improve her home town with recreation and opportunities for young people. She has also worked as an election judge for many, many years and has been a welcoming face both on Election Day and at early voting hours for her neighbors as they participate in the electoral process.

Jeannine has been blessed with a large family, including eight children, 25 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Her family is a source of great joy for Jeannine especially since they are able to get together for a family reunion every year.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Jeannine Baxter well and thanking her for her quarter of a century of service at the Du Quoin State Fair.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise for American jobs and good government. I rise to support the Bring Jobs Home Act.

Our current corporate tax law is broken. Today, companies that move American jobs overseas are able to take tax deductions for relocating jobs outside the United States. Let me say that again. Companies located here in the United States are able to take tax deductions for moving American jobs overseas.

Don't we have that backwards? Shouldn't we give tax deductions to those moving jobs back home, back to America? The Bring Jobs Home Act will provide for not only an end to company rewards for shipping jobs overseas, it will also provide companies an incentive to restore jobs in America.

Right in my home State of Illinois, over 690,000 jobs are at risk of being sent overseas. At a time when we are desperately trying to grow the job market in our country, we simply cannot, in good conscience, let the American taxpayer foot the moving bill for megacorporations.

When I was a young man, I worked the assembly line at Caterpillar, just like my father did. We put in a hard day's work for an honest day's pay. Caterpillar understood the importance of keeping jobs here in America. In the last few years, Caterpillar has been bringing jobs back to the U.S., back to my home State of Illinois, just like GE and Ford have. Let's give them the incentive they deserve for doing the right thing.

Join me in supporting this bill so we can bring jobs home.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to commemorate the life of a great southern Illinoisan, a man who knew this Chamber very well, U.S. Congressman Ken Gray.

Kenny's ability to fight for southern Illinois is unmatched, from building interstate highways, Rend Lake, the Marion Federal Penitentiary, to building bridges, countless post offices, and water lines.

Whether convincing President Carter to tour an underground mine or escorting President Kennedy to Carbondale and Marion, Congressman Gray was a one-of-a-kind advocate for southern Illinois.

I counted Kenny among my friends, and he loved serving in this House. We will always remember him as the gentleman whose personality was as colorful as the suits he wore to the Capitol each day.

Colleagues, join me in remembering World War II veteran, Congressman Ken Gray.

Kenny, thank you for your service to your Nation, your State, and to southern Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of a great Southern Illinoisan, a man who knew this Chamber very well, U.S. Congressman Ken Gray.

Born and raised in Southern Illinois, Ken returned there after retiring from Congress. It is in Southern Illinois where he passed away this past Saturday and it is there, in his native West Frankfort, where he will be laid to rest. This is worth noting as we remember Congressman Ken Gray as one of the most persistent and productive advocates for his home district that ever served in this Chamber.

An entrepreneur from a young age, Ken answered the call to serve his country when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. His military service would take him to North Africa and Italy, southern France and central Europe, and would result in several decorations, including three bronze stars.

Returning to Southern Illinois after the war, Ken first won election from the 25th Congressional District of Illinois in 1954. He continued to serve for a total of 10 successive terms before his first retirement in 1974. He ran again for Congress in 1984, won that election, and served another two terms before his final retirement in 1989.

Ken's ability to fight for our region is unparalleled. His accomplishments are legendary, from building our interstate highways, building Rend Lake and the Marion Federal Prison to countless post offices, roads, bridges and water lines. A proud veteran himself, Ken was a tireless advocate for our region's veterans and hundreds received care because of his efforts. Serving an area with many coal mines, Ken also saw that miners and their families received the black lung benefits they were due.

Whether convincing President Carter to tour an underground coal mine, or escorting President Kennedy to Carbondale and Marion--Congressman Gray was a one-of-a-kind advocate for Southern Illinois.

He loved serving in this House, and few Members spent as much time presiding in the Speaker's chair during his tenure. Like thousands of people in our region, I counted Ken among my friends. We'll always remember him as a character whose personality was as colorful as the suits he wore here to the Capitol each day.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Congressman Ken Gray and extending our condolences and prayers to his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about a good friend, a hardworking public servant, and a true advocate for the American people. Today, I rise to talk about Senator Alan Dixon, the gentleman from Illinois.

Senator Dixon was from my hometown, Belleville. He was one of the finest public servants our country has ever known. Through a storied career, he walked the halls of power in Springfield, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., but never forgot his southern Illinois roots.

He was a mentor to generations of southern Illinoisans. His sense of civility is a commodity that was sorely needed during his time in government and is in even greater demand today.

It is in his honor and memory that I encourage the spirit of bipartisanship and cooperation as we continue to serve our fellow citizens in America.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

I am opposed in its current form.

Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill, as amended, will immediately proceed to final passage. Today, we come together to vote on an amendment that will not only create infrastructure, but create much-needed jobs as well.

Before joining the ranks of Congress last year, I served in the ranks of our Nation's military. As a commander of the Illinois National Guard, I oversaw the largest deployment of troops overseas since World War II.

Also well known across the State and particularly along Illinois' Mississippi River border were the efforts of men and women of the Illinois National Guard during flood season--efforts, resources, and dollars that can be saved with the preventative measures funded in this amendment.

The amendment before us today provides an additional $10 million to the Army Corps of Engineers for projects that could include levee construction, levee repair, flood mitigation, and flood prevention.

Too often, I sent those guardsmen and -women to fight floodwaters from the Mississippi River. Too often, I have seen levees break, rivers flow over their banks, and sandbags give way; and all too often, I have seen the aftereffects of destroyed homes, lost belongings, and the anguish of starting over again.

Just in the past week, three bridges across the Mississippi River have been closed due to flooding. Twenty roads, highways, and interstates have been closed or temporarily shuttered in Illinois alone, due to floodwaters, and the Mississippi River is expected to crest 10 feet above flood stage in some areas this week.

