Floor Statements

Madam Chair, I would like to thank my colleague, Ms. Speier for offering this amendment. Frequently, sexual-assault victims in the military are referred to Uniformed mental-health experts. From there, they are all too often subsequently diagnosed with ``personality disorders'' and separated from the military. While the military is making some positive steps to correct the improper processes surrounding sexual assault cases, it is impossible to know how many veterans of the military have disputed their personality disorder discharges and it is even more difficult to know how many victims of sexual assault did not come forward in fear of being labeled or scapegoated. Instead of sweeping these crimes under the rug, this amendment will review these cases and identify individuals that were improperly separated from the military subsequent to reporting a sexual assault and correct their record. I urge support for this important way forward in addressing sexual crimes.

Madam Chair, I would like to thank my colleague, Ms. Speier for offering this amendment. While many protections for victims of sexual violence have recently been put in place across our Armed Forces, a review by the IG of military sexual assault cases revealed that over three-quarters (83%) of the 501 investigations conducted, were not properly investigated, and had significant deficiencies, such as a failure to collect key evidence; incomplete interviews; and only partial crime scene investigations. As a former District Attorney, I was stunned by these findings. I have worked to protect victims of abuse and violence throughout my career and know that such sloppy investigative work will only cause further injury to victims and their families. To add insult to injury, these victims are the very men and women who have devoted their lives to the lives of others. With this amendment, we will be returning the favor of their commitment to our country's security and ensure additional funding and training to close the harmful loops that exist in the military's investigative processes related to sexual assaults. This amendment is a vital step towards ensuring an environment where there is justice for all victims. I urge support of our amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Dorothy Savarese on receiving the prestigious Mercy Otis Warren Woman of the Year Award.

Ms. Savarese joined the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank in 1993 as a commercial lending officer. Her exemplary leadership and dedication saw her elevated to senior vice president and director of product planning. She was named the bank's chief operating officer in 2004 before becoming their first woman president and CEO the following year. Ms. Savarese's success at the head of Cape Cod Five was recognized by American Banker Magazine in 2012 when they named her one of the 25 most powerful women in banking.

She has been an active member of the local business community, serving as Chairman of the Massachusetts Bankers Association and the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Savarese has also engaged in national financial issues, serving on the American Bankers Association's Community Bankers Council and the FDIC Advisory Committee on Community Banking. Her endeavors have established a focus on the Cape's vibrant financial sector, while ensuring the Commonwealth remains an active player in the national banking industry.

A resident of Barnstable, Ms. Savarese has graciously dedicated her time to numerous community institutions, including the Cape Cod Community College Board of Trustees, the Regional Employment Board, the Special Commission on County Governance, the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, and the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod. Under her chairmanship, Cape Cod Five's foundation trust has leveraged its $11 million in assets to underwrite many charities and worthy causes throughout southeastern Massachusetts. I applaud Ms. Savarese's advocacy on behalf of these venerable institutions and her commitment to the arts.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to honor Ms. Dorothy Savarese for many years of extraordinary service to her fellow citizens and for her sterling record in community banking. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Ms. Savarese on her reception of the Mercy Otis Warren Woman of the Year Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding service of the Korean War Veterans Association Honor Guard and the dedication of the leaders of Chapter 299 of the Association: Mr. Arthur Griffith, Mr. Otis Mangrum, and Mr. Mark Tiilikkala.

The Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) was founded in 1985 with the goal of organizing, promoting, and maintaining an association of individuals who served the United States during the Korean War. Mr. Mangrum, Mr. Tiilikkala, and Mr. Griffith, of KWVA Chapter #299, have served as the KWVA's Honor Guard at Memorial Day and Veteran's Day commemorations in Washington, D.C. every year since 2007. Based in the Massachusetts State House, the KWVA Honor Guard of Chapter #299 has proudly performed their duties at Arlington National Cemetery and the Korean War Memorial for appreciative citizens and veterans. As we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the armistice between North and South Korea, it is essential that we recognize the selfless actions of the soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, coast guardsmen, and others who fought to secure peace for the Korean people and safeguard America's allies. Mr. Mangrum, Mr. Tiilikkala, and Mr. Griffith deserve our gratitude for dedicating themselves to their fellow veterans and ensuring the nation's colors stand tall whenever we honor our service men and women.

