{"database": "openregs", "table": "congressional_record", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where congress = 112 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgD1085-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/Senate Committee Meetings", "SENATE", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDSCMEETINGS", "D1085", "D1085", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. D1085", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Page D1085]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\nCommittee Meetings\n(Committees not listed did not meet)\n No committee meetings were held."], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgD1085", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/Highlights + Senate", "SENATE", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDSCHAMBER", "D1085", "D1085", null, "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"8\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"302\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"SRES\", \"number\": \"628\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"SRES\", \"number\": \"629\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"SRES\", \"number\": \"628\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"SRES\", \"number\": \"629\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6060\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6586\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. D1085", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Page D1085]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n[[Page D1085]]\n\n Daily Digest\n\nHIGHLIGHTS\n\n Senate passed H.R. 8, American Taxpayer Relief Act, as amended.\n\n Senate\n\nChamber Action\nRoutine Proceedings, pages S8557-S8610\nMeasures Introduced: Two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S.\nRes. 628-629.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Pages S8589-90\nMeasures Passed:\n American Taxpayer Relief Act: By 89 yeas to 8 nays (Vote No. 251),\nSenate passed H.R. 8, to extend certain tax relief provisions enacted\nin 2001 and 2003, and to provide for expedited consideration of a bill\nproviding for comprehensive tax reform, by the order of the Senate of\nTuesday, January 1, 2013, 60 Senators having voted in the affirmative,\nand after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto:\n Pages S8584-86\nAdopted:\n Reid/McConnell Amendment No. 3448, in the nature of a substitute.\n Page S8585\n Pryor (for Reid) Amendment No. 3450, to amend the title.\u0000\u0000\u0000\nPage S8586\n Space Launch Liability Provisions: Senate passed H.R. 6586, to extend\nthe application of certain space launch liability provisions through\n2014, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:\n Pages S8608-09\n Pryor (for Nelson (FL)/Hutchison) Amendment No. 3449, in the nature\nof a substitute.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\nPage S8609\n Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Extension Act: Committee on Energy\nand Natural Resources was discharged from further consideration of H.R.\n6060, to amend Public Law 106-392 to maintain annual base funding for\nthe Upper Colorado and San Juan fish recovery programs through fiscal\nyear 2019, and the bill was then passed.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Page S8609\n Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline: Senate passed S. 302, to authorize\nthe Secretary of the Interior to issue right-of-way permits for a\nnatural gas transmission pipeline in nonwilderness areas within the\nboundary of Denali National Park.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Page S8609\n Inter-Country Adoptions of Russian Children: Senate agreed to S. Res.\n628, expressing the deep disappointment of the Senate in the enactment\nby the Russian Government of a law ending inter-country adoptions of\nRussian children by United States citizens and urging the Russia\nGovernment to reconsider the law and prioritize the processing of\ninter-country adoptions involving parentless Russian children who were\nalready matched with United States families before the enactment of the\nlaw.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Pages S8609-10\n Authorize the Production of Records: Senate agreed to S. Res. 629, to\nauthorize the production of records by the Committee on Armed Services.\n Page S8610\nMessages from the House:\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Page S8588\nEnrolled Bills Presented:\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Page S8588\nExecutive Communications:\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Pages S8588-89\nStatements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Pages S8590-92\nAdditional Statements:\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Pages S8586-88\nAmendments Submitted:\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Pages S8592-S8608\nRecord Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--251)\n Page S8585\nAdjournment: Senate convened at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 31, 2012\nand adjourned at 2:31 a.m. on Tuesday, January 1, 2013, until 2 p.m. on\nthe same day.\n (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader\nin today's Record on page S8610.)"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgD1086", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/House of Representatives", "HOUSE", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDHCHAMBER", "D1086", "D1087", null, "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"114\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"134\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"140\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HCONRES\", \"number\": \"145\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"193\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"264\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"443\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"499\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"752\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"834\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"970\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"1047\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"1421\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"1478\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"2015\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"2076\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3250\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3454\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3563\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3666\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3715\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"4019\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"4194\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6364\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6612\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6649\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6720\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6725\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. D1086", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Pages D1086-D1087]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n[[Page D1086]]\n\n House of Representatives\n\nChamber Action\nPublic Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 6 public bills, H.R. 6720-6725\nwere introduced, no resolutions were introduced today.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Page H7516\nAdditional Cosponsors:\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Page H7516\nReports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:\n H.R. 752, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate\nsegments of the Molalla River in the State of Oregon, as components of\nthe National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes,\nwith an amendment (H. Rept. 112-735);\n H.R. 4194, to amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to\nprovide that Alexander Creek, Alaska, is and shall be recognized as an\neligible Native village under that Act, and for other purposes (H.\nRept. 112-736);\n H.R. 4019, to increase employment and educational opportunities in,\nand improve the economic stability of, counties containing Federal\nforest land, while also reducing the cost of managing such land, by\nproviding such counties a dependable source of revenue from such land,\nand for other purposes, with an amendment (H. Rept. 112-737, Pt. 1);\nFourth Semiannual Report on the Activities of the Committee on House\nAdministration (H. Rept. 112-738); and\n Summary of Activities of the Committee on Ethics for the 112th\nCongress (H. Rept. 112-739).\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\nPage H7516\nSpeaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed\nRepresentative Harper to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.\n Page H7471\nRecess: The House recessed at 9:41 a.m. and reconvened at 10 a.m.\n Page H7475\nSuspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the\nfollowing measures:\n Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013: S. 3454, to\nauthorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for intelligence and\nintelligence-related activities of the United States Government and the\nOffice of the Director of National Intelligence and the Central\nIntelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, by a \\2/3\\ yea-\nand-nay vote of 373 yeas to 29 nays, Roll No. 652;\n Pages H7479-85, H7512\n Redesignating the Dryden Flight Research Center as the Neil A.\nArmstrong Flight Research Center and the Western Aeronautical Test\nRange as the Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range: H.R. 6612, to\nredesignate the Dryden Flight Research Center as the Neil A. Armstrong\nFlight Research Center and the Western Aeronautical Test Range as the\nHugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range, by a \\2/3\\ yea-and-nay vote of\n404 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 653;\n Pages H7485-91, H7512-13\n Amending the Animal Welfare Act To Modify the Definition of\n``Exhibitor'': S. 3666, to amend the Animal Welfare Act to modify the\ndefinition of ``exhibitor'';\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Page H7495\n Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act: Concurred in the Senate\namendment to H.R. 6364, to establish a commission to ensure a suitable\nobservance of the centennial of World War I and to provide for the\ndesignation of memorials to the service of members of the United States\nArmed Forces in World War I, by a \\2/3\\ yea-and-nay vote of 401 yeas to\n5 nays, Roll No. 654;\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Pages H7495-98, H7513-14\n Calling on the New Government of Egypt To Honor the Rule of Law and\nImmediately Return Noor and Ramsay Bower to the United States: H. Res.\n193, amended, to call on the new Government of Egypt to honor the rule\nof law and immediately return Noor and Ramsay Bower to the United\nStates; and\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Pages H7506-08\n Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Calling for the safe and\nimmediate return of Noor and Ramsay Bower to the United States.''.\n Page H7508\n Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2012: H.R. 6649, amended, to provide for\nthe transfer of naval vessels to certain foreign recipients.\n Pages H7508-11\nRecess: The House recessed at 1:37 p.m. and reconvened at 5:44 p.m.\n Page H7512\nSuspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following\nmeasures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were\npostponed:\n Providing for the Conveyance of Certain Property from the United\nStates to the Maniilaq Association Located in Kotzebue, Alaska: Concur\nin the Senate amendment to H.R. 443, to provide for the conveyance of\ncertain property from the United States to the Maniilaq Association\nlocated in Kotzebue, Alaska;\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Page H7491\n Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act of 2012: Concur in\nthe Senate amendment to H.R. 2076, to amend title 28, United States\nCode, to clarify the statutory authority for the longstanding practice\nof the Department of Justice of providing investigatory assistance on\nrequest of State and local authorities with respect to certain serious\nviolent crimes;\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Pages H7491-95\n\n[[Page D1087]]\n\n Calling for Universal Condemnation of the North Korean Missile Launch\nof December 12, 2012: H. Con. Res. 145, amended, to call for universal\ncondemnation of the North Korean missile launch of December 12, 2012;\n Pages H7498-H7500\n Condemning the Government of Iran for Its State-Sponsored Persecution\nof Its Baha'i Minority and Its Continued Violation of the International\nCovenants on Human Rights: H. Res. 134, amended, to condemn the\nGovernment of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i\nminority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on\nHuman Rights; and\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Pages H7500-03\n Urging the Governments of Europe and the European Union to Designate\nHizballah as a Terrorist Organization and Impose Sanctions: H. Res.\n834, to urge the governments of Europe and the European Union to\ndesignate Hizballah as a terrorist organization and impose sanctions,\nand to urge the President to provide information about Hizballah to the\nEuropean allies of the United States and to support the Government of\nBulgaria in investigating the July 18, 2012, terrorist attack in\nBurgas.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Pages H7503-06\nMeeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to\nmeet at 12 noon tomorrow.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\n Page H7514\nSenate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on pages\nH7511-12.\nSenate Referrals: S. 140 was referred to the Committee on Natural\nResources and S. 114, S. 264, S. 499, S. 970, S. 1047, S. 1421, S.\n1478, S. 2015, S. 3250, S. 3563, and S. 3715 were held at the desk.\n Pages H7511-12, H7514\nQuorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes developed during the\nproceedings of today and appear on pages H7512, H7513, H7513-14. There\nwere no quorum calls.\nAdjournment: The House met at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 6:25 p.m."], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgD1087-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR 2013-01-01", "", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDCOMMITTEEMEETINGS", "D1087", "D1087", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. D1087", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Page D1087]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR TUESDAY,\n\n JANUARY 1, 2013\n\n (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)\n\n Senate\n\n No meetings/hearings scheduled.\n\n House\n\n No meetings are scheduled."], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgD1087-3", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/Next Meeting of the SENATE + Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES + Other End Matter", "SENATE", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDENDMATTER", "D1087", "D1088", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. D1087", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Pages D1087-D1088]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n\u0000CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087-390).\n\n\u0000The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C.\n\u0000 The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported\n\u0000 by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to\n\u0000 directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by\n\u0000 appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code,\n\u0000 and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session,\n\u0000 excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually\n\u0000 small consecutive issues are printed one time.\n\u0000\u0014Public access to the Congressional Record is available online\n\u0000 through the U.S. Government Printing Office, at www.fdsys.gov,\n\u0000 free of charge to the user. The information is updated online each day\n\u0000 the Congressional Record is published. For more information,\n\u0000 contact the GPO Customer Contact Center, U.S. Government Printing Office.\n\u0000 Phone 202-512-1800, or 866-512-1800 (toll-free). E-Mail,\n\u0000 contactcenter@gpo.gov.\n\u0000\u0014To place an order for any of these products, visit\n\u0000 the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at: bookstore.gpo.gov. Mail\n\u0000 orders to: Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 979050, St. Louis,\n\u0000 MO 63197-9000, or phone orders to 866-512 091800 (toll-free),\n\u0000 202-512-1800 (D.C. area), or fax to 202-512-2104. Remit check or\n\u0000 money order, made payable to the Superintendent of Documents, or use\n\u0000 VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or GPO Deposit Account.\n\u0000\u0014Following each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record\n\u0000 is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the\n\u0000 Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets.\n\u0000\u0014With the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no\n\u0000 restrictions on the republication of material from the\n\u0000 Congressional Record.\n\n\u0000 POSTMASTER:\n\n\u0000 Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents,\n\u0000 Congressional Record,\n\u0000 U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402,\n\u0000 along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received.\n\n[[Page D1088]]\n\n_______________________________________________________________________\n\n Next Meeting of the SENATE\n 2 p.m., Tuesday, January 1\n\n Senate Chamber\nProgram for Tuesday: Senate will be in a period of morning business\nuntil 3:30 p.m.\n\n Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES\n 12 p.m., Tuesday, January 1\n\n House Chamber\nProgram for Tuesday: To be announced.\n_______________________________________________________________________\n\n Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue\n HOUSE\n\nBilbray, Brian P., Calif., E2023\nBonner, Jo, Ala., E2015\nBurton, Dan, Ind., E2021\nClarke, Hansen, Mich., E2015\nFitzpatrick, Michael G., Pa., E2021, E2023, E2025\nFortenberry, Jeff, Nebr., E2018\nFrank, Barney, Mass., E2019, E2024\nGallegly, Elton, Calif., E2017, E2020, E2023\nGerlach, Jim, Pa., E2015\nHochul, Kathleen C., N.Y., E2020\nKaptur, Marcy, Ohio, E2020\nLance, Leonard, N.J., E2024\nMcCarthy, Kevin, Calif., E2023\nMcCollum, Betty, Minn., E2018\nPence, Mike, Ind., E2024\nQuigley, Mike, Ill., E2025\nReichert, David G., Wash., E2021\nRothman, Steven R., N.J., E2015\nSmith, Lamar, Tex., E2016\nVan Hollen, Chris, Md., E2017\nVisclosky, Peter J., Ind., E2015"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgD1087", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "Daily Digest/House Committee Meetings", "HOUSE", "DAILYDIGEST", "DDHCMEETINGS", "D1087", "D1087", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. D1087", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Daily Digest]\n[Page D1087]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\nCommittee Meetings\n No hearings were held.\n\nJoint Meetings\n No joint committee meetings were held."], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2015-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "PERSONAL EXPLANATION", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "PERSONALEXPLAIN", "E2015", "E2015", "[{\"name\": \"Peter J. Visclosky\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"3159\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3203\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"4057\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. E2015", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2015]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n PERSONAL EXPLANATION\n\n ______\n\n HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY\n\n of indiana\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, on December 30, 2012, I was absent from\nthe House and missed rollcall votes 649, 650, and 651.\n Had I been present for rollcall vote 649, on the motion to suspend\nthe rules and pass, as amended, H.R. 3159, the Foreign Aid Transparency\nand Accountability Act, I would have voted ``yes.''\n Had I been present for rollcall vote 650, on the motion to suspend\nthe rules and concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 4057, to amend\ntitle 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans\nAffairs to develop a comprehensive policy to improve outreach and\ntransparency to veterans and members of the Armed Forces through the\nprovision of information on institutions of higher learning, I would\nhave voted ``yes.''\n Had I been present for rollcall vote 651, on the motion to suspend\nthe rules and pass S. 3203, the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans'\nBenefits Improvement Act, I would have voted ``yes.''\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2015-3", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "HONORING THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "HONORING", "E2015", "E2015", "[{\"name\": \"Steven R. Rothman\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2015", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2015]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n HONORING THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS\n\n ______\n\n HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN\n\n of new jersey\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. ROTHMAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the\nRepublic of Cyprus as it finishes out its first rotation of the\nEuropean Union Presidency. For a small country like Cyprus, this is a\nsignificant event in their history and I want to recognize one of their\nPresidency's major accomplishments.\n I would like to thank Cyprus for successfully overseeing the\nimplementation of new European Union sanctions that were imposed on\nIran to target their nuclear and ballistic missile program. Iran\ncontinues to be a threat to the United States, Europe, and our closest\nally in the Middle East--the Jewish State of Israel. These sanctions\nwill go a long way towards ensuring further stability in the Middle\nEast and helping Israel to maintain its security. These are the\ntoughest sanctions yet to be imposed by the EU and I believe they will\nwork in concert with those imposed by the U.S. Congress. Again, I'd\nlike to congratulate the Republic of Cyprus for its oversight of this\nimplementation and overall for a successful first rotation as EU\nPresident.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2015-4", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "PERSONAL EXPLANATION", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "PERSONALEXPLAIN", "E2015", "E2015", "[{\"name\": \"Jim Gerlach\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2015", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2015]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n PERSONAL EXPLANATION\n\n ______\n\n HON. JIM GERLACH\n\n of pennsylvania\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, on December 30, 2012, I unfortunately\nmissed three recorded votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I\nwould have voted AYE on Rollcall 649, AYE on Rollcall 650, and AYE on\nRollcall 651.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2015-5", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "COMPETITIVENESS AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "ALLOTHER", "E2015", "E2015", "[{\"name\": \"Hansen Clarke\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2015", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2015]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n COMPETITIVENESS AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING\n\n ______\n\n HON. HANSEN CLARKE\n\n of michigan\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. CLARKE of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, after decades of decline,\nAmerican manufacturing is now on the rebound. The United States created\nnearly half a million manufacturing jobs between 2010 and 2012. This\nrecovery is critical for cities like my hometown of Detroit and for\nAmerica's economy as a whole, but sustaining it will require\ncoordinated comprehensive action.\n Thankfully, the nation can count on inspired and visionary leadership\nfrom both the public and private sectors to sustain the development of\nadvanced manufacturing industries that create high-quality exports and\nwell-paying jobs.\n I commend President Obama's commitment to creating a million new\nmanufacturing jobs by 2016 through new investments in technological\nresearch and development as well as sensible policies like the\nelimination of tax deductions for companies that outsource\nmanufacturing overseas. I also commend important private sector voices\nwho are leading the way to America's manufacturing renaissance.\n Andrew Liveris, the head of Dow Chemical and author of Make It in\nAmerica: The Case for Re-Inventing the Economy has argued persuasively\nfor a new national economic strategy that rests on a range of\ninnovative ideas. In particular, he calls for a more coherent and\ncomprehensive approach to national energy policy and greater reliance\non alternative energy sources. This is essential because the cost and\nvolatility of traditional energy sources like imported oil are a major\ndrag on the nation's industrial productivity. Mr. Liveris additionally\ncalls for new investments in workers' skills in order to boost the\nnation's productivity and guarantee world-class living standards. An\nintellectual leader and prominent figure in American business, Mr.\nLiveris and his proposals should command respect and attention across\nthe political spectrum.\n The Council on Competitiveness--a non-profit non-partisan coalition\ncomposed of CEOs, labor leaders, and university presidents--has\nlikewise developed a vital and comprehensive proposal to spur American\neconomic renewal. Their new report, ``A Clarion Call for\nCompetitiveness,'' is a roadmap for Congress and the Administration to\nboost manufacturing and create well-paying jobs in the decades ahead.\nAmong other recommendations, the Council urges federal leaders to\ndouble investments in technological research, increase efforts to\ncommercialize America's scientific discoveries, strengthen\napprenticeship programs for advanced manufacturing, speed-up the\ndevelopment of manufacturing ``clusters'' built around leading research\ncenters around the nation, and ensure the quality of America's roads,\nbridges, and digital connections by authorizing the Export-Import Bank\nto fund domestic infrastructure projects.\n These ideas--which come from both Democrats and Republicans and both\nprivate and public sectors--are unique in today's civic debate for a\nsimple reason: they offer hope. I call on Congress to implement these\ninnovative proposals in the 113th Congress for the sake of our workers,\nour businesses, and our nation's long-term economic future.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2015-6", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "TRIBUTE TO RETIRED REAR ADMIRAL JAMES LLOYD ABBOT, JR.", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "TRIBUTETO", "E2015", "E2016", "[{\"name\": \"Jo Bonner\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2015", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Pages E2015-E2016]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n TRIBUTE TO RETIRED REAR ADMIRAL JAMES LLOYD ABBOT, JR.\n\n ______\n\n HON. JO BONNER\n\n of alabama\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the devoted service\nand the remarkable life of an American patriot and a great Alabamian,\nretired Rear Admiral James Lloyd Abbot, Jr., who passed away on August\n10, 2012, at the age of 94.\n A distinguished World War II veteran, a much-decorated Naval officer\nand leader in American exploration of Antarctica, James Lloyd Abbot,\nJr., was born in Mobile on June 26, 1918. He attended Murphy High\nSchool, Spring Hill College and the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated\nand was commissioned Ensign on June 1, 1939.\n In 1939, he first reported for duty aboard the aircraft carrier USS\nEnterprise (CV-6), later transferring to the destroyer USS Gilmer (DD-\n233). In 1943, he assumed command of Scouting Squadron 66 and was\nawarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement in action against\nenemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Gilbert and Marshall\nIslands from November 1943 through January 1944.\n In May 1961, he became Commanding Officer of the USS Intrepid (CVA-\n11), which, under his command, won the Air Force, Atlantic Fleet Battle\nEfficiency Pennant for the fiscal year 1962. Under his command, the USS\nIntrepid was the recovery ship for Astronaut Scott Carpenter after his\n3-orbit flight in May 1962.\n In February 1967, shortly before advancing in rank to Rear Admiral,\nhe assumed command of the U.S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica; charged\nwith the responsibility of insuring the success and safety of all\nUnited\n\n[[Page E2016]]\n\nStates operations on that continent. Under his command the first\noceanographic study was conducted far into the ice-covered Weddell Sea.\nFurthermore, Palmer Station, which was successfully completed and\nopened by Rear Admiral Abbot on schedule in 1968, was the first\npermanent United States presence in the Antarctica Peninsula. The Abbot\nIce Shelf in Antarctica was named in his honor.\n His exemplary service, spanning nearly four decades, garnered him\nmany medals commendations. In addition to the Legion of Merit with Gold\nStar, the Air Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal, Rear Admiral Abbot\nwas awarded the American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign\nMedal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Navy\nOccupation Service Medal, Europe Clasp; the National Defense Service\nMedal with bronze star; and the Antarctica Service Medal.\n After his retirement from the Navy in 1974, he returned to an active\nlife in Mobile where he was a member of the USS Alabama Battleship\nCommission and Foundation and served on the Mobile Area Chamber of\nCommerce. In 2011, Rear Admiral Abbot was named Patriot of the Year by\nthe Mobile Bay Area Veterans Day Commission. He was also the first\ninductee into the Murphy High School Hall of Fame.\n On behalf of the people of Alabama, I wish to extend condolences to\nhis sons, Retired U.S. Navy Captain J. Lloyd Abbot III, and retired\nU.S. Navy Admiral Steve Abbot, his five grandchildren, extended family\nand many friends. We will be forever indebted to his exemplary devotion\nto and service of our nation.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2016", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "CORRECTING AND IMPROVING THE LEAHY-SMITH AMERICA INVENTS ACT", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "ALLOTHER", "E2016", "E2017", "[{\"name\": \"Lamar Smith\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2016", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Pages E2016-E2017]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n CORRECTING AND IMPROVING THE LEAHY-SMITH AMERICA INVENTS ACT\n\n ______\n\n speech of\n\n HON. LAMAR SMITH\n\n of texas\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Sunday, December 30, 2012\n\n Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following.\n\n Section-by-Section Summary\n\n (a) Advice of Counsel. The AIA's section 17 created a new\n Sec. 298 of title 35 that bars the use of evidence of an\n accused infringer's failure to obtain advice of counsel, or\n his failure to waive privilege and introduce such opinion, to\n prove either willfulness or intent to induce infringement.\n Section 17, however, neglected to specify when this new\n authority became effective. As a result, Sec. 298 is subject\n to the default effective date at section 35 of the AIA, and\n applies only to patents issued one year or later after\n enactment of the AIA. This subsection makes Sec. 298\n applicable to all civil actions commenced after the enactment\n of this Act.\n (b) Transitional Program for CBMs. This subsection corrects\n two scrivener's errors in section 18 of the AIA. These\n changes have no substantive effect.\n (c) Joinder of Parties. This subsection corrects a\n scrivener's error in the new Sec. 299 of title 35. This\n change has no substantive effect.\n (d) Dead Zones. This subsection fixes two provisions that\n inadvertently make it impossible to seek either post-grant or\n inter partes review of a patent during certain time periods.\n Section 311(c) of title 35 bars anyone from seeking inter\n partes review of a patent during the first nine months after\n the patent issues, or until a post-grant review of a patent\n is completed if such review is instituted. Section 311(c) was\n intended to preclude challengers from using IPR during the\n period when they can instead use PGR. The problem with the\n provision is that, during Senate floor consideration of the\n AIA in March 2011, another provision was added to the bill\n via the managers' amendment that allows only first-to-file\n patents to be challenged in PGR. This provision, at section\n 6(f)(2)(A) of the AIA, was intended to allow USPTO a longer\n period to prepare to conduct PGR proceedings, and to exclude\n patents that raise discovery-intensive invention-date and\n loss-of-right-to-patent issues from PGR. However, Sec. 311(c)\n takes effect and applies to all petitions for IPR that are\n filed on or after September 16, 2012. Yet for several years\n thereafter, almost all patents that are issued will still be\n first-to-invent patents. And under Sec. 311(c) of title 35,\n these patents cannot be challenged in IPR during the first 9\n months after their issuance, while under section 6(f)(2) of\n the AIA, these patents cannot be challenged in PGR. Paragraph\n (1) eliminates this nine month ``dead zone'' by making\n Sec. 311(c) inapplicable to patents that are first-to-invent\n patents and are thus ineligible for PGR.\n Paragraph (2) addresses another dead zone that is unique to\n reissue patents. Under Sec. 311(c) of title 35, IPR cannot be\n sought during the nine months after a patent is reissued.\n This limit was imposed in order to force challengers to bring\n a PGR challenge (rather than IPR) against what is, in effect,\n a new patent. However, Sec. 325(f) of title 35 then bars a\n challenge to any claim in a reissue patent that is\n ``identical'' to or ``narrower'' than the claims in the\n original patent. As a result, such ``identical'' or\n ``narrower'' claims could not be reviewed in either a PGR or\n an IPR during the nine months after a reissue. Paragraph (2)\n eliminates this dead zone by repealing section 311(c)(1)'s\n limit on filing a petition for inter partes review after a\n patent has been reissued.\n (e) Correct Inventor. This subsection amends the\n authorization of settlement in derivation proceedings to\n refer to ``correct inventor'' in the singular, out of\n recognition of the fact that it is the entire inventive\n entity that must be named in the settlement agreement. This\n change has no substantive effect.\n (f) Required Oath. Paragraph (1) liberalizes the time\n allowed for an applicant to file the required oath or\n alternative statement, allowing him to file as late as\n payment of the issue fee (rather than requiring filing prior\n to allowance). Paragraph (2) corrects Sec. 115(g)(1) by using\n ``that claims'' rather than ``who claims,'' since the\n antecedent for these words is ``application'' rather than\n ``inventor.'' Paragraph (2)'s change has no substantive\n effect. (USPTO requests.)\n (g) Travel Expenses and Payment of Administrative Judges.\n Section 21 of the AIA, which makes minor changes to the law\n regarding the compensation of USPTO employees for travel and\n the payment of APJs, was not given its own effective date.\n This subsection makes these provisions effective upon\n enactment of the AIA.\n (h) Patent Term Adjustments. This subsection clarifies and\n improves certain requirements for seeking patent-term\n adjustments. These changes allow USPTO to provide notice of\n its PTA determination at the same time as the grant of a\n patent, and effectively require an applicant who wishes to\n pursue a civil action under paragraph (4)(A) of Sec. 154(b)\n to exhaust remedies provided under paragraph 3(B)(ii). These\n changes are minor, and only apply prospectively to PTAs that\n are determined and to Sec. 154(b)(4)(A) actions that are\n commenced after the enactment of this Act. (USPTO request.)\n The Committee is aware that the district court for the\n Eastern District of Virginia, on November 1 of this year,\n issued a decision in the case of Exelixis v. Kappos that\n appears to have adopted a highly problematic interpretation\n of the patent term adjustment allowed by Sec. 154(b)(1)(B).\n For reasons that remain unclear, the court concluded that\n continuations and other events described in the ``not\n including'' clauses of that subparagraph should not be\n excluded from the subparagraph's calculation of patent term\n adjustment, but instead must be read only to toll the three-\n year clock that determines when patent term adjustment begins\n to accrue under subparagraph (B). The district court's\n interpretation of subparagraph (B) thus would allow patent\n term adjustment to accrue for any continued examination\n sought after the three-year clock has run. Such a result, of\n course, would allow applicants to postpone their patent's\n expiration date through dilatory prosecution, the very\n submarine-patenting tactic that Congress sought to preclude\n in 1994 when it adopted a 20-year patent term that runs from\n an application's effective filing date.\n Despite the absurd and undesirable results that would\n appear to flow from the district court's interpretation, the\n Committee declines to address this matter at this time. This\n case was brought to the Committee's attention only very\n recently, precluding the thorough consideration and\n consultation that is appropriate before legislation is\n enacted. Moreover, Congress is not in the business of\n immediately amending the United States Code in response to\n every nonfinal legal error made by a trial court. The\n Committee, of course, reserves the right to address this\n matter in the future. In the meantime, the fact that the\n present bill does not amend Sec. 154(b) to address the\n Exelixis decision should not be construed as congressional\n acquiescence in or agreement with the reasoning of that\n decision.\n (i) Improper Applicant. This subsection repeals an\n unnecessary limitation on who may file an international\n application designating the United States. (USPTO request.)\n (j) Financial Management Clarifications. This subsection\n makes several technical changes to Sec. 42 of title 35,\n concerning USPTO funding. These changes: (1) ensure that the\n rule requiring that patent fees be spent for patent purposes\n also applies to RCE fees; and (2) ensure that all USPTO\n administrative costs will be covered by either patent fees or\n trademark fees. (USPTO request.)\n (k) Derivation Proceedings. Currently, the third sentence\n of Sec. 135(a) will allow a derivation proceeding to be\n sought only within the year after the victim's claim that has\n been the target of derivation has published. It is possible,\n however, that a deriver could file first, but delay claiming\n the derived material until more than a year has elapsed after\n the victim's claims have published, in other words, until\n after the current deadline has lapsed. The changes made by\n this subsection preclude such a scenario by requiring the\n proceeding to be sought during the year after the publication\n of the deriver's claim to the invention. These changes also\n add a definition of ``earlier application'' to Sec. 135(a),\n correct inconsistencies in the AIA's version of Sec. 135(a),\n and authorize the PTAB to conduct, and the courts to hear\n appeals of, interferences commenced after the effective date\n of the AIA's amendments to Sec. 135(a). (USPTO request.)\n (I) Terms of Public Advisory Committee Members. This\n subsection makes the terms of PPAC and TPAC members run for 3\n years\n\n[[Page E2017]]\n\n from a fixed date (rather than from the date that they are\n appointed), and requires Chairmen and Vice Chairmen to be\n designated from among existing members. (Current law\n designates only a Chairman and gives him a 3-year term.)\n These changes will produce better coordination of members'\n terms, will allow experienced Chairmen to be appointed\n without requiring such individuals to serve two 3-year terms,\n and will provide for automatic replacement of a Chairman who\n does not complete his term of service. (AIPLA request.)\n (m) Report on pre-GATT Applications. The URAA amendments\n took effect on June 8, 1995 but were made inapplicable to\n applications filed before that effective date. Unfortunately,\n a small number of applicants may have engaged in clearly\n dilatory behavior and continue to maintain pending\n applications with effective-filing dates that precede the\n URAA effective date.\n It is highly unlikely that the 103d Congress ever conceived\n that its amendments to Sec. 154(a) would remain inapplicable\n to applications still pending in this Congress. The issuance\n of any such patent at this late date would be grossly\n prejudicial to the public. Many of these applications claim\n invention dates in the 1980s, and some even claim priority\n dates in the 1970s. To remove such technology from the public\n domain in 2012 would work a clear injustice on the public,\n and would bear no relation to the patent system's purpose of\n promoting the progress of science and the useful arts.\n An earlier version of this Act included a provision that\n would have required these applicants to complete prosecution\n of these applications promptly after the enactment of the\n Act. To avoid controversy that might delay the enactment of\n this Act, the present Act substitutes the earlier proposal\n with a requirement that USPTO issue a report that will\n provide Congress and the public with relevant information\n about these applications. The Committee expects that the\n report will contribute to an understanding of whether these\n applications present special circumstances that require\n further legislative, executive, or judicial action in order\n to ensure transparency and protect the public's interests.\n (n) Micro Entity Definition. This subsection corrects a\n scrivener's error in the AIA's definition of the ``micro\n entities'' that are entitled to a fee reduction. This change\n has no substantive effect.\n (o) Default Effective Date. This subsection provides that\n the amendments made by this Act apply to proceedings\n commenced on or after the enactment of the Act, except where\n the provisions of the Act include their own effective date or\n modify an existing law's effective date.\n\n Other Issues for Future Consideration\n\n Post-Grant Review Could-Have-Raised Estoppel. The version\n of post-grant review that was enacted by the Leahy-Smith\n America Invents Act bars a petitioner who completes such a\n review from challenging any of the claims of the patent that\n were reviewed in the proceeding on any ground that the\n petitioner ``could have raised'' in the post-grant review.\n Although this broad estoppel first appeared in the bill that\n was reported by the House Judiciary Committee in June 2011,\n no amendment adopted by the committee authorized such a\n change. The change appears to have been made by staff charged\n with making technical corrections to the bill, who apparently\n assumed that the omission of could-have-raised estoppel in\n Sec. 325(e)(2) was an oversight.\n The application of a civil-litigation could-have-raised\n estoppel to PGR would cripple that proceeding if it is not\n corrected. All validity issues can be raised in PGR, and must\n be raised during the first nine months of the patent's life\n and without the benefit of discovery. Thus if could-have-\n raised estoppel were applied to PGR, a PGR challenger would\n effectively have to waive the possibility of raising any\n validity defense against the patent if he is later sued for\n infringement--and all without an opportunity to adequately\n investigate enablement and other discovery-intensive issues.\n In order to ensure that the post-grant review system that\n USPTO has recently implemented does not simply become a white\n elephant, it is important that this scrivener's error be\n corrected in the future. And, lest anyone suggest that the\n correction of this error is properly regarded as\n controversial, allow me to note that this correction would\n simply conform the PGR estoppel provisions to those of the\n bill that passed the Senate on March 8, 2011, by a vote of\n 95-5.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2017-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "IN TRIBUTE TO MY STAFF", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "TRIBUTETO", "E2017", "E2018", "[{\"name\": \"Elton Gallegly\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2017", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Pages E2017-E2018]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n IN TRIBUTE TO MY STAFF\n\n ______\n\n HON. ELTON GALLEGLY\n\n of california\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to the men and women who\nwork day after day, and often on nights and weekends, that I may best\nserve the people of California's 24th Congressional District.\n During my 26 years in Congress, I have hired the best self-starters I\ncould find who have a proven track record of caring for the people for\nwhom they serve. As a result, I have one of the smallest staffs of any\nMember of Congress. As proof of their dedication and professionalism, I\nalso have one of the lowest turnover rates of any Member of Congress.\n My district director, Paula Sheil, started with me in 1972 in the\nprivate sector and has run my district office since I was first elected\nto Congress. In addition to running the day-to-day operations of my\ndistrict office, Paula brings me back to earth and redirects my\nenergies when I get off-kilter.