This isn't just a Midwestern issue. In the past 5 years, every single State in our great Nation has experienced floods or flash flooding.

Every dollar that we send to the Army Corps to prevent flooding will be put back into our economy if American families are spared the expense of flood cleanup. We must pass this amendment to provide critical dollars to the Army Corps, while creating good-paying jobs for men and women across our Nation.

This amendment makes all the difference for the people of Alton, Illinois, where the Mississippi River is at flood stage this week.

This amendment makes all the difference for the people of Grand Tower, Illinois, where the Army Corps doesn't have the funding to fix the structural inadequacies of the levees the Corps built 60 years ago. Communities are depending on us for leadership.

Also included in this amendment is an additional $10 million for the energy efficiency and renewable energy account. Current language in the bill is almost $113 million less than in 2014 and $530 million less than the administration's request.

We simply cannot afford such harsh reductions in funding for an area where our country desperately needs growth: energy efficiency and independence. A great example of energy-efficient infrastructure and operations is at Southern Illinois University, which is in my home district and is my alma mater.

SIU is committed to sustainability and green operations across campus. The university believes that higher education should be ecologically sound, socially just, and economically viable, giving students a healthy environment in which to live and learn.

SIU was, again, named a Green College by the Princeton Review. SIU maintains green jobs and green processes through their vermicomposting center--designed to take food scraps from dormitories and turn them into compost for campus gardens. The new transportation education center earned an LEED silver certificate. It is programs like these that this amendment will support.

Like all of you, I had the opportunity to listen to my constituents this past week. Over and over again, my constituents stopped me to ask: Why do we spend billions of tax dollars to build and rebuild other nations around the world, while so many of our critical improvements need to be made here at home?

This amendment won't address all of those needs here in America, but it is an improvement to this Appropriations bill and an investment in the long-term needs of our country.

I urge you to vote ``yes'' for flood safety, to vote ``yes'' for jobs, to vote ``yes'' for energy independence. I urge you to vote ``yes'' for this amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Mary McHugh for the forty-nine years she spent educating and improving the lives of children in Illinois. Mary's dedication and involvement in our community serves as an example towards which all of us can strive. She mentored countless student teachers towards excellence. She assured and convinced hundreds of underprivileged children to set their sights higher and pursue their dreams. It is my pleasure to celebrate her many years of service as an educator. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this outstanding educator.

Mary has selflessly dedicated her life to her community. She began teaching in Goreville, IL in 1952, and over the years to follow she taught in Vienna, IL and Corpus Christi, TX. On August 14, 1957, Mary was approved as a teacher in Belleville Public Schools District #118, and from 1958 to 2001 she taught at Franklin Elementary School.

During her forty-three years teaching at Franklin Elementary School in Belleville, Mary pioneered practices that broadened horizons for countless underprivileged children. She cofounded the practice of inviting recent college graduates back to Franklin Elementary School, clad in caps and gowns, to show elementary school students that they can dream big. She started the ongoing tradition of having teachers visit all Franklin Elementary families to welcome students for the new school year. The afterschool tutoring and ``Saturday School'' programs she cofounded provided students with the chance to achieve their potential. Her work establishing the District Spelling Bee, Young Authors Conference and District Science Fair helped teach students the joys of learning. She played an instrumental role in creating the Franklin Neighborhood Community Association, which transformed a high- crime neighborhood into a safe and supportive place to live and go to school. The impact she had on the children whose lives she touched is immeasurable.

Mary's record of service extends beyond her life as a teacher and her deep involvement in the Belleville community deserves commendation. She served as a Belleville Township Trustee and a Charter member and officer of the City of Belleville Human Relations Commission. She has been involved in the St. Clair County Historical Society, the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce, the Optimist Club and the Homeless Initiative Committee. She cofounded the Belleville Achieves Strength in Character (BASIC) initiative and the annual Storytelling Festival in Belleville. The many awards and honors that have been bestowed upon her over the years include the Belleville District 118 Bill Porzukowiak Character Award, the St. Louis Metropolitan Urban League Community Service Recipient of the Year, the Racial Harmony Community Service Award, the St. Clair County Lawyers Liberty Bell Award, and the 1983 Illinois Master Teacher Award.

Mr. Speaker, on this day, I am pleased to honor Mrs. Mary McHugh and the remarkable services she has given to our nation and the state of Illinois. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this wonderful woman who has repeatedly proven that ``we CAN do this!''

I thank the gentlewoman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a veteran and 35-year military member in support of swift action to remedy our veterans' health care concerns.

As former commanding general of the Illinois National Guard, I have seen firsthand the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make each day, sacrifices that affect not only themselves, but their families, as well. That is why it didn't come as a surprise to me to see so many family members standing beside their veterans at the Marion, Illinois, VA hospital 2 weeks ago.

I stopped by two facilities--one scheduled and one a complete surprise to the staff and administrators, a lesson learned from my days in the military. I wanted to see the true nature of the problem for myself. I didn't want to speak to administrators or to managers. More importantly, I wanted to speak to patients and to frontline workers.

Although most of the veterans I spoke to received quality care, far too many spoke of burdensome paperwork and of delays. Although the southern Illinois facilities I visited have better-than-average wait times for patients, even one patient on a waiting list is too many. And although most of the staff that report daily to our Nation's VA facilities are competent, caring individuals, there are some who are not.

That is why I support the two main goals of H.R. 3230, the Veterans Access to Care Through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014. This act will ensure that administrators at VA facilities can be removed from power in a timely and swift manner if they are not doing their jobs. It will also provide veterans the opportunity to seek care at private health care facilities as needed.

Join me in support of our veterans and the dire need to reform our VA health care system.