As the years continue to pass, we must make sure that the commitment made by the veterans of the Korean War is preserved in our memories now and in the future. The commitment made by the KWVA Chapter in honoring this memory sets an example for us all to follow.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to thank Mr. Arthur Griffith, Mr. Otis Mangrum and Mr. Mark Tiilikkala of KWVA Chapter #299 for their steadfast commitment to honoring veterans. I ask that my colleagues join me in commending these gentlemen for their skill, military excellence, and deportment.

Mr. Speaker, today, the European Union (EU) demonstrated its commitment to global security as the 28 EU member states spoke as one voice to condemn Hezbollah's deadly attack in Burgas, Bulgaria last year, and for plotting a similar attack in Cyprus.

As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats, I feel that it is difficult to determine where Hezbollah's civilian wing ends and militant one begins, but the EU's decision to designate the military wing of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization is a welcomed step. This designation will send a clear message to the international community that freedom-espousing democracies will not stand idly by in the face of coercive tactics and aggression by Hezbollah's leaders, militants, and their foreign financers.

I am confident that following today's decision, more governments will follow suit and see Hezbollah for what it truly is- a terrorist organization devoted to violence against innocent people both within and beyond Lebanon's borders.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and sacrifice of six fallen heroes hailing from the great town of Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Since September 11, 2001, Plymouth has lost six of its own citizens who answered the call to defend their Nation. These selfless individuals will now be memorialized by family, friends, and neighbors in their hometown when Plymouth's Fallen Heroes Memorial is officially unveiled next week. Today, I would like to express my gratitude for their service by presenting the names of the fallen to the Congressional Record:

Sergeant First Class Robert E. Rooney, Army National Guard

Killed in action September 25, 2003 in Kuwait

Lance Corporal Jeffrey C. Burgess, United States Marine Corps

Killed in action March 25, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq

Private First Class Kevin J. King, United States Army

Killed in action April 18, 2007 during a training exercise at Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Sergeant Benjamin W. Sherman, United States Army

Killed in action November 10, 2009 in Western Afghanistan

Staff Sergeant Matthew A. Pucino, Army National Guard

Killed in action November 23, 2009 in Pashay Kala, Afghanistan

Specialist Steven E. Gutowski, United States Army

Killed in action September 28, 2011 in Ghanzi Province, Afghanistan

These courageous, distinguished men embodied the best ideals of our country and dedicated their lives to its security. I sincerely thank these six Plymouth natives for all that they have given in the line of duty.

Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor to recognize the outstanding sacrifice that these veterans made for their country. I ask that my colleagues join me in this remembrance, and in thanking all of our servicemembers deployed across the globe.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished career of Ms. Paula Raposa on the occasion of her retirement.

Ms. Raposa has been a vibrant fixture in her local community for over fifty years. After arriving in Fall River from the island of Sao Miguel in 1960, Ms. Raposa got her start at a factory on Water Street. Six years later, her gift for helping others led her to a job as a teacher's aide with Fall River Public Schools. For the next 12 years, she would serve as a secretary and parental liaison for the school district's bilingual program. Ms. Raposa played a key role in guiding the next generation of Portugese-speaking immigrants as they became acclimated to life in the United States. She later supported the Women's Center at Bristol Community College as their outreach coordinator.