\n As my district chief of staff for 20 years, Brian Miller served as my\nsurrogate in the district when I was in Washington, DC. He knows\neveryone, everyone knows him, and he has been instrumental in my\nknowledge of the needs and concerns of the county, cities, districts,\norganizations and individuals throughout the district.\n Tina Cobb has been handling my casework for 20 years. If a\nconstituent has a problem and Tina can not solve it, it cannot be\nsolved. She knows the ins and outs of our Federal agencies and can cut\nthrough red tape like no one else.\n Myrna Vafee joined my district staff 6 years ago. In addition to\ndoing case work, Myrna does all the chores necessary to keep an office\nrunning, from sorting mail to greeting constituents. Her smile\nimmediately puts people at ease.\n Thomas Widroe has been my deputy district director for 2 years,\nworking from my Solvang office and acting as my eyes and ears in the\nNorth County.\n Joel Kassiday has been my chief of staff in Washington, DC, for 11\nyears. Joel is the epitome of efficiency. I have learned to be very\ncareful before I ask Joel to undertake a task because he has it done\nbefore you have a chance to change your mind.\n Marianne Brant, my executive assistant, has been with me for 6 years.\nMarianne's primary responsibility is to maintain my schedule and to\nmake sure I am where I am supposed to be. There probably is no tougher\njob in a congressional office and Marianne does it with poise,\nefficiency, and an ever-present smile.\n Richard Mereu, my chief counsel and administrative assistant, has\nbeen a trusted advisor for 18 years. He has served as my staff director\non the subcommittees I've chaired on both the Foreign Affairs and\nJudiciary committees, in addition to advising me on a wide range of\nlegislative issues.\n Tom Pfeifer joined my staff 14 years ago after 15 years as a\njournalist in my district. Tom's knowledge of the media, the people,\nthe issues, and the politics of the district has made him a valuable\nresource in my D.C. office.\n Cecilia Daly has been my legislative counsel for 6 years. Cecilia is\na master researcher who takes great pleasure in tutoring our interns on\nthat skill.\n Kenneth Steinhardt first came to my office as an intern and came to\nwork for me full time 7 years ago. Kenny is a bulldog on legislation.\nHe builds coalitions on and off the Hill to move a bill and does not\nlet up.\n RJ Hauman is my newest staff member. As staff assistant, he is often\nthe first person a constituent interacts with in my D.C. office.\n Mr. Speaker, this is just my current staff. I have had many other\ngreat staffers over the years, but to try to name them all would take\ntoo long. Suffice it to say that I am grateful for their service as\nwell. These are the best of the\n\n[[Page E2018]]\n\nbest, and I know my colleagues join me in thanking them for their\nservice and in wishing them well in their new endeavors.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2017", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "DEPARTMENT OF STATE REWARDS PROGRAM UPDATE AND TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS ACT OF 2012", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "ALLOTHER", "E2017", "E2017", "[{\"name\": \"Chris Van Hollen\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2017", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2017]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n DEPARTMENT OF STATE REWARDS PROGRAM UPDATE AND TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS\n ACT OF 2012\n\n ______\n\n speech of\n\n HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN\n\n of maryland\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Sunday, December 30, 2012\n\n Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise as a cosponsor of the State\nDepartment Rewards Program Update Act to thank my House colleagues\nRepresentatives Berman and Ros-Lehtinen for their collaboration on the\nbill and also to thank Senator Kerry for introducing and managing the\nSenate companion.\n This measure expands on the authority of the State Department to\nissue rewards for information that leads to the arrest and conviction\nof people accused of the commission of armed terrorist attacks, drug\ntrafficking, cybercrimes, animal poaching and transnational organized\ncrimes. I added my name as a cosponsor to the bill because I hoped it\nwould contribute to existing international efforts to capture Joseph\nKony, the guerrilla leader of the Lord's Resistance Army who has\nabducted, tortured, abused and forced thousands of children into a life\nof brutal violence and sexual slavery. Though one of Kony's top\nlieutenants has been captured, Kony remains on the run.\n With the passage of this measure, more resources will be made\navailable to help bring him to justice. I encourage my colleagues to\njoin me in support of the bill.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2018-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4310--THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "ALLOTHER", "E2018", "E2019", "[{\"name\": \"Betty McCollum\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"4310\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"4310\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"5652\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. E2018", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Pages E2018-E2019]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\nCONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4310--THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT\n FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013\n\n _____\n\n HON. BETTY McCOLLUM\n\n of minnesota\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply disappointed that I must rise\nin opposition to the Conference Report on H.R. 4310, the FY13 National\nDefense Authorization Act. America's men and women in uniform deserve,\nand Congress must pass, legislation that provides them with the\nresources they need to preserve our national security. Unfortunately,\nthis bill does not reflect the range of 21st-Century threats the United\nStates must prepare for, nor does it reflect the urgent fiscal crisis\nthis Congress must address. What this massive $633 billion defense bill\ndoes reflect, however, are disastrously misplaced priorities.\n On May 10th of this year, House Republicans passed the Sequester\nReplacement Reconciliation Act (H.R. 5652), which exempts the Pentagon\nfrom $55 billion in automatic spending cuts agreed to in last year's\nBudget Control Act (P.L. 112-25). How did they propose to do it? By\ncutting over $310 billion from domestic programs. These were cuts to\nnutrition assistance programs for low-income seniors, people with\ndisabilities, and working families; cuts that will deny more than\n200,000 low-income children their school lunches; cuts to the Meals on\nWheels program critical to disabled seniors, and cuts to programs that\nprotect vulnerable and abused children. These will have a real and\nsevere impact on American families. Instead of asking the Pentagon to\nmake tough choices and eliminate wasteful spending programs, House\nRepublicans would rather balance the budget on the backs of our\nNation's most vulnerable citizens.\n Here is just one example of Pentagon spending that House Republicans\nare protecting by cutting programs for low-income children, seniors,\nand working families: in this fiscal year, the Department of Defense\nplans to spend $389 million for its 150 military bands and more than\n5,000 full-time, professional military musicians. This is a prime\nexample of excessive military spending that we simply do not need, and\ncan no longer afford. Earlier this year, the House passed my bipartisan\namendment to this bill limiting the amount the military spends annually\non military bands to no more than $200 million--not an insignificant\nsum. I am very disappointed to see that this language was not included\nin the Conference Report. This smart cut would have continued to\nprovided $200 million for military bands in fiscal year 2013, ensuring\nthat America would maintain its strong tradition of military bands,\nwhile saving taxpayers $2 billion over the next decade.\n Lastly, the Conference Report does virtually nothing to correct the\ncivil liberties abuses passed in last year's defense authorization\nbill. House and Senate Conferees stripped a bipartisan amendment\noffered by Senators Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Lee (R-UT) which would\nhave helped ensure that no one can be denied a fair trial and detained\nindefinitely when they are captured in the United States. I am appalled\nthat this commonsense amendment to protect the most basic American\ncivil liberties was not included in the legislation before us today.\n Mr. Speaker, there are several positive provisions of this bill that\nI support, including the continuance of DOD clean energy programs,\nlifting restrictions on servicewomen's access to reproductive health\ncare, and addressing military sexual assault. It also takes steps that\nwould help eliminate hazing in the military and prevents any increase\nin new TRICARE fees. Unfortunately, the underlying legislation contains\ntoo much wasteful spending and does not correct the egregious human\nabuses that were part of the fiscal year 2012 bill.\n One of our primary duties as Members of Congress is to provide the\nresources and policy guidance necessary to protect our Nation. We must\nmake certain that every dollar in this bill contributes to our national\ndefense. It is time for tough choices and smart cuts that save taxpayer\ndollars, even at the Pentagon. Wasteful and excessive Pentagon spending\nis no longer acceptable as low income families, seniors, and disabled\nAmericans to go without the critical services.\n I urge my colleagues oppose this legislation.\n\n[[Page E2019]]\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2018", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "DAWSON, YOU ARE SO AWESOME, YOU ARE SO DAWSOME, AS CAN BE! IN HONOR OF DAWSON COX AND HIS COURAGE AND HIS BATTLE", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "HONORING", "E2018", "E2018", "[{\"name\": \"Jeff Fortenberry\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2018", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2018]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\nDAWSON, YOU ARE SO AWESOME, YOU ARE SO DAWSOME, AS CAN BE! IN HONOR OF\n DAWSON COX AND HIS COURAGE AND HIS BATTLE\n\n _____\n\n HON. JEFF FORTENBERRY\n\n of nebraska\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize one of\nLincoln, Nebraska's most courageous sons, and one of my constituents,\nDawson Cox. I had the honor to take him and his sisters Stevie and\nNessa on the floor of the House during our vote, and spend time with\nhim and his family. Dawson's Make A Wish, was to come to Washington\nD.C. and visit the new Dr. King Jr. Memorial, and to stand on the very\nspot where the I Have A Dream speech was given. Dr. King is his hero.\nAnd Dr. King would be proud of Dawson too for his courage! Dawson\ntoured the Capitol, and met many members of Congress and one of the\nHouse's true Icon's John Lewis. Congressman Lewis, is the only\nsurviving member left who spoke on that day. His new friend Bert, was\nso impressed with his courage and faith, and his spirit, that he penned\nthis poem in his honor. Our prayers and our thoughts go out to Dawson\nand his family, during his most courageous battle.\n\n Dawson, You Are So Awesome, You Are So Dawsome, As Can Be!\n\n Dawson!\n You are so Awesome!\n You are so Dawsome!\n As Can Be!\n You're Major ``D''!\n For you are one of Nebraska's,\n most courageous of all sons so to be!\n Yea, you are a Husker!\n Who can so muster!\n The will and the courage,\n and the faith to so overcome!\n To Fight The Good Fight!\n As Thy Will Be Done!\n With all of your might!\n For inside of you, but shines such a light!\n For You are Major!\n You're Major ``D'', and yet your so young!\n And mini me, you so complete me!\n You see,\n because heroes come in all shapes and sizes,\n but it's all about what's within their hearts,\n that which so comprises . . .\n Of what they so can be!\n He's The Man!\n Even Washington has his initials DC,\n Dawson Cox understand!\n Because, In The Game of Life . . .\n Dawson, you are a winner so very bright!\n And if ever I had a son,\n I so wish that he could be like you this one!\n With that smile,\n that tells me all the while,\n that the heart of a champion so beats in this one!\n And when you walked on that House floor,\n they say the ratings on Cspan shot up so much more!\n That's because you are Major ``D''!\n And you are so Awesome Mr. Dawson can't you see!\n For you are as brave as can be,\n as any Navy, Air Force, Army, or United States Marine!\n Because,\n you and your families just like them and theirs,\n fight a war and the good fight continually!\n For you are all so much alike in so many ways!\n And yet Dawson,\n you are just a little boy!\n Who out of such heartache can still find so much joy!\n And yet,\n already so much you so understand!\n And what we could so learn from you,\n if we but so walked hand in hand!\n If Dr. King,\n is a King Among Men!\n Then, you Dawson . . .\n are but a Prince Among Children!\n For he's for MLK Jr.,\n all the way\n Heroes,\n our children should not so have to be,\n but sometimes this is what our Lord has chosen for us to\n teach!\n To be inspired!\n To take and lift our hearts higher!\n To show us all that against all odds they never tire!\n All in their profiles of courage don't you see?\n And to remind us to hold our families close!\n To so remember what so but means the most!\n And to against all odds to always so believe!\n And, that is why . . .\n with tear in eye Dawson you so complete me!\n Dawson!\n You Are So Awesome!\n You Are So Dawsome!\n So Dawsome As Can Be!\n Because,\n it's with your heart you so run!\n On earth as it will be in Heaven,\n as Thy Will Be Done!\n And that smile,\n and that wit,\n and that mind,\n so very creative and so quick I'll carry with me every day!\n Because, you are my new best friend. . .\n Dawson, your Major ``D'' . . .\n And you are as Awesome as Awesome so can be!\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2019", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "RICHARD ARMEY'S $8,000,000 GOLDEN PARACHUTE", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "ALLOTHER", "E2019", "E2020", "[{\"name\": \"Barney Frank\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2019", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Pages E2019-E2020]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n RICHARD ARMEY'S $8,000,000 GOLDEN PARACHUTE\n\n ______\n\n HON. BARNEY FRANK\n\n of massachusetts\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, given the role that former\nMajority Leader Richard Armey has played in significantly increasing\nthe role in militant conservatives in the Republican party, the article\nin the Washington Post on December 25 is important information that all\nMembers should know.\n\n [From The Washington Post, Dec. 25, 2012]\n\n Freedom Works Tea Party Group Nearly Falls Apart in Fight Between Old\n and New Guard\n\n (By Amy Gardner)\n\n The day after Labor Day, just as campaign season was\n entering its final frenzy, FreedomWorks, the Washington-based\n tea party organization, went into free fall.\n Richard K. Armey, the group's chairman and a former House\n majority leader, walked into the group's Capitol Hill offices\n with his wife, Susan, and an aide holstering a handgun at his\n waist. The aim was to seize control of the group and expel\n Armey's enemies: The gun-wielding assistant escorted\n FreedomWorks' top two employees off the premises, while Armey\n suspended several others who broke down in sobs at the news.\n The coup lasted all of six days. By Sept. 10, Armey was\n gone--with a promise of $8 million--and the five ousted\n employees were back. The force behind their return was\n Richard J. Stephenson, a reclusive Illinois millionaire who\n has exerted increasing control over one of Washington's most\n influential conservative grass-roots organizations.\n Stephenson, the founder of the for-profit Cancer Treatment\n Centers of America and a director on the Freedom Works board,\n agreed to commit $400,000 per year over 20 years in exchange\n for Armey's agreement to leave the group.\n The episode illustrates the growing role of wealthy donors\n in swaying the direction of FreedomWorks and other political\n groups, which increasingly rely on unlimited contributions\n from corporations and financiers for their financial\n livelihood. Such gifts are often sent through corporate\n shells or nonprofit groups that do not have to disclose their\n donors, making it impossible for the public to know who is\n funding them.\n In the weeks before the election, more than $12 million in\n donations was funneled through two Tennessee corporations to\n the FreedomWorks super PAC after negotiations with Stephenson\n over a preelection gift of the same size, according to three\n current and former employees with knowledge of the\n arrangement. The origin of the money has not previously been\n reported.\n These and other new details about the near-meltdown at\n FreedomWorks were gleaned from interviews with two dozen\n current and past associates, most of whom spoke on the\n condition of anonymity in order to talk freely.\n The disarray comes as the conservative movement is\n struggling to find its way after the November elections,\n which brought a second term for President Obama and\n Democratic gains in the House and Senate. Armey said in an\n interview that the near-meltdown at his former group has\n damaged the conservative cause.\n ``Freedom Works was the spark plug, the energy source, the\n catalyst for the movement through the 2010 elections,'' Armey\n said, referring to the GOP midterm sweep. ``Harm was done to\n the movement.''\n Stephenson, 73, declined a request for an interview. Matt\n Kibbe, the group's president, and Adam Brandon, its senior\n vice president, declined to discuss the issue.\n ``I don't comment on donors,'' Brandon said. ``He's on our\n board, he's a board member like anyone else. That's it. I see\n him at board meetings.''\n Stephenson, a longtime but little-known player in\n conservative causes, is a resident of Barrington, Ill., a\n northwest suburb of Chicago known for its affluence and\n sprawling horse estates such as his Tudor Oaks Farm. He\n founded the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in 1988\n following his mother's death from bladder cancer, according\n to the for-profit company's Web site and his public remarks.\n Stephenson also holds investments in a broad portfolio of\n other businesses, including finance and real estate\n companies.\n Stephenson has a passion for libertarian politics\n stretching back to the 1960s, when he attended seminars\n featuring ``Atlas Shrugged'' author Ayn Rand and economist\n Murray Rothbard, according to those who know him at\n FreedomWorks. Like Armey, Stephenson was an early supporter\n of Citizens for a Sound Economy, the conservative lobbying\n group founded by oil billionaires Charles and David Koch in\n 1984 that split into Freedom Works and Americans for\n Prosperity 20 years later. The Kochs, known for bankrolling a\n variety of conservative causes, kept control of AFP, while\n Stephenson and Armey stayed with FreedomWorks.\n FreedomWorks has been on a remarkable run in recent\n election cycles, growing its annual budget from $7 million to\n $40 million in just a few years and helping lead the tea\n party movement against Obama's agenda. The group was among\n several that rose up last week in opposition to a failed\n proposal from House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) to raise\n federal taxes on millionaires.\n The group played a crucial role in ushering a wave of tea\n party candidates into office in recent years, staging\n rallies, hawking books and videos, and organizing media\n appearances with conservative personalities such as Glenn\n Beck and Rush Limbaugh.\n ``I've enjoyed my association with FreedomWorks,'' said\n Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), who defeated incumbent Bob Bennett\n with help from the group. ``Matt Kibbe and Dick Armey\n endorsed me early in my candidacy for the U.S. Senate, and\n they were a big help to me.''\n Despite such testimonials, FreedomWorks has struggled with\n accusations that it is an ``astro-turfer''--a national\n organization of big-money donors that swept in to lay claim\n to an independent movement.\n According to public records, FreedomWorks received more\n than $12 million before the election from two corporations\n based in Knoxville, Tenn.: Specialty Investments Group and\n Kingston Pike Development. The firms were established within\n a day of each other by William S. Rose III, a local\n bankruptcy lawyer.\n Rose, who could not be reached for comment, has said\n publicly he would not answer questions about the donations.\n But according to three current and former FreedomWorks\n employees with knowledge of the donations, the money\n originated with Stephenson and his family, who arranged for\n the contributions from the Tennessee firms to the super PAC.\n Brandon, FreedomWorks' executive vice president, told\n colleagues starting in August that Stephenson would be giving\n between $10 million and $12 million, these sources said.\n Brandon also met repeatedly with members of Stephenson's\n family who were involved in arranging the donations, the\n sources said.\n Stephenson attended a FreedomWorks retreat in Jackson Hole,\n Wyo., in August at which a budget was being prepared in\n anticipation of a large influx of money, according to several\n employees who attended the retreat. At the retreat,\n Stephenson dictated some of the terms of how the money would\n be spent, the employees said.\n ``There is no doubt that Dick Stephenson arranged for that\n money to come to the super PAC,'' said one person who\n attended the retreat. ``I can assure you that everyone around\n the office knew about it.''\n Among other things, Stephenson wanted a substantial sum\n spent in support of Rep. Joe Walsh (R-I11.), a tea party\n favorite and Stephenson's local congressman, several who\n attended the retreat recalled. Walsh garnered national\n headlines during the campaign when he questioned whether his\n opponent, Tammy Duckworth, a former Blackhawk helicopter\n pilot who lost both legs in Iraq, was a ``true hero.''\n Despite internal misgivings about the value of the\n investment, FreedomWorks spent $1.7 million on ads supporting\n Walsh; he lost the race.\n Two watchdog groups last week asked the Federal Election\n Commission and the Justice Department to investigate the\n donations from the two Tennessee companies. The groups,\n Democracy 21 and the Campaign Legal Center, say the\n arrangement could violate federal laws that prohibit\n attempting to hide the true source of a political\n contribution by giving it under another name. (Brandon\n declined to comment on the complaints, but he said the\n group's books were in order.)\n\n Partnership unravels\n\n For years, FreedomWorks was headed by an unlikely duo:\n Armey, 72, the old-guard poi who wears a black cowboy hat\n even when he's not on his Texas ranch, and Kibbe, 49, who\n sports mutton-chop sideburns and has a passion for the\n Grateful Dead.\n But the most important relationship appears to be the bond\n between Kibbe and Stephenson, who bridged their age gap\n through shared libertarian views and Kibbe's battle with\n testicular cancer a decade ago, Armey and others said. They\n said Kibbe, after being given a terminal diagnosis, was\n encouraged by Stephenson to get treatment at his cancer\n clinics; more than a decade later, they said, he is cancer-\n free.\n Until this year, the partnership between Kibbe and Armey\n worked well. Armey's renown as a former House member drew\n media attention and crowds of conservative activists--most of\n them old enough to remember Armey's role in the Republican\n revolution in Congress in 1994. And Kibbe's youthful\n intellectualism drew a new generation of libertarian soldiers\n into the FreedomWorks fold. In 2010, the two co-wrote a book,\n ``Give Us Liberty: A Tea Party Manifesto,'' that became a New\n York Times bestseller and a successful marketing tool for\n FreedomWorks, which collected the book's proceeds and used it\n to attract donations.\n The partnership came to a crashing end when Armey marched\n into FreedomWorks's office Sept. 4 with his wife, Susan,\n executive assistant Jean Campbell and the unidentified man\n with the gun at his waist--who promptly escorted Kibbe and\n Brandon out of the building.\n ``This was two weeks after there had been a shooting at the\n Family Research Council,'' said one junior staff member who\n spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not\n authorized to talk to the media. ``So when a man with a gun\n who didn't identify himself to me or other people on staff,\n and a woman I'd never seen before said there was an\n announcement, my first gut was, 'Is Freedom Works in danger?'\n It was bizarre.'?''\n By nearly all accounts, including from those loyal to him,\n Armey handled his attempted coup badly. Armey says he was\n stepping in because of ethical breaches by Kibbe\n\n[[Page E2020]]\n\n and Brandon, accusing them of improperly using FreedomWorks\n staff resources to produce a book--ironically, named\n ``Hostile Takeover''--for which Kibbe claimed sole credit and\n was collecting royalties. The use of internal resources for\n Kibbe's benefit could jeopardize the group's nonprofit tax\n status; the group denies any impropriety.\n ``This is not only about this one incident,'' Armey said.\n ``But that one incident was a matter of grievous concern.''\n Armey also accused Brandon, Kibbe and other staff members\n loyal to them of squeezing him out of media appearances and\n management decisions while using his name to market the\n group.\n Armey appeared out of touch and unsure of how FreedomWorks\n operated when he took over that Tuesday morning, according to\n interviews with more than a dozen employees on both sides who\n witnessed the takeover. Sitting in a glass-walled conference\n room visible to much of the staff, he placed three young\n female employees on administrative leave, then reversed\n himself when they burst into tears; his wife lamented aloud\n that maybe they had ``jumped the gun.''\n In subsequent meetings, Susan Armey passed her husband\n notes that several employees assumed contained suggestions on\n what to say. According to a recording of a staff conference\n call provided to The Washington Post, Armey bewildered his\n audience by demanding more FreedomWorks support for Todd\n Akin, the Missouri Republican whose Senate campaign had\n already cratered after his comments about ``legitimate\n rape.''\n ``It was clear that under Armey's leadership, the\n organization as we knew it was going to be driven into the\n ground,'' said one junior employee.\n Enter Stephenson, who agreed to the multimillion-dollar\n financial incentive to push Armey out and install Kibbe back\n at the helm.\n The payments were necessary, several FreedomWorks leaders\n said, because Armey was threatening to sue over Kibbe's book\n deal.\n ``It was very clear to him that I would not work with\n Matt,'' Armey said, referring to Stephenson. ``He felt that\n Matt knew the levers and understood it better than I did and\n was very urgent to reinstate that.''\n Brandon, back in the No. 2 spot as executive vice\n president, scoffed at the notion that the group is in trouble\n or that the dispute with Armey was indicative of a larger\n problem for the tea party. He said Freedom Works has 2.1\n million members, nearly 4 million fans on Facebook and a\n budget that has grown sixfold in five years. He also pointed\n to the elections of Senate conservatives Ted Cruz in Texas\n and Jeff Flake in Arizona as evidence of the group's\n electoral success.\n ``We doubled our budget, and we doubled our membership,''\n Brandon said, referring to the group's growth since 2011.\n ``That's how we ended up the year.''\n\n(Alice R. Crites contributed to this report)\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2020-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "IN TRIBUTE TO PUSHMATAHA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "TRIBUTETO", "E2020", "E2020", "[{\"name\": \"Elton Gallegly\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2020", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2020]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n IN TRIBUTE TO PUSHMATAHA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY\n\n ______\n\n HON. ELTON GALLEGLY\n\n of california\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to the Pushmataha County\nHistorical Society in Antlers, Oklahoma, and in particular Myrtle\nEdmond and Madge Jentry.\n As historical societies go, the Pushmataha County Historical Society\nis relatively new, having been founded in 1984. But the Society's staff\nand volunteers know their town, its history, its people, and their\nplace firmly rooted in the heart of America.\n My family hails from the Antlers, Oklahoma, area. When I was a young\nboy, I would travel by train, arriving and departing from the Frisco\nDepot, which now houses the Pushmataha County Historical Society.\nMyrtle Edmond and Madge Jentry were at the Society headquarters when my\nwife, Janice, and I stopped by on a recent trip and asked a few\nquestions about my ancestors. Myrtle and Madge responded by\nenthusiastically researching everything they could find on the Gallegly\nand Williams family branches. Myrtle even wrote down, by hand, all\ntheir research in great detail and gave it to me.\n In addition, Myrtle had previously served on the society's cemetery\nidentification project and helped identify and inventory almost 12,000\nburials and grave sites at approximately 119 locations. With that\ninformation, she was able to locate the gravesites of my grandparents\nand many other relatives.\n The wealth of information Myrtle and Madge were able to provide on my\nfamily is even more impressive when one considers that the county\ncourthouse burned during the Great Depression. Society volunteers have\npainstakingly rebuilt ancestral records from U.S. Census, newspapers,\nand other items in the historical record.\n Mr. Speaker, Antlers, Oklahoma, is America. It has seen its share of\nhardship yet continues to bounce back. One of the most devastating\ntornadoes in the history of the state struck Antlers on April 12, 1945.\nOut of a population of 3,000, 55 were killed, including my uncle,\nDennis Dixon Gallegly. One third of the city was demolished. The city\nhas suffered devastating fires. Floods have washed away homes, but they\ncan't wash away Antlers, or the spirit of its people.\n Mr. Speaker, the pride Myrtle Edmond and Madge Jentry have in their\ncommunity and in America was evidenced in their enthusiastic research\nof my family's roots. I know my colleagues join Janice and me in\nthanking them and all the Pushmataha County Historical Society\nvolunteers for preserving and celebrating their part of our nation's\nhistory through dedication, passion, and professionalism. They are\npreserving the heart of America.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2020-3", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "THE PARK SCHOOL CENTENNIAL", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "ALLOTHER", "E2020", "E2021", "[{\"name\": \"Kathleen C. Hochul\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2020", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Pages E2020-E2021]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n THE PARK SCHOOL CENTENNIAL\n\n ______\n\n HON. KATHLEEN C. HOCHUL\n\n of new york\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate The Park\nSchool of Buffalo on\n\n[[Page E2021]]\n\nrecently commemorating its Centennial. In 1912, a group of parents\nembarked on a truly remarkable journey by making a commitment to\npromote excellence in education with an emphasis on the personal\ndevelopment of their students.\n Over the past 100 years, The Park School has carried out its mission\nof building a diverse and creative community that nurtures the joy and\nresponsibility of active learning for all. From its founders, John\nDewey and Mary Hammett Lewis, to the current administration, Park has\ntruly left its mark on Snyder and the Western New York community.\n I am confident that The Park School will continue its mission of\neducating our youth and strengthening our community as successfully\nover the next 100 years.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2020", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "MILLIONS FORGO FORECLOSURE REVIEWS", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "ALLOTHER", "E2020", "E2020", "[{\"name\": \"Marcy Kaptur\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2020", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2020]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n MILLIONS FORGO FORECLOSURE REVIEWS\n\n ______\n\n HON. MARCY KAPTUR\n\n of ohio\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, this is the article I referred to in my one-\nminute speech this morning.\n\n (From USA Today)\n\nMillions Forgo Foreclosure Reviews (Homeowners Don't Have Much Time To\n Ask for Accuracy Checks)\n\n (By Julie Schmit)\n\n Millions of homeowners who were in foreclosure in 2009 or\n 2010 could miss a chance to have their cases reviewed for\n errors--and possible compensation--if they don't act by\n Monday.\n That's the deadline for eligible homeowners to request a\n free review required by a settlement last year between\n federal bank regulators and 14 mortgage servicers and their\n affiliates. The deadline has been extended three times due to\n poor response from homeowners.\n More than 4 million notices were mailed a year ago\n informing homeowners of their right to a review, but only\n 356,000 had asked for one by Dec. 13, according to the Office\n of the Comptroller of the Currency.\n Compensation could range from hundreds of dollars to more\n than $100,000, the OCC has said. It is overseeing the\n settlement with the Federal Reserve.\n Requests must be submitted at\n independentforeclosurereview.com or be postmarked no later\n than Monday, the OCC says. Answers to questions can be found\n on the website or by calling 888-952-9105.\n ``The (response) numbers are not terribly impressive,''\n says Bruce Mirken of the Greenlining Institute, a consumer\n advocacy group.\n Greenlining, like other consumer groups, says borrowers may\n still not be aware of the review opportunity.\n Notification materials--including the 4 million letters--\n may have been ignored because they were written in legal\n jargon, were hard to read and looked too much like those used\n in foreclosure scams, says James Can, a senior policy fellow\n with the Opportunity Agenda, a non-partisan think tank. A\n Government Accountability Office report in June echoed those\n concerns.\n The settlement followed a federal probe in which regulators\n found significant weaknesses in foreclosure processes,\n including improper foreclosure document preparation.\n To meet regulators' deadlines, the GAO noted that servicers\n had just 60 days to develop outreach materials. That didn't\n leave time to test them with focus groups, one servicer\n representative told the GAO.\n About 95% of the letters were successfully delivered, the\n OCC has said.\n The reviews are intended to address a wide range of\n foreclosure errors, including excessive fees, wrongly denied\n loan modifications, misapplied payments or wrongful\n foreclosures. Borrower restitution will vary by case and\n financial harm, the OCC says. It's provided no cost estimate\n to servicers. No one has yet received restitution, OCC\n spokesman William Grassano says.\n The requested reviews are in addition to 159,000 reviews\n being done, as part of the same settlement, by consultants\n hired by the servicers, Grassano says.\n The Monday deadline should be lifted and review requests\n should be allowed as needed, the community groups say,\n especially since more recent outreach efforts have been more\n consumer friendly.\n The reviews are separate from a $25 billion settlement,\n reached between five servicers and, state and federal\n officials, that's also meant to address past foreclosure\n abuses.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2021-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF REDMOND", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "ALLOTHER", "E2021", "E2021", "[{\"name\": \"David G. Reichert\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2021", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2021]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF REDMOND\n\n ______\n\n HON. DAVID G. REICHERT\n\n of washington\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, as the two members who have the honor of\nrepresenting this city today and in the future, I rise with my\ncolleague Representative Suzan DelBene to honor the centennial\nanniversary of the City of Redmond, celebrated today, December 31,\n2012.\n First incorporated in 1912, eligible thanks to the birth of its 300th\ncitizen, Redmond began as a small logging community. A century later,\nit has turned into a vibrant urban center of 55,000 that still\nmaintains its strong sense of community and is proud of its small-town\nfeel.\n Over the last century, Redmond has evolved from logging town, to a\nsmall bedroom community east of the big city, to a bustling city in\nitself. Today, it's home to some of the most prominent high tech\ncompanies in the world. Redmond's tremendous growth has been fueled by\nthe pioneering, entrepreneurial spirit of the town's first settlers\nand, in the century since, has attracted and inspired generations of\nWashingtonians to turn Redmond into a premier economic engine for the\n21st century.\n With all this growth and change, Redmond continues to maintain a deep\nsense of friendship and community. For example, Mr. Speaker, the\nRedmond Derby Days, a city celebration that grew out of a bicycle race\namong local paperboys after the depression, is going strong after 70\nyears. The Derby Days are bigger and better than ever and today, the\nsignature event has the honor of being the nation's longest running\nbicycle race.\n Over the last few years, we have both enjoyed participating in so\nmany activities and events in beautiful Redmond and are honored to\nrepresent the great people of this city.\n With the further expansion of mass transit, Redmond has an amazing\nopportunity to continue its growth and impact neighboring cities.\nTogether with Seattle and environs, its influence contributes to form a\nregion that is vibrant, attractive for business and a great place to\nlive, work and raise a family. As Mayor Marchione, along with all of\nRedmond's dedicated City Council members, continue to build on\nRedmond's rich history, we look forward to watching and aiding with the\ncity's success in years to come.\n Mr. Speaker, Representative DelBene and I again offer congratulations\nto the City of Redmond for a wonderful, rich first century and together\nwish them the best as they move into their second century of\nprosperity.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2021-3", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "HEALTH RELATED MATTERS FOR MY COLLEAGUES IN CONGRESS TO CONSIDER IN 2013", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "ALLOTHER", "E2021", "E2023", "[{\"name\": \"Dan Burton\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2021", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Pages E2021-E2023]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n HEALTH RELATED MATTERS FOR MY COLLEAGUES IN CONGRESS TO CONSIDER IN\n 2013\n\n ______\n\n HON. DAN BURTON\n\n of indiana\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. BURTON. Mr. Speaker, as we close the 112th Congress and I prepare\nto retire from Congress, I would like to leave a few comments regarding\nhealth related matters for my colleagues who will return to the 113th\nCongress. Throughout my decades in public service, I have strived to\ngive consideration to those whose issues fall through the cracks of our\ngovernment, and to those who become targets of government authorities\nfor daring to deliver or seek alternative therapies.\n Complementary and Alternative Therapies: While Chairman of the\nCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform, I initiated a\ncomprehensive evaluation of the role of complementary and alternative\ntherapies in our health care system. During this time we heard from\nresearchers, practitioners, and patients about the value that\ncomplementary and alternative therapies can play in our health system.\nThese therapies include acupuncture, massage therapy, traditional\nhealing systems from various cultures around the world such as\nTraditional East Asian Medicine, Kampo, Native American Medicine,\nHomeopathy and energy therapies such as QiGong and Reiki as well as the\nuse stress management tools and nutrition and dietary supplements.\nThese also include conventional therapies used for purposes not yet\nrecognized as mainstream such as Chelation Therapy for cardiovascular\nbenefit.\n I hope my colleagues in 2013 will continue to protect access\ntherapies and products so that Americans can continue to make their own\nchoices in health care and retain their health freedom. I also believe\na hard look at the management of resources provided to these issues is\noverdue. For instance, the first ever head to head research study\nlooking at an alternative cancer treatment for pancreatic cancer as\ncompared to the mainstream therapy was an absolute management disaster.\nTen years, millions of dollars, and several federal investigations\nvalidating violations of patient protections by the academic\nconventional cancer therapy principal investigator has been swept under\nthe rug by the National Institutes of Health's National Cancer\nInstitute and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative\nMedicine. Too often, I hear that the studies that are funded,\nespecially those on herbs are ``designed to fail''. After 20 years and\nmore than a billion dollars, too little quality research on the\ntherapies Americans are most interested has in has been conducted. When\nmy colleague Senator Tom Harkin gave the initial instruction to the\nNational Institutes of Health to ``investigate and validate'' therapies\nbeing used around the world, we all envisioned an aggressive campaign\nto go into the field and look at what is working an report this to the\nAmerican people. Former Congressman Berkley Bedell championed this\nissue after being successfully treated with alternative therapies for\nLyme disease and Prostate Cancer. Much good has been accomplished, but\nbetter work can and should be done.\n In early 2013, the results of a national multi-site Chelation Therapy\nstudy will be published. I hope my colleagues will review this study\nand look to the history of how doctors who have provided this therapy\nhave been attacked for daring to use a therapy approved decades ago by\nthe Food and Drug Administration to treat heavy metal exposure in\nchildren ``off label'' for cardiovascular benefit. Medicine is\nincreasingly recognizing that exposure to lead, mercury and other heavy\nmetals have on the body including the cardiovascular system. Chelation\nTherapy may be improving\n\n[[Page E2022]]\n\ncardiovascular health by removing heavy metals. This study was attacked\nby closed-minded individuals who oppose chelation therapy and all\nalternative therapies. Sadly, we have lost a decade in looking at the\nbenefits of chelation therapy in children as the National Institutes of\nHealth reneged on its promise to conduct a study at the Clinical Center\non chelation therapy in the pediatric population. The American people\ndeserve honest inquiry into chelation therapy for all its possible\nbenefits.\n Keep in mind, 1 in 6 women of childbearing age are carrying a higher\nthan normal body burden of mercury, and mercury is the second most\ntoxic substance on the planet. Mercury in all its forms can be harmful\nespecially to babies in the wound and in the first years of life.\n We first became aware of mercury in vaccines after the FDA was\nrequired by our body to conduct an inquiry on the amount of mercury in\nthe products they regulated. A new inquiry is due in 2013 to determine\nthe amount of mercury still in all FDA regulated products. Congress\nwill once again need to require this of the FDA. I am disturbed that in\n2013 we continue to have mercury in any form in medicines and in other\nproducts Americans routinely use without the knowledge they are\nexposing their families to mercury. It is a travesty that public health\nauthorities have discounted the risk of mercury in vaccines and other\nproducts because it is a ``trace amount''. The whole body of evidence\non mercury shows it can be harmful and is best avoided. Sadly the\nAmerican Academy of Pediatrics and the public health officials at FDA\nand the rest of the Department of Health and Human Services should be\nleading the charge to get mercury out of all medicines, and they have\ninstead continued to protect the industry and not our children. It has\nbeen left to families who have formed organizations such as the\nCoalition for SafeMinds to fight for children to be protected from\nexposure to mercury through medicine.\n Autism and Vaccine Injury: The Committee did not set out to\ninvestigate the epidemic rise in autism rates; however, in late 1999 as\nwe were looking at reports of injury within the military form the\nadulterated anthrax vaccine, we began hearing about children being\ninjured from vaccines and developing autism. It was a crisis we could\nnot ignore.