In 1978, Ms. Raposa began her career with SER-Jobs for Progress as a consultant. She was soon named as the first executive director for SER's Fall River affiliate. Under Ms. Raposa's leadership, the organization proved indispensible in training residents for jobs in the local garment industry and beyond. In 1984, her efforts were recognized by President Reagan through an appointment to the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship, a federal body devoted to economic development and the advancement of workforce trainees. At that time she was the first woman in over fifty years to be appointed to this prestigious position. SER continues to provide a range of vital services to the community, including business classes, adult English instruction, computer training, and job placement. Alumni of SER's programs have gone on to succeed in a variety of professions.

Following 35 wonderful years at the helm, Ms. Raposa will retire as executive director to spend more time with family, while still remaining active with numerous Fall River institutions. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Ms. Paula Raposa for over five decades of outstanding service to southeastern Massachusetts. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Ms. Raposa for her countless contributions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the one hundredth anniversary of the iconic The Whaleman statue's unveiling in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

One hundred years ago today, on June 20, 1913, prominent New Bedford citizen and former Congressman William W. Crapo stood outside the New Bedford Public Library and, surrounded by thousands of local residents, officially presented the statue that would soon become an icon of the city. Standing in the bow of a skiff, with waves crashing over its hull, The Whaleman's subject is poised with his harpoon, watchfully looking ahead. The statue's inscription quotes Herman Melville's Moby Dick and reads ``A Dead Whale or a Stove Boat,'' referring to the danger inherent in a profession in which the desired catch was just as likely as an overturned, or ``stove,'' vessel.

Mr. Crapo had commissioned the statue one year earlier, in 1912, as an acknowledgment of the city's rich history in the whaling industry and to pay homage to the whalemen whose hard labor had contributed so much to New Bedford's growth. With the approval of New Bedford mayor Charles Ashley, famed Boston sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt was initially paid $25,000 to create the statue, and The Whaleman was completed in less than a year. Pratt recruited local boatsteerer Richard McLachlan to stand as his model, in an effort to capture the true spirit of those who worked

in this industry. Since its unveiling in 1913, The Whaleman has become one of the most recognizable icons of New Bedford. Its likeness has found its way onto everything from coffee mugs to Christmas ornaments, and it has been viewed by visitors to the city from around the world. The statue remains in its original home outside the New Bedford Public Library, and its centennial this June will be celebrated in the very spot on which it was first presented.

On the one hundredth anniversary of The Whaleman, it is also important to remember those whom the statue itself was created to honor--the countless individuals whose work contributed to the growth of New Bedford in its early years. These pioneers were truly responsible for the strong foundation on which the region would rest for decades to come, and New Bedford's story would have been far different without their many contributions.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the one hundredth anniversary of The Whaleman. I ask that my colleagues join me in marking this important celebration.

Madam Speaker, for 12 years, I've worked with victims of rape and incest. And for those of you who think you're carving out an exception for rape and incest, you're not.

If you were truly carving out an exception, you wouldn't be making it contingent on things that silence victims, things they have no control over, like being traumatized, like being threatened with your life if you talked, like not knowing the law because you're a minor and a victim of statutory rape. These are reasons why more than half the rapes are never reported.

As a district attorney, I've had cases where the victims didn't even report; yet we were able to convict the perpetrators with other evidence. Reporting wasn't even necessary to convict criminals; but in this bill, it's necessary for a crime victim to exercise their constitutional right to privacy.

Fundamentally, those who support the language in this bill don't understand that rape and incest are crimes. These are crimes of violence, crimes that you bring penalties to the perpetrator. This bill brings penalties to the victim.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize June as National Scoliosis Awareness Month, and to reaffirm our commitment to fighting a potentially debilitating medical condition that afflicts over 7 million Americans.

National Scoliosis Awareness Month brings together all members of the scoliosis community, including physicians, patients, families, and businesspeople to raise awareness about this condition. Diagnosing scoliosis is a simple procedure that takes less than 30 seconds, and early detection allows physicians to monitor the condition and, if necessary, begin treatment before serious complications--including chronic back pain and impacted heart and lung function--even begin. Raising awareness is therefore crucial to the fight against scoliosis.

Between two and three percent of the American population suffers from scoliosis, and the number of family and friends who are impacted by this condition numbers many millions more. While serious complications of scoliosis are largely preventable, affordable care and public awareness are necessary in order to maximize the effectiveness of treatment. National Scoliosis Awareness Month promotes a positive public awareness message that elevates the visibility of scoliosis and empowers those individuals whose lives have been touched by this condition. It is a time for us to recommit ourselves to reducing its impact in the future.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing June as National Scoliosis Awareness Month, and in thanking organizations such as the National Scoliosis Foundation and the Scoliosis Research Society, as well as their many supporters, for making it all possible.

Mr. Speaker, on June 3 and 4, 2013, I was unavoidably detained and missed the following rollcall votes: No. 184 for H.R. 1206 and No. 188 on Agreeing to the First Broun of Georgia Amendment to H.R. 2216. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall No. 184 and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 188.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Linda Hutchenrider upon her upcoming retirement from her position as Town Clerk of Barnstable, Massachusetts.

Ms. Hutchenrider has been a constant figure in Barnstable's Town Hall since she first took a position with the town's local government in 1987. She was elected to her current position in 1993, and has been reelected in every election since. She has administered over 38 elections during her twenty-year tenure as Town Clerk, and her knowledge of the many intricacies of the position has gained her the respect and admiration of Clerks throughout the Commonwealth.

Ms. Hutchenrider's many accomplishments include having served as President of the Massachusetts Town Clerks Association, President of the Cape and Islands Town Clerks Association, and Chair of the New England Municipal Clerks' Institute and Academy. During her time as Barnstable Town Clerk, Ms. Hutchenrider also attained her Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) and Certified Massachusetts Municipal Clerk (CMMC) designations, both of which required many hours of advanced training. While Ms. Hutchenrider may be retiring this June, she has not finished giving back to her field, and plans to serve as a volunteer teacher for the New England Municipal Clerks' Institute and Academy this summer.

It is fitting to acknowledge and to thank those who have offered service to their communities, and Ms. Hutchenrider is a true embodiment of such an individual. I thank her for all that she has done for the Barnstable community, and wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing and congratulating Ms. Linda Hutchenrider upon her retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Poyant Signs of New Bedford, Massachusetts, as the company celebrates seventy-five years of business this month.

Founder Maurice J. Poyant first began his signmaking company in 1938, originally operating under the name Artcraft Sign Company. His small business would see great expansion and many changes over the course of the following decades, such as moving into its well-known Acushnet Avenue storefront, the purchase of its first 45-foot crane, and incorporation of the business under the new name Poyant Signs in the 1950s. Several members of the Poyant family would go on to lead the company over the years following Maurice's retirement, including Maurice's son Leonard Poyant and grandson Richard Poyant. As sales continued to increase, Poyant Signs maintained its growth and success, and over the years the company was even able to acquire several competing signage companies. Although it has since outgrown its Acushnet Avenue location, Poyant Signs still calls New Bedford home, and is headquartered today in a modern 45,000 square foot facility located in New Bedford Business Park.

The success of Poyant Signs has continued into the twenty-first century, and today the company stands as the largest sign manufacturer in New England. It serves both well-known local businesses and clients that operate on a national level, and the company has been the recipient of numerous awards within the industry. In 2009, Poyant Signs was honored as a finalist in the Massachusetts Family Business of the Year Awards, as well as by the New Hampshire Sign Association Awards for the company's excellence in signmaking.

Since its founding in 1938, Poyant Signs has played a central role in the development of New Bedford's local economy. The company is emblematic of the type of business that makes New Bedford the great city that it is today, and it is certainly fitting to celebrate this company's many years of success.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Poyant Signs upon the company's seventy-fifth anniversary. I ask that my colleagues join me in this recognition and in congratulating Poyant Signs for its many decades of prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and to celebrate the upcoming launch of the new CapeFlyer train route between Boston and Cape Cod.