\n Just as Bob Wright, the founder of Autism Speaks, recently testified\nbefore the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that his\ndaughter Katie reports that her son suffered a vaccine injury and\ndeveloped autism, my both of my own grandchildren suffered vaccine\ninjuries and my grandson developed autism shortly after he was\nvaccinated with multiple vaccines, exposed to high levels of mercury\nand suffered adverse reactions. We heard from thousands of families\nwhose experienced similar injuries. Almost 5,000 of these families\nsought relief through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) as\nis required by law. Congress and the American people are repeatedly\ntold that vaccine injury does not cause autism. Of the 5,000 families\nonly 1, a little girl named Hannah Poling, has received justice in this\nprogram because her parents, both health professionals were able to\ndocument a mitochondrial dysfunction that was exacerbated by exposure\nto mercury and vaccine injury. The government conceded her case, but it\nstill took years of negotiations and legal battles for little Hannah to\nbe compensated. This program is not working at Congress intended and I\nhope my colleagues in the 113th Congress will conduct a thorough review\nof the management of the VICP and direct through legislation\nimprovements to the law so that all that are seriously injured may be\ncompensated swiftly, fairly and without long litigious battles. Sadly\nthe autism omnibus proceeding was fraught with injustices. There was\nonly limited discovery, many actions by government lawyers that in any\nother court would lead to disbarment, and an appearance of bias by the\nSpecial Masters who seemed to work as partners to Justice to defend\nagainst vaccine injury rather than to sit as unbiased administrators\nand many other matters deserve a thorough oversight review by Congress\nto insure the program operates as it was designed.\n\n While government officials who settled the Hannah Poling case\nreported her mitochondrial dysfunction is rare, others reported that it\nis very prevalent in the autism population. Maybe as many as 1 in 5\nwith autism may have this same mitochondrial dysfunction. These same\ngovernment officials have failed to share what their database of\nvaccine cases show--that almost since the inception of the VICP, the\ngovernment has quietly been settling cases of vaccine induced brain\ninjury that resulted in autism. The Elizabeth Birt Law Advocacy Center\n(EBCALA) conducted a review of settled cases within the program for\nvaccine induced brain injury such as encephalitis and seizures,\nconfirmed dozens of cases in which the government compensated the\nvaccine injured. The way that the government has shielded this is that\nit is not listed as the primary injury. However, the EBCALA\ninvestigators validated through families and records that autism\nresulted from vaccine injury. There needs to improved transparency\nwithin this program. Every case that is settled should be published\nonline in such a way that the public is informed what injuries have\nbeen acknowledged and the management of the program improved so that\nall cases for like injuries are compensated quickly. At present each\nreport of injury is handled in isolation, with no discovery, no ability\nto refer to other cases and evidence previously accepted in cases, the\nprogram is wasteful in the use of its resources and certainly not fair\nto the injured. If we want to preserve vaccine policies in this\ncountry, it is essential to insure that the VICP works as Congress\nintended. I urge my colleagues to engage and stay engaged in\ninvestigating this program, talking to the lawyers and petitioners in\nthe program, and improving it through legislation.\n Autism: Autism in and of itself is a national emergency. We have gone\nin the time that I served in Congress from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 88\nchildren age 8 on the autism spectrum. This cannot simply be genetics--\nthere is no such thing as a genetic epidemic. There are many issues\nthat I urge my colleagues to address in 2013. The ERISA fix for\ninsurance coverage of autism therapies such as Applied Behavioral\nAnalysis is ``low hanging fruit'' for Congress. There is an urgent need\nto address adult and transition services for individuals with autism\nincluding those with higher functioning autism who, while often able to\nlive independently as adults, are often under employed. We have a\nsevere shortage of adequate housing for adults with autism who are no\nlonger able to live with their parents. We have invested a billion\ndollars in autism research over the last decade, mostly on epidemiology\nand genetics. The autism community is frustrated that environmental\nfactors are not given a greater share of the research dollars and that\npractically no funding has been provided to evaluate the dozens of\ntherapies families who are able to pay out of pocket are using very\nsuccessfully. Many of these are dietary related and alternative\ntherapies and if there is ever to be insurance reimbursement, Medicaid\ncoverage, or access through other government programs such as for\nmilitary families, research to investigate for safety and benefit is\nneeded. I hope my colleagues in 2013 will direct federal research\nresources to these much needed efforts in collaboration with the\nfamilies and practitioners who have experience using them. The\ngovernment cannot continue to sink significant resources simply into\ncounting the children, without addressing the causes of the epidemic\nincrease and focuses on prevention and treatments.\n I am pleased that Chairman Darrell Issa committed during the November\n29 autism hearing to stay engaged in looking at the federal response to\nautism. He is learning as I did while Chairman that the families and\nprofessionals involved in this community are desperate for Congress to\ndo something to improve the Federal response, to hold accountable those\nwho are subverting the truth about the causes of autism, and who have\npoorly managed the resources provided by taxpayers to get to the truth\non autism and vaccine injury. I urge a review on how the Centers for\nDisease Control and Prevention (CDC) has managed the Vaccine Safety\nDatabase, how Poul Thorsen was able to steal more than $1 million from\nthe autism grant in the CDC-Denmark project, and why Diana Schendel of\nthe CDC has continued publish studies as a co-author to Thorsen. Why\ndoes the CDC continue to promote his research after his federal\nindictment for 22 counts of wire fraud and money laundering? I am\nconcerned that individuals at the CDC have participated in malicious\nacts of covering up the data showing a direct connection between\nexposure to mercury in vaccines in the first six months of life and an\neleven-fold increase risk of autism. I urge the 113th Congress to shine\nthe light of day on their actions and seek justice.\n Military and Veterans: I cannot leave Congress without giving mention\nto the men and women of our armed services, active duty, National\nGuard, Reserves and Veterans. We recently lost one our own in the\nCongress, Senator Daniel Inouye, a World War II veteran. All across the\ngreat nation, in veterans' hospitals, hospices and retirement homes, we\nare losing tens of thousands of World War II, the Korean Conflict, and\nVietnam War veterans each month. Too many have no remaining family\nmembers to be with them and it is VA staff and volunteers who spend the\nlast hours and days with them.\n The signature injuries of the Global War on Terror of the last 12\nyears is Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.\n(TBI/PTSD) I like many Members of Congress have been informed of the\nbenefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy at 1.5 ATA for members of the\nmilitary who have had concussive injury and developed TBI/PTSD.\nProfessional athletes such as Washington Redskins quarterback Robert\nGriffin III who suffer a concussive injury are immediately provided\naccess to all therapies that show benefit including hyperbaric oxygen\ntherapy (HBOT).\n\n[[Page E2023]]\n\nSadly our troops not provided the same access. For a decade members of\nthe military and veterans have been working to gain access to HBOT and\nother therapies and to have these therapies paid for through Tricare.\nEvidence show HBOT is both safe and effective, and unlike the anti-\ndepressant, anti-psychotic and other drugs being handed out like candy\nby military doctors, do not have black box warnings for increased risk\nof suicide and suicidal thoughts. I urge my colleagues returning in\n2013 as well as President Obama, the Secretaries of Defense and\nVeterans Affairs to work together to make HBOT at 1.5 ATA (the\nvalidated dose) and other therapies as outlined in the TBI Treatment\nAct we passed twice in the House available to those with TBI/PTSD.\nThose who stepped up and volunteered to serve our nation deserve\nnothing less.\n Health Freedom and the Constitution: At the foundation of all of my\ntime in public service is the Constitution. The prevailing theme of the\nright to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans\nare as important today as it was when I was first sworn in. As I leave\nCongress, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of\nIndiana and the nation. I am grateful for all those who have worked\nwith me over the years in my Congressional office and on Committee\nStaff. I am thankful to a God who has provided me strength and health\nto serve and pray that as we enter 2013 and I enter a new phase of my\nlife, with a beautiful and intelligent wife and family whom I love,\nthat new champions for health freedom will emerge.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2021", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "IN HONOR OF COMMANDER HALSEY \"BULL\" KEATS", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "HONORING", "E2021", "E2021", "[{\"name\": \"Michael G. Fitzpatrick\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2021", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2021]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n IN HONOR OF COMMANDER HALSEY ``BULL'' KEATS\n\n ______\n\n HON. MICHAEL G. FITZPATRICK\n\n of pennsylvania\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Commander Halsey\n``Bull'' Keats upon his retirement from the United States Navy, where\nhe served 20 years. CDR Keats completed four deployments throughout the\nworld which have included ports in over 12 countries. During Enduring\nFreedom, he was the only Lieutenant Commander who stood in the ship's\nCaptain during combat flight operations, and during Operation Iraqi\nFreedom he was selected to lead the first ever deployment of the Real-\nTime Sensor Data Link ground station to Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq\nproviding the Commanding General tactical control over the Surveillance\nSystem Upgrade S-3 which boasted a streaming video capability.\n CDR Keats was selected as the Naval Flight Officer of the Year in\n1997. In 2004 he graduated from the Operational Planners Course with\ndistinction at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He has\nlogged over 2,000 flight hours. For his exemplary service CDR Keats has\nreceived the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious\nService Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps\nAchievement Medal, in addition to numerous unit commendations.\n His final tour was Chief, Special Activity plans at U.S. Central\nCommand Operations Directorate from July 2010 through his retirement on\n1 April 2013.\n Mr. Speaker, Commander Keats exemplifies all of the best qualities of\na United States Naval Flight Officer. We have known each other for over\nthirty years. We worked together as young men back in Bucks County,\nPennsylvania where his parents still do reside. Cmmdr. Keats is an\noutstanding husband and father and he has served his Nation with\ndistinction.\n I am honored to be able to stand here today and recognize him for his\nmany years of service.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2023-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "HONORING THE LIFE OF DR. ROMAIN CLEROU", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "HONORING", "E2023", "E2023", "[{\"name\": \"Kevin McCarthy\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2023", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2023]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n HONORING THE LIFE OF DR. ROMAIN CLEROU\n\n ______\n\n HON. KEVIN McCARTHY\n\n of california\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the\nlife of Dr. Romain Clerou, a local doctor from my hometown of\nBakersfield, California who passed away on November 20, 2012. Romain\nselflessly served our community for over 65 years through his medical\npractice and will be remembered as a good friend to many, and a fixture\non the sidelines at the local college and high school football games.\n Born in Bakersfield to French immigrants, Romain attended Kern County\nUnion High School, Bakersfield Junior College, the University of\nCalifornia at Berkeley, and Creighton Medical School in Nebraska before\nserving in the U.S. Navy's 41st Seabees during the Second World War.\n In 1946, after the war had passed, Romain set up his medical practice\nin Bakersfield. Throughout the following decades, he would become well-\nregarded for his constant availability and the personal attention given\nto each of his patients. Dr. Clerou treated countless ailments,\ndelivered thousands of babies, and befriended generations of families.\n Additionally, Romain was the beloved team doctor for many athletes on\nBakersfield football teams, a service for which he was known to never\ncharge. Romain loved sports. He was a gymnast and football player and\ncontinued to play competitive rounds of golf up until late February of\nthis year. Only a few months ago, Romain could be found at Bakersfield\nCollege taking in a football practice, sitting in a golf cart and\nsmoking the cigars he was so well known for.\n Mr. Speaker, it is this kind of dedication to community service that\nreflects the great characteristics of our nation's people. As someone\nwho lived life to the fullest and spent most of that life serving the\npeople of Bakersfield, Romain was not only a pillar of strength to his\ncommunity, but also to his country. He is survived by Mrs. Mayie\nMaitia, along with her family, his six children, and five\ngrandchildren. While I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring\nthe life of a great American, I have no doubt that Dr. Romain Clerou\nwill be long remembered by the community he served so well.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2023-3", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "HONORING BUCKS BEAUTIFUL", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "HONORING", "E2023", "E2023", "[{\"name\": \"Michael G. Fitzpatrick\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2023", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2023]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n HONORING BUCKS BEAUTIFUL\n\n ______\n\n HON. MICHAEL G. FITZPATRICK\n\n of pennsylvania\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work\nbeing done in my home of Bucks County, Pennsylvania by the dedicated\nvolunteers of Bucks Beautiful.\n Founded in 1990 by Robert and Joyce Byers and Carol McCaughan with\nthe goal of beautifying Bucks County, this community organization has\ndedicated itself to preserving and improving upon the existing natural\nbeauty of my home in southeastern Pennsylvania.\n Over the last 22 years, Bucks Beautiful has expanded its mission,\noffering beautification grant programs, partnering with a local college\nto offer academic scholarships, and offering scenic tours of Bucks\nCounty and other nearby locales.\n Most recently, Bucks Beautiful has completed its ``Bulbs For Bucks''\nProgram, planting hundreds of thousands of daffodils at strategic\nlocations across the county.\n The inspiration of Chuck Gale, owner of Gale Nurseries and a Bucks\nBeautiful board member, this collaboration of local nursery owners and\nlandscape architects will result in an impressive visual display come\nspring along major Bucks County thoroughfares.\n Chuck Gale and his team complete the first phase of this undertaking\nin fall of 2010, planting 30,000 Daffodil Bulbs were planted along the\nRt. 611 Bypass.\n Last fall, 300,000 Daffodil Bulbs were planted along the Delaware\nCanal at key locations from Bristol to Riegelsville, Bucks County.\n Finally, this November marked the completion of Phase 3 with 170,000\ndaffodil bulbs being planted along the new Route 202 Parkway and Route\n202 Bypass.\n The completion of this project, which included the acquisition from\nHolland the only bulb-planting machine in the United States, has laid\nthe foundation for an expanded tourism base for Bucks County. Bucks\nBeautiful hopes to begin an annual bulb festival adding to the list of\nfairs and festivals that bring countless tourists from around the\ncountry to our community each year.\n The hard work and dedication of Chuck Gale, the Central Bucks County\nChamber of Commerce and the volunteers of Bucks Beautiful has made this\nprogram an outstanding success, and I wish them the best of luck going\nforward.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2023-4", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENTS OVER THE PAST CENTURY", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "ALLOTHER", "E2023", "E2024", "[{\"name\": \"Brian P. Bilbray\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2023", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Pages E2023-E2024]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENTS OVER THE PAST CENTURY\n\n ______\n\n HON. BRIAN P. BILBRAY\n\n of california\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, I submit an essay by a San Diego innovator,\nDr. Jeff Stein, President and CEO of Trius Therapeutics. Dr. Stein\nprovides a fascinating account of the evolution in the discovery of\nantibiotic treatments over the past century.\n Dr. Stein's story is a vivid example as to why the private sector and\npublic sector must work together to innovate as a means to save\n\n[[Page E2024]]\n\nlives. Dr. Stein's company is one of many across the United States\nworking to prevent infections and improve American's quality of life.\n\n Antibiotics Redux: Medicines That Change the Course of History\n\n Dateline: April 1945. Hill 913, northern Italy\n\n The 22-year old second lieutenant didn't know if it was the\n machine gun, mortar round or artillery shell blast that got\n him. Ordered to take out the machine gun nest hidden in a\n mountaintop farmhouse all he recalled was that he was\n dragging his platoon's wounded radio operator to safety when\n he felt a searing pain in his upper back, then nothing. The\n platoon medic took one look at the wounded lieutenant,\n injected him with the maximum survivable dose of morphine,\n indicating this by marking the letter ``M'' on his forehead\n in his blood, then, assuming he would not survive his wounds,\n left to treat other wounded platoon members. Although his\n initial wounds, which included a damaged spine, an\n obliterated kidney and a mangled right arm did not kill him\n outright, the lieutenant was shipped home with little\n expectation he'd survive. His parents were called to his\n hospital bedside three separate times for a death vigil.\n\n April 1945. Rutgers University\n\n Four-thousand miles west of Hill 913, 25-year-old graduate\n student Albert Schatz, having recently submitted his patent\n application for his discovery of the antibiotic Streptomycin,\n was trying to figure out how to make enough of it for human\n testing. Tests in guinea pigs showed that Streptomycin was\n safe and effective in the treatment of infections caused by\n gram-negative bacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. What\n motivated Schatz was that in the first half of the century\n bacterial infections--pneumonia, tuberculosis and blood\n stream infections--were the top three causes of death in the\n U.S. Wounded servicemen from World War II were especially\n prone to infections from gram-negative bacteria and the only\n other widely available antibiotic at the time, penicillin,\n was largely ineffective against these pathogens. As a child\n Schatz had experienced close friends dying of tuberculosis\n and as a medical bacteriologist stationed in an Army hospital\n in Florida during the early years of World War II, Private\n Schatz sat helplessly by the bedside of dying solders whose\n infections did not respond to penicillin or the experimental\n antibiotics then available. He was passionate and highly\n committed. Schatz produced Streptomycin from the soil\n bacterium Streptomyces griseus growing in 1-liter\n fermentation flasks running 24-hours a day in his basement\n laboratory at Rutgers. By the end of 1945 he had produced\n what he believed to be enough to treat one patient.\n\n March 1946. Percy Jones Army Hospital, Battle Creek, Michigan\n\n The attending doctors had virtually encased the\n lieutenant's body in ice in a desperate attempt to lower his\n body temperature. His weakened immune system made him\n susceptible to infection and he had developed a severe lung\n infection that subsequently spread to his blood with\n resultant high fever. Massive doses of penicillin were\n ineffective. He was dying. Word of his condition made its way\n to Rutgers and Albert Schatz who subsequently rushed the\n first experimental dose of Streptomycin to Percy Jones\n Hospital to treat the lieutenant. The effects were nothing\n short of miraculous. The lieutenant's fever broke within 24\n hours and his lung infection cleared within a week. He would\n survive. Later that year Streptomycin would go on to become\n the world's first experimental medicine to be tested in a\n double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial--the gold\n standard in clinical research--where it was shown to be\n effective and safe for the treatment of TB.\n The lieutenant's name? Bob Dole. Yes, that Bob Dole who\n would go on to become Senate Majority Leader and, in 1996,\n candidate for the Presidency of the United States.\n\n Today.\n\n What is instructive about this true story of how an\n antibiotic altered the course of history is that we are\n presently on a retrograde course back to the early 20th\n century with respect to the treatment of bacterial\n infections. In the five-year period from 1983 to 1987 there\n were 16 new antibiotics approved, whereas from 2008 to 2012\n there were only two. At the same time, there is an explosive\n emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria that are rendering\n existing antibiotics largely ineffective. Combat veterans\n returning from the Middle East have been diagnosed with drug\n resistant strains of the gram-negative pathogen Acinetobacter\n baumanii for which there are virtually no treatment options.\n The multidrug resistant NDM-1 strain of Klebsiella\n pneumoniae, which initially emerged from India, has spread\n globally. One in three people in the world are infected with\n a dormant version of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and a growing\n number of these, reported in 60 countries, have emerged as\n the highly virulent XDR-TB strain which is resistant to both\n first- and second-line TB therapies and can only be treated\n with a multiyear regimen of toxic drugs. Indeed, today's\n situation would likely ignite the same sense of urgency in\n Albert Schatz that he felt in 1945.\n Fortunately, we have passionate and committed contemporary\n versions of Albert Schatz working to develop new antibiotics.\n Because of the enormous capital requirements and complex\n regulatory pathway for antibiotics, however, these\n individuals are now largely found in small biotech companies\n where the truly innovative antibiotics are currently being\n developed. It is unclear which, if any, of these companies\n will succeed in delivering critically needed medicines to the\n market. As drug resistant bacterial pathogens continue to\n proliferate, regulatory headwinds and market dynamics have\n made antibiotic development extremely challenging. While it\n is encouraging that this disconnect is receiving growing\n recognition and action amongst regulatory authorities, these\n small antibiotics companies, such as Trius Therapeutics where\n I am CEO, wait to see whether these regulatory incentives,\n such as the GAIN Act recently passed by Congress, can be\n implemented in time to make the development of new\n antibiotics clinically feasible and financially tractable. It\n will certainly be a race in which the outcome could alter the\n course of history and yes, save lives.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2023", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "IN HONOR OF MY FAMILY'S LOVE AND SUPPORT", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "HONORING", "E2023", "E2023", "[{\"name\": \"Elton Gallegly\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2023", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2023]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n IN HONOR OF MY FAMILY'S LOVE AND SUPPORT\n\n _____\n\n HON. ELTON GALLEGLY\n\n of california\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of my family. As you and\nalmost every Member of Congress knows, doing this job would be\nimpossible without the love and support our families.\n Twenty-seven years ago, my wife, Janice, agreed to support my first\nrun for Congress. She agreed on three conditions: I would not put the\nfamily into debt. That I would never ask her to do public speaking.\nAnd, that she would never have to ask for campaign contributions.\n Well before the primary was over, we were in debt. Janice was my\nsurrogate speaker, and she was the best fundraiser anyone could have.\n Because of her skills at public speaking and campaigning, we were\nquickly out of debt from my first run for Congress. For the next 26\nyears, she spearheaded my campaign and I never again had to borrow from\nthe family. Janice stood by my side as I met with ambassadors, heads of\nstate, and military families. She has been my rock.\n Janice and my four children were young adults when I first entered\nCongress. They have married and given us 10 beautiful grandchildren.\nThey have been my greatest champions.\n Shawn Gallegly married Tea. They gave us two grandsons, Adrian and\nLucas.\n Shawn Payton married Angelique. They gave us a granddaughter,\nSavannah, and two grandsons, Tanner, and Landon.\n Kevin Gallegly married Jennifer. They gave us three granddaughters,\nEmma, Bethie, and Sammie.\n Shannon Payton Breslow married Scott. They gave us a grandson,\nPayton, and granddaughter, Presley.\n Mr. Speaker, without the love and support of my family, I could not\nhave served in this great institution for so long and represented my\nneighbors as effectively. I know my colleagues join me in thanking them\nfor their love and support. I look forward to spending much more time\nwith my wife, children, and grandchildren and in supporting them\nachieve their dreams.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2024-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF ELIZABETH COX", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "RECOGNIZING", "E2024", "E2024", "[{\"name\": \"Leonard Lance\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2024", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2024]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF ELIZABETH COX\n\n ______\n\n HON. LEONARD LANCE\n\n of new jersey\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. LANCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Elizabeth\nCox of Summit, New Jersey. Betty gave her life to public service in New\nJersey and her contributions will long be remembered.\n Betty was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1972 to serve\nan unexpired term. Betty would continue four decades of public service\nas a founding member of the Women's Political Caucus, as a master poll\nworker for the Union County Board of Elections, as a staff member in\nthe Department of Community Affairs and as an officer in the Summit,\nUnion County and New Jersey Republican Committees.\n Betty will be remembered as a dedicated public servant, a\nparliamentarian and a champion of women's issues. I was honored to call\nBetty a friend and colleague.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2024-3", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "PAUL KRUGMAN AND THE ECONOMIC CASE FOR FAIRNESS", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "ALLOTHER", "E2024", "E2025", "[{\"name\": \"Barney Frank\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2024", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Pages E2024-E2025]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n PAUL KRUGMAN AND THE ECONOMIC CASE FOR FAIRNESS\n\n ______\n\n HON. BARNEY FRANK\n\n of massachusetts\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, Paul Krugman has\nconsistently and articulately defended programs that are essential for\nthe quality of life for our most vulnerable residents, and exposed the\nflawed morality and impaired logic of those who seek to use the\nexistence of a large national debt as an argument for exacerbating\ninequality in the United States. His column for Monday, December 31 is\nan excellent example of this, and I hope all Members will pay attention\nto its message.\n\n Brewing Up Confusion\n\n (By Paul Krugman)\n\n Howard Schultz, the C.E.O. of Starbucks, has a reputation\n as a good guy, a man who supports worthy causes. And he\n presumably thought he would add to that reputation when he\n posted an open letter urging his employees to promote fiscal\n bipartisanship by writing ``Come together'' on coffee cups.\n In reality, however, all he did was make himself part of\n the problem. And his letter was actually a very good\n illustration of the forces that created the current mess.\n In the letter, Mr. Schultz warned that elected officials\n ``have been unable to come together and compromise to solve\n the tremendously important, time-sensitive issue to fix the\n national debt,'' and suggested that readers further inform\n themselves at the Web site of the organization Fix the Debt.\n Let's parse that, shall we?\n First of all, it's true that we face a time-sensitive issue\n in the form of the fiscal cliff: unless a deal is reached, we\n will soon experience a combination of tax increases and\n spending cuts that might push the nation back into recession.\n But that prospect doesn't reflect a failure to ``fix the\n debt'' by reducing the budget deficit--on the contrary, the\n danger is that we'll cut the deficit too fast.\n How could someone as well connected as Mr. Schultz get such\n a basic point wrong? By\n\n[[Page E2025]]\n\n talking to the wrong people--in particular, the people at Fix\n the Debt, who've been doing their best to muddle the issue.\n For example, in a new fund-raising letter Maya MacGuineas,\n the organization's public face, writes of the need to ``make\n hard decisions when it comes to averting the `fiscal cliff'\n and stabilizing our national debt''--even though the problem\n with the fiscal cliff is precisely that it stabilizes the\n debt too soon. Clearly, Ms. MacGuineas was trying to confuse\n readers on that point, and she apparently confused Mr.\n Schultz too.\n More about Fix the Debt in a moment. Before I get there,\n however, let's move on to Mr. Schultz's misdiagnosis of the\n political problem we face.\n Look, it's true that elected politicians have been unable\n to ``come together and compromise.'' But saying that in\n generic form, and implying a symmetry between Republicans and\n Democrats, isn't just misleading, it's actively harmful.\n The reality is that President Obama has made huge\n concessions. He has already cut spending sharply, and has now\n offered additional big spending cuts, including a cut in\n Social Security benefits, while signaling his willingness to\n retain many of the Bush tax cuts, even for people with very\n high incomes. Taken as a whole, the president's proposals are\n arguably to the right of those made by Erskine Bowles and\n Alan Simpson, the co-chairmen of his deficit commission, in\n 2010.\n In return, the Republicans have offered essentially\n nothing. Oh, they say they're willing to increase revenue by\n closing loopholes--but they've refused to specify a single\n loophole they're willing to close. So if there's a breakdown\n in negotiations, the blame rests entirely with one side of\n the political divide.\n Given that reality, think about the effect when people like\n Mr. Schultz respond by blaming both sides equally. They may\n sound virtuously nonpartisan, but what they're actually doing\n is rewarding intransigence and extremism--which, in the\n current context, means siding with the G.O.P.\n I'm willing to believe that Mr. Schultz doesn't know what\n he's doing. The same can't be said, however, about Fix the\n Debt.\n You might not know it reading some credulous reporting, but\n Fix the Debt isn't some kind of new gathering of concerned\n citizens. On the contrary, it's just the latest addition to a\n group of deficit-scold shops supported by billionaire Peter\n Peterson, a group ranging from think tanks like the Committee\n for a Responsible Federal Budget to the newspaper The Fiscal\n Times. The main difference seems to be that this gathering of\n the usual suspects is backed by an impressive amount of\n corporate cash.\n Like all the Peterson-funded groups, Fix the Debt seems\n much more concerned with cutting Social Security and Medicare\n than with fighting deficits in general--and also not nearly\n as nonpartisan as it pretends to be. In its list of ``core\n principles,'' it actually calls for lower tax rates--a very\n peculiar position for people supposedly horrified by the\n budget deficit. True, the group calls for revenue increases\n via unspecified base broadening, that is, closing loopholes.\n But that's unrealistic. And it's also, as you may have\n noticed, the Republican position.\n What's happening now is that all the Peterson-funded groups\n are trying to exploit the fiscal cliff to push a benefit-\n cutting agenda that has nothing to do with the current\n crisis, using artfully deceptive language--as in that\n MacGuineas letter--to hide the bait and switch.\n Mr. Schultz apparently fell for the con. But the rest of us\n shouldn't.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2024", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "PERSONAL EXPLANATION", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "PERSONALEXPLAIN", "E2024", "E2024", "[{\"name\": \"Mike Pence\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2024", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2024]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n PERSONAL EXPLANATION\n\n ______\n\n HON. MIKE PENCE\n\n of indiana\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably absent on December 30, 2012\nand missed rollcall votes 649 through 651. Had I been present, I would\nhave voted ``aye'' on rollcall votes 649, 650, and 651.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2025-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "ALLOTHER", "E2025", "E2026", "[{\"name\": \"Mike Quigley\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2025", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Pages E2025-E2026]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)\n\n ______\n\n HON. MIKE QUIGLEY\n\n of illinois\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because in the coming week,\nmost of us will sit down to a holiday meal with our families, friends,\nand loved ones.\n And most of us will take this meal for granted.\n But for 46 million Americans who rely on nutrition assistance, this\nholiday meal is not a guarantee.\n The vast majority--more than 85 percent--of these 46 million\nAmericans are living in households making less than $22,000 for a\nfamily of four.\n And of those 46 million, half are children, and three-quarters are\nhouseholds that include an elderly person, a disabled person, or\nchildren.\n For these millions of families, food is not a certainty, and they\nstruggle each day to make ends meet.\n Sadly, due to the recession, an increasing number of Americans have\nlost their jobs and been forced to turn to the supplemental nutrition\nassistance program, or SNAP.\n As the number of unemployed Americans increased 94 percent between\n2007 and 2011, SNAP increased as well, rising 70 percent to meet\ndemand.\n At the food pantries in my district, pantry visits have increased\nbetween 8 and 30 percent from last year. While the economy is\nimproving, the number of individuals in need of assistance is still\nelevated.\n Rather than cutting food assistance right now, we should be\nbolstering it.\n Unfortunately, some members of this body have targeted food\nassistance, arguing it should be cut to balance the budget and avert\ncuts to defense.\n The Ryan budget proposed cutting SNAP by $133 billion.\n A cut of this magnitude would cut almost 10 million people off from\nfood aid, or would result in a benefit cut of $90 per month for a\nfamily of four.\n For a family with a net monthly income of $338--the average for most\nSNAP households--a $90 cut would be devastating.\n I agree with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle: We must\nreduce the deficit.\n\n[[Page E2026]]\n\n And that means raising revenues and implementing cuts.\n But both revenue increases and cuts must be strategic, not simple.\n The tax code should be simplified, tax expenditures should be\nscrutinized, and tax increases should be progressive.\n Similarly, spending reductions should be based on a reexamination of\nwhat we need to remain competitive in a global economy.\n For instance, we should continue to invest in education, job\ntraining, infrastructure, and yes food assistance to keep Americans\nsuccessful and competitive.\n We should cut outdated spending on defense expenditures, such as our\nout-sized nuclear stockpile and permanent troops in Europe.\n We should also reform our entitlements, such as Medicare, by paying\nproviders for outcomes and quality, combating waste and fraud, and\ndemanding higher rebates from drug companies.\n The truth is, food assistance comprises just two percent of the\nfederal budget.\n And contrary to the claims by the some that food assistance is\nunsustainable--SNAP is expected to drop from .52 percent of GDP in 2011\nto just .3 percent as the economy recovers. This is hardly an\nunsustainable trend.\n In fact, according to Moody's Analytics every $1 dollar invested in\nSNAP yields $1.72 in economic benefit.\n As we speak, negotiators are sitting down to determine what a final\ndeficit reduction package will look like.\n I hope that as they debate the final deal, and look forward to\nspending the holidays indulging with their families, they remember the\nmillions of families that aren't as lucky.\n I hope they remember the millions of children, parents, elderly, and\ndisabled Americans who rely on SNAP to avoid going hungry.\n I recently had the privilege of volunteering at the Greater Chicago\nFood Depository, which provides food to over half a million Chicagoans\nevery year.\n I met some of the folks who rely on SNAP and I heard their stories.\n And I can tell you, they are not takers.\n They are our friends and neighbors who have fallen on hard times and\nneed our help.\n I won't soon forget them, and I hope those crafting the deficit\nreduction package won't either."], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgE2025", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "HONORING VERNE D. RIDER", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "HONORING", "E2025", "E2025", "[{\"name\": \"Michael G. Fitzpatrick\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. E2025", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2025]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n HONORING VERNE D. RIDER\n\n ______\n\n HON. MICHAEL G. FITZPATRICK\n\n of pennsylvania\n\n in the house of representatives\n\n Monday, December 31, 2012\n\n Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of a\nman I have had the distinct privilege of serving with during my time\nrepresenting the people of Pennsylvania's 8th District, Verne D. Rider.\n With the conclusion of this 112th Congress, Verne will be retiring\nfor the fourth time, but I am sure it will not be his last.\n Albert Einstein once claimed that ``a life lived in service to others\nis worth living.'' If Mr. Einstein is correct, Verne Rider's continued\nlife of service to his country is an example to each of us a life worth\nliving.\n When his country called him for the first time, Verne dedicated\nhimself to decades of honorable service in the United States Air Force.\nDuring his proud military career, Verne flew missions over the fields\nof Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and the deserts of the Middle\nEast as part of operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield.\n To this day, Verne always takes note of when he or one of his co-\nworkers is dressed in their ``Air Force Blue''. A true patriot, Verne's\nservice in the Air Force is just one example of his drive to serve\nothers in any way he can.\n Upon retiring from his time in the military, Verne recognized an\nopportunity to continue his service, this time in the name of his\nfellow veterans, including those who found themselves homeless and in\nneed.\n As a generation of military men and women reaches retirement age,\nsome find themselves in need of assistance and guidance through a\ncomplex and often frustrating bureaucratic VA Benefits system.\n When I began putting together my office staff for my first term in\nCongress I could think of no one better than Verne Rider to provide 8th\nDistrict veterans with the help they needed. Whether that help comes in\nthe form of a phone call to the VA, a letter to a federal agency, or\noften times just a shoulder to lean on, Verne is always ready and\nwilling to do his best for his fellow veterans.\n During those first two years, Verne became a staple of the veteran\ncommunity in my home of Bucks County, and was known across the district\nas a true friend to veterans.\n Between my terms in Congress, Verne insisted on continuing his\nservice to his brothers in arms, and was able to fulfill a similar role\nfor the late Senator Arlen Specter.\n I was fortunate enough to have Verne return to office with me for the\n112th Congress and everywhere I go, the veterans of my district remind\nme how lucky I am to have someone like Verne Rider on my staff.\n While Verne's retirement from my office for the second time marks an\nimmediate loss to our organization, I have no doubt that this will not\nbe the last we see of Verne in service to our country.\n I know this because I am able to share one of my proudest\nachievements as a member of Congress with Verne. Together, with the\nefforts of local leaders and allies in Washington, Verne and I were\nable to bring a national cemetery to Bucks County, providing our\nveterans with a final resting place on the historic grounds of\nWashington Crossing, Pennsylvania.\n Verne's continued work with the Guardians of the Washington Crossing\nNational Cemetery will keep him firmly fixed in his position as a\ncommunity leader.\n After a lifetime of service to his country and its veterans, Verne\nwill continue to dedicate himself fully to the most important role of\nhis life as a loving husband, proud father and new grandfather.\n On behalf of myself, my staff, and the people of Pennsylvania's 8th\nCongressional District, I extend my sincerest gratitude to Verne D.\nRider for his decades of service to his country and to our community.\n We are all looking forward to seeing where your drive to serve others\ntakes you next.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH-FrontMatter", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "House of Representatives", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "FRONTMATTER", "H7471", "H7471", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7471", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7471]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S\n\nVol. 158\n\nWASHINGTON, MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2012\n\nNo. 171"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7471-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7471", "H7471", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7471", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7471]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following\ncommunication from the Speaker:\n\n Washington, DC,\n\n December 31, 2012.\n I hereby appoint the Honorable Gregg Harper to act as\n Speaker pro tempore on this day.\n John A. Boehner,\n Speaker of the House of Representatives.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7471-3", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "MORNING-HOUR DEBATE", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7471", "H7471", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7471", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7471]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n MORNING-HOUR DEBATE\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of\nJanuary 17, 2012, the Chair will now recognize Members from lists\nsubmitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning-hour debate.\n The Chair will alternate recognition between the parties, with each\nparty limited to 30 minutes and each Member other than the majority and\nminority leaders and the minority whip limited to 5 minutes each, but\nin no event shall debate continue beyond 9:50 a.m.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7471-4", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "THE FISCAL CLIFF", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7471", "H7471", "[{\"name\": \"Earl Blumenauer\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7471", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7471]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n THE FISCAL CLIFF\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from\nOregon (Mr. Blumenauer) for 5 minutes.\n Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, Congress is here on New Year's Eve with\nthe people they love: themselves, the special interests, and the\npolicies of the past.\n The overhyped fiscal cliff may well be upon us, and we will find $600\nbillion of deficit reduction with tax increases and spending cuts, and\nthen there will be the howls that we are doing it too abruptly from\nsome of the same people who demanded this system of expiring cuts and\nsequestration in the first place.\n Make no mistake. There will be some real damage. We will be squeezing\nsome people who deserve far better, and then we'll be scrambling to\nrefine the budget reductions in a way that makes sense. And some time\nin the hours, days, and weeks ahead, we will get a semibalanced small\nagreement, very likely, struggling throughout the new Congress with\nbudget bluster, especially in the House, moving from crisis to deadline\nto showdown.\n It's ironic because it doesn't need to be this hard. We could use the\npressure and revenue from expiring temporary tax cuts to enact tax\nreform to provide the money that a growing and aging American\npopulation needs, but do it in a simpler, fairer way. We could actually\nreduce entitlement spending on Medicare by accelerating the health care\nreform, which is what, in Oregon, we've committed to do in exchange for\nsome flexibility and some upfront funding. We have in place a program\ngoing forward that, if done on a national level, would save over $1\ntrillion over the next 10 years.\n We shouldn't be fooling around with patching an outmoded, unfair farm\nbill. Let's reform it to support family farmers and ranchers, beginning\nfarmers, especially those who grow food, not large agribusiness\nproducing heavily subsidized commodities. We can save money, protect\nthe environment, enhance wildlife, the experience for hunters and\nfishermen, and have a healthier America.\n The military is the greatest source of money. We can start with\n135,000 soldiers scattered in over 1,000 bases across the globe. We\nhave a nuclear arsenal where we are spending several hundred billion\ndollars on weapons we can't use, we don't need and can't afford.\n Mr. Speaker, the good news is that the public would support us in\nthese steps. The good news is that, if we ever got the chance to\nconsider them in a fair and open debate on the floor of the House, we\nwould find bipartisan support for each of these real saving options.\nThe good news is that, ultimately, we are going to take these steps,\nproving, once again, the wisdom of Winston Churchill when he observed\nthat you could always count on the Americans to do the right thing\nafter they have exhausted every other possibility.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7471-5", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "GOING OFF THE FISCAL CLIFF WITH POCKETS FULL OF SOMEONE ELSE'S MONEY", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7471", "H7472", "[{\"name\": \"Ted Poe\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7471", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7471-H7472]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n GOING OFF THE FISCAL CLIFF WITH POCKETS FULL OF SOMEONE ELSE'S MONEY\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from\nTexas (Mr. Poe) for 5 minutes.\n Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, ``We don't have a trillion-dollar debt\nbecause we haven't taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because\nwe spend too much.'' That was Ronald Reagan in 1982.\n President Reagan went on to lead America out of a recession, but\nhistory has a way of repeating itself. Somehow, Washington never gets\nthe message, and here we are, 30 years later on the brink of another\ncrisis on New Year's Eve, still addicted to spending money. Now we are\nover $16 trillion in debt. President Reagan's words and principles\nremain true today, and they were true when he said them: the problem is\nspending money.\n Mr. Speaker, the American people know this. Why doesn't the Federal\nGovernment and Congress understand it? Why? Because Washington is\nobsessed with spending someone else's money. It's the arrogance of\npower that Congress spends the people's money without regard to how\nthis obsession affects those very people.\n When American families are in debt, they sacrifice and they cut\nspending, whether that means taking one less\n\n[[Page H7472]]\n\nfamily vacation or fewer presents under the Christmas tree. Homes\nacross the fruited plain are feeling the pain of the economic squeeze\nin their wallets, and they adjust accordingly, because that's what\nhappens when times are tough. American families don't have a limited\ncredit card like Congress does.\n The people are angry because they wonder why reckless Washington\ncan't do the same. I hear that message every day from southeast Texans.\nThese citizens are wiser than the tax-and-spendocrats here in\nWashington, D.C. Let me share a few of those straight-talking Texans'\nwords with you.\n Michael says this:\n\n You can't have the cookies without the milk. Tax reform and\n spending cuts, not one without the other.\n\n Hubert from Baytown, Texas, says this:\n\n Our children and grandchildren will have to recover from\n reckless spending. Washington has a spending problem, not a\n taxing problem.\n\n Jeff says:\n\n You don't become fiscally responsible by continued\n increases in your credit card spending limit. Folks in\n Congress need to quit running from the hard choices and stop\n burying our children and grandchildren in debt.\n\n David from Humble, Texas, said this:\n\n This isn't really rocket science. Stop spending money we\n don't have, cut back on what we do spend, and stop sending\n money to our enemies.\n\n Now there's a novel idea.\n Paul from Beaumont said this:\n\n We do not have a revenue problem; instead, we have a\n spending problem.\n\n And it's been a spending problem for a long time.\n Larry said:\n\n If I'm out of cash, I stop spending. Perhaps Congress\n should do the same thing that I do in my house. When I don't\n have enough money, I quit spending. But Congress has its own\n printing press backed by the Chinese.\n\n Ashley says:\n\n Spending must be stopped. Just taking more from Americans\n will not fix this problem. Even if my direct taxes are not\n affected here, my employer's are. So what will that mean for\n me in the long run? I'm afraid I'm going to find out.\n\n Yes, Ashley, you're going to find out here on New Year's Eve.\n Jimmy from Crosby, Texas, says:\n\n I'm fed up with them never agreeing to a budget and\n spending like there is no tomorrow. This out-of-control\n action has got to stop.\n\n And, finally, Renee from Crosby, Texas, said:\n\n Please demand that spending be cut; fraud, waste, and abuse\n in government spending be addressed before any new taxes be\n forced upon hardworking Americans.\n\n Mr. Speaker, the American people, they actually do get it--at least\nthose people who work and pay taxes. The backbone of America--the\nworkers of America--say stop the spending obsession.\n Mr. Speaker, the problem is spending. We got here by spending too\nmuch, not by taxing too little. We're going off the cliff with our\npockets full of somebody else's money.\n And that's just the way it is.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7471", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "House of Representatives", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "CALLTOORDER", "H7471", "H7471", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7471", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7471]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n[[Page H7471]]\n\nHouse of Representatives\n\n The House met at 9 a.m. and was called to order by the Speaker pro\ntempore (Mr. Harper).\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7472-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "THE SGR NEEDS TO BE PATCHED NOW", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7472", "H7473", "[{\"name\": \"Tom Price\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7472", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7472-H7473]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n THE SGR NEEDS TO BE PATCHED NOW\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from\nGeorgia (Mr. Price) for 5 minutes.\n Mr. PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, in the late 1990s, Congress came\nup with a new formula to determine how much to pay doctors for taking\ncare of seniors in the Medicare program. It's called the ``sustainable\ngrowth rate,'' or the SGR. And like so many Washington solutions, it\ndoesn't work.\n Before coming to Congress, I was a doctor. I took care of patients\nfor over 20 years. I remember thinking at the time that the SGR program\nwas put into place, Well, that won't work. It's a house of cards. It's\ndestined to fail.\n Mr. Speaker, here we are. America's seniors are on the verge of\nlosing access to health care. Let me repeat that, Mr. Speaker.\nAmerica's seniors are on the verge of losing access to health care.\nHow? If Congress and President Obama don't act by January 1, tomorrow,\nMedicare payments to physicians will be reduced, will be cut by nearly\n27 percent. You see, Mr. Speaker, the fiscal cliff is more than just\nthe tax increases that President Obama so dearly wants.\n The effect of the SGR formula means that physicians who treat\nMedicare patients will be forced to limit the number of seniors that\nthey see, fewer patients being seen, doctors forced not to see patients\nbecause of foolish Washington policy. This jeopardizes health care for\nmillions of folks. The sustainable growth rate, the formula used by\nMedicare to determine physician reimbursement, needs to be repealed. It\ndoesn't work for patients, and it doesn't work for doctors. It's\ndestructive to the very principles that we hold dear about health care.\nIt violates accessibility, it violates quality, and it limits choices.\nIt harms real people.\n There are positive solutions that we're working on so that we may\nresponsibly reform this broken system. But while we work to put in\nplace a system that actually does make sense, we must provide certainty\nfor patients and their doctors for the new year.\n Mr. Speaker, slashing payments to doctors is a terrible idea, and it\nmust be stopped. The SGR needs to be patched now so that seniors may\ncontinue to see their doctors, and then we\n\n[[Page H7473]]\n\nshould move forward with real solutions that work for real people, not\njust for Washington bureaucrats.\n The sad thing about our current dysfunction in this town is that\npeople all across this country get harmed. It's not because of\nsomething that they did, but because of something that government did\nto them or forced them to do. It's time to let Americans be Americans,\nand in health care that means caring for each other and allowing\npatients and families and doctors to make medical decisions, not\nWashington.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7472", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "MIDNIGHT MAGIC", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7472", "H7472", "[{\"name\": \"Peter A. DeFazio\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7472", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7472]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n {time} 0910\n MIDNIGHT MAGIC\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from\nOregon (Mr. DeFazio) for 5 minutes.\n Mr. DeFAZIO. All but those in total denial--and there is a lot of\nthat inside the D.C. Beltway--would admit that we need a combination of\nincreased revenues, taxes--the gentleman before me disagrees--and\nspending cuts to restore fiscal stability. Especially with a still-weak\neconomy, we don't need blanket tax increases that would hit the\nhardworking families of the middle class, and we don't need brain-dead,\nacross-the-board spending cuts that mete out the same percentage cuts\nto wasteful and unneeded programs and high-functioning essential\nprograms. We can do better, and the American people deserve better.\n In that spirit, I offer the following ideas. Pick one of the numbers\nfloating out there. Let's restore the Clinton-era tax rates on income\nover $250,000, $400,000, $450,000. They are bargaining out there.\nWhatever. We are restoring the Clinton-era tax rates. We're not going\nback to Eisenhower. We're talking about Clinton-era tax rates for\nincome above that level.\n Restore the same Clinton-era tax rates on unearned income when there\nwere a lot more productive investments out there, delay the across-the-\nboard cuts for 30 days, give the new Congress a chance to make smarter,\ntargeted cuts of equal value, and fix the Medicare reimbursement so\nthat seniors aren't threatened in the middle of the month from not\nbeing able to get medical care, and extend unemployment. Come on, don't\nbe cruel to people who can't find jobs and want to find them, although\nsome on that side deny they're looking for work.\n It's not the specifics really that I want to talk about here. It's\nthe procedure. That's what will solve this because this is Washington.\nIt's not about reality.\n Now, here it is: the midnight magic plan. We begin debate at 10 p.m.\nFor the first 2 hours, everybody can go to their usual corners. The\nRepublicans could decry the increased taxes on job creators, on income\nover $250,000 or $400,000 or $450,000. The Republicans could stay true\nto their pledge to Grover Norquist to never, ever raise taxes for any\npurpose, never. Democrats could say it's not enough; it doesn't restore\ntax fairness. We could have the usual debate for 2 hours. At midnight\nwe stop, sing ``Auld Lang Syne,'' come together a little bit, and then\nthe midnight magic.\n Now, the same bill is cutting taxes for 98 percent of the working\npeople in the United States of America, the Democrats would have\nprotected Social Security and Medicare, and both sides get a chance\nover 30 days to legislate--God forbid we should legislate around here--\ntargeted cuts instead of the meat-axe approach to cutting spending. I\nthink that's the best we can do for the American people. We\ntransmogrify this bill with the magic of midnight from one that\nincreases taxes on the job creators--income over $250,000 or $450,000--\nto one that actually gives tax cuts to 98 percent of America, something\nboth sides can go home and brag about.\n No cliff.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7473-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "FISCAL CLIFF AND BUSH TAX CUT HISTORY", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7473", "H7473", "[{\"name\": \"Mo Brooks\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7473", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7473]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n {time} 0920\n FISCAL CLIFF AND BUSH TAX CUT HISTORY\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from\nAlabama (Mr. Brooks) for 5 minutes.\n Mr. BROOKS. Mr. Speaker, the Bush tax cuts' history illuminates why\nAmerican families face huge tax increases on January 1. The Bush tax\ncuts had two purposes. First, stimulate the economy, create jobs, cut\nunemployment, and cut the deficit. Second, cut taxes to help American\nfamilies take care of their own needs.\n In just 3 years, thanks to the Bush tax cuts, unemployment dropped\nfrom a high of 6.3 percent in 2003 to a low of 4.4 percent in 2006; 7\nmillion American jobs were created between 2003 and 2006.\n Most importantly and paradoxically to those who do not understand\neconomics, this robust economic growth cut America's deficit 60\npercent--from $413 billion in FY 2003-2004 to $161 billion in FY 2006-\n2007. By every economic measure, the Bush tax cuts were a spectacular\nsuccess.\n The Bush tax cuts, part 1, became law in 2001. Republican Congressmen\nand Senators voted 258-2--99 percent--to cut taxes and protect family\nincomes. In contrast, Democrat Congressmen and Senators who now say\nthey are for protecting family incomes voted 184-40--a whopping 81\npercent--against American families and for higher taxes.\n The Bush tax cuts, part 2, became law in 2003. Republican Congressmen\nand Senators voted 272-3--that's 99 percent--to cut taxes and protect\nfamily incomes. In contrast, Democrat Congressmen and Senators who now\nsay they are for protecting family incomes voted 245-9--an eye-popping\n96 percent--against American families and for higher taxes.\nUnfortunately, Senate Democrats had enough votes to prevent the Bush\ntax cuts from being permanent. But for these Senate Democrats, America\nwould not be facing a fiscal cliff today.\n President Obama and a radically different Congress, controlled by\nHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid,\nrevisited the Bush tax cuts. In two separate votes in February 2009 and\nDecember 2010, Democrats could have increased taxes on the wealthy if\nthey'd really believed what they now say.\n Did they raise taxes on the wealthy? No. Why not?\n Democrats could have permanently protected lower- and middle-income\nfamilies from higher taxes if Democrats had really believed what they\nnow say.\n Did they? No. Why not?\n Mr. Speaker, why would a Democrat Congress and White House say they\nwant to tax the wealthy but not do it?\n Why would a Democrat Congress and White House say they want permanent\ntax relief for lower- and middle-income taxpayers yet not give it?\n The answer is simple: Washington Democrats voted twice against tax\nincreases on the wealthy and twice voted against giving permanent tax\nrelief to lower- and middle-income families so that they could run\ncampaigns on base human emotions like greed, envy, and class warfare,\nand campaign against the very tax policies Democrats kept in place,\nthus deflecting attention from the Democrats' abysmal record on the\neconomy--trillion-dollar deficits and a $16 trillion national debt.\n To their credit, in 2012, their strategy worked. Democrats won the\nWhite House and the Senate. Ultimately, however, American voters will\nlearn from history and truth will prevail. Ultimately, the American\npeople will look at their property taxes, income taxes, estate taxes,\nsales taxes, and every other tax that they are being forced to pay, and\nthey will ask: Who taxes and undermines my ability to take care of my\nfamily?\n History proves Democrats raise taxes whenever they believe they can\nget away with it. Conversely, history proves that Republicans protect\nas many American families as possible from Democrat tax increases.\n Mr. Speaker, that is the fight the Republican House fights today.\nRepublicans will fight today and Republicans will fight tomorrow to\nprotect as many American families as possible from the tax increases\nDemocrats passed when they controlled Congress and the White House, and\nit is that difference, Mr. Speaker, that caused American voters to give\nRepublicans in the 2010 and 2012 elections their largest number of\nHouse of Representative victories in more than six decades.\n Fighting Democrat tax increases: now that's a mandate.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7473-3", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "A TIME OF PERSONAL REFLECTION", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7473", "H7474", "[{\"name\": \"Russ Carnahan\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7473", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7473-H7474]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n A TIME OF PERSONAL REFLECTION\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from\nMissouri (Mr. Carnahan) for 5 minutes.\n Mr. CARNAHAN. On this last day of the year and on one of the last\ndays of this 112th Congress, we are awaiting a fiscal deal that will\nstrengthen the fiscal health of this country. I want to take a few\nmoments to reflect on my service here in the House of Representatives\nand to personally thank many who helped me get here and to do the work\nof the people whom I represent and love in the State of Missouri.\n First, Mr. Speaker, Debra Carnahan, my wife but also an accomplished\nattorney, a former State and Federal prosecutor. She's really been the\nrock of our family and has been with me through the great highs and\ntough lows of this job. So I want to thank her.\n Also, our two great sons--Austin and Andrew--who have shared me with\nthousands of constituents for several years. They have grown into\namazing young men, young men who I think will, in their own rights,\nmake a difference as they work their way through their lives.\n Mr. Speaker, I want to also thank some of my amazing staff who are\ntoo numerous to name--dozens over many years--but there are four in\nparticular who worked with me through the entire 8 years that I served\nin this Congress: Jeremy Haldeman, who has\n\n[[Page H7474]]\n\nstaffed the Foreign Affairs Committee for me and the Oversight\nSubcommittee, and who has also been my chief of staff in the Washington\noffice; Jim McHugh, who has been my district director and longtime\nfriend and colleague in St. Louis; Suzanne Archer, who has been my\ndeputy director; and Kathy Waltz from Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, a\nformer mayor there but an invaluable part of our constituent outreach\nteam. There are many other staff members, but I thank those in\nparticular for their long and loyal service and for the difference they\nmake in so many people's lives.\n\n To the Missourians whom I've had the great honor to represent, I am\ngratified and humbled beyond belief to have been able to represent them\nin this U.S. House of Representatives for 8 years and to also have\nrepresented many in the State house of representatives for 4 years\nprior to that. In working with them and for them we've been able to get\nsome great things done on big national issues but also on important\nlocal issues back home.\n From ribbon cuttings and orange cones and construction signs all\nacross the St. Louis region to investments in our infrastructure, which\nhave created real jobs at home and have helped rebuild our region's\nroads, bridges, ports, lochs, dams, levees, flood walls, airports,\nhigh-speed rail, light rail, and our bus systems, those have made a\nreal difference in people's lives. It was the reason I got on the\nTransportation Committee in the first place. We had two of the most\ndeadly roads in America in Jefferson County, Missouri, and we got\nspecial funding to help rebuild those roads--to not only help their\neconomy but to save lives. Recently, our firefighters were able to\nobtain a Federal grant for special patrol boats-rescue boats on the\nMississippi River, which will serve the region for years to come.\n These kinds of investments are important, and I want to urge this new\nCongress that will be taking over in just a few days to pass a major\ntransportation bill. It's one of the best investments we can make in\nthis country in order to continue to grow this economy.\n We've seen after growing out of this Great Recession over the last\nfew years the Recovery Act passed, the auto industry saved, major Wall\nStreet reforms passed, health care reform passed, and stem cell\nresearch measures adopted in unprecedented bipartisan ways. I'll never\nforget the mothers with their young children who were sitting in my\noffice the day that the health care bill was approved. There was not a\ndry eye in the room because all of their kids had preexisting\nconditions. Because of the new health care law, that cannot be the case\nanymore. I was also proud to serve on our House Foreign Affairs\nCommittee and to chair the international organization's committee, so I\njust want to urge this Congress to take on the needed reforms to make\nthis Congress work better for the American people.\n In closing, we recently greeted World War II veterans here at the\nmonument built in their honor. They said that this Congress needed to\ntake on the spirit they had in World War II--to put the country first\nand to put our differences aside--and that we could achieve great\nthings.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7473", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "IN RECOGNITION OF DEDICATED STAFF", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "RECOGNIZING", "H7473", "H7473", "[{\"name\": \"Jason Altmire\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7473", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7473]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n IN RECOGNITION OF DEDICATED STAFF\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from\nPennsylvania (Mr. Altmire) for 5 minutes.\n Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, on this last day of 2012, I want to take a\nmoment to highlight the work of a number of hardworking Federal\nemployees, people who serve with distinction, but often without the\ncredit they deserve. All of us in the House have dedicated staff who,\nthough unheralded, are committed to their country and the constituents\nthey serve. Without them, we could never do our jobs, and I want to\nthank those who have worked for me over the past 6 years:\n Susan and Ed Anfinson, Lin Banks, Mark Perkins, Noel Warren, and the\ngreat George Greenfield. They were all shared employees that we shared\nwith other offices. Then we have our full-time employees: Ben Barasky,\nOlivia Benson, Evan Brennan, Mike Butler, Julie Cain, Richard Carbo,\nJennifer Dale, Nick Demicheli, Michelle Dorothy, Serronn Emerson, Jim\nFerruchie, Dori Friedberg, Jesse Haladay, Angela Hayden, Kathleen\nJanoski, Carolyn Kahler, Rachel Kaufman, Erik Komendant, Jennifer\nKraus, Chris Lombardi, Cody Lundquist, Greg Malinak, Caitlin Mathis,\nStephanie Bone, Tess Mullen, Beth Newman, Bennett Reed, Nathan\nRobinson, Emily Schmitt, Mariel Schwartz, Abby Silverman, Lee Slater,\nShannon Smith, Christina Stacey, P.J. Tabit, Alexandra Taylor, Nikki\nTesla, Randy Stapleford and John Galanski--the two best veteran\nconstituent service reps you could ever want--Sharon Werner, Rachael\nHeisler, and Cara Toman.\n Mr. Speaker, all of them were loyal to the district, and I read their\nnames into the Record to thank them for their service and loyalty to\nme, but especially for their service to the district.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7474-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "BELARUS", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7474", "H7475", "[{\"name\": \"John Shimkus\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7474", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7474-H7475]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n BELARUS\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from\nIllinois (Mr. Shimkus) for 5 minutes.\n Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, it's good to come down for morning-hour,\nespecially today, to hear my colleagues come down and thank staff and\npeople who've been important in their lives, especially in their\ncareers. Jason Altmire, what a great job he did thanking his staff. My\nfriend, Russ Carnahan from across the Mississippi River, thanking\nfamily, wife, sons, and staff. For the work we do here, too frequently,\nmany go unappreciated.\n\n[[Page H7475]]\n\n But, Mr. Speaker, I did break the code on why we're here so late\ntoday. I know a lot of people want to know. We can blame Jay Pierson\nfor that. Jay is retiring today. This is his last day, and we wanted to\nmake sure that we got the last ounce of flesh and blood from him. So if\nthe American people want to know why we're here, it's Jay Pierson's\nfault.\n Jay Pierson is Speaker Boehner's floor assistant. He obviously\ncarries around a copy of Jefferson's Manual. He has been a servant of\nthe House of Representatives for 34 years. He's a truly dedicated\npublic servant. I thank him for his friendship and his support to this\nbody and especially to me personally.\n Mr. Speaker, I also wanted to take time out, as I do, to speak about\ndemocratic movements around the world, especially in the former captive\nnations of Eastern Europe, and remember those who are jailed just\nbecause they want political freedoms and liberties.\n Two years ago after the brutal and bloody crackdown on peaceful\ndemonstrations after the 2010 presidential elections, the human rights\nof ordinary Belarusian citizens continue to be violated by the\nLukashenko government. One candidate who ran against Lukashenko during\nthat election, Nikolai Statkevich, remains in jail. The other jailed\ncandidate, Andrei Sannikov, was pardoned earlier this year and is in\nexile in Britain. Ales Byalyatski, the head of Viasna Human Rights\nCenter, also remains imprisoned after being convicted to a 4\\1/2\\-year\njail sentence for trumped-up charges of tax evasion. These are two of\n12 political prisoners who today remain behind bars under deplorable\nprison conditions in Belarus.\n The general human rights situation in Belarus has not improved since\nthe events of 2010, despite international condemnation and sanctions on\nthe regime. In its 2012 report, Freedom House ranked Belarus as ``not\nfree'' in the categories of civil liberties and political rights, and\nBelarus ranked 193 out of 197 countries on Freedom House's 2012 press\nfreedom index. The Reporters Without Borders press freedom index ranks\nBelarus 168 out of 179 countries.\n Laws have passed that regulate demonstrations and political\ninformation, stifling freedom of assembly. Independent journalists and\npolitical activists are under a constant threat of intimidation and\narbitrary detention.\n Belarus held parliamentary elections on September 23, 2012.\nUnsurprisingly, the elections failed to meet international standards\nand were widely condemned as not free or fair. While some democratic\nopposition parties boycotted the elections, the candidates who did\nattempt to run were denied registration by election authorities,\nintimidated, and given unfair access to media resources. No opposition\nfigures were elected to the 110-seat legislature. Official turnout was\nreported as 74.3 percent, although observers claim the turnout was\ncloser to 30 percent of eligible voters.\n Belarus remains mired in its worst financial crisis since\nindependence, which has put Lukashenko under increasing pressure. In\nthe past month, he has reshuffled several top figures in his government\nand made some controversial economic decisions that have been met with\ncriticism in the international community. This includes signing a\npresidential decree making it illegal for workers in Belarus' wood\nprocessing industry to quit their jobs, and announcing that Belarus\nwould begin shifting its exporting business from ports in the Baltic to\nRussian ports. This will only strain the relationship between Belarus\nand its democratic neighbors and increase Russia's stronghold on key\nBelarusian markets.\n\n {time} 0940\n\n Belarus already depends on Russia for nearly all its energy supplies.\nThe United States and the European Union must remain united, impose\neconomic sanctions, and have a single plan for action regarding the\npromotion of democratic process in Belarus.\n So again, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this time coming down, and I wish\neverybody a Happy New Year.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7474", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "FISCAL CLIFF", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7474", "H7474", "[{\"name\": \"Robert J. Dold\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7474", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7474]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n {time} 0930\n FISCAL CLIFF\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from\nIllinois (Mr. Dold) for 5 minutes.\n Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I want to first start off by thanking my\nfriend from Missouri for his service and working with him on\nlegislation in the past.\n Just to pick up on what he said about our World War II heroes, we do\nneed to put the country first. I think that certainly we're here on New\nYear's Eve and we're upon the fiscal cliff. What we do need to focus on\nis how do we find that common ground, because what we do know is I\nbelieve Democrats and Republicans alike want to put our country on a\ncourse to some fiscal discipline--we hope. Is there a course where we\ncan find enough common ground to move it forward so that we don't have\na downgrade, so that we don't spike unemployment, so that the markets\ndon't go down.\n Mr. Speaker, I'm a small business owner. I employ 100 people. For me,\nit's 100 families. I meet a budget and a payroll. What they're looking\nfor when I talk to people back home, they're looking for some\nstability, they're looking for certainty, and what we're doing here is\nnot providing any of those things. And yet I do believe that there is a\nspirit of comity that we want to find that common ground and move\nforward.\n I'm sorry that we're here on New Year's Eve and that we haven't\nsolved this problem long ago. I will say, Mr. Speaker, that the House\ndid send a bill in August over to the United States Senate. Going back\nto my time as a small business owner, I can just tell you, if I'd given\nsomething to one of the people that I work with, marked it ``urgent''\nand put it on their desk months ago and it sat for month after month\nafter month, something would be wrong. Well, in essence, Mr. Speaker,\nthat's exactly what we've done. We sent something over to the United\nStates Senate months ago, marked it ``urgent'' because this is talking\nabout the direction, the fiscal direction of our Nation, and yet\nnothing is coming back.\n Unfortunately, Washington works on brinksmanship. We don't want\nbrinksmanship; we want stability. The world is watching, and we need to\nfocus on the common ground to move things forward. We want to make sure\nthat we can keep tax rates low. We want to make sure that we can bring\nadditional revenue into the Federal Government. I believe that's going\nto be through growth. That's going to be sparking the American spirit,\nthat entrepreneurial spirit across our country to bring more dollars\ninto the Federal Treasury, to get more people back to work.\n The thing that's amazing, Mr. Speaker, is there's a lack of\nleadership, a lack of leadership here in Washington, D.C., that's\npalpable. We need to move forward.\n During the budget season, those on the other side of the aisle,\nmyself, some of my colleagues on my side of the aisle, put forth a\nbudget, the first bipartisan budget in a generation, based upon the\nSimpson-Bowles plan, talking about the need to bring additional revenue\nin, talking about the need to put spending cuts out there because\nWashington has this sense of spending, Mr. Speaker. Republicans have\noverspent; Democrats have overspent. I'm not here to point the finger.\nWhat I am looking for is a solution to the problems we face. My hope is\nthat we can get those done today. The American people demand it, the\nAmerican people need it, and the world is looking to America for\nleadership.\n Mr. Speaker, on a different note, I want to rise today to recognize\nan extraordinary lady, a great American, one who raised four children\nand instilled in them a love of family and country, taught those around\nher the idea that your integrity determines your identity. In fact, she\ngave me that plaque, and it hangs in my room today.\n I want to say it again, Mr. Speaker, because I think it is so very,\nvery important: Your integrity determines your identity.\n She also instilled a fantastic work ethic in those around her. A\nteacher, first of special needs children, then in English as a high\nschool English teacher for a number of years, she left the teaching\nprofession to have a family and then became an entrepreneur. She went\ninto the private sector, helped people get jobs, put food on the table\nfor families, and helped those families get an education.\n Mr. Speaker, this great American lady celebrates a birthday today.\nI'm sorry that I'm not with her, but I am in spirit. Happy birthday,\nMom.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7475-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "RECESS", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7475", "H7475", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7475", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7475]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n RECESS\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the\nChair declares the House in recess until 10 a.m. today.\n Accordingly (at 9 o'clock and 41 minutes a.m.), the House stood in\nrecess.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7475-3", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "AFTER RECESS", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7475", "H7475", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7475", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7475]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n {time} 1000\n AFTER RECESS\n\n The recess having expired, the House was called to order by the\nSpeaker pro tempore (Mrs. Emerson) at 10 a.m.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7475-4", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "PRAYER", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "PRAYER", "H7475", "H7475", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7475", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7475]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n PRAYER\n\n The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick J. Conroy, offered the following\nprayer:\n Loving God, we give You thanks for giving us another day.\n On this last day of 2012, forget not Your people. There are many\ndifferences plaguing our Nation's discourse. Please send wisdom upon\nthe leaders serving in government and goodwill among all the principals\nin current negotiations.\n We thank You for the service of so many who work every day in this\nbuilding, whose labor provides the lubrication for the very public\nactions of the Members of this assembly. Though each deserves special\nmention, bless especially this day Jay Pierson, who works his last day\nof 34 years of faithful service on the floor of the House.\n May all that is done this day be for Your greater honor and glory.\n Amen.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7475-5", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "THE JOURNAL", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "HJOURNAL", "H7475", "H7475", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7475", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7475]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n THE JOURNAL\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair has examined the Journal of the\nlast day's proceedings and announces to the House her approval thereof.\n Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7475-6", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "PLEDGE", "H7475", "H7475", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7475", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7475]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the gentleman from New York (Mr.\nHiggins) come forward and lead the House in the Pledge of Allegiance.\n Mr. HIGGINS led the Pledge of Allegiance as follows:\n\n I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of\n America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation\n under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7475-7", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "HANNOUNCEMENT", "H7475", "H7476", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7475", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7475-H7476]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair will entertain up to 15 requests\n\n[[Page H7476]]\n\nfor 1-minute speeches on each side of the aisle.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7475", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "FAREWELL TO THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7475", "H7475", "[{\"name\": \"Tim Scott\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7475", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7475]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n FAREWELL TO THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from\nSouth Carolina (Mr. Scott) for 5 minutes.\n Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say\nfarewell to the House.\n I first want to say thank you to the wonderful people of the South\nCarolina coast. From Myrtle Beach to my hometown of North Charleston to\nHilton Head, your support over the last 3 years has truly humbled me\nand inspired me.\n I also want to thank my friends, my colleagues, and the members of\nthe South Carolina delegation: Mr. Clyburn, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Duncan, Mr.\nGowdy, and Mr. Mulvaney. We have a great group who truly understands we\nare here to represent the great State of South Carolina and the\ncitizens of America, and I thank them all for their friendship.\n Finally, I'd like to thank all of my colleagues here in the House. We\nmay not always agree on things, but we are here for a reason: to try\nand make this Nation better.\n As I prepare to move to the United States Senate, it is that belief\nthat makes me incredibly optimistic about our future. The battles of\ntoday will, in the future, be seen as a positive turning point for our\nNation, where we got our fiscal house back in order and revitalized the\nAmerican Dream for our children and our grandchildren.\n I look forward to continuing to serve the residents of South\nCarolina, some of the most passionate people in the Nation. And I will\nnever forget my time here in the people's House, where we worked every\nsingle day to build a brighter future for our Nation.\n Thank you.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7476-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7476", "H7476", "[{\"name\": \"Dennis J. Kucinich\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HJRES\", \"number\": \"100\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HJRES\", \"number\": \"100\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7476", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7476]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE\n\n (Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given permission to address the House for\n1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)\n Mr. KUCINICH. The question settling over this Capitol as we face the\nfiscal cliff is: How can this be happening? It's hyperpartisanship\nmeets Citizens United. America's politics are so saturated with money\nand so politically polarized that the system cannot function to meet\nits obligations to keep the government running. But make no mistake\nabout it--government does work. It's working for Pentagon contractors,\nfor arms manufacturers, for oil companies, for coal companies. It's\nworking for those who want to hold down wages and suppress the rights\nof workers. It's working for drug companies whose sweetheart deal on\nprescription drugs blew a hole in the Medicare budget.\n The apparent dysfunctionality of government masks the reality that\nthe tax resources of government increasingly are going to the highest\nbidders in a $4 billion national election. The debris at the bottom of\nthe fiscal cliff will be the wrecked hopes of doctors and Medicare\npatients, unemployed workers who can't protect their families, and\nmiddle class taxpayers who just can't pay any more. Our Nation's pose\nat the fiscal cliff is proof of the necessity of a constitutional\namendment, H.J. Res. 100, to rid this Nation of the corrupting\ninfluence of special interest money with public financing, which\nrecreates a true government of the people.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7476-3", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "FACTS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE ABOUT THE FISCAL CLIFF", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7476", "H7476", "[{\"name\": \"Pete Olson\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7476", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7476]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n FACTS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE ABOUT THE FISCAL CLIFF\n\n (Mr. OLSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1\nminute and to revise and extend his remarks.)\n Mr. OLSON. Madam Speaker, I want to give the American people seven\nfacts about our fiscal crisis.\n Fact number one: we have a $16 trillion national debt that's expected\nto go up to over $22 trillion before President Obama leaves office.\n Fact number two: Washington's problem is not revenue. It's\nuncontrolled spending.\n Fact number three: in less than 14 hours, automatic tax hikes will\ngive Washington more money to spend.\n Fact number four: the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says\nthese automatic tax hikes threaten to put us back into another\nrecession.\n Fact number five: the House has done its job to avoid this crisis by\npassing a bipartisan bill to stop the tax hikes.\n Fact number six: the Senate, with the President's approval, has\nrefused to take up this bill.\n Fact number seven: we've done our job in the House. It's time for the\nSenate to do their job before the clock strikes midnight.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7476-4", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "REAL EFFECTS OF GOING OVER THE FISCAL CLIFF", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7476", "H7476", "[{\"name\": \"Brian Higgins\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7476", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7476]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n REAL EFFECTS OF GOING OVER THE FISCAL CLIFF\n\n (Mr. HIGGINS asked and was given permission to address the House for\n1 minute.)\n Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, at midnight tonight, the Budget Control\nAct of 2011 and sequestration will trigger spending cuts of $1.2\ntrillion over 10 years, including $109 billion in 2013. We'll have 8.2\npercent, or $54 billion, in domestic spending cuts funding to the\nNational Cancer Institute that supports clinical trials for new cancer\ntreatments. If you're a patient at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in\nBuffalo and you're diagnosed with late-stage cancer, you don't have the\nluxury of time that these cuts demand. That's what sequestration means\nto cancer patients in Buffalo and throughout the Nation.\n We'll have 9.4 percent, or $55 billion, cut in defense spending. What\ndoes it mean to my community of Buffalo and western New York? MOOG, a\nworld leader in motion control technology with a thriving defense unit,\na $2.5 billion company that employs 8,400 people, takes a major hit.\nThat's what sequestration means to the defense industry in Buffalo and\nthroughout the Nation.\n Madam Speaker, sequestration cannot be viewed in the abstractions of\nWashington and this institution. Its real consequences will be felt\nhard by real people in real communities throughout this Nation,\nincluding in Buffalo and western New York.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7476-5", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "PASS A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO AVERT THE FISCAL CLIFF", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7476", "H7476", "[{\"name\": \"David N. Cicilline\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7476", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7476]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n PASS A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO AVERT THE FISCAL CLIFF\n\n (Mr. CICILLINE asked and was given permission to address the House\nfor 1 minute.)