The CapeFlyer train will make its first scheduled trip between Boston's South Station and Cape Cod on May 24, 2013. Created under a partnership between the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA), the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), the CapeFlyer will be the first scheduled passenger rail service to reach the Cape since 1996, as well as the first to connect Cape Cod to Boston since the last train departed Boston's South Station at 5:34 p.m. on June 30, 1959. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day this summer, the train will run between Boston and the Cape every weekend, and will offer amenities to its passengers such as free Wi-Fi service, concessions, and bicycle storage. Customers will have their choice of disembarking at either the historic Buzzards Bay Train Station or Hyannis Transportation Center, with further options to connect to numerous other destinations throughout the Cape.

The introduction of the CapeFlyer train will enable even more Massachusetts residents and visitors to make the most of all that Cape Cod has to offer, from its idyllic beaches and outdoor activities to its fine dining and shopping centers. The availability of rail service as an alternate mode of transportation will allow summer tourism on Cape Cod to remain high while reducing traffic congestion, making travel throughout the Cape easier and lowering local carbon emissions. The benefits that the CapeFlyer will bring to the region are numerous and diverse, and I have no doubt that it will prove to be a popular method of reaching the Cape.

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to recognize the CapeFlyer rail service upon its initial trip between Boston and Cape Cod, and I ask that my colleagues join me in welcoming this new rail line to the Massachusetts region.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lillian Kafka as she celebrates her ninetieth birthday this month.

Ms. Kafka, or ``Libby'' as she is referred to by her many friends, was born on May 18, 1923, to Louis and Mae Dubinsky of Sharon, Massachusetts. The Dubinsky family owned Sunset Lodge, a popular summer resort hotel on the idyllic shore of Lake Massapoag in Sharon. Ms. Kafka, along with her siblings Aaron and Edith, would often help their parents with the daily tasks of the family business. Upon the passing of Louis, the Dubinsky children helped their mother even more with running the hotel until it was sold to the Archdiocese of Boston several years later.

On June 18, 1944, Ms. Kafka celebrated her wedding to husband Milton Kafka at the Sunset Lodge, and the two remained happily married until Milton's passing in 2006. The Kafkas welcomed five children into their family: Louis, Millie, Benjamin, Kenneth, and Hirsh. Ms. Kafka has seen her family grow exponentially over the years, and is now the proud grandmother of twelve and great-grandmother of seventeen.

Today, Ms. Kafka stays quite active with her large family, and spends much time in particular with her great-grandchildren, who lovingly refer to her as ``G.G.'' When she is not

busy with family, music and theater take up most of her free time. Ms. Kafka is an active volunteer at the Sharon Community Theater and the Actors Collaborative. She has performed onstage at the Mansfield Music and Arts Society, and she now fills the role of the organization's official backstage hostess. Her love of volunteering and positive outlook are representative of the extraordinary person that Ms. Kafka is, and the entire community has benefited from her many accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Lillian Kafka on this joyous occasion of her ninetieth birthday. She is an outstanding member of our community, and I ask that my colleagues join me in wishing her many more years of health and happiness.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Elizabeth Sherman, a resident of Sandwich, Massachusetts, who celebrates her 100th birthday today.

Elizabeth, or Betty as her family and friends know her, was born on May 3, 1913, to the Burns family. She later married Alvin Sherman of Brookline, Massachusetts. Betty and Alvin would go on to raise their five children together: Ann, Bud, Mary, Jeanie, and Elaine. The Sherman family later settled in Arlington, outside Boston. Betty, a dedicated and caring mother, also helped support her family by working as a secretary at Harvard University and the Chase Brass & Copper Company.

The Shermans enjoyed many summers at their vacation home on the Cape, and Betty and Alvin would later retire to Sagamore Beach. Though Alvin passed away in 1995, Betty's loving family has grown to include six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Elizabeth Sherman on this joyous occasion of her 100th birthday. I ask that my colleagues join me in wishing her many more years of health and happiness.