\n Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, the 112th Congress has been defined as\nthe least productive Congress in recent memory. And now we run the risk\nof being the Congress whose action will cause real harm to our\ncountry's economic future. The American people have consistently said\nthey want Republicans and Democrats to act like adults and work\ntogether on the challenges we face. And yet here we are again, facing a\ncritical financial deadline with no agreement in place to avert the so-\ncalled fiscal cliff and to protect seniors, middle class families, and\nbusiness owners while we reduce our debt. There's just too much at\nstake right now for this Congress to keep playing the games of\nbrinksmanship and partisan politics.\n Over the last 10 years, as I've met with Rhode Islanders from\nWoonsocket to Newport and everywhere in between, I've heard one clear\nmessage: now is the time for those of us who serve in this Chamber to\nget this hard work done on behalf of the men and women who sent us\nhere. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to spend\nless time assigning blame to each other and instead pass a\ncomprehensive plan that averts the fiscal cliff, cuts our debt, and\nprotects middle class families, seniors, and small business owners.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7476-6", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "PUT DOWN THOSE GUNS", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7476", "H7477", "[{\"name\": \"Frederica S. Wilson\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7476", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7476-H7477]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n PUT DOWN THOSE GUNS\n\n (Ms. WILSON of Florida asked and was given permission to address the\nHouse for 1 minute.)\n Ms. WILSON of Florida. Today is New Year's Eve. While we debate going\nover the fiscal cliff at midnight, there are people somewhere in\nAmerica planning to shoot their guns in celebration at midnight. Put\ndown those guns. Millions of people have died or been injured due to\nthis dangerous celebratory custom. Put down those guns.\n If I were in my district of Miami today, I would be participating in\na press conference that we started 10 years ago, calling an end to this\ndeadly custom. As a result, celebratory gunfire has largely disappeared\nfrom our county. It is a result of repeated demands and media events\nover and over again. Now people get it. Remember, what goes up must\ncome down. Bullets are no exception. Instead, hug your kids. Light a\ncandle. Resolve to sell your gun in the next community gun buy-back\ninitiative. Say a prayer for\n\n[[Page H7477]]\n\nall of the precious children who have lost their lives to gun violence\nin our Nation, especially those babies we lost most recently in\nConnecticut.\n Put down those guns. Don't even think about it. Because one bullet--\njust one bullet--will kill the party. Please, America, put down those\nguns.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7476", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "BIG SPENDING LEADS TO FISCAL CLIFF", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7476", "H7476", "[{\"name\": \"Joe Wilson\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7476", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7476]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n BIG SPENDING LEADS TO FISCAL CLIFF\n\n (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to\naddress the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)\n Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, at midnight tonight, our\nNation is scheduled to fall off the fiscal cliff, because the Augusta\nChronicle editorial of December 2 is correct:\n\n It's that stubborn adherence to big spending that's\n powering the momentum toward the fiscal cliff. And halting\n big spending is what's going to stop it.\n\n Over the past year, House Republicans have passed effective\nbipartisan legislation to prevent the entire fiscal cliff.\nUnfortunately, these bills remain stalled in the Senate graveyard. This\nfact makes it very clear that House Republicans have addressed this\nissue, and Speaker John Boehner is holding firm for fiscal\nresponsibility.\n With only a few hours to go, it's my hope the Senate will accept one\nof the House proposals and send legislation back to the House, which\nwill attempt to tackle Washington's out-of-control spending, extend tax\ncuts for all Americans, and prevent the devastating defense budget cuts\nbefore it is too late and hundreds of thousands of jobs are destroyed.\n In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget\nSeptember the 11th in the global war on terrorism.\n Congratulations, Jay Pierson, for your years of service.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7477-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "AVOIDING THE FISCAL CLIFF", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7477", "H7477", "[{\"name\": \"Eddie Bernice Johnson\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7477", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7477]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n AVOIDING THE FISCAL CLIFF\n\n (Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to\naddress the House for 1 minute.)\n Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to\nimplore the House GOP leadership to address the looming fiscal cliff.\nWe have only a few hours left, and we owe it to the American people to\nfind a solution, pass legislation, and send it to the President for his\nsignature tonight.\n There is too much at stake to let this critical situation devolve\ninto the same politics as usual that we have seen throughout this\nCongress. The consequences of failure or inaction are dire. According\nto the Congressional Budget Office, going over the cliff would raise\nthe unemployment rate from 7.9 to 9.1 percent in 2013. We would also\nsee devastating cuts to programs that pay for education, food\ninspection, and air travel safety, nearing $55 billion.\n Madam Speaker, there is no more time, and the American people are\ndepending on us for a solution to avoid this fiscal cliff.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7477-3", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "SENATE NEEDS TO GET TO WORK", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7477", "H7477", "[{\"name\": \"Steve Scalise\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7477", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7477]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n SENATE NEEDS TO GET TO WORK\n\n (Mr. SCALISE asked and was given permission to address the House for\n1 minute.)\n Mr. SCALISE. Madam Speaker, here we are on New Year's Eve working to\navoid this latest fiscal cliff. Of course, if you wonder why we're\nhere, just look at the fact that we shouldn't have to be here.\n Back on August 1, this House, with a bipartisan vote, passed a bill\nthat would have avoided this fiscal cliff. It would have protected\nevery American family from seeing a tax increase. The bill passed on\nAugust 1, and it's been sitting over in the Senate every day since\nthen. But here we are on New Year's Eve, and the Senate is finally\nrolling up their sleeves and working to avoid this crisis.\n Well, here we are at another crisis, and, unfortunately, as we look\ntowards this New Year tomorrow, this is not the last time that we may\nbe here. We passed a budget here in the House months ago. It's been\nmore than 3 years since the Senate passed a budget, yet months from now\nwe'll be hearing another cliff approaching of a government shutdown\nbecause the Senate hasn't passed a budget.\n It's time for the Senate to start doing their work and stop creating\nthese crises and forcing American families to wonder what's going to\nhappen next and what's going to be the next crisis. We should not have\nany American family facing a tax increase. Let's get the American\neconomy on track.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7477-4", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "FISCAL CLIFF DEADLINE", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7477", "H7477", "[{\"name\": \"John A. Yarmuth\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7477", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7477]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n FISCAL CLIFF DEADLINE\n\n (Mr. YARMUTH asked and was given permission to address the House for\n1 minute.)\n Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, the American people are looking at\nCongress with disdain--and rightfully so. With the deadline on the\nfiscal cliff only hours away, we have failed to reach a reasonable\ncompromise to move the economy forward and ward off painful tax hikes\non the middle class.\n The majority of Americans have sent us a clear message of what they\nwant--a fair tax system, an economy that works for everyone, and a\nstrong social safety net. These are classic American values, and\nthroughout our history Members of both parties have made compromises in\norder to protect them. Those compromises reflect not just the will of\nthe people but the way normal people do business.\n Every day of their lives American workers solve problems and\ncollaborate with their coworkers to meet objectives. They don't get to\nwait until after the deadline passes to get the job done; if they do,\nthey lose their jobs. The American people can't just go home if they\ndon't get their way. And yet that's exactly what House Republican\nleadership did earlier this month. I hope it's not what they plan to do\nagain this week.\n Madam Speaker, if my colleagues don't wake up and respond to what the\nAmerican people want, they will be the ones to ultimately lose their\njobs--and rightfully so.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7477-5", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "FISCAL CLIFF", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7477", "H7477", "[{\"name\": \"Colleen Hanabusa\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7477", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7477]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n FISCAL CLIFF\n\n (Ms. HANABUSA asked and was given permission to address the House for\n1 minute.)\n Ms. HANABUSA. Madam Speaker, when Chairman Bernanke first coined the\nphrase the ``fiscal cliff,'' he was really describing the perfect\nstorm. The fiscal cliff is not only sequestration, the impact of the\nBudget Control Act, but also includes and is not limited to the\nexpiration of the Bush tax cuts, unemployment insurance, the SGR, the\nAMT patch, the debt limit, other tax provisions. Ergo the perfect\nstorm--major issues that this Republican-controlled House will not\naddress until the wealthy are protected.\n We must address a sufficient number of these provisions to avert the\nperfect storm. To do so, we must look to the building of public\nconfidence so that we can continue steady growth in the economy and\njobs, the true way to avert the cliff. This is why we must do what is\nbest for the middle and working class first: extend the Bush taxes for\nthe middle class, extend unemployment insurance, SGR, the AMT patch,\ndelay the sequestration--those items which we can all agree upon. We've\ngot to get to work.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7477-6", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "IMPENDING FISCAL CLIFF", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7477", "H7478", "[{\"name\": \"Paul Tonko\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7477", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7477-H7478]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n IMPENDING FISCAL CLIFF\n\n (Mr. TONKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1\nminute and to revise and extend his remarks.)\n Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, well, here we are on the last day of\ncalendar year 2012 with an impending fiscal cliff challenging all of\nus.\n The women and men who serve in this great body assemble and express\ngreat differences, but those differences ought not divide us; they\nshould build us with the best consensus.\n We need a bold and balanced approach to this fiscal cliff. We need to\nmake certain that the 33 consecutive months of private sector job\ngrowth are not disrupted. We need to make certain that the unemployment\nrate does not rise as the CBO, the Congressional Budget Office,\nsuggests, to 9.1 percent. We need to avoid taxes growing by $2,200 for\nan average family of four in 2013. That's what's impending here. It is\nimportant for us to go forward and take the initiative and avoid the\nconsequences of that fiscal cliff.\n I'm concerned because FEMA, as an example, would be cut by some $878\nmillion. Having witnessed the destruction in my district, we can ill-\nafford that. Cuts to nutrition programs, cuts\n\n[[Page H7478]]\n\nto Medicare. I implore our leadership in this House, bring a bold and\nbalanced approach to solve our fiscal cliff crisis here today.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7477", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "WORK TOGETHER FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7477", "H7477", "[{\"name\": \"Donna M. Christensen\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7477", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7477]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n {time} 1010\n WORK TOGETHER FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR\n\n (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to address the House\nfor 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)\n Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. It will be very hard to wish the American people\nhappy New Year unless this Congress reaches and passes an agreement\nthat keeps taxes from going up on the 98 percent who have already had\nto sacrifice during the recession, that extends unemployment, enables\ndoctors to continue to care for their Medicare beneficiaries, fixes the\nAMT, provides disaster recovery money to help our fellow Americans, and\npasses the farm bill.\n Democrats agreed last year to $1.5 trillion in cuts over the next 10\nyears, which are already in place. President Obama offered several\nconcessions. Now Republicans need to give up at least an equal amount\non the revenue side.\n And right now--but definitely early in 2013--my constituents in the\nVirgin Islands need relief from the highest energy costs in the country\nand a fair Medicaid match so that everyone can have access to quality\nhealth care.\n Whatever partisan differences we have and the Republicans have with\nour President, let's set them aside as this difficult year comes to a\nclose and work together to give our constituents a happy New Year.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7478-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "PASS THE SENATE SUPPLEMENTAL", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7478", "H7478", "[{\"name\": \"Carolyn B. Maloney\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7478", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7478]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n {time} 1020\n PASS THE SENATE SUPPLEMENTAL\n\n (Mrs. MALONEY asked and was given permission to address the House for\n1 minute.)\n Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, it has now been 9 weeks since Superstorm\nSandy swept across the east coast. Twenty-four U.S. States were in some\nway affected by Sandy. The storm killed at least 131 people in eight\nStates. Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses were damaged or\ndestroyed. The unprecedented disaster caused billions of dollars in\nloss and economic disruption.\n Just 2 weeks after Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast, this\nCongress approved more than $62 billion in Federal aid to help the\ndevastated area get back on its feet. After Hurricanes Ike and Gustav\nhit in 2008, a supplemental appropriations bill passed this Congress\noverwhelmingly. All of these aid packages were approved by strong\nbipartisan majorities in both Chambers.\n The needs were obvious and the speed imperative. We need to pass the\nSenate supplemental. Nothing has changed. That is what we did for\nothers. That's what we need to do to help this devastated area.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7478-3", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7478", "H7478", "[{\"name\": \"Marcy Kaptur\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7478", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7478]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS\n\n (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1\nminute and to revise and extend her remarks.)\n Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, my hope is that tonight we will do what is\nright for the Republic and pass a responsible measure dealing with\nspending and our debt. But there's another cliff tonight at midnight\nthat should concern the millions of homeowners who have forgone their\nmortgage foreclosure reviews. They have a deadline of midnight tonight\nas reported by USA Today yesterday on the front page of the business\nsection. It's important to millions of Americans who literally could\nreceive up to $100,000 in compensation because of mistakes that were\nmade by servicers in the processing of those loans.\n So, I would like to tell people who might have had foreclosures\nfacing their families in 2009 and 2010, they can call 888-952-9105 or\ngo to the Web site IndependentForeclosureReview.com.\n The Office of Comptroller of the Currency will help them review those\nmortgage foreclosures. Far too many Americans, millions, 4 million to\nbe exact, have received these notices, but only a little over 300,000\nhave replied. Millions of people could have those mortgages reviewed\nand perhaps receive compensation and hang onto their houses.\n Again, that phone number is 888-952-9105. Let's help the millions of\nAmericans who have been harmed with their mortgages by irresponsible\nservicers.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7478-4", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "FISCAL CLIFF", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7478", "H7478", "[{\"name\": \"Gerald E. Connolly\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7478", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7478]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n FISCAL CLIFF\n\n (Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia asked and was given permission to address\nthe House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)\n Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, the start of a new year is\nsupposed to be a joyous occasion. It is time to reflect on the past\nyear, to take pride in our accomplishments and learn from our stumbles.\nThere's a novel thought.\n Similarly, the start of a new Congress offers us an opportunity to\nlook forward with hope and aspiration for the opportunity to work\ntogether--again, a novel thought--to deliver on behalf of those who\nhave put their trust in us.\n Let's not pull the rug out from underneath both of those things\nbefore they've even had a chance to begin. The start of the new year\nand the new Congress do not have to be colored by the partisanship\nthat's characterized the past year. There is a last-minute absolution\nto be had if we can seize the spirit of the season and do that which we\nhave done all too little of this past year: compromise, come together.\n Let's ring in the new year with a fix, albeit a modest one, of the\nfiscal cliff and start off our new year and new Congress with a proper\nwelcome for our constituents and our colleagues.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7478-5", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "FISCAL CLIFF", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7478", "H7478", "[{\"name\": \"Keith Ellison\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7478", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7478]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n FISCAL CLIFF\n\n (Mr. ELLISON asked and was given permission to address the House for\n1 minute.)\n Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker, many years ago our friends on the\nconservative side of the political aisle told us that if we cut taxes\nfor the wealthiest among us, what would happen is that they would get\nmore money which they would use to invest in plant and equipment, and\nthen all the rest of us working class and middle class folks would\nbenefit by rich people having more money because then they would hire\nus and we'd have a stronger economy. They put this plan into\nimplementation in 2001 and into 2003, and what followed was the most\nanemic decade of job growth that we have seen in many, many, many\ndecades. If you can contrast it with the 1990s when the tax rates were\nactually higher, we had a much more robust economy. In fact, when\nPresident Clinton handed President Bush the reins to the government, he\nhanded him, also, a surplus.\n The fact is the conservative experiment based on the ideas of a guy\nnamed Arthur Laffer and others has failed. They don't work. They're\nwrong for this country. It's time for us to have some balance and to\npay the bills of this country, and that means taxes.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7478-6", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "CONGRESS MUST WORK TOGETHER TO AVOID FALLING OFF THE FISCAL CLIFF", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7478", "H7478", "[{\"name\": \"Frank Pallone, Jr.\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7478", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7478]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n CONGRESS MUST WORK TOGETHER TO AVOID FALLING OFF THE FISCAL CLIFF\n\n (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for\n1 minute.)\n Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, if we fail to act on the remaining day of\nthe 112th Congress, this Congress will be remembered as one which\nignored the will of the people. If we fail to act, a typical middle\nclass family of four would see its taxes rise by $2,200 starting in\n2013. This means less money to buy groceries, gas and pay the bills.\n According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, going over\nthe cliff would raise the unemployment rate from 7.9 percent to 9.1\npercent in 2013. Losing that many jobs would plunge our Nation back\ninto a recession and put an economic recovery even further out of\nreach. We would be putting jobs on the altar for tax cuts for the\nwealthiest Americans who have already seen their tax rate plummet to\nhistoric lows.\n It's time that we put an end to the era of trying to balance budgets\non the backs of the middle class, and it's time that we take steps to\navoid setting our economic recovery up for failure. We all want a\nbetter resolution than simply jumping off the fiscal cliff.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7478-7", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "HANNOUNCEMENT", "H7478", "H7479", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7478", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7478-H7479]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair\nwill postpone further proceedings\n\n[[Page H7479]]\n\ntoday on motions to suspend the rules on which a recorded vote or the\nyeas and nays are ordered, or on which the vote incurs objection under\nclause 6 of rule XX.\n Record votes on postponed questions will be taken later.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7478", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "DROPPING THE BALL", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7478", "H7478", "[{\"name\": \"Janice Hahn\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7478", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7478]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n DROPPING THE BALL\n\n (Ms. HAHN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1\nminute.)\n Ms. HAHN. Madam Speaker, tonight in Times Square hundreds of\nthousands of people will be there at midnight to watch that ball drop,\nbut here in Congress, we've also dropped the ball.\n We're in the final days of the 112th Congress. No one expected us to\nbe here on the House floor on New Year's Eve, but here we are racing\ntowards that fiscal cliff--towards higher taxes on the middle class and\nslashed investment for the American people, including nutrition for\nmothers and infants, education for our children, and our\ninfrastructure.\n What part of the cliff sounds like a good plan? I know I'm not the\nonly one who has spent time with families that it will hurt. I know I'm\nnot the only one who has visited the businesses that are worried that\nour country could have another recession. We should not be playing this\ngame of chicken.\n There's too much at stake to have politics as usual. We have an\nopportunity to prevent the fiscal cliff, but in order to do so we must\nact as a unified Congress.\n So I say to all my friends and colleagues, Democrats and Republicans,\nlet's get this thing done. Tonight, when that ball drops, let's make\nsure that we haven't also dropped the ball.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7479", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7479", "H7485", "[{\"name\": \"Mike Rogers\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Dennis J. Kucinich\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Earl Blumenauer\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3454\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3454\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3454\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3454\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7479", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7479-H7485]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013\n\n Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules\nand pass the bill (S. 3454) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year\n2013 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United\nStates Government and the Office of the Director of National\nIntelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability\nSystem, and for other purposes.\n The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n The text of the bill is as follows:\n\n S. 3454\n\n Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of\n the United States of America in Congress assembled,\n\n SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.\n\n (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the\n ``Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013''.\n (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act\n is as follows:\n\nSec. 1. Short title; table of contents.\nSec. 2. Definitions.\n\n TITLE I--BUDGET AND PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATIONS\n\nSec. 101. Authorization of appropriations.\nSec. 102. Classified Schedule of Authorizations.\nSec. 103. Personnel ceiling adjustments.\nSec. 104. Intelligence Community Management Account.\n\n TITLE II--CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY RETIREMENT AND DISABILITY SYSTEM\n\nSec. 201. Authorization of appropriations.\n\n TITLE III--GENERAL INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY MATTERS\n\nSec. 301. Restriction on conduct of intelligence activities.\nSec. 302. Increase in employee compensation and benefits authorized by\n law.\nSec. 303. Non-reimbursable details.\nSec. 304. Automated insider threat detection program.\nSec. 305. Software licensing.\nSec. 306. Strategy for security clearance reciprocity.\nSec. 307. Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act of 2010\n compliance.\nSec. 308. Subcontractor notification process.\nSec. 309. Modification of reporting schedule.\nSec. 310. Repeal of certain reporting requirements.\n\n TITLE IV--MATTERS RELATING TO THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY\n\nSec. 401. Working capital fund amendments.\n\n TITLE V--OTHER MATTERS\n\nSec. 501. Homeland Security Intelligence Program.\nSec. 502. Extension of National Commission for the Review of the\n Research and Development Programs of the United States\n Intelligence Community.\nSec. 503. Protecting the information technology supply chain of the\n United States.\nSec. 504. Notification regarding the authorized public disclosure of\n national intelligence.\nSec. 505. Technical amendments related to the Office of the Director of\n National Intelligence.\nSec. 506. Technical amendment for definition of intelligence agency.\nSec. 507. Budgetary effects.\n\n SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.\n\n In this Act:\n (1) Congressional intelligence committees.--The term\n ``congressional intelligence committees'' means--\n (A) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and\n (B) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the\n House of Representatives.\n (2) Intelligence community.--The term ``intelligence\n community'' has the meaning given that term in section 3(4)\n of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 401a(4)).\n\n TITLE I--BUDGET AND PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATIONS\n\n SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.\n\n Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal\n year 2013 for the conduct of the intelligence and\n intelligence-related activities of the following elements of\n the United States Government:\n (1) The Office of the Director of National Intelligence.\n (2) The Central Intelligence Agency.\n (3) The Department of Defense.\n (4) The Defense Intelligence Agency.\n (5) The National Security Agency.\n (6) The Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy,\n and the Department of the Air Force.\n (7) The Coast Guard.\n (8) The Department of State.\n (9) The Department of the Treasury.\n (10) The Department of Energy.\n (11) The Department of Justice.\n (12) The Federal Bureau of Investigation.\n (13) The Drug Enforcement Administration.\n (14) The National Reconnaissance Office.\n (15) The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.\n (16) The Department of Homeland Security.\n\n SEC. 102. CLASSIFIED SCHEDULE OF AUTHORIZATIONS.\n\n (a) Specifications of Amounts and Personnel Levels.--The\n amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 101 and,\n subject to section 103, the authorized personnel ceilings as\n of September 30, 2013, for the conduct of the intelligence\n activities of the elements listed in paragraphs (1) through\n (16) of section 101, are those specified in the classified\n Schedule of Authorizations prepared to accompany the bill S.\n 3454 of the One Hundred Twelfth Congress.\n (b) Availability of Classified Schedule of\n Authorizations.--\n (1) Availability to committees of congress.--The classified\n Schedule of Authorizations referred to in subsection (a)\n shall be made available to the Committee on Appropriations of\n the Senate, the Committee on Appropriations of the House of\n Representatives, and to the President.\n (2) Distribution by the president.--Subject to paragraph\n (3), the President shall provide for suitable distribution of\n the classified Schedule of Authorizations, or of appropriate\n portions of the Schedule, within the executive branch.\n (3) Limits on disclosure.--The President shall not publicly\n disclose the classified Schedule of Authorizations or any\n portion of such Schedule except--\n (A) as provided in section 601(a) of the Implementing\n Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (50 U.S.C.\n 415c);\n (B) to the extent necessary to implement the budget; or\n (C) as otherwise required by law.\n\n SEC. 103. PERSONNEL CEILING ADJUSTMENTS.\n\n (a) Authority for Increases.--The Director of National\n Intelligence may authorize the employment of civilian\n personnel in excess of the number of positions for fiscal\n year 2013 authorized by the classified Schedule of\n Authorizations referred to in section 102(a) if the Director\n of National Intelligence determines that such action is\n necessary to the performance of important intelligence\n functions, except that the number of personnel employed in\n excess of the number authorized under such section may not,\n for any element of the intelligence community, exceed 3\n percent of the number of civilian personnel authorized under\n such section for such element.\n (b) Treatment of Certain Personnel.--The Director of\n National Intelligence shall establish guidelines that govern,\n for each element of the intelligence community, the treatment\n under the personnel levels authorized under section 102(a),\n including any exemption from such personnel levels, of\n employment or assignment in--\n (1) a student program, trainee program, or similar program;\n (2) a reserve corps or as a reemployed annuitant; or\n (3) details, joint duty, or long term, full-time training.\n (c) Notice to Congressional Intelligence Committees.--The\n Director of National Intelligence shall notify the\n congressional intelligence committees in writing at least 15\n days prior to the initial exercise of an authority described\n in subsection (a).\n\n SEC. 104. INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT.\n\n (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized\n to be appropriated for the Intelligence Community Management\n Account of the Director of National Intelligence for fiscal\n year 2013 the sum of $540,721,000. Within such amount, funds\n identified in the classified Schedule of Authorizations\n referred to in section 102(a) for advanced research and\n development shall remain available until September 30, 2014.\n (b) Authorized Personnel Levels.--The elements within the\n Intelligence Community Management Account of the Director of\n National Intelligence are authorized 835 positions as of\n September 30, 2013. Personnel serving in such elements may be\n permanent employees of the Office of the Director of National\n Intelligence or personnel detailed from other elements of the\n United States Government.\n (c) Classified Authorizations.--\n (1) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition to\n amounts authorized to be appropriated for the Intelligence\n Community Management Account by subsection (a), there are\n authorized to be appropriated for the Community Management\n Account for fiscal year 2013 such additional amounts as are\n specified in the classified Schedule of Authorizations\n referred to in section 102(a). Such additional amounts for\n advanced research and development shall remain available\n until September 30, 2014.\n (2) Authorization of personnel.--In addition to the\n personnel authorized by subsection (b) for elements of the\n Intelligence Community Management Account as of September 30,\n 2013, there are authorized such additional personnel for the\n Community Management Account as of that date as are specified\n in the classified Schedule of Authorizations referred to in\n section 102(a).\n\n TITLE II--CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY RETIREMENT AND DISABILITY SYSTEM\n\n SEC. 201. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.\n\n There is authorized to be appropriated for the Central\n Intelligence Agency Retirement\n\n[[Page H7480]]\n\n and Disability Fund for fiscal year 2013 the sum of\n $514,000,000.\n\n TITLE III--GENERAL INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY MATTERS\n\n SEC. 301. RESTRICTION ON CONDUCT OF INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES.\n\n The authorization of appropriations by this Act shall not\n be deemed to constitute authority for the conduct of any\n intelligence activity which is not otherwise authorized by\n the Constitution or the laws of the United States.\n\n SEC. 302. INCREASE IN EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS\n AUTHORIZED BY LAW.\n\n Appropriations authorized by this Act for salary, pay,\n retirement, and other benefits for Federal employees may be\n increased by such additional or supplemental amounts as may\n be necessary for increases in such compensation or benefits\n authorized by law.\n\n SEC. 303. NON-REIMBURSABLE DETAILS.\n\n Section 113A of the National Security Act of 1947 (50\n U.S.C. 404h-1) is amended--\n (1) by striking ``two years.'' and inserting ``three\n years.''; and\n (2) by adding at the end ``A non-reimbursable detail made\n under this section shall not be considered an augmentation of\n the appropriations of the receiving element of the\n intelligence community.''.\n\n SEC. 304. AUTOMATED INSIDER THREAT DETECTION PROGRAM.\n\n Section 402 of the Intelligence Authorization Act for\n Fiscal Year 2011 (Public Law 112-18; 50 U.S.C. 403-1 note) is\n amended--\n (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``October 1, 2012,'' and\n inserting ``October 1, 2013,''; and\n (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``October 1, 2013,'' and\n inserting ``October 1, 2014,''.\n\n SEC. 305. SOFTWARE LICENSING.\n\n (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of\n the enactment of this Act, each chief information officer for\n an element of the intelligence community, in consultation\n with the Chief Information Officer of the Intelligence\n Community, shall--\n (1) conduct an inventory of software licenses held by such\n element, including utilized and unutilized licenses; and\n (2) report the results of such inventory to the Chief\n Information Officer of the Intelligence Community.\n (b) Reporting to Congress.--The Chief Information Officer\n of the Intelligence Community shall--\n (1) not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment\n of this Act, provide to the congressional intelligence\n committees a copy of each report received by the Chief\n Information Officer under subsection (a)(2), along with any\n comments the Chief Information Officer wishes to provide; and\n (2) transmit any portion of a report submitted under\n paragraph (1) involving a component of a department of the\n United States Government to the committees of the Senate and\n of the House of Representatives with jurisdiction over such\n department simultaneously with submission of such report to\n the congressional intelligence committees.\n\n SEC. 306. STRATEGY FOR SECURITY CLEARANCE RECIPROCITY.\n\n (a) Strategy.--The President shall develop a strategy and a\n schedule for carrying out the requirements of section 3001(d)\n of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of\n 2004 (50 U.S.C. 435b(d)). Such strategy and schedule shall\n include--\n (1) a process for accomplishing the reciprocity required\n under such section for a security clearance issued by a\n department or agency of the Federal Government, including\n reciprocity for security clearances that are issued to both\n persons who are and who are not employees of the Federal\n Government; and\n (2) a description of the specific circumstances under which\n a department or agency of the Federal Government may not\n recognize a security clearance issued by another department\n or agency of the Federal Government.\n (b) Congressional Notification.--Not later than 180 days\n after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President\n shall inform Congress of the strategy and schedule developed\n under subsection (a).\n\n SEC. 307. IMPROPER PAYMENTS ELIMINATION AND RECOVERY ACT OF\n 2010 COMPLIANCE.\n\n (a) Plan for Compliance.--\n (1) In general.--The Director of National Intelligence, the\n Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Director of\n the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Director of the National\n Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and the Director of the\n National Security Agency shall each develop a corrective\n action plan, with major milestones, that delineates how the\n Office of the Director of National Intelligence and each such\n Agency will achieve compliance, not later than September 30,\n 2013, with the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act\n of 2010 (Public Law 111-204; 124 Stat. 2224), and the\n amendments made by that Act.\n (2) Submission to congress.--Not later than 45 days after\n the date of the enactment of this Act--\n (A) each Director referred to in paragraph (1) shall submit\n to the congressional intelligence committees the corrective\n action plan required by such paragraph; and\n (B) the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, the\n Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and\n the Director of the National Security Agency shall each\n submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and\n the Committee on Armed Services of the House of\n Representatives the corrective action plan required by\n paragraph (1) with respect to the applicable Agency.\n (b) Review by Inspectors General.--\n (1) In general.--Not later than 45 days after the\n completion of a corrective action plan required by subsection\n (a)(1), the Inspector General of each Agency required to\n develop such a plan, and in the case of the Director of\n National Intelligence, the Inspector General of the\n Intelligence Community, shall provide to the congressional\n intelligence committees an assessment of such plan that\n includes--\n (A) the assessment of the Inspector General of whether such\n Agency or Office is or is not likely to reach compliance with\n the requirements of the Improper Payments Elimination and\n Recovery Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-204; 124 Stat. 2224),\n and the amendments made by that Act, by September 30, 2013;\n and\n (B) the basis of the Inspector General for such assessment.\n (2) Additional submission of reviews of certain inspectors\n general.--Not later than 45 days after the completion of a\n corrective action plan required by subsection (a)(1), the\n Inspector General of the Defense Intelligence Agency, the\n Inspector General of the National Geospatial-Intelligence\n Agency, and the Inspector General of the National Security\n Agency shall each submit to the Committee on Armed Services\n of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the\n House of Representatives the assessment of the applicable\n plan provided to the congressional intelligence committees\n under paragraph (1).\n\n SEC. 308. SUBCONTRACTOR NOTIFICATION PROCESS.\n\n Not later than October 1, 2013, the Director of National\n Intelligence shall submit to the congressional intelligence\n committees a report assessing the method by which contractors\n at any tier under a contract entered into with an element of\n the intelligence community are granted security clearances\n and notified of classified contracting opportunities within\n the Federal Government and recommendations for the\n improvement of such method. Such report shall include--\n (1) an assessment of the current method by which\n contractors at any tier under a contract entered into with an\n element of the intelligence community are notified of\n classified contracting opportunities;\n (2) an assessment of any problems that may reduce the\n overall effectiveness of the ability of the intelligence\n community to identify appropriate contractors at any tier\n under such a contract;\n (3) an assessment of the role the existing security\n clearance process has in enhancing or hindering the ability\n of the intelligence community to notify such contractors of\n contracting opportunities;\n (4) an assessment of the role the current security\n clearance process has in enhancing or hindering the ability\n of contractors at any tier under a contract entered into with\n an element of the intelligence community to execute\n classified contracts;\n (5) a description of the method used by the Director of\n National Intelligence for assessing the effectiveness of the\n notification process of the intelligence community to produce\n a talented pool of subcontractors;\n (6) a description of appropriate goals, schedules,\n milestones, or metrics used to measure the effectiveness of\n such notification process; and\n (7) recommendations for improving such notification\n process.\n\n SEC. 309. MODIFICATION OF REPORTING SCHEDULE.\n\n (a) Inspector General of the Intelligence Community.--\n Section 103H(k)(1)(A) of the National Security Act of 1947\n (50 U.S.C. 403-3h(k)(1)(A)) is amended--\n (1) by striking ``January 31 and July 31'' and inserting\n ``October 31 and April 30''; and\n (2) by striking ``December 31 (of the preceding year) and\n June 30,'' and inserting ``September 30 and March 31,''.\n (b) Inspector General for the Central Intelligence\n Agency.--\n (1) In general.--Section 17(d)(1) of the Central\n Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 (50 U.S.C. 403q(d)(1)) is\n amended--\n (A) by striking ``January 31 and July 31'' and inserting\n ``October 31 and April 30'';\n (B) by striking ``December 31 (of the preceding year) and\n June 30,'' and inserting ``September 30 and March 31,''; and\n (C) by striking ``Not later than the dates each year\n provided for the transmittal of such reports in section 507\n of the National Security Act of 1947,'' and inserting ``Not\n later than 30 days after the date of the receipt of such\n reports,''.\n (2) Conforming amendments.--Section 507(b) of the National\n Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 415b(b)) is amended--\n (A) by striking paragraph (1); and\n (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), as\n paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively.\n\n SEC. 310. REPEAL OF CERTAIN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.\n\n (a) Repeal of Reporting Requirements.--\n (1) Acquisition of technology relating to weapons of mass\n destruction and advanced conventional munitions.--Section 721\n of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997\n (50 U.S.C. 2366) is repealed.\n (2) Safety and security of russian nuclear facilities and\n nuclear military forces.--Section 114 of the National\n Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 404i) is amended--\n (A) by striking subsections (a) and (d); and\n (B) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections\n (a) and (b), respectively.\n\n[[Page H7481]]\n\n (3) Intelligence community business systems budget\n information.--Section 506D of the National Security Act of\n 1947 (50 U.S.C. 415a-6) is amended by striking subsection\n (e).\n (4) Measures to protect the identities of covert agents.--\n Title VI of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 421\n et seq.) is amended--\n (A) by striking section 603; and\n (B) by redesignating sections 604, 605, and 606 as sections\n 603, 604, and 605, respectively.\n (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--\n (1) Report submission dates.--Section 507 of the National\n Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 415b) is amended--\n (A) in subsection (a)--\n (i) in paragraph (1)--\n\n (I) by striking subparagraphs (A), (C), and (D);\n (II) by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (E), (F), (G),\n (H), and (I) as subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), and\n (F), respectively; and\n (III) in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, by striking\n ``section 114(c).'' and inserting ``section 114(a).''; and\n\n (ii) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:\n ``(2) The date for the submittal to the congressional\n intelligence committees of the annual report on the threat of\n attack on the United States from weapons of mass destruction\n required by section 114(b) shall be the date each year\n provided in subsection (c)(1)(B).'';\n (B) in subsection (c)(1)(B), by striking ``each'' and\n inserting ``the''; and\n (C) in subsection (d)(1)(B), by striking ``an'' and\n inserting ``the''.\n (2) Table of contents of the national security act of\n 1947.--The table of contents in the first section of the\n National Security Act of 1947 is amended by striking the\n items relating to sections 603, 604, 605, and 606 and\n inserting the following new items:\n\n``Sec. 603. Extraterritorial jurisdiction.\n``Sec. 604. Providing information to Congress.\n``Sec. 605. Definitions.''.\n\n TITLE IV--MATTERS RELATING TO THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY\n\n SEC. 401. WORKING CAPITAL FUND AMENDMENTS.\n\n Section 21 of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949\n (50 U.S.C. 403u) is amended as follows:\n (1) In subsection (b)--\n (A) in paragraph (1)--\n (i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;\n (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``program.'' and\n inserting ``program; and''; and\n (iii) by adding at the end the following:\n ``(D) authorize such providers to make known their services\n to the entities specified in section (a) through Government\n communication channels.''; and\n (B) by adding at the end the following:\n ``(3) The authority in paragraph (1)(D) does not include\n the authority to distribute gifts or promotional items.'';\n and\n (2) in subsection (c)--\n (A) in paragraph (2)(E), by striking ``from the sale or\n exchange of equipment or property of a central service\n provider'' and inserting ``from the sale or exchange of\n equipment, recyclable materials, or property of a central\n service provider.''; and\n (B) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ``subsection (f)(2)''\n and inserting ``subsections (b)(1)(D) and (f)(2)''.\n\n TITLE V--OTHER MATTERS\n\n SEC. 501. HOMELAND SECURITY INTELLIGENCE PROGRAM.\n\n There is established within the Department of Homeland\n Security a Homeland Security Intelligence Program. The\n Homeland Security Intelligence Program constitutes the\n intelligence activities of the Office of Intelligence and\n Analysis of the Department that serve predominantly\n departmental missions.\n\n SEC. 502. EXTENSION OF NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR THE REVIEW OF\n THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS OF THE\n UNITED STATES INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY.\n\n Section 1007(a) of the Intelligence Authorization Act for\n Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107-306; 50 U.S.C. 401 note) is\n amended by striking ``Not later than one year after the date\n on which all members of the Commission are appointed pursuant\n to section 701(a)(3) of the Intelligence Authorization Act\n for Fiscal Year 2010,'' and inserting ``Not later than March\n 31, 2013,''.\n\n SEC. 503. PROTECTING THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPLY CHAIN\n OF THE UNITED STATES.\n\n (a) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the\n enactment of this Act, the Director of National Intelligence\n shall submit to the congressional intelligence committees a\n report that--\n (1) identifies foreign suppliers of information technology\n (including equipment, software, and services) that are linked\n directly or indirectly to a foreign government, including--\n (A) by ties to the military forces of a foreign government;\n (B) by ties to the intelligence services of a foreign\n government; or\n (C) by being the beneficiaries of significant low interest\n or no interest loans, loan forgiveness, or other support by a\n foreign government; and\n (2) assesses the vulnerability to malicious activity,\n including cyber crime or espionage, of the telecommunications\n networks of the United States due to the presence of\n technology produced by suppliers identified under paragraph\n (1).\n (b) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall\n be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a\n classified annex.\n (c) Telecommunications Networks of the United States\n Defined.--In this section, the term ``telecommunications\n networks of the United States'' includes--\n (1) telephone systems;\n (2) Internet systems;\n (3) fiber optic lines, including cable landings;\n (4) computer networks; and\n (5) smart grid technology under development by the\n Department of Energy.\n\n SEC. 504. NOTIFICATION REGARDING THE AUTHORIZED PUBLIC\n DISCLOSURE OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE.\n\n (a) Notification.--In the event of an authorized disclosure\n of national intelligence or intelligence related to national\n security to the persons or entities described in subsection\n (b), the government official responsible for authorizing the\n disclosure shall submit to the congressional intelligence\n committees on a timely basis a notification of the disclosure\n if--\n (1) at the time of the disclosure--\n (A) such intelligence is classified; or\n (B) is declassified for the purpose of the disclosure; and\n (2) the disclosure will be made by an officer, employee, or\n contractor of the Executive branch.\n (b) Persons or Entities Described.--The persons or entities\n described in this subsection are as follows:\n (1) Media personnel.\n (2) Any person or entity, if the disclosure described in\n subsection (a) is made with the intent or knowledge that such\n information will be made publicly available.\n (c) Content.--Each notification required under subsection\n (a) shall--\n (1) provide the specific title and authority of the\n individual authorizing the disclosure;\n (2) if applicable, provide the specific title and authority\n of the individual who authorized the declassification of the\n intelligence disclosed; and\n (3) describe the intelligence disclosed, including the\n classification of the intelligence prior to its disclosure or\n declassification and the rationale for making the disclosure.\n (d) Exception.--The notification requirement in this\n section does not apply to a disclosure made--\n (1) pursuant to any statutory requirement, including to\n section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred\n to as the ``Freedom of Information Act'');\n (2) in connection with a civil, criminal, or administrative\n proceeding;\n (3) as a result of a declassification review process under\n Executive Order 13526 (50 U.S.C. 435 note) or any successor\n order; or\n (4) to any officer, employee, or contractor of the Federal\n government or member of an advisory committee to an element\n of the intelligence community who possesses an active\n security clearance and a need to know the specific national\n intelligence or intelligence related to national security, as\n defined in section 3(5) of the National Security Act of 1947\n (50 U.S.C. 401a(5)).\n (e) Sunset.--The notification requirements of this section\n shall cease to be effective for any disclosure described in\n subsection (a) that occurs on or after the date that is one\n year after the date of the enactment of this Act.\n\n SEC. 505. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS RELATED TO THE OFFICE OF THE\n DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE.\n\n (a) Personnel Practices.--Section 2302(a)(2)(C) of title 5,\n United States Code, is amended by striking clause (ii) and\n inserting the following:\n ``(ii)(I) the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central\n Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the\n National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the National\n Security Agency, the Office of the Director of National\n Intelligence, and the National Reconnaissance Office; and\n ``(II) as determined by the President, any executive agency\n or unit thereof the principal function of which is the\n conduct of foreign intelligence or counterintelligence\n activities, provided that the determination be made prior to\n a personnel action; or''.\n (b) Senior Executive Service.--Section 3132(a)(1)(B) of\n title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``the\n Office of the Director of National Intelligence,'' after\n ``the Central Intelligence Agency,''.\n\n SEC. 506. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT FOR DEFINITION OF INTELLIGENCE\n AGENCY.\n\n Section 606(5) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50\n U.S.C. 426) is amended to read as follows:\n ``(5) The term `intelligence agency' means the elements of\n the intelligence community, as that term is defined in\n section 3(4).''.\n\n SEC. 507. BUDGETARY EFFECTS.\n\n The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of\n complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 2010, shall\n be determined by reference to the latest statement titled\n ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act,\n submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the\n Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, provided that such\n statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from\nMichigan (Mr. Rogers) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr.\nRuppersberger) each will control 20 minutes.\n\n[[Page H7482]]\n\n The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.\n\n General Leave\n\n Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that\nall Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend\ntheir remarks and include extraneous material on the bill before us\ntoday.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the\ngentleman from Michigan?\n There was no objection.\n Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I\nmay consume, and I appreciate the opportunity to be here on New Year's\nEve.\n I first wish to make an announcement with respect to the availability\nof the classified annex to the bill under consideration for the Members\nof the House. This is to reinforce a previous announcement I made to\nMembers last evening.\n Madam Speaker, the classified Schedule of Authorizations and the\nclassified annex accompanying the bill remain available for review by\nMembers at the offices of the Permanent Select Committee on\nIntelligence in room HVC-304 of the Capitol Visitor Center. The\ncommittee office will be open during regular business hours for the\nconvenience of any Member who wishes to review this material prior to\nits consideration by the House.\n I recommend that Members wishing to review the classified annex\ncontact the committee's director of security to arrange a time and date\nfor that viewing. This will assure the availability of committee staff\nto assist Members who desire assistance during their review of these\nclassified documents.\n Madam Speaker, I am pleased that the House is considering this\nintelligence authorization bill today, the last day of the year. If\npassed and enacted, this will be our third intelligence authorization\nbill since I assumed the chairmanship and my friend the gentleman from\nMaryland became the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee.\n In May, the House overwhelmingly passed, by a vote of 386-28, an\nintelligence authorization bill which is the same product as the bill\nthat is before us today. I appreciate the ranking member's hard work on\nthis year's bill and that of our colleagues in the Senate to achieve a\nbipartisan result between the two Chambers.\n\n {time} 1030\n\n This is indeed a rare occurrence in this town these days, but this is\ntruly a bipartisan, bicameral product that moves forward when it comes\nto protecting the United States and putting us in the best national\nsecurity posture we could imagine.\n The intelligence authorization bill is vital to ensuring that our\nintelligence agencies have the resources and authorities they need to\ndo their important work. The intelligence community plays a critical\nrole in the war on terrorism and securing the country from the many\nthreats that we face.\n The annual authorization bill, which funds U.S. intelligence\nactivities spanning 17 agencies, is also a vital tool for congressional\noversight of the intelligence community's classified activities.\nEffective and aggressive congressional oversight is essential to\nensuring the continued success of our intelligence community, and\ntherefore the safety of all citizens of the United States. The current\nchallenging fiscal environment demands the accountability and financial\noversight of our classified intelligence programs that can only come\nwith an intelligence authorization bill.\n The FY 2013 bill sustains our current intelligence capabilities and\nprovides for the development of future capabilities, all while\nachieving significant savings and ensuring intelligence agencies are\nbeing good stewards of our taxpayers' money.\n This year, the bill is significantly below last year's enacted budget\nbut up modestly from the President's roughly $72 billion budget request\nfor fiscal year 2013. It is also in line with the House budget\nresolution, which provides for a modest increase of defense activities\nabove the President's budget.\n The bill's comprehensive classified annex provides detailed guidance\non intelligence spending, including adjustments to costly but important\nprograms. The bill funds requirements of the men and women of the\nintelligence community, both military and civilian, many of whom\ndirectly support the war zones and are engaged in other dangerous\noperations designed to keep Americans safe.\n It provides oversight and authorization for vital intelligence\nactivities, including the global counterwar on terrorism and efforts by\nthe National Security Agency to defend us from advanced foreign state-\nsponsored cyberthreats. And I can't tell you enough, Madam Speaker, how\nin this Chamber we have acted to stand up in the face of a growing\ncyberthreat not only to government networks but to private networks as\nwell. We have, in a bipartisan way, given the first step on how we\nstand up our defenses here in the United States to protect us from\nnation-states like China and Russia--and now Iran--who seek to do us\nharm using the Internet. We will again aggressively pursue next year,\nwith the help of my ranking member, actions needed, I believe, to\nprotect the United States against what is the largest threat we face\nthat we are not prepared to handle, and that is the growing threat of\ncyberattack and cyberespionage.\n Countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is also a\ncritical, important mission of our intelligence community, and we made\nsure the resources were available to that end, as well as for global\nmonitoring of foreign militaries and advanced weapons systems and\ntests, and for research and development of new technology to maintain\nour intelligence agencies' technological edge.\n And like the House-passed bill, this bill promotes operating\nefficiencies in a number of areas, particularly in information\ntechnology, the ground processing of satellite data, and the\nprocurement and operation of intelligence, surveillance, and\nreconnaissance platforms. The bill holds personnel levels, one of the\nfirst and biggest cost drivers, generally at last year's levels. Even\nso, the bill adds a limited number of new personnel positions for\nselect, high-priority positions, such as FBI surveillance officers to\nkeep watch on terrorists, and personnel for certain other programs that\nwill increase cooperation and training with our foreign partners in the\ncritically important role for our intelligence agencies as we move to\nprotect ourselves from threats all around the world.\n The bill authorizes increased funding for intelligence collection\nprograms, including increased counterintelligence to thwart foreign\nspies. It also increases funding for our intelligence community's\ncomparative advantage--cutting-edge research and development. This is\nan incredibly important investment for the United States. If we are\ngoing to continue to lead in the ability to detect before they can do\nharm to the United States, we have to make the investment in research\nand development of high-end technological advancement.\n While I cannot get into the specifics of a lot of these programs,\nit's important to mention them as we are going through the process each\nyear in conducting oversight of intelligence activities and making\nfunding recommendations that will help the community meet its mission\nin the most effective, fiscally responsible way.\n The bipartisan fiscal year 2013 intelligence authorization bill we\nare considering today preserves and advances national security and is\nalso fiscally responsible. The secrecy that is a necessary part of this\ncountry's intelligence work requires that the congressional\nIntelligence Committees conduct strong and effective oversight on\nbehalf of the American people and even our colleagues here in the\nHouse. That strong and effective oversight is impossible, however,\nwithout the advancement of these bills.\n I want to thank all of the members of the committee for their\nbipartisan effort to find agreement on a bill that saves money and\nmoves forward smartly on protecting the interests of national security\nfor the United States. I want to thank both of the staffs for working\ntogether to produce this bill. This truly is a collaborative effort\nboth from staff and Members in this Chamber and in the Senate, proving\nthat you can work in a bipartisan way to accomplish the best interests\nof the United States and, in this case, particularly when it comes to\nnational security.\n\n[[Page H7483]]\n\n One final note: I want to congratulate Mrs. Myrick on her years of\ngreat service to the Intelligence Committee. She will be leaving us\nthis year. This will be her last authorization bill that she will\nparticipate in. I am pleased to see that a provision she championed in\nMay concerning the protection of the United States information\ntechnology supply chain is included in this bill. She has done great\nwork in her time with the committee, and she certainly will be missed.\nShe has been a true champion of the national security interests of this\ncountry. She is a great friend of mine, and I wish her well in her new\nendeavors.\n I thank all who participated. I also want to take this opportunity to\nthank my chief counsel for celebrating his birthday today on the House\nfloor with us on New Year's Eve day. I appreciate that very much.\n With that, I reserve the balance of my time.\n Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I\nmay consume.\n Before us today is the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year\n2013. It's a good, bipartisan bill that gives our intelligence\nprofessionals the resources, capabilities, and authorities they need to\nkeep us safe. And I also want to acknowledge the leadership of Chairman\nRogers. His bipartisan leadership has helped us make the Intelligence\nCommittee a committee that provides oversight to our intelligence\nagencies and gives them the resources that they need to protect our\ncountry. I also want to acknowledge the staff on both sides of the\naisle who worked very closely to put this bill together.\n When Chairman Rogers and I took over leadership of the Intelligence\nCommittee, we made a commitment to bipartisanship. We believe politics\nhas no place in national security. The stakes are just too high. We\nalso made a commitment to passing intelligence budgets that provide\noversight to the intelligence community and give it important financial\ndirection. Chairman Rogers and I also work closely with Chairwoman\nDianne Feinstein and vice chair Saxby Chambliss of the Senate\nIntelligence Committee, our counterparts in the Senate, so we can get\nthings done.\n If this bill becomes law, it will be the third budget bill in a row\npassed since we took over leadership in January, 2011--a big change\nfrom the previous 6 years when we only passed one budget bill. This was\nan open, bipartisan process where we reached agreement on issues that\nwill make this country safer and intelligence processes more efficient.\n We know we are facing tough economic times. This budget is slightly\nbelow the enacted levels of FY 2012. We made cuts where appropriate,\neliminated redundancies, and pushed programs to come in on time and on\nbudget.\n People ask me what keeps me up at night. Besides spicy food, I say\nweapons of mass destruction and a catastrophic cyberattack that shuts\ndown our banking system, water supply, power grids or worse.\n This bill continues a substantial investment in cybersecurity that\nmust be made to keep up with the cyberthreats of today and tomorrow. We\nalso believe we must protect privacy and civil liberties when it comes\nto cybersecurity.\n Another priority is space. The bill promotes the commercial space\nindustry by enhancing the government use of commercial imagery and\ncommercial communications services. It requires the government to use\ncommercial imagery to the maximum extent practicable.\n I believe competition is important to ensure we get high quality\nproducts while keeping costs down. It drives innovation and provides a\nmuch-needed insurance policy in case there are problems with other\nprograms. And it does create jobs.\n The bill expanded our counterterrorism efforts to continue the fight\nagainst al Qaeda and its affiliates around the world. The bill also\nmakes counterintelligence the priority it is. It makes strategic\nadditions across the intelligence community. This will pay for\nsurveillance, better supply chain security, and the counterintelligence\nanalysts we need.\n The bill added resources to the intelligence community's global\ncoverage initiatives to ensure the United States is capable and ready\nto address threats from any location around the world, especially in\nareas of strategic interest.\n\n {time} 1040\n\n It authorizes the Department of Defense's new defense clandestine\nservice to reorganize its human intelligence collection. It will be a\npart of the CIA's national clandestine service. The bill directed the\nDirector of national intelligence to develop a centralized cloud for\nthe entire intelligence community; advancing collaboration and further\npromoting efficiency; and it required the President to develop a\nstrategy for security clearance, reciprocity, and a report on how to\nbetter protect our information technology across the global supply\nchain.\n I urge my colleagues to support the Intelligence Authorization Act\nfor FY 2012. When this bill was before the House in May, it passed by a\nbipartisan margin of 386-28. It's a good bipartisan bill that gives our\nintelligence professionals what they need to do their jobs and protect\nour Nation.\n Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.\n Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I inquire if the minority side\nhas a list of speakers.\n Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. At this time, we have one speaker. We're waiting\nfor more; but if they don't come, we'll move on.\n Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Then I will continue to reserve the balance\nof my time.\n Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the\nCongressman from Ohio, Dennis Kucinich.\n Mr. KUCINICH. I thank my friend. And I want to thank both my friends,\nthe chair and the ranking member, for the work that they do on\nintelligence. You make a commitment to this country, and I think the\ncountry is in good hands because of your work.\n I want to raise a question--and we've had some of these conversations\nbetween ourselves. I'm very concerned about the shift that's occurred\nin our national security policy where the Central Intelligence Agency\nhas increasingly played a very powerful paramilitary role with the\nexecution of drone strikes. Numerous studies have indicated that there\nare many innocent civilians being killed by drone strikes. There's a\nlack of accountability here. There have been studies that suggest, for\nexample in Yemen, that drone strikes are stirring up anti-American\nsentiment to the point where al Qaeda is actually being empowered.\n We really have to ask of the CIA, but even more than that, of our\nentire national security infrastructure, What's the game plan here? We\nsee there have been changes in military policy where certain functions\nhave been ceded to the CIA. We see changes in foreign policy where the\nState Department has let go of some of its functions. We know that the\nmilitary has made an attempt with the Defense Intelligence Agency to\ntry to become more actively involved as a separate organization. They\nwere seeking 1,600 new spies.\n We have this architecture of national security which is so powerful,\nbut I'm not sure that it's actually that effective. I don't question\nthe effectiveness of our chair or our ranking member, but I do question\nthe effectiveness of what we're doing.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.\n Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman\nfrom Ohio.\n Mr. KUCINICH. I do question the effectiveness of this drone program,\nits adherence to international law or lack thereof, the intel gathering\non targeted killings where we've seen reports of efforts of one group\nto target individuals and other groups as a way of trying to settle\nsome scores between people so they put them up as a potential terrorist\nand they get marked on a list and executed. And as I mentioned earlier,\nthe concern about civilian deaths.\n I think that the Central Intelligence Agency functions best in\ngathering intelligence, and we ought to support them in that regard. I\nwas very concerned and expressed this on the floor about what happened\nin Benghazi. If we'd paid more attention to the CIA, we probably would\nstill have some of our officials there alive. But that's gone and it's\nover. We have to recognize that putting the CIA more and more into a\nparamilitary position is not in the best interest of this country, I\ndon't believe.\n\n[[Page H7484]]\n\n Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. I yield myself such time as I may consume.\n The gentleman and I have had these conversations, and I respect his\nposition greatly and the work he does in Congress.\n I have some disagreements, and I'll tell you why--and I hope that the\ngentleman will consider voting for this bill today. The amount of\noversight that the ranking member and I have increased on programs that\nmay have concerns on behalf of Americans, because we have the same\nconcerns. There are tools that America engages in, including air\nstrikes. Air strikes have been something that we have used since we\ncould figure out how to get something off the ground and throw\nsomething at the ground. They have been used as a tool. It's not a\npolicy of the United States; it's a tool of the United States to make\nAmerica safe.\n The amount of oversight that happens--and I will tell you this: if\nthere is any air strike conducted that involves an enemy combatant of\nthe United States outside the theater of direct combat, it gets\nreviewed by this committee. I am talking about every single one. That's\nan important thing. There are very strict reviews put on all of this\nmaterial. There are very strict guidelines about how these air strikes\nmay or may not occur, because we have that same feeling. If people lose\nfaith in the ability of our intelligence services to do their work,\nthen they will be ineffective, and, therefore, we will be less safe.\n Our argument has been we want that oversight, we want aggressive\noversight, and we want thorough review. I can tell you--and I think\nyou'd be proud--of the very work that we do on the committee to that\nend. We never really did covert-action reviews, except for\nsporadically. Now we do regularly, quarterly, and monthly covert-action\nreviews on this committee to make sure that we get it right, that they\nget it right.\n Mr. KUCINICH. Will the gentleman yield?\n Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. I would be honored to yield to the gentleman\nfrom Ohio.\n Mr. KUCINICH. I have no question about the commitment of the chair\nand the ranking member to proper oversight, but what I do question is\nthat the proliferation of the drone strikes puts such an extraordinary\nburden on our own oversight capacities. I'm wondering, looking\nretrospectively at the number of civilian casualties that have\noccurred, the oversight--there's a decoupling of the oversight capacity\nfrom the consequences of the strikes, and that's the point that I'm\nmaking here.\n I would ask my friend going forward for the committee to be ever more\nvigilant on--if you're for these strikes and you are conducting the\noversight, look at the consequences of civilian casualties to raise\nquestions about the information that's being given you. That's the\npoint that I'm making.\n With that, I thank my friend for yielding.\n Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. I appreciate that, and I reclaim my time.\n I think this is very important. Again, I personally review and the\ncommittee reviews the material that comes to these committees.\n There are many in the world who have political agendas about civilian\ncasualties. I can tell you to rest assured that that is a point of\nreview for any activity--I'm talking about any activity--that our\nintelligence community may or may not engage in. I think that you would\nbe shocked and stunned how wrong those public reports are about\ncivilian casualties, and I say that with all seriousness and with the\nvery thought that every one of these events is reviewed.\n If there is an air strike used as a technique anywhere in the world\nto keep America safe, it is reviewed if it comes within the purview of\nthe intelligence community, both military and civilian, on this\ncommittee. Those reports are wrong. They are not just wrong; they are\nwildly wrong. And I do believe people use those reports for their own\npolitical purposes outside of the country to try to put pressure on the\nUnited States.\n\n {time} 1050\n\n Mr. KUCINICH. If I may, will the gentleman yield?\n Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.\n Mr. KUCINICH. What I would like to do, Mr. Chairman, is to present to\nyou and the ranking member reports that have been forwarded to me\nregarding these casualties. Maybe these are reports that you've seen,\nand maybe they aren't; but I certainly think that in the interest of\nacquitting our country's efforts that we make sure that every effort is\nmade to avoid civilian casualties. So I will present those to you and\nthe ranking member in the next few days, and I want to thank you for\ngiving me this opportunity.\n Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. In reclaiming my time, I just want to assure\nthe gentleman that every one of these is reviewed, and rest assured\nthat the public reports about civilian casualties are not just a little\nbit wrong; they are wildly wrong.\n With that, I reserve the balance of my time.\n Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.\n First, I do want to acknowledge the work that has been done by Dennis\nKucinich as a Member of Congress. Dennis and I don't always\nphilosophically agree, but I respect that he has a good point of view.\nThat's the whole process here in Congress--that we have different\npoints of view, that we come together, that we debate, and that we can\nmake decisions.\n So, Dennis, we are going to miss you. Good luck to you and your\nfamily in the future, and I'm glad that one of the last things you're\ngoing to do is come here and talk about our bill today.\n In just acknowledging what the chairman said, there is an aggressive\nlegal process that is undertaken as far as drones are concerned that\ngoes to the highest levels of our government before strikes are taken.\nIn everything that I have reviewed, if there are children or innocent\nvictims there, the strike does not take place. So there is a process.\nUnfortunately, there are some casualties--very minor. I would also\nagree with the chairman as far as this is concerned: in that what you\nread in the media is usually not what the facts are.\n It is part of what we do. Why do we have the Intelligence Committee?\nWe have it because there is classified information that if it got out\nwould hurt the national security of our country. It's part of our role\nand our committee's role to take this classified information and work\nwith the agencies to which we provide oversight so we will continue to\nwork through that process.\n Mr. Kucinich, I'm glad that you did raise that as an issue, as we all\nshould.\n Madam Speaker, for the third time in 3 years, Chairman Rogers and I\nhave stood on the floor of the House encouraging our colleagues to\nsupport our intelligence budget bill. Today, we both rise in support of\nthe Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013. The bill gives\nour intelligence professionals the resources, capabilities, and\nauthorities they need to protect America and American interests.\n We crafted a bill that addresses our core needs, including space,\ncybersecurity, counterintelligence, and counterterrorism. We are also\nkeeping an eye on the bottom line. The bill is slightly below last\nyear's budget and holds personnel at last year's levels. In a very\nstrong bipartisan way, the Intelligence Committee came together as\nDemocrats and Republicans to do what is right for our country and for\nthe intelligence community.\n I thank the staff again for what it has done, and I thank the\nchairman for his leadership in helping to provide this bill in a very\nfair, bipartisan way.\n I would also like to acknowledge two Democratic Members who will be\nleaving us at the end of this session--Congressman Dan Boren of\nOklahoma and Congressman Ben Chandler of Kentucky. Both Members will be\ngreatly missed, and I appreciate their service on the Intelligence\nCommittee.\n Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Intelligence\nAuthorization Act for FY 2013, and I yield back the balance of my time.\n Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Madam Speaker, may I inquire as to how much\ntime is remaining.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Michigan has 5\\1/2\\\nminutes remaining.\n Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. I yield myself such time as I may consume.\n Again, I want to thank my ranking member and both staffs on the\nIntelligence Committee for the long hours, hard work and thorough,\ndetailed work\n\n[[Page H7485]]\n\non the budgets and on the classified annex of this report.\n I think it should alleviate many of the good concerns of Mr. Kucinich\nand others who are concerned about these activities. I think it's\nimportant to reiterate that we have the same concerns, which is why we\nare so thorough and why we have joined together in a bipartisan way to\nincrease the level of congressional oversight and to increase our\nimpact and influence on the policies of the intelligence community in\norder to make sure it conforms with what this body and what I think the\nUnited States of America wants and needs in its intelligence services.\n We have now done, as I said before, regularly scheduled covert\naction, which, I think, should rest assured Americans that it is\nserious, thoughtful and thorough oversight. For counterintelligence\nactivities, we now have regularly scheduled oversight. Every department\nis required to proffer its budget request, and we go over it line by\nline, dollar by dollar, policy by policy to make sure it conforms with\nthe concerns of everyone in this body.\n As I said before, these are very brave Americans who are serving in\nreally tough neighborhoods all over the world--trying to collect\ninformation, trying to take actionable intelligence to a point that it\nprotects us from harm here at home. They deserve our respect, our\nencouragement, our high-five and pat on the back when they come home.\nThey want thorough oversight. You wouldn't believe it, but they do.\nThey want to know that the work that they're doing would make America\nproud for them risking their lives and being away from their families\nand putting it all on the line to keep America safe.\n That's why we agreed to do this in a bipartisan way and to be so\nthorough in its congressional oversight, because without that--without\nthat confidence, without that faith of the American people that they're\ndoing something on behalf of this great Nation--they will lose their\nability to do what they do, and they will lose the courage and\nconfidence that they need to do it in the right way. So that's what\nthis bill reflects.\n I understand your concerns. I look forward to our further\nconversations on this; and in further conversations, I'd like to have\nthe opportunity, if we can arrange this, to give you some examples--a\npeek behind the curtain as to exactly what goes on in the processes of\nmaking sure that we keep the good people safe and that the bad guys are\nbrought to justice. I think you'd be proud of that work. This bill\nreflects that.\n Again, thanks to the ranking member and to the staffs and to the\nmembers on both sides of this committee. Thanks to Senator Feinstein\nand to Senator Saxby Chambliss for their help in putting this bill\ntogether.\n I hope we'll get a large show of support with a strong vote of\nbipartisanship for the men and women who are serving at our\nintelligence posts all around the world today. Let's send this to the\nPresident so we can go about the business of keeping America safe and\nmaybe even look at some other details that the Speaker may have\ninterest in dealing with today.\n With that, I yield back the balance of my time.\n Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today, I voted against the Fiscal Year\n2013 Intelligence Authorization Act. Despite keeping funding levels\nflat and capping personnel levels to that of Fiscal Year 2012, this\nauthorization is not significantly different than the earlier version I\nvoted against in May.\n It is another missed opportunity to make significant, smart\nreductions in our intelligence infrastructure, at a time when we're\nasking so many others to make significant budgetary sacrifices in the\nmidst of austerity. This legislation continues to spend way too much\nmoney--$72 to $78 billion a year--with little transparency or efforts\nto reduce the sprawling intelligence community and protect privacy\nrights.\n It's of paramount importance to keep our country safe, and that's\nexactly what our intelligence community has done, but we cannot afford\nto spend as much on intelligence as Russia does on its entire military\nbudget or employ hundreds of thousands of people with secret clearance.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the\ngentleman from Michigan (Mr. Rogers) that the House suspend the rules\nand pass the bill, S. 3454.\n The question was taken.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds\nbeing in the affirmative, the ayes have it.\n Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the\nground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a\nquorum is not present.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further\nproceedings on this question will be postponed.\n The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7485", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "NEIL A. ARMSTRONG FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER AND HUGH L. DRYDEN AERONAUTICAL TEST RANGE DESIGNATION ACT", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7485", "H7491", "[{\"name\": \"Ralph M. Hall\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Donna F. Edwards\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Kevin McCarthy\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Dennis J. Kucinich\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Lamar Smith\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Ken Calvert\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6612\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6612\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6612\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7485", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7485-H7491]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n NEIL A. ARMSTRONG FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER AND HUGH L. DRYDEN\n AERONAUTICAL TEST RANGE DESIGNATION ACT\n\n Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the\nbill (H.R. 6612) to redesignate the Dryden Flight Research Center as\nthe Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center and the Western\nAeronautical Test Range as the Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range.\n The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n The text of the bill is as follows:\n\n H.R. 6612\n\n Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of\n the United States of America in Congress assembled,\n\n SECTION 1. REDESIGNATION OF DRYDEN FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER.\n\n (a) Redesignation.--The National Aeronautics and Space\n Administration (NASA) Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Center\n in Edwards, California, is redesignated as the ``NASA Neil A.\n Armstrong Flight Research Center''.\n (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,\n document, paper, or other record of the United States to the\n flight research center referred to in subsection (a) shall be\n deemed to be a reference to the ``NASA Neil A. Armstrong\n Flight Research Center''.\n\n SEC. 2. REDESIGNATION OF WESTERN AERONAUTICAL TEST RANGE.\n\n (a) Redesignation.--The National Aeronautics and Space\n Administration (NASA) Western Aeronautical Test Range in\n California is redesignated as the ``NASA Hugh L. Dryden\n Aeronautical Test Range''.\n (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,\n document, paper, or other record of the United States to the\n test range referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to\n be a reference to the ``NASA Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test\n Range''.\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from\nTexas (Mr. Hall) and the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards) each\nwill control 20 minutes.\n The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.\n\n {time} 1100\n\n General Leave\n\n Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members\nshall have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their\nremarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 6612, the bill now\nunder consideration.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the\ngentleman from Texas?\n There was no objection.\n Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.\n I want to begin by thanking, as I should, the Members for their\nbipartisan support of the legislation. H.R. 6612 would redesignate the\nNational Aeronautics and Space Administration's Dryden Flight Research\nCenter, which is co-located with the Edwards Air Force Base in the\nAntelope Valley of California, as the Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research\nCenter. The bill would also rename the Western Aeronautical Test Range\nas the Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range. This is very\nappropriate; they were very dear friends.\n Neil Armstrong needs no introduction. Actually, this bill was\nintroduced by his congressman, Kevin McCarthy, the congressman where\nthe redesignation will take place. The gentleman from California is the\nmajority whip, but Neil Armstrong absolutely needs no introduction.\nHe's an iconic American hero, and one of the most humble men I've ever\nmet. He was quiet, thoughtful, and deliberate, choosing his words\ncarefully, whether it was testifying before a congressional committee,\ngiving a speech, or sharing a quiet movement with a friend. He did not\nexaggerate, and always, always gave recognition to the teams of\nengineers, technicians, and scientists at NASA and in industry when\nspeaking\n\n[[Page H7486]]\n\nabout the success of the Apollo 11 mission. He refused to take personal\ncredit for his accomplishments.\n Naming the flight center after Neil is very appropriate. After\ngraduating from college, Neil joined NASA's predecessor agency, the\nNational Advisory Council on Aeronautics, and soon found himself at\nNACA's High Speed Flight Station located at Edwards, which in time\nwould become the Dryden Flight Research Center. He spent 7 years there\nflying a variety of new design and high-performance aircraft, including\nseven flights at the controls of the X-15.\n Neil was a good friend, and is sorely missed by me and by all of the\npeople he touched during his long and active life. He is survived by\nhis wife, Carol; his two sons, Mark and Rick; a stepson and a\nstepdaughter; 10 grandchildren; and a brother and sister.\n The bill also names the Western Aeronautical Test Range after Dr.\nHugh L. Dryden. He held the position of director of the National\nAdvisory Council on Aeronautics from 1947 until it was renamed NASA in\n1958, and was deputy director of NASA until his death in 1965.\n Dr. Dryden did pioneering research on airfoils near the speed of\nsound and the problems of airflow and turbulence. His work greatly\ncontributed to the designs of wings for aircraft, including the P-51\nMustang and other World War II aircraft.\n Before I close, I want to tell something that was rather interesting.\nPresident Clinton, I think it was on the 25th anniversary, invited Neil\nto speak, knowing that he probably wouldn't speak because he had\nindicated that he would not. But he left an empty chair for him on the\nstage. And as we got through the ceremony, Neil walked in. And the\nPresident, good natured, said, Well, I said you wouldn't speak, but\nhere's the microphone.\n Neil took the microphone and said, The parrot is the only bird that\ncan fly and speak, and I can do the same.\n Then he sat down, and it brought the house down.\n I urge Members to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my\ntime.\n Ms. EDWARDS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may\nconsume.\n Madam Speaker, all Americans can recite those famous words uttered by\nNeil Armstrong 43 years ago as he became the first human to walk on the\nMoon. Those words, as all Americans know were, ``That's one small step\nfor man, one giant leap for mankind.''\n In an effort to recognize that great man, H.R. 6612 has been offered\nto redesignate the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's\nDryden Flight Research Center as the Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research\nCenter. The bill would also rename the Western Aeronautical Test Range\nas the Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range.\n While I plan to support it, this is a bill that is a bit unfortunate\nsince it honors one aerospace pioneer by stripping away the honor\npreviously extended to another worthy pioneer. Both are worthy of\nrecognition. Their accomplishments at NASA and for the Nation are\nwithout parallel.\n Dr. Hugh Latimer Dryden was director of the National Advisory\nCommittee for Aeronautics from 1947 until the creation of the National\nAeronautics and Space Administration, and was named deputy\nadministrator of the new aerospace agency when it was created in\nresponse to the Sputnik crisis.\n\n Dr. Dryden made numerous technical contributions to research in high-\nspeed aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, and acoustics, and published more\nthan 100 technical papers and articles in professional journals. NASA's\nDryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, was named in\nhonor of him on March 26, 1976. The center is NASA's premier site for\naeronautical flight research.\n Neil Armstrong joined NACA, the advisory committee, in 1955 following\nhis service as a naval aviator. Over the next 17 years, he was an\nengineer, test pilot, astronaut, and administrator for the committee\nand its successor agency, NASA.\n As a research pilot, he flew over 200 different models of aircraft,\nsuch as the storied X-15. He transferred to astronaut status in 1962,\nand was command pilot for the Gemini VIII mission when he performed the\nfirst successful docking of two vehicles in space. As spacecraft\ncommander for Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing mission, Neil\nArmstrong inspired millions around the world. He inspired me. And he\npassed away just this past August.\n Madam Speaker, it's clear that Neil Armstrong never sought the honor\nof having a NASA center named after him while he was alive. And the\ntruth is, his name is going to live long throughout history whether or\nnot we ever name anything for him. I expect that today we will approve\nthis legislation, and that's fine. But I hope that all the Members who\nvote to honor him today will remember his testimony before the House\nScience, Space, and Technology Committee. I know that our chairman, Mr.\nHall, will remember that during that testimony he argued eloquently for\nthe critical importance of giving NASA a sustainable future and a human\nexploration program that can once again inspire our children and\nhumanity around the world.\n It seems rather extraordinary that even as we're honoring our hero,\nNeil Armstrong, that we face a situation where NASA's budget would be\ndecimated, gutting the very programs that Neil Armstrong felt so\npassionately about. And if the same Members who vote to honor him today\nwill commit to working in the coming months and years for those\nexploration goals, to those heights to which he devoted the last years\nof his life, then we will have truly honored Neil Armstrong in an\nenduring and meaningful way.\n And with that, I reserve the balance of my time.\n Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the very capable\nmajority whip, the gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy).\n Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, to the committee, thank\nyou for your work, and especially to Chairman Hall for his tenure on\nthe committee and his history-making here in Congress. I thank you.\n Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6612 to honor two\ngreat pioneers in American aeronautics and space exploration, Dr. Hugh\nDryden and astronaut Neil Armstrong.\n Some of us here today can remember the pride every American felt in\nthe summer of 1969 when we heard Neil Armstrong utter those famous\nwords, ``that's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,''\nwhen he led the Apollo 11 mission and landed on the Moon.\n Before this incredible trip, Armstrong served as a test pilot for 7\nyears at what is presently called the NASA Dryden Flight Research\nCenter in Kern County, California, which I'm proud to represent.\n Armstrong accumulated 2,400 hours of flying as a test pilot there,\nmainly in experimental jets. He was also part of the team in the early\n1960s that researched how to land on the Moon using the Lunar Landing\nResearch Vehicle.\n After the success of Apollo 11, Armstrong became NASA's deputy\nassociate administrator for aeronautics. Under Armstrong's leadership,\nthe center had one of its most far-reaching technological breakthroughs\nin a concept called digital fly-by-wire, the precursor to computerized\nflight control systems used on nearly all military and civilian high-\nperformance aircraft, including the space shuttles.\n At NASA's Dryden 50th anniversary, Armstrong said in his speech: ``My\nyears here were wonderful years. Dryden was a most unusual place--its\nenormous curiosity, wonderful intensity, and its unbelievable\nwillingness to attempt the impossible here.''\n H.R. 6612 would rename the center in his honor the Neil A. Armstrong\nFlight Research Center.\n\n {time} 1110\n\n The bill would also honor Dr. Hugh Dryden's contributions to\naerospace engineering, some that made Neil Armstrong's achievements\npossible.\n Dr. Dryden was an early pioneer in aerodynamics and helped with many\nscientific breakthroughs, including the X-15 aircraft that launched\nsome test pilots to careers as astronauts, including Neil Armstrong.\n Dr. Dryden was chosen to be NASA's first deputy administrator in\n1958, placing him in charge of the programs that allowed the Agency to\nsend those three brave men to the Moon in 1969. Dr. Dryden passed away\nin 1965, just a few years before his work was fulfilled and Armstrong\ntook that first small step.\n\n[[Page H7487]]\n\n H.R. 6612 will memorialize both men by redesignating the Dryden\nFlight Research Center as the Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center\nand the Western Aeronautic Test Range as the Hugh L. Dryden\nAeronautical Test Range.\n Edwards Air Force Base, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, and the\nNASA Flight Research Center in east Kern County remain a hub of\nscientific discovery, aeronautical innovation, and space exploration. I\nlook forward to many more groundbreaking achievements from the men and\nwomen inspired by the legacy of Neil Armstrong and Hugh Dryden.\n Madam Speaker, I will insert the following letters of support for my\nbill into the Record. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting\nthis bill.\n\n SPACEX,\n\n Washington, DC, December 13, 2012.\n Hon. Kevin McCarthy,\n House of Representatives,\n Washington, DC.\n Dear Congressman McCarthy: I am writing to express SpaceX's\n support for your recently introduced legislation, H.R. 6612,\n to redesignate the Dryden Flight Research Center as the Neil\n A. Armstrong Flight Research Center.\n Throughout his extraordinary life, Neil Armstrong served as\n an inspiration to the nation and to the world, as a leader,\n explorer, and educator. His historic voyage to the Moon in\n 1969 opened the cosmos and created a legacy of greatness that\n will be forever remembered by all those in the pursuit of\n discovery.\n By renaming the Center, you are honoring Neil Armstrong's\n life of achievements every day with the groundbreaking\n science conducted there. SpaceX and our more than 2,200\n employees applaud this important legislation and are proud to\n look to Commander Armstrong's outstanding character every day\n as we take our first steps into space.\n Sincerely,\n Tim Hughes,\n Senior Vice President & General Counsel.\n ____\n\n EAFB\n\n Civ-Mil Support Group,\n\n Lancaster, CA.\n Hon. Kevin McCarthy,\n Cannon House Office Building,\n Washington, DC.\n Dear Congressman McCarthy, The Edwards Air Force Base\n Civilian/Military Support Group wishes to convey to you its\n support of an initiative to change the designation of the\n ``NASA Dryden Flight Research Center'' at Edwards AFB, Ca. to\n the ``Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center'' and the\n designation of the ``Western Aeronautical Test Range'' as the\n ``Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range.''\n Founded over 24 years ago, our organization is the only\n non-profit group dedicated exclusively to supporting the men\n and women, both civilian and military, who serve at Edwards\n AFB. As such, we feel it is entirely fitting that the NASA\n Dryden Flight Research Center be re-named in honor of Neil A.\n Armstrong, a decorated naval aviator and flight test pioneer\n who faithfully served our nation in both civilian and\n military capacities. Additionally, Mr. Armstrong enjoyed\n close ties to both the flight test community at Edwards AFB\n and the local Antelope Valley civilian community. In fact,\n many of his former colleagues still reside here and speak\n fondly of Mr. Armstrong and his contributions to this nation.\n We would like to also recognize that the contributions to\n this country made by Hugh L. Dryden are many and of worthy\n distinction in their own right and we do not wish to detract\n from such a distinguished legacy. Therefore, out of respect\n for Mr. Dryden's living family members and in order to\n preserve his memory we feel it is entirely appropriate to re-\n name the Western Aeronautical Test Range in his honor.\n Our nation is in dire need of programs that build on a\n solid base of science, mathematics and engineering in order\n to keep pace with our ever expanding technology. We feel the\n re-designation of these two assets will help to inspire\n future generations of aviators, scientists and engineers.\n For the above reasons, the Edwards AFB Civilian/Military\n Support Group joins with our legislative offices and other\n community organizations in supporting the proposed name\n change to the Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center and\n Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range.\n Thank you for your efforts in pushing this initiative\n forward in Congress and we wish you great success.\n Sincerely,\n\n Danny A. Bazzell,\n\n President, Edwards AFB\n Civilian/Military Support Group.\n ____\n\n Mojave Air & Space Port,\n\n Mojave, CA, November 27, 2012.\n Hon. Kevin McCarthy,\n Cannon House Office Building,\n Washington, DC.\n Dear Congressman McCarthy, Mojave Air & Space Port strongly\n supports a Resolution in favor of the proposed name change of\n the current NASA Dryden Flight Research Center to the Neil A.\n Armstrong Flight Research Center and Western Aeronautical\n Test Range to the Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range.\n It is most appropriate that Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong be\n honored and memorialized in this way with his noted lifelong\n accomplishments as the first human to walk on the moon and as\n a former test pilot who worked at the Dryden Flight Research\n Center for seven years (1955-1962) as well as emphasis on the\n contributions of the center to the agency's space exploration\n mission.\n The Resolution recognizes the importance of this center in\n advancing technology and science through flight research and\n technology integration to revolutionizing aviation and\n pioneering aerospace technology as well as space exploration.\n We feel that this would be an extraordinary honor for Neil\n Armstrong by strongly encouraging and supporting the passage\n of this legislation to honor his memory as well as\n acknowledging the accomplishments of Hugh L. Dryden by\n renaming the aeronautical test range in his honor.\n Sincerely,\n Stuart O. Witt,\n Chief Executive Officer.\n ____\n\n Sacramento, CA, November 28, 2012.\n Hon. Kevin McCarthy,\n Cannon House Office Building,\n Washington, DC.\n Dear Congressman McCarthy: Thank you for introducing\n legislation to recognize Neil Armstrong and Hugh Dryden's\n enormous contributions to our national space program and the\n aerospace community in the Antelope Valley.\n Designating the National Aeronautics and Space\n Administration's (NASA) Dryden Flight Research Center as the\n Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center and the Western\n Aeronautical Test Range as the Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical\n Test Range honors both of these individuals appropriately and\n in a way that highlights the contributions they have made.\n Aerospace is an ever changing, constantly advancing field.\n In the same way it was right to redesignate the former Lewis\n Research Center in Ohio to honor John Glenn's achievements\n and contributions, it is right to do so to honor Neil\n Armstrong and Hugh Dryden at the Edwards AFB facility.\n On behalf of the nine million California residents,\n including the aerospace communities in the high desert areas\n of Kern, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, I fully\n support H.R. 6612 and encourage all our federal\n representatives to join and support your legislation. Thank\n you for your time and consideration.\n Sincerely,\n\n George Runner,\n\n Member, California State\n Board of Equalization.\n ____\n\n Greater Antelope Valley\n\n Economic Alliance,\n\n Lancaster, CA, December 5, 2012.\n Hon. Kevin McCarthy,\n Cannon House Office Building,\n Washington, DC.\n Dear Congressman McCarthy: On behalf of the Board of\n Directors of the Greater Antelope Valley Economic Alliance\n (GAVEA), I'm requesting your support of an initiative to\n designate the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards,\n Calif., the NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center and\n to designate NASA's Western Aeronautical Test Range the NASA\n Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range.\n GAVEA has been a supporter of the flight test missions at\n Edwards since our inception in 2000. In light of NASA's\n current mission to ``extend the frontiers of space\n exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics\n research,'' we can think of no other person than Neil\n Armstrong whose name has the ability to inspire the next\n generation of researchers, scientists and space explorers.\n In addition, Mr. Armstrong had strong ties to both the\n center and the local community and lived an extraordinary\n life of service not only to his country as a test pilot and\n astronaut, but also as an educator. Recognition of his\n contribution to the nation is long overdue. Many of his\n former colleagues from the center still reside in our\n community and can attest to his reputation for exemplary\n values as well as technical and operational excellence.\n With due consideration, we acknowledge that Dr. Hugh Dryden\n also made a significant contribution to the NASA center at\n Edwards. However, few people today, especially young people,\n are able to make an immediate connection to his name. We\n believe it is important to preserve his legacy and that\n naming the Aeronautical Test Range after him would be a\n fitting tribute to his memory and to his living family\n members. It is a far more imperative mandate, however, to do\n what we can now to inspire math and science education though\n the center so that the important mission at NASA continues\n into the future. A fresh face on the facility at Edwards, in\n our opinion, will accomplish that objective.\n The Board of Directors of GAVEA wholeheartedly join our\n local legislators in endorsing this name change that reflects\n the outstanding successes of the center for over 60 years. We\n thank you for your effort to advance this initiative in\n Congress in the weeks to come.\n Sincerely,\n Dr. Jackie Fisher,\n GAVEA, Chairman.\n\n[[Page H7488]]\n\n ____\n Palmdale Chamber of Commerce,\n\n Palmdale, CA, November 28, 2012.\n\n On behalf of the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce, I want to\n share our support for the name change of NASA's Dryden Flight\n Research Center.\n The Palmdale Chamber of Commerce has always been supportive\n of and, has been a beneficiary of, aerospace and space\n exploration brought about through the work of NASA. My\n personal dealings with NASA have led me to believe that they\n have done their due diligence in educating the population on\n who Hugh Dryden was however, many still do not know, nor will\n they ever know the impact of his work.\n For this reason, the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce is\n supportive of a name change to NASA's Dryden Flight Research\n Center. A change in name to the Neil A. Armstrong Flight\n Research Center brings familiarity to NASA and in name alone\n will lend itself to increased interest in NASA's mission at\n the Flight Research Center.\n Thank you for your consideration.\n Sincerely,\n Jeff McElfresh,\n CEO, Palmdale Chamber of Commerce.\n ____\n\n Antelope Valley Board of Trade,\n\n Lancaster, CA, Nov. 27, 2012.\n Hon. Kevin McCarthy,\n Cannon House Office Building,\n Washington DC.\n Dear Congressman McCarthy: The Antelope Valley Board of\n Trade wishes to express to you its support of an initiative\n to designate the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at\n Edwards, Calif., the NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research\n Center and to designate NASA's Western Aeronautical Test\n Range the NASA Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range.\n Our organization has been has been a supporter of the\n flight test missions at Edwards since the late 1950s. To that\n effect, we have seen numerous name changes of the NASA\n facility over the years, and we feel that the timing is right\n to move the center into a new era. In light of NASA's current\n mission to ``extend the frontiers of space exploration,\n scientific discovery, and aeronautics research'' we can think\n of no other person than Neil Armstrong whose name has the\n ability to inspire the next generation of researchers,\n scientists and space explorers.\n In addition, Mr. Armstrong had strong ties both to the\n center and to the local community and lived an extraordinary\n life of service not only to his country as a test pilot and\n astronaut, but also as an educator. Recognition of his\n contribution to the nation is long overdue. Many of his\n former colleagues from the center still reside in our\n community and can attest to his reputation for exemplary\n values as well as technical and operational excellence.\n With due consideration, we acknowledge that Dr. Hugh Dryden\n also made a significant contribution to the NASA center at\n Edwards. However, few people today, especially young people,\n are able to make an immediate connection to his name. We\n believe it is important to preserve his legacy and that\n naming the Aeronautical Test Range after him would be a\n fitting tribute to his memory and to his living family\n members. It is a far more imperative mandate, however, to do\n what we can now to inspire math and science education through\n the center so that the important mission at NASA continues\n into the future. A fresh face on the facility at Edwards, in\n our opinion, will accomplish that objective.\n We join our local legislators in endorsing this name change\n that reflects the outstanding successes of the center for\n over 60 years. We thank you for your efforts to advance this\n initiative in Congress in the weeks to come.\n For over fifty-three years the mission of the Antelope\n Valley Board of Trade has been ``to promote diverse business\n and industry, quality infrastructures, and a strong\n legislative voice for the benefit of our members and the\n greater Antelope Valley.''\n Sincerely,\n Vicki Medina,\n Executive Director.\n ____\n\n Kern County Board of Supervisors,\n\n Bakersfield, CA, December 4, 2012.\n Hon. Barbara Boxer,\n U.S. Senate,\n Washington, DC.\n Dear Senator Boxer: The Kern County Board of Supervisors\n supports legislation by Rep. Kevin McCarthy to redesignate\n the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA)\n Dryden Flight Research Center as the Neil A. Armstrong Flight\n Research Center and the Western Aeronautical Test Range as\n the Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range.\n The legislation will accomplish three important goals: (1)\n to honor and memorialize Neil A. Armstrong, the first human\n to walk on the Moon and a former test pilot who worked at the\n Center for seven years (1955-1962), (2) to emphasize the\n contributions of that Center to the agency's space\n exploration mission, and (3) to continue to memorialize the\n extraordinary career of Hugh F. Dryden by renaming the\n aeronautical test range (approximately 12,000 square miles of\n special use airspace) in his honor.\n Neil Armstrong's career in test flight began at Edwards Air\n Force Base. At the time he became an astronaut, Armstrong had\n logged 2,400 hours of flying time as a test pilot at Edwards,\n about 900 of the hours in jets. Armstrong was the only member\n of his class of astronauts who had flown in any rocket-\n powered aircraft, notably the X-15. which he piloted seven\n times at the Center.\n While still a test pilot at the NASA Flight Test Center in\n the early 1960s, Armstrong was part of a team that\n conceptualized the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV), a\n flight test article that proved critically important in\n learning what would be required to pilot a spacecraft to a\n lunar landing. The LLRV evolved into the Lunar Landing\n Training Vehicle in which Armstrong and all other commanders\n of Apollo lunar landing missions trained for their descents\n from lunar orbit to the surface of the Moon.\n At the conclusion of Apollo 11, Armstrong left his\n astronaut duties and became NASA's Deputy Associate\n Administrator for Aeronautics. In this post he oversaw the\n aeronautical research programs being conducted at the Center\n and took a lead role in the Center's work on the new\n technology of digital fly-by-wire (DFBW), a concept for\n flying an airplane electronically. NASA considers DFBW\n technology to be one of the most far-reaching research\n technology breakthroughs that its Flight Research Center has\n made in its 60-year history. DFBW technology was the\n forerunner of the computerized flight control systems used on\n nearly all modern high performance aircraft, on military and\n civilian transports, and on the space shuttles.\n Given Commander Armstrong's extraordinary career and his\n close association with Edwards Air Force Base, our Board\n believes it is appropriate to redesignate the National\n Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Dryden Flight\n Research Center as the Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research\n Center, and that it is equally appropriate to re-designate\n the Western Aeronautical Test Range as the Hugh L. Dryden\n Aeronautical Test Range. We respectfully request your strong\n support for this legislation.\n Sincerely,\n Zack Scrivner,\n Chairman.\n ____\n\n Kern County Board of Supervisors,\n\n Bakersfield, CA, December 4, 2012.\n Hon. Jim Costa,\n U.S. House of Representatives,\n Washington, DC.\n Dear Congressman Costa: The Kern County Board of\n Supervisors supports legislation by Rep. Kevin McCarthy to\n redesignate the National Aeronautics and Space\n Administration's (NASA) Dryden Flight Research Center as the\n Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center and the Western\n Aeronautical Test Range as the Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical\n Test Range.\n The legislation will accomplish three important goals: (1)\n to honor and memorialize Neil A, Armstrong. the first human\n to walk on the Moon and a former test pilot who worked at the\n Center for seven years (1955-1962), (2) to emphasize the\n contributions of that Center to the agency's space\n exploration mission, and (3) to continue to memorialize the\n extraordinary career of Hugh L. Dryden by renaming the\n aeronautical test range (approximately 12,000 square miles of\n special use airspace) in his honor.\n Neil Armstrong's career in test flight began at Edwards Air\n Force Base. At the time he became an astronaut. Armstrong had\n logged 2,400 hours of flying time as a test pilot at Edwards,\n about 900 of the hours in jets. Armstrong was the only member\n of his class of astronauts who had flown in any rocket-\n powered aircraft, notably the X-15, which he piloted seven\n times at the Center.\n While still a test pilot at the NASA Flight Test Center in\n the early 1960s, Armstrong was part of a team that\n conceptualized the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV), a\n flight test article that proved critically important in\n learning what would be required to pilot a spacecraft to a\n lunar landing. The LLRV evolved into the Lunar Landing\n Training Vehicle in which Armstrong and all other commanders\n of Apollo lunar landing missions trained for their descents\n from lunar orbit to the surface of the Moon.\n At the conclusion of Apollo 11, Armstrong left his\n astronaut duties and became NASA's Deputy Associate\n Administrator for Aeronautics. In this post he oversaw the\n aeronautical research programs being conducted at the Center\n and took a lead role in the Center's work on the new\n technology of digital fly-by-wire (DFBW), a concept for\n flying an airplane electronically. NASA considers DFBW\n technology to be one of the most far-reaching research\n technology breakthroughs that its Flight Research Center has\n made in its 60-year history. DFBW technology was the\n forerunner of the computerized flight control systems used on\n nearly all modern high performance aircraft, on military and\n civilian transports, and on the space shuttles.\n Given Commander Armstrong's extraordinary career and his\n close association with Edwards Air Force Base, our Board\n believes it is appropriate to redesignate the National\n Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Dryden Flight\n Research Center as the Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research\n Center, and that it is equally appropriate to re-designate\n the Western Aeronautical Test Range as the Hugh L. Dryden\n Aeronautical Test Range. We respectfully request your strong\n support for this legislation.\n Sincerely,\n Zack Scrivner,\n Chairman.\n\n[[Page H7489]]\n\n ____\n Kern County Board of Supervisors,\n\n Bakersfield, CA, December 4, 2012.\n Hon. Dianne Feinstein,\n U.S. Senate,\n Washington, DC.\n Dear Senator Feinstein: The Kern County Board of\n Supervisors supports legislation by Rep. Kevin McCarthy to\n redesignate the National Aeronautics and Space\n Administration's (NASA) Dryden Flight Research Center as the\n Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center and the Western\n Aeronautical Test Range as the Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical\n Test Range.\n The legislation will accomplish three important goals: (1)\n to honor and memorialize Neil A. Armstrong, the first human\n to walk on the Moon and a former test pilot who worked at the\n Center for seven years (1955-1962), (2) to emphasize the\n contributions of that Center to the agency's space\n exploration mission, and (3) to continue to memorialize the\n extraordinary career of Hugh L. Dryden by renaming the\n aeronautical test range (approximately 12,000 square miles of\n special use airspace) in his honor.\n Neil Armstrong's career in test flight began at Edwards Air\n Force Base. At the time he became an astronaut, Armstrong had\n logged 2,400 hours of flying time as a test pilot at Edwards,\n about 900 of the hours in jets. Armstrong was the only member\n of his class of astronauts who had flown in any rocket-\n powered aircraft, notably the X-15, which he piloted seven\n times at the Center.\n While still a test pilot at the NASA Flight Test Center in\n the early 1960s, Armstrong was part of a team that\n conceptualized the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV), a\n flight test article that proved critically important in\n learning what would be required to pilot a spacecraft to a\n lunar landing. The LLRV evolved into the Lunar Landing\n Training Vehicle in which Armstrong and all other commanders\n of Apollo lunar landing missions trained for their descents\n from lunar orbit to the surface of the Moon.\n At the conclusion of Apollo 11, Armstrong, left his\n astronaut duties and became NASA's Deputy Associate\n Administrator for Aeronautics. In this post he oversaw the\n aeronautical research programs being conducted at the Center\n and took a lead role in the Center's work on the new\n technology of digital fly-by-wire (DFBW), a concept for\n flying an airplane electronically. NASA considers DFBW\n technology to be one of the most far-reaching research\n technology breakthroughs that its Flight Research Center has\n made in its 60-year history. DFBW technology was the\n forerunner of the computerized flight control systems used on\n nearly all modern high performance aircraft, on military and\n civilian transports, and on the space shuttles.\n Given Commander Armstrong's extraordinary career and his\n close association with Edwards Air Force Base, our Board\n believes it is appropriate to re-designate the National\n Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Dryden Flight\n Research Center as the Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research\n Center, and that it is equally appropriate to redesignate the\n Western Aeronautical Test Range as the Hugh L. Dryden\n Aeronautical Test Range. We respectfully request your strong\n support for this legislation.\n Sincerely,\n Jack Scrivner,\n Chairman.\n ____\n\n Kern County Board of Supervisors,\n\n Bakersfield, CA, December 4, 2012.\n Hon. Kevin McCarthy,\n House of Representatives,\n Washington, DC.\n Dear Congressman McCarthy: The Kern County Board of\n Supervisors supports your legislation to redesignate the\n National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Dryden\n Flight Research Center as the Neil A. Armstrong Flight\n Research Center and the Western Aeronautical Test Range as\n the Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range.\n The legislation will honor and memorialize Neil A.\n Armstrong, the first human to walk on the Moon and a former\n test pilot who worked at the Center for seven years (1955-\n 1962); emphasize the contributions of that Center to the\n agency's space exploration mission, and continue to\n memorialize the extraordinary career of Hugh L. Dryden by\n renaming the aeronautical test range (approximately 12,000\n square miles of special use airspace) in his honor.\n Neil Armstrong's career in test flight began at Edwards Air\n Force Base. At the time he became an astronaut, Armstrong had\n logged 2,400 hours of flying time as a test pilot at Edwards,\n about 900 of the hours in jets. Armstrong was the only member\n of his class of astronauts who had flown in any rocket-\n powered aircraft, notably the X-15, which he piloted seven\n times at the Center.\n While still a test pilot at the NASA Flight Test Center in\n the early 1960s, Armstrong was part of a team that\n conceptualized the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV), a\n flight test article that proved critically important in\n learning what would be required to pilot a spacecraft to a\n lunar landing. The LLRV evolved into the Lunar Landing\n Training Vehicle in which Armstrong and all other commanders\n of Apollo lunar landing missions trained for their descents\n from lunar orbit to the surface of the Moon.\n At the conclusion of Apollo 11, Commander Armstrong left\n his astronaut duties and became NASA's Deputy Associate\n Administrator for Aeronautics. In this post he oversaw the\n aeronautical research programs being conducted at the Center\n and took a lead role in the Center's work on the new\n technology of digital fly-by-wire (DFBW), a concept for\n flying an airplane electronically. NASA considers DFBW\n technology to be one of the most far-reaching research\n technology breakthroughs that its Flight Research Center has\n made in its 60-year history. DFBW technology was the\n forerunner of the computerized flight control systems used on\n nearly all modern high performance aircraft, on military and\n civilian transports, and on the space shuttles.\n Given Commander Armstrong's extraordinary career and his\n close association with Edwards Air Force Base, our Board\n believes it is appropriate to redesignate the National\n Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Dryden Flight\n Research Center as the Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research\n Center, and that it is equally appropriate to redesignate the\n Western Aeronautical Test Range as the Hugh L. Dryden\n Aeronautical Test Range. We therefore offer our strong\n support for your legislation.\n Sincerely,\n Zack Scrivner,\n Chairman,\n ____\n\n City of Palmdale,\n\n Palmdale, CA, December 3, 2012.\n Congressman Kevin McCarthy,\n House of Representatives, Cannon House Office Building,\n Washington, DC.\n Dear Congressman McCarthy: The City of Palmdale is pleased\n to support your legislature proposal to re-designate NASA\n Dryden Flight Research Center in honor of Neil A. Armstrong.\n The Antelope Valley, including Palmdale, is known for its\n rich aviation history and heritage, largely resulting from\n operations at Air Force Plant 42 and Edwards Air Force Base\n including NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. Our residents\n and local businesses are involved in making extensive\n contributions to our nation in the fields of space\n exploration, national defense, aeronautics and other\n scientific discovery.\n With NASA's new vision for space exploration, there is a\n need to inspire the next generation of scientists and\n researchers to explore space. The proposed name change will\n accomplish two important goals: to honor Neil Armstrong, test\n pilot and Apollo 11 astronaut who was the first person to\n walk on the Moon and a former test pilot at the Center, as\n well as to emphasize the contributions of the Center to the\n Agency's space exploration mission.\n Again, I applaud your efforts and thank you for introducing\n this legislation and your ongoing support of the Antelope\n Valley.\n Sincerely\n James C. Ledford, Jr.,\n Mayor.\n ____\n\n City of California City, City Hall,\n\n California City, CA, November 28, 2012.\n Hon. Kevin McCarthy,\n Cannon House Office Building, House of Representatives,\n Washington, DC.\n Dear Congressman McCarthy: The City of California City\n whole heartedly supports and indorses the proposed name\n change of the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center to the Neil\n A. Armstrong Flight Research Center in honor of Neil\n Armstrong's lifelong service to his country and the expansion\n of space exploration.\n The rich history of NASA and it's relationship with Mr.\n Armstrong which lead to his accomplishments throughout his\n career inspire the ``Can Do'' attitude that makes America the\n nation of leaders that others constantly strive to emulate.\n We applaud your efforts to make this a realization so that\n future Americans will continue to recognize this pioneer's\n efforts whenever they come in contact with the NASA's Flight\n Research Center.\n Sincerely,\n William T. Weil, Jr.,\n City Manager.\n ____\n\n Lancaster, CA,\n\n November 29, 2012.\n Hon. Kevin McCarthy,\n Cannon House Office Building,\n Washington, DC.\n Dear Congressman McCarthy: The Antelope Valley Board of\n Trade wishes to express to you its support of an initiative\n to designate the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at\n Edwards, California the NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight\n Research Center and to designate NASA's Western Aeronautical\n Test Range the NASA Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range.\n Our organization has been a long-time supporter of the\n flight test missions at Edwards. To that effect, we have seen\n numerous name changes of the NASA facility over the years,\n and we feel that the timing is right to move the center into\n a new era. In light of NASA's current mission to ``extend the\n frontiers of space exploration, scientific discovery, and\n aeronautics research'', we can think of no other person than\n Neil Armstrong whose name has the ability to inspire the next\n generation of researchers, scientists, and space explorers.\n In addition, Mr. Armstrong had strong ties both to the\n center and to the local community and lived an extraordinary\n life of service not only to his country as a test pilot and\n astronaut, but also as an educator. Recognition of his\n contribution to the nation is long overdue. Many of his\n former colleagues from the center still reside in our\n community and can attest to his reputation for exemplary\n values as well as technical and operational excellence.\n\n[[Page H7490]]\n\n We join our local legislators in endorsing this name change\n that reflects the outstanding successes of the center for\n over 60 years. We thank you for your efforts to advance this\n initiative in Congress in the weeks to come.\n Sincerely,\n R. Rex Parris,\n Mayor.\n\n Ms. EDWARDS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my good friend, the\ngentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).\n Mr. KUCINICH. Neil Armstrong's voyage to the Moon represented a\npersonal heroic journey, and it was also expressive of a uniquely\nAmerican capability and capacity to reach higher and higher, to expand\nour horizons, to seek newer worlds, and to do that with a sense of\nwonder and in peace. May we regain that capacity through recognizing\nhim today.\n Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from\nTexas, Mr. Lamar Smith, who, on the 3rd day of January will be the\nchairman of Science, Space, and Technology for many, many years.\n Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas,\nthe chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee for\nyielding me time.\n Madam Speaker, first I want to thank the gentleman from California,\nMajority Whip Kevin McCarthy, for honoring both Neil Armstrong and NASA\nDeputy Administrator Hugh Dryden with this bill.\n Not many people know the relationship between these two men. Hugh\nDryden was the visionary behind NASA's X-15 rocket plane and the Apollo\nprogram, and Neil Armstrong was the one who actually flew the\nspacecraft that Dryden envisioned.\n The X-15 rocket plane set many speed and altitude records in the\nearly 1960s. Hugh Dryden was the engineer and program manager for that\nspacecraft, which Neil Armstrong flew seven times.\n While everyone knows that Neil Armstrong was the first person to set\nfoot on the Moon, not many people know Hugh Dryden's role. The Soviets\nlaunched the first satellite, Sputnik, in 1957, and Cosmonaut Yuri\nGagarin became the first man in space in April 1961.\n President John F. Kennedy was looking for a way to demonstrate\nAmerican ingenuity and technical superiority over the Soviet Union, so\nhe convened the National Space Council and asked for their advice on\nthe best way for America to respond to the Soviets' string of firsts in\nspace exploration. Hugh Dryden was the person in that meeting who\nrecommended to the President that the goal of putting a person on the\nMoon within 10 years was achievable and something the American people\ncould rally behind. The rest is history. President Kennedy grabbed Hugh\nDryden's idea and addressed a joint session of Congress the very next\nmonth.\n The Apollo program was the brainchild of Hugh Dryden, and Neil\nArmstrong turned that dream into reality by making that ``one small\nstep for man, one giant leap for mankind'' on another world almost\n240,000 miles away. Hugh Dryden was not able to see his dream become\nreality, as he died in 1965, and, unfortunately, Neil Armstrong passed\naway last August.\n It is important for us to honor both men's legacies by naming the\nflight research center after Neil Armstrong and the surrounding test\nrange after Hugh Dryden. With this bill, we reaffirm that America is\nfilled with dreamers like Hugh Dryden and doers like Neil Armstrong,\nwho, working together, can shoot for the Moon.\n Again, Madam Speaker, I want to thank Congressman McCarthy for\nhonoring their legacy, which reminds us that America always needs to\nthink about new frontiers.\n Ms. EDWARDS. Madam Speaker, I'd like to inquire of Mr. Hall as to\nwhether he has additional speakers; otherwise, I'm ready to close.\n Mr. HALL. No, we do not have additional speakers.\n Ms. EDWARDS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may\nconsume.\n It seems so fitting that we're here today to recognize Neil\nArmstrong. And I want to thank Mr. Hall both for his leadership of our\nScience Committee and the opportunity that we've had to work together.\nHe is a good friend. I look forward to working with our new chairman,\nMr. Smith, in the next Congress.\n And it seems that we will have an opportunity to work on the things\nthat Neil Armstrong believed in and felt so passionately about: about\nmaking sure that the United States remains at the top of the leader\nboard when it comes to space exploration; making certain that, as he\nexpressed in our committee, NASA remains at the forefront of our\ntechnology development, of our research, of our capacity.\n There are few of us who will get to see or to know what Neil\nArmstrong saw and knew. There are few of us, though we want to, who\nwill be able to see the universe in the kind of way that Neil Armstrong\ndid. But what we do know is that we have the ability here in this\nCongress and in future Congresses to actually preserve what it is that\nwe do in space and how we use technology, and that we build on the\ngreat promise of Hugh Dryden and Neil Armstrong and our great capacity\nas a Nation for research and development and technology.\n I know that our leaders will be committed to preserving the names of\nthese great heroes in the work that we do in the future, for our\nchildren and for generations to come.\n It also seems very fitting that in honoring Neil Armstrong--and I\nwill just say personally, there are few opportunities here in the\nCongress where you feel like you really get to both touch the past and\nlook to the future, and for me, that came in just being able to meet\nand to talk with Neil Armstrong when he came before our committee, Mr.\nChairman.\n And I will say, having watched all of those missions as a little girl\nsitting in front of a black-and-white television, in a classroom,\nseeing the promise and capacity of our universe and our scientific\nendeavors and creation, that Neil Armstrong was at the center of that.\nAnd so I am pleased that we're able to honor him today, but I hope that\nwe can honor him and his legacy in the future with the work that we do\nto preserve the great work that's done at the National Aeronautics and\nSpace Administration for all of our future generations.\n To the chairman, I know that, to Chairman Hall, Neil Armstrong was a\nspecial friend of his as well and quite an inspiration, but an\ninspiration for generations. And so it gives me great pleasure to be\nable to present H.R. 6612 in renaming the Dryden Research Center as the\nNeil A. Armstrong Center, and I look forward to continuing to support\nthe great work of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.\n With that, I yield back the balance of my time.\n Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, before I close, I'd just like to thank Jay\nPierson, who plans to retire at the end of this year, for his many,\nmany years of service to this House. He's been very helpful to me, to\nmy staff, and to other staffs. He'll be sorely missed.\n With that, Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.\n Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I proudly stand with my good friend and\nfellow Californian, Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, in strong support of\nlegislation we have both championed, H.R. 6612, which will redesignate\nNASA's Dryden Flight Research Center as the Neil A. Armstrong Flight\nResearch Center and the Western Aeronautical Test Range as the Hugh L.\nDryden Aeronautical Test Range.\n One of the greatest benefits of public service in U.S. House of\nRepresentatives is the people that you meet from all walks of life.\n I had the very high honor and privilege of meeting Mr. Armstrong on\nseveral occasions before he passed away on August 25, 2012.\n Given his place as a revered global icon, Neil never sought the\nlimelight and never lost his unassuming nature or the Midwestern values\nthat his Ohio roots instilled in him.\n Those of us who were old enough to witness first hand when he took\nhis first step on the surface of the moon will never forget the great\nsense of pride in our country and inspiration in the ability of\nmankind.\n There are few events in history that have had such a profound and\npositive impact, transcending generations across the globe.\n H.R. 6612 is just one way we can pay tribute to this great American\nhero.\n The bill will accomplish three important goals: (1) to honor Neil A.\nArmstrong, who served as an experimental research test pilot at the\ncenter from 1955 to 1962; (2) to emphasize the contributions of that\ncenter to NASA's current space exploration mission; and (3) to\nmemorialize the extraordinary career of Dr. Hugh L. Dryden by naming\nthe aeronautical\n\n[[Page H7491]]\n\ntest range, approximately 12,000 square miles of special use airspace\nin his honor.\n I urge my House colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 6612.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the\ngentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) that the House suspend the rules and\npass the bill, H.R. 6612.\n The question was taken.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds\nbeing in the affirmative, the ayes have it.\n Ms. EDWARDS. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a\nquorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not\npresent.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further\nproceedings on this question will be postponed.\n The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7491-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "INVESTIGATIVE ASSISTANCE FOR VIOLENT CRIMES ACT OF 2012", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7491", "H7495", "[{\"name\": \"Trey Gowdy\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Robert C. \\\"Bobby\\\" Scott\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"John Conyers, Jr.\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Sheila Jackson Lee\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"83\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"2076\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"2076\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6019\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6019\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7491", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7491-H7495]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n INVESTIGATIVE ASSISTANCE FOR VIOLENT CRIMES ACT OF 2012\n\n Mr. GOWDY. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in\nthe Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2076) to amend title 28, United\nStates Code, to clarify the statutory authority for the longstanding\npractice of the Department of Justice of providing investigatory\nassistance on request of State and local authorities with respect to\ncertain serious violent crimes, and for other purposes.\n The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n The text of the Senate amendment is as follows:\n\n Senate amendment:\n In lieu of matter proposed to be inserted, insert the\n following:\n\n SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.\n\n This Act may be cited as the ``Investigative Assistance for\n Violent Crimes Act of 2012''.\n\n SEC. 2. INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN VIOLENT ACTS, SHOOTINGS, AND\n MASS KILLINGS.\n\n (a) Attorney General.--Title 28, United States Code, is\n amended--\n (1) in section 530C(b)(1)(L)(i), by striking ``$2,000,000''\n and inserting ``$3,000,000''; and\n (2) in section 530C(b)(1), by adding at the end the\n following--\n ``(M)(i) At the request of an appropriate law enforcement\n official of a State or political subdivision, the Attorney\n General may assist in the\n\n[[Page H7492]]\n\n investigation of violent acts and shootings occurring in a\n place of public use and in the investigation of mass killings\n and attempted mass killings. Any assistance provided under\n this subparagraph shall be presumed to be within the scope of\n Federal office or employment.\n ``(ii) For purposes of this subparagraph--\n ``(I) the term `mass killings' means 3 or more killings in\n a single incident; and\n ``(II) the term `place of public use' has the meaning given\n that term under section 2332f(e)(6) of title 18, United\n States Code.''.\n (b) Secretary of Homeland Security.--Section 875 of the\n Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 455) is amended by\n adding at the end the following:\n ``(d) Investigation of Certain Violent Acts, Shootings, and\n Mass Killings.--\n ``(1) In general.--At the request of an appropriate law\n enforcement official of a State or political subdivision, the\n Secretary, through deployment of the Secret Service or United\n States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, may assist in the\n investigation of violent acts and shootings occurring in a\n place of public use, and in the investigation of mass\n killings and attempted mass killings. Any assistance provided\n by the Secretary under this subsection shall be presumed to\n be within the scope of Federal office or employment.\n ``(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection--\n ``(A) the term `mass killings' means 3 or more killings in\n a single incident; and\n ``(B) the term `place of public use' has the meaning given\n that term under section 2332f(e)(6) of title 18, United\n States Code.''.\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from\nSouth Carolina (Mr. Gowdy) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott)\neach will control 20 minutes.\n The Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Carolina.\n\n General Leave\n\n Mr. GOWDY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members\nmay have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their\nremarks and include extraneous materials on the matter currently under\nconsideration.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the\ngentleman from South Carolina?\n There was no objection.\n Mr. GOWDY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.\n Madam Speaker, violent crimes, especially mass killings, are often\nunpredictable and impulsive. The venues are random. The jurisdictions\nwhere these crimes take place include the smallest of towns, the least\nlikely places for crimes of this magnitude and this depravity.\n When we were drafting this bill months ago, Madam Speaker, of course\nwe had hoped against hope that it would not be needed--not so soon, at\nleast. We hoped it would sit on the sidelines, available but unused.\nSadly, this is not the culture we live in, Madam Speaker. We have\nrecently witnessed another example of the depth to which the human\ncondition can sink.\n In times like these, when State and local resources are stretched,\nFederal law enforcement is ready, willing, and able to assist. Indeed,\nthey do assist, but they do so without statutory coverage. The manner\nand method of the assistance, Madam Speaker, is vast and varied. Most\nlocal police departments do not have criminal profilers. They may not\nhave quick access to a world-class forensic lab, grand jury subpoenas,\nor the experience that comes from handling similar investigations in\nthe past.\n Law enforcement, Madam Speaker, is a particularly close-knit\ncommunity, with State, local, and Federal agents working together\nsharing resources and expertise, working under very difficult\ncircumstances to prevent crimes or quickly investigate and apprehend\nafterwards those who commit such crimes.\n Madam Speaker, I have seen in my own prior career in South Carolina\nthe willingness of Federal law enforcement to assist in kidnappings,\nmurders, arson, and robberies.\n Tragically, our country has seen the need for Federal law enforcement\nto assist in places as disparate as movie theaters, college campuses,\nand even elementary schools.\n Federal law enforcement agencies and officers do not currently have\nspecific statutory authority to assist in the investigations of mass\nkillings, attempted mass killings, or other violent crimes that occur.\nFederal law enforcement officers frequently receive emergency requests\nfor such assistance from State and local law enforcement agencies. And\nwhile this assistance is routinely provided, Madam Speaker, it is\npossible that Federal officers who provide such assistance could be\nfound to be acting outside their scope of employment.\n To correct this problem, H.R. 2076 specifically allows certain\nFederal agents to provide State and local law enforcement with the\nassistance requested when the violent act does not otherwise appear to\nviolate Federal law. These Federal agents come from agencies such as\nthe FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshal Service, Secret Service, and ICE. And\nwhile we hope and pray, Madam Speaker, and take affirmative steps to\nprevent such similar crimes in the future, this bill ensures that State\nand local police now can at least request the assistance of Federal law\nenforcement officers in similar situations, and do so fully covered by\nthe law. This bill allows Federal law enforcement officers to provide\nan emergency response to critical situations where violent crimes have\noccurred or may remain in progress.\n This bill is not an expansion, Madam Speaker, of Federal authority\nand does not expand the jurisdiction of any Federal law enforcement\nagency in any manner whatsoever. Any law enforcement assistance must be\nrequested by a State or local authority and agreed to by the Federal\nauthorities.\n Last year, Madam Speaker, this bill passed the Judiciary Committee in\nthe House with broad bipartisan support. Earlier this month, the Senate\npassed, by unanimous consent, this bill. This bill is supported by the\nFBI Agents Association and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers\nAssociation.\n Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to concur in the Senate's\namendment to this bill so that it may be sent to the President for his\nsignature, and I reserve the balance of my time.\n Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I\nmay consume.\n Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Senate amendment to H.R.\n2076. The House originally passed this bill in September of 2001 by an\noverwhelming vote.\n H.R. 2076 gives the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland\nSecurity the specific statutory authority to respond to requests from\nState and local law enforcement agencies for assistance in\ninvestigation of violent acts and shootings occurring in public places\nand in investigations of mass killings and attempted mass killings.\n\n {time} 1130\n\n The House-passed version of the bill only applied to the FBI\nproviding assistance. The Senate amended the bill to include all DOJ\nand Department of Homeland Security law enforcement agencies.\nTherefore, under the version of the bill before the House today, the\nDepartment of Justice's agencies, such as the FBI, DEA, Marshal Service\nand ATF, would be able to provide assistance, as would the Department\nof Homeland Security's law enforcement agencies, such as Secret Service\nand Immigration and Customs Enforcement, if requested by local and\nState law enforcement agencies.\n These Federal agencies do not currently have the specific statutory\nauthority to assist in the investigations of mass killings or attempted\nmass killings occurring in venues such as schools, colleges,\nuniversities, non-Federal office buildings, malls and/or other public\nplaces.\n In particular, while the FBI continues to receive requests for such\nassistance from State and local law enforcement, and the FBI often does\nassist in such circumstances, there is presently technically no Federal\nstatute that directly provides jurisdiction to the FBI to respond to\nsuch requests. Legislation granting the proposed investigative\nauthority would allow these Federal agencies to provide State and local\nlaw enforcement with the assistance, if requested, even when the\nviolent act does not technically violate a Federal law.\n Unfortunately, due to the tragic shooting and killing of 20 students\nand six teachers in Newtown, Connecticut, the consideration of this\nbill is timely. Of course, we should pass the bill today so that the\nPresident may sign it into law. But, Madam Speaker, while we must take\nsteps to assist in the investigation of such incidents, it is even more\ncritical that we prevent them from occurring in the first place.\nProposals to do that include not only legislation involving gun safety,\nbut also\n\n[[Page H7493]]\n\nlegislation such as the Youth Promise Act, which would provide funding\nfor comprehensive juvenile justice initiatives, or additional funding\nfor the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant, or the Campus Safety Act,\nwhich are all pending, as well as increased funding for mental health\nservices and school counselors.\n We simply must do all we can to protect our citizens, and these\nproposals must be enacted as soon as possible. But with respect to H.R.\n2076, the bill before us today, I want to commend the gentleman from\nSouth Carolina (Mr. Gowdy) for his leadership on this bill and urge my\ncolleagues to support the Senate amendment to H.R. 2076.\n I yield back the balance of my time.\n Mr. GOWDY. Madam Speaker, in conclusion, I just want to take this one\nfinal opportunity to thank Chairman Smith for his leadership, not just\non this particular bill, but his leadership throughout the 2-year\ntenure he was chairman of the Judiciary.\n Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to\nreclaim my time.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the\ngentleman from Virginia?\n There was no objection.\n Mr. GOWDY. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time and the\nright to perhaps finish at the end.\n Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Thank you. And I apologize, I was not aware\nthat I had additional speakers.\n I yield such time as he may consume to the former chair of the\nJudiciary Committee, the ranking member, the gentleman from Michigan\n(Mr. Conyers).\n Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I am very quick to thank the former\nchairman of the Subcommittee on Crime, Bobby Scott of Virginia, and of\ncourse Mr. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina for his very great contribution\nto H.R. 2076, as amended, that the House originally passed in 2011 by a\nvote of 358-9.\n H.R. 2076 gives the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland\nSecurity the specific statutory authority to respond to requests from\nState and local law enforcement agencies for assistance in the\ninvestigation of violent acts and shootings occurring in public places,\nand in the investigation of mass killings and attempted mass killings.\nIt's very appropriate, of course, under the recent circumstances that\nthe leaders on both sides of the aisle have mentioned. So this bill,\nunfortunately, due to the tragic shooting in Newtown, the consideration\nof this bill is appropriately timely.\n Of course we should pass the bill today so that the President may\nsign it into law, but it is unfortunate that we're not also sending the\nPresident even more urgently needed legislation to protect us from gun\nviolence. While we must take steps to assist in the investigation of\nsuch incidents, it is critical that we prevent them from occurring in\nthe first place. We're simply not doing all we can do to protect our\ncitizens, but we celebrate that we have come this far.\n So I urge my colleagues to support the Senate amendment to H.R. 2076.\n Mr. GOWDY. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.\n Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may\nconsume to the gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).\n Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. First of all, I want to thank Mr. Gowdy\nvery much for the attentiveness to this legislation and shepherding it\nso that it has come from the Senate and accepting the Senate amendment.\n I am on Homeland Security, and I believe that the amendment that has\nbeen provided under this legislation originally, H.R. 2076, will expand\nyour intent, and I believe that you believe it as well.\n I think it is very important to emphasize that we now have extra\ninvestigatory skills and techniques and a collaborative effort between\nHomeland Security personnel and those in the Department of Justice to\nbe utilized by the Homeland Security Secretary, and as well the\nAttorney General, helping to investigate violent acts or shootings that\noccur in venues such as schools, colleges, universities, non-Federal\noffice buildings, and other places of public use. This includes mass\nkillings that are three or more killings in a single incident.\n We all recognize the tragedy of Newtown, but there are tragedies that\nhave faced us over the last couple of years. The President indicated\nNewtown was the worst day of his administration, but compounded was the\nAurora killings, the killings in the Sikh temple, and the acts of\nheinous murder that occurred in Houston, Texas, where a mother and her\ndaughter were murdered on Christmas Eve. So there are times when the\nlocal authorities need immediate assistance.\n Or the time when we had a child predator. Although this legislation\nmay not define violent acts as such, I can tell you that the community\nfelt violated when a number of children were preyed upon. Through the\nkindness and the understanding of the local FBI office in Houston and\nmy persistence and the difficulty of coordinating with local\nauthorities because of the sort of uncomfortableness of the involvement\nof the Federal Government, we overcame that and they participated, and\nshortly thereafter the predator was captured. Children are impacted,\nand that is why this legislation is enormously important.\n I also want to take note of the fact that the gentleman from South\nCarolina is right that the FBI did not have statutory authority to\nassist in the investigation of mass killings or other violent crimes\nthat are carried out in non-Federal public places such as schools and\nuniversities. We now have put forward this Federal law.\n Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2076, the\nInvestigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act of 2011. This\nlegislation is an appropriate and necessary measure to keep our\ncitizens safe.\n Currently the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, does not have\nstatutory authority to assist in the investigation of mass killings or\nother violent crimes that are carried out in non-federal public places,\nsuch as schools and universities. As of now, when the FBI is asked by\nstate and local law enforcement to assist with related investigations,\nthey frequently comply with the request, despite the possibility that\nin doing so, the responding officers may be found to be acting outside\nof their jurisdiction.\n The Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act grants specific\nauthority to the FBI to respond when asked for help by state and local\nlaw enforcement, without expanding the jurisdiction of the FBI. The\nbill allows the FBI to assist in the investigation of a violent crime\nor mass killing only when asked to do so.\n The FBI has lent their resources to several high profile\ninvestigations in recent history. Last September, when an armed\nintruder entered the Discovery Communications Building in Rockville,\nMaryland, the FBI SWAT team assisted the Montgomery County Police\nDepartment, and FBI investigators processed the crime scene. In 2009,\nthe American Civic Center in Binghamton, New York was the site of a\nmass killing when an armed subject killed 13 people. The FBI was asked\nto assist, and lent their Evidence Response Team, Victim Assistance\nprogram, and Behavioral Analysis unit. The FBI also assisted in the\ninvestigation to identify the student who opened fire at Virginia\nTechnical Institute in 2007.\n The FBI lent invaluable assistance to state and local law enforcement\nto these and many other cases. However, as the law currently standards,\nthere is no specific statutory authority allowing them to do so. The\nInvestigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act specifically\nauthorizes, by legal statute, that which the FBI is consistently asked\nand expected to do.\n This bill is an important measure aimed at increasing the safety and\nsecurity of the American people. When faced with a mass killing or\nother violent crime, our state and local law enforcement officials\nshould have access to every necessary resource in order to mitigate the\nsituation, identify the perpetrators, and bring them to justice. In\nHouston, Texas, where I represent the 18th Congressional District, the\nFBI reports that 22,491 violent crimes in 2010. I know that my\nconstituents would appreciate knowing that their local law enforcement\nofficials have access to the resources of the FBI, should they need\nthem.\n As a senior Member of both the Judiciary and Homeland Security\ncommittees, I have worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of the\nAmerican people, and this legislation does just that. I am pleased at\nthe bipartisan manner in which this bill is being considered, and urge\nmy colleagues to support H.R. 2076, the Investigative Assistance for\nViolent Crimes Act.\n\n {time} 1140\n\n I think that is enormously important. Again, I congratulate the\npassage of this legislation, and I am particularly sensitive to the\nutilization of the SWAT team.\n I will take a moment, just to deviate, to be able to thank the\nchairman of the\n\n[[Page H7494]]\n\ncommittee and the ranking member and the ranking member on the Crime\nSubcommittee for their commitment and interest in children. Today, we\nwere going to further proceed with our commitment to children, and that\nis in the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant. But my fight will\ncontinue in the next term, and I want to thank you, Mr. Smith, for\nunderstanding that the practical aspect of what we were doing was to\nsave children and to prevent a youngster like this from not having a\njuvenile system that they could in fact have access to. It plays into\nsome of what Mr. Gowdy is speaking about, but it plays into an earlier\nstage, and that is to ensure that there are court systems, there are\nmental health systems, there are a number of other systems that our\njuveniles can have access to that are intervention; that in fact we can\ntake note of the fact that juveniles are bullied, that there's\ncyberbullying. But I believe it's important to stand to fight for\nanother day.\n So as we support the legislation of Mr. Gowdy, I want to be able to\nthank all of those who stood crying in a hearing in Houston, Texas, in\nthe fall of 2010, fighting about whether or not this Federal Government\nwould make a statement, a positive statement, about resources to help\nwith bullying and the intervention of such, and to do it in a way that\ncould be effectively utilized. I think we came up with that in H.R.\n6019, in all the compromise that we came about, and frankly sometimes\nthe English language is not perfect and people cannot understand what\nwe are trying to do.\n But to come back to this legislation, H.R. 2076 will be a good,\nfitting end for the Judiciary Committee, and in 2013 I look forward to\nworking with my colleagues on the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant\nreauthorization so that critical issues such as youth violence,\njuvenile crime prevention, mental health screening and treatment, among\nothers, that would help millions of children can be in place. If we can\nhave a situation where we reauthorize what my original bill, H.R. 83,\noffered to do, I will be right there being enthusiastic. If we have to\nfind a common place of compromise, I will be there as well, because\nthat is what we are here to do, to work on behalf of the American\npeople and the children that we represent.\n It is important to note that we are doing something good in the\nJudiciary Committee. I hope that we will have the opportunity to work\ntogether more closely in 2013 and be able to do the good work that many\nof us have advocated and work with a number of groups and families who\nhave been victims without the right kind of resources, which we were\ntrying to implement.\n With that, I want to submit into the Record a number of documents on\nmy remarks that I have just made, and I ask my colleagues to support\nthe legislation of Mr. Gowdy.\n Congress of the United States,\n Washington, DC.\n Support H.R. 6019: The Juvenile Accountability Block Grant\n Reauthorization Act 2012\n\n Dear Colleague: I invite you to join me in supporting\n legislation that seeks to provide grants through the\n Department of Justice to States for the creation and\n operation of programs that address critical issues such as\n youth violence, juvenile crime prevention, and mental health\n screening and treatment, among others, which would help\n millions of children throughout our nation. H.R. 6019\n reauthorizes the Juvenile Accountability Block Grants, JABG,\n and would allow a portion of those funds to also be used by\n States for a number of intervention programs.\n H.R. 6019 authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to\n States and local governments to strengthen their juvenile\n justice systems and foster accountability within their\n juvenile populations. As previously stated, JABG funds\n support seventeen program purpose areas, allowing local\n governments to utilize funding for a variety of activities\n including hiring juvenile court judges, probation officers,\n and court-appointed defenders. Moreover, local governments\n will have access to funding for programs derived from\n evidence-based models and best practices that address, among\n other issues, those related to bullying and cyberbullying,\n including prevention and intervention.\n I hope you will lend your support to this effort on behalf\n of our nation's children to create and support programs\n designed to address these critical issues and help create a\n better juvenile justice system in America. Together, we can\n do a great deal to ease and end the suffering of millions of\n children nationwide.\n If you have any questions or need further information,\n please contact Janice Bashford at 202.225.3816, or,\n Janice.Bashford@mail.house.gov.\n Very Truly Yours,\n Sheila Jackson Lee,\n Member of Congress.\n ____\n\n Congress of the United States\n\n Washington, DC.\n\n BRIEF HISTORY OF THE JUVENILE ACCOUNTABILITY BLOCK GRANT\n\n Originally created in 1997, Congress created the Juvenile\n Accountability Incentive Block Grant (JABG) program and\n appropriated new federal funds through the Office of Juvenile\n Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).\n In 2002 and 2005, the program was reauthorized and the\n program was eventually renamed the Juvenile Accountability\n Block Grant (JABG) Program. Its most recent reauthorization\n occurred in 2006, with $350 million a year for FYs 2006\n through 2009.\n Now unauthorized, JABG still receives appropriations.\n FY 2001 ($250 million appropriated by Congress)\n FY 2002 ($250 million appropriated by Congress)\n FY 2003 ($190 million appropriated by Congress)\n FY 2004 ($60 million appropriated by Congress)\n FY 2005 ($55 million appropriated by Congress)\n FY 2006 ($50 million appropriated by Congress)\n FY 2007 ($49 million appropriated by Congress)\n FY 2008 ($52 million appropriated by Congress)\n FY 2009 ($55 million appropriated by Congress)\n FY 2010 ($55 million requested by President, $55 million\n appropriated by Congress)\n FY 2011 ($40 million requested by President, $46 million\n appropriated by Congress)\n FY 2012 ( ZERO requested by President, $30 million\n appropriated by Congress)\n FY 2013 ($30 million requested by President)\n H.R. 6019 would authorize the appropriation of $40 million\n annually over the 2013-2017. Assuming appropriation of the\n authorized amounts, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 6019\n would cost $121 million over the 2013-2017 period. PAYGO does\n not apply.\n ____\n\n VOTE YES ON H.R. 6019\n\n The Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2012\n\n Help Your Local Communities\n\n 17 JABG Program Purpose Areas\n\n 1. Developing, implementing, and administering graduated\n sanctions for juvenile offenders.\n 2. Building, expanding, renovating, or operating temporary\n or permanent juvenile correction, detention, or community\n corrections facilities.\n 3. Hiring juvenile court judges, probation officers, and\n court-appointed defenders and special advocates, and funding\n pretrial services (including mental health screening and\n assessment) for juvenile offenders to promote the effective\n and expeditious administration of the juvenile justice\n system.\n 4. Hiring additional prosecutors so that more cases\n involving violent juvenile offenders can be prosecuted and\n case backlogs reduced.\n 5. Providing funding to enable prosecutors to address drug,\n gang, and youth violence problems more effectively and for\n technology, equipment, and training to help prosecutors\n identify and expedite the prosecution of violent juvenile\n offenders.\n 6. Establishing and maintaining training programs for law\n enforcement and other court personnel with respect to\n preventing and controlling juvenile crime.\n 7. Establishing juvenile gun courts for the prosecution and\n adjudication of juvenile firearms offenders.\n 8. Establishing drug court programs for juvenile offenders\n that provide continuing judicial supervision over juvenile\n offenders with substance abuse problems and integrate\n administration of other sanctions and services for such\n offenders.\n 9. Establishing and maintaining a system of juvenile\n records designed to promote public safety.\n 10. Establishing and maintaining interagency information\n sharing programs that enable the juvenile and criminal\n justice systems, schools, and social services agencies to\n make more informed decisions regarding the early\n identification, control, supervision, and treatment of\n juveniles who repeatedly commit serious delinquent or\n criminal acts.\n 11. Establishing and maintaining accountability-based\n programs designed to reduce recidivism among juveniles who\n are referred by law enforcement personnel or agencies.\n 12. Establishing and maintaining programs to conduct risk\n and needs assessments that facilitate effective early\n intervention and the provision of comprehensive services,\n including mental health screening and treatment and substance\n abuse testing and treatment, to juvenile offenders.\n 13. Establishing and maintaining accountability-based\n programs that are designed to enhance school safety, which\n programs may include research-based bullying, cyberbullying,\n and gang prevention programs.\n 14. Establishing and maintaining restorative justice\n programs.\n\n[[Page H7495]]\n\n 15. Establishing and maintaining programs to enable\n juvenile courts and juvenile probation officers to be more\n effective and efficient in holding juvenile offenders\n accountable and reducing recidivism.\n 16. Hiring detention and corrections personnel, and\n establishing and maintaining training programs for such\n personnel, to improve facility practices and programming.\n 17. Establishing, improving, and coordinating pre-release\n and post-release systems and programs to facilitate the\n successful re-entry of juvenile offenders from state and\n local custody in the community.\n\n Mr. GOWDY. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.\n Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers. I\nwould just like to again compliment the gentleman from South Carolina\nfor his leadership on this. A lot of communities will benefit. I thank\nhim for that work.\n I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the\nbalance of my time.\n Mr. GOWDY. Madam Speaker, in conclusion, and I'm sure on behalf of\nall my colleagues, I want to thank the women and men in law enforcement\nfor their service, their sacrifice, their willingness to do jobs that\neither we cannot do or will not do.\n I want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) for his\nleadership over the last 2 years, and I want to thank the gentleman\nfrom Virginia (Mr. Scott) for his collegiality and friendship.\n With that, I yield back the balance of my time.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the\ngentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Gowdy) that the House suspend the\nrules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 2076.\n The question was taken.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds\nbeing in the affirmative, the ayes have it.\n Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the\nground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a\nquorum is not present.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further\nproceedings on this question will be postponed.\n The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7491", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "MANIILAQ ASSOCIATION PROPERTY CONVEYANCE", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7491", "H7491", "[{\"name\": \"Don Young\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Raul M. Grijalva\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"443\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"443\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7491", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7491]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n {time} 1120\n MANIILAQ ASSOCIATION PROPERTY CONVEYANCE\n\n Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and\nconcur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 443) to provide for\nthe conveyance of certain property from the United States to the\nManiilaq Association located in Kotzebue, Alaska.\n The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n The text of the Senate amendment is as follows:\n\n Senate amendment:\n Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the\n following:\n\n SECTION 1. CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY.\n\n (a) In General.--As soon as practicable after the date of\n the enactment of this Act, but not later than 180 days after\n such date, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in\n this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall convey to\n the Maniilaq Association located in Kotzebue, Alaska, all\n right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the\n property described in section 2 for use in connection with\n health and social services programs. The Secretary's\n conveyance of title by warranty deed under this section\n shall, on its effective date, supersede and render of no\n future effect on any Quitclaim Deed to the properties\n described in section 2 executed by the Secretary and the\n Maniilaq Association.\n (b) Conditions.--The conveyance required by this section\n shall be made by warranty deed without consideration and\n without imposing any obligation, term, or condition on the\n Maniilaq Association, or reversionary interest of the United\n States, other than that required by this Act or section\n 512(c)(2)(B) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education\n Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 458aaa-11(c)(2)(B)).\n\n SEC. 2. PROPERTY DESCRIBED.\n\n The property, including all land and appurtenances, to be\n conveyed pursuant to section 1 is as follows:\n (1) Kotzebue hospital and land.--Re-Plat of Friends Mission\n Reserve, Subdivision No. 2, U.S. Survey 2082, Lot 1, Block\n 12, Kotzebue, Alaska, containing 8.10 acres recorded in the\n Kotzebue Recording District, Kotzebue, Alaska, on August 18,\n 2009.\n (2) Kotzebue quarters aka kic site.--Re-plat of Friends\n Mission Reserve, U.S. Survey 2082, Lot 1A, Block 13,\n Kotzebue, Alaska, containing 5.229 acres recorded in the\n Kotzebue Recording District, Kotzebue, Alaska, on December\n 23, 1991.\n (3) Kotzebue quarters aka nana site.--Lot 1B, Block 26,\n Tract A, Townsite of Kotzebue, U.S. Survey No. 2863 A,\n Kotzebue, Alaska, containing 1.29 acres recorded in the\n Kotzebue Recording District, Kotzebue, Alaska, on December\n 23, 1991.\n\n SEC. 3. ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY.\n\n (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of\n Federal law, the Maniilaq Association shall not be liable for\n any soil, surface water, groundwater, or other contamination\n resulting from the disposal, release, or presence of any\n environmental contamination, including any oil or petroleum\n products, or any hazardous substances, hazardous materials,\n hazardous waste, pollutants, toxic substances, solid waste,\n or any other environmental contamination or hazard as defined\n in any Federal or State of Alaska law, on any property\n described in section 2 on or before the date on which all of\n the properties described in section 2 were conveyed by\n quitclaim deed.\n (b) Easement.--The Secretary shall be accorded any easement\n or access to the property conveyed as may be reasonably\n necessary to satisfy any retained obligations and liability\n of the Secretary.\n (c) Notice of Hazardous Substance Activity and Warranty.--\n The Secretary shall comply with section 120(h)(3)(A) and (B)\n of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,\n and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h)(3)(A)).\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from\nAlaska (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) each\nwill control 20 minutes.\n The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Alaska.\n\n General Leave\n\n Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all\nMembers may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks\nand include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the\ngentleman from Alaska?\n There was no objection.\n Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may\nconsume.\n My bill, H.R. 443, directs the Indian Health Service to transfer 15\nacres of Federal land in Alaska to the Maniilaq Association by warranty\ndeed. The IHS has already conveyed these lands to the association by\nquitclaim deed; however, under Federal Indian health laws, transferring\nland by quitclaim deed could present some obstacles to the future use\nof the land by the association. The association is a nonprofit entity\nthat runs Federal Indian health services for Native people in northwest\nAlaska. The land subject to this legislation is currently the site of a\nNative health facility and of proposed long-term care facilities and\nemployee housing.\n The administration testified in support of the land transfer, and we\nhave heard no other objections to this bill which passed the House over\na year ago by a 407-4 vote. The Senate amendment before us today makes\nfour small technical changes to the bill, including changing verb\ntenses, clarifying the timing of the conveyance, and clarifying a\ndefinition. None are controversial and, some might say, even necessary.\n I, again, thank Chairman Upton of the Energy and Commerce Committee\nfor allowing H.R. 443, a bill that we share jurisdiction over, to be\nconsidered on the floor today.\n I urge the House to adopt the Senate amendment, and I reserve the\nbalance of my time.\n Mr. GRIJALVA. I yield myself such time as I may consume.\n Madam Speaker, we do not object to the Senate amendment to H.R. 443,\nand I yield back the balance of my time.\n Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, I have no other requests for\ntime. I urge the passage of the legislation, and I yield back the\nbalance of my time.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the\ngentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) that the House suspend the rules and\nconcur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 443.\n The question was taken.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds\nbeing in the affirmative, the ayes have it.\n Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that\na quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is\nnot present.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further\nproceedings on this question will be postponed.\n The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7495-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL COMMISSION ACT", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7495", "H7498", "[{\"name\": \"Jason Chaffetz\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Ted Poe\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Eleanor Holmes Norton\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"938\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"3159\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6364\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6364\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7495", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7495-H7498]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL COMMISSION ACT\n\n Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur\nin the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 6364) to establish a\ncommission to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World\nWar I, to provide for the designation of memorials to the\n\n[[Page H7496]]\n\nservice of members of the United States Armed Forces in World War I,\nand for other purposes.\n The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n The text of the Senate amendment is as follows:\n\n Senate amendment:\n Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the\n following:\n\n SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.\n\n (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``World War\n I Centennial Commission Act''.\n (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act\n is as follows:\n\nSec. 1. Short title; table of contents.\nSec. 2. Findings.\nSec. 3. Definitions.\nSec. 4. Establishment of World War I Centennial Commission.\nSec. 5. Duties of Centennial Commission.\nSec. 6. Powers of Centennial Commission.\nSec. 7. Centennial Commission personnel matters.\nSec. 8. Termination of Centennial Commission.\nSec. 9. Prohibition on obligation of Federal funds.\n\n SEC. 2. FINDINGS.\n\n Congress makes the following findings:\n (1) From 2014 through 2018, the United States and nations\n around the world will mark the centennial of World War I,\n including the entry of the United States into the war in\n April 1917.\n (2) America's support of Great Britain, France, Belgium,\n and its other allies in World War I marked the first time in\n United States history that American soldiers went abroad in\n defense of liberty against foreign aggression, and it marked\n the true beginning of the ``American century''.\n (3) Although World War I was at the time called ``the war\n to end all wars'', in fact the United States would commit its\n troops to the defense of foreign lands 3 more times in the\n 20th century.\n (4) More than 4,000,000 men and women from the United\n States served in uniform during World War I, among them 2\n future presidents, Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower.\n Two million individuals from the United States served\n overseas during World War I, including 200,000 naval\n personnel who served on the seas. The United States suffered\n 375,000 casualties during World War I, including 116,516\n deaths.\n (5) The events of 1914 through 1918 shaped the world, the\n United States, and the lives of millions of people.\n (6) The centennial of World War I offers an opportunity for\n people in the United States to learn about and commemorate\n the sacrifices of their predecessors.\n (7) Commemorative programs, activities, and sites allow\n people in the United States to learn about the history of\n World War I, the United States involvement in that war, and\n the war's effects on the remainder of the 20th century, and\n to commemorate and honor the participation of the United\n States and its citizens in the war effort.\n\n SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.\n\n In this Act--\n (1) America's national world war i museum.--The term\n ``America's National World War I Museum'' means the Liberty\n Memorial Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as recognized by\n Congress in section 1031(b) of the Ronald W. Reagan National\n Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law\n 108-375; 118 Stat. 2045).\n (2) Centennial commission.--The term ``Centennial\n Commission'' means the World War I Centennial Commission\n established by section 4(a).\n (3) Veterans service organization.--The term ``veterans\n service organization'' means any organization recognized by\n the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of\n veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.\n\n SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.\n\n (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be\n known as the ``World War I Centennial Commission''.\n (b) Membership.--\n (1) Composition.--The Centennial Commission shall be\n composed of 12 members as follows:\n (A) Two members who shall be appointed by the Speaker of\n the House of Representatives.\n (B) One member who shall be appointed by the minority\n leader of the House of Representatives.\n (C) Two members who shall be appointed by the majority\n leader of the Senate.\n (D) One member who shall be appointed by the minority\n leader of the Senate.\n (E) Three members who shall be appointed by the President\n from among persons who are broadly representative of the\n people of the United States (including members of the Armed\n Forces, veterans, and representatives of veterans service\n organizations).\n (F) One member who shall be appointed by the executive\n director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United\n States.\n (G) One member who shall be appointed by the executive\n director of the American Legion.\n (H) One member who shall be appointed by the president of\n the Liberty Memorial Association.\n (2) Time for appointment.--The members of the Centennial\n Commission shall be appointed not later than 60 days after\n the date of the enactment of this Act.\n (3) Period of appointment.--Each member shall be appointed\n for the life of the Centennial Commission.\n (4) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Centennial Commission\n shall be filled in the manner in which the original\n appointment was made.\n (c) Meetings.--\n (1) Initial meeting.--\n (A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date on\n which all members of the Centennial Commission have been\n appointed, the Centennial Commission shall hold its first\n meeting.\n (B) Location.--The location for the meeting held under\n subparagraph (A) shall be the America's National World War I\n Museum.\n (2) Subsequent meetings.--\n (A) In general.--The Centennial Commission shall meet at\n the call of the Chair.\n (B) Frequency.--The Chair shall call a meeting of the\n members of the Centennial Commission not less frequently than\n once each year.\n (C) Location.--Not less frequently than once each year, the\n Centennial Commission shall meet at the America's National\n World War I Museum.\n (3) Quorum.--Seven members of the Centennial Commission\n shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold\n hearings.\n (d) Chair and Vice Chair.--The Centennial Commission shall\n select a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members.\n\n SEC. 5. DUTIES OF CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.\n\n (a) In General.--The duties of the Centennial Commission\n are as follows:\n (1) To plan, develop, and execute programs, projects, and\n activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I.\n (2) To encourage private organizations and State and local\n governments to organize and participate in activities\n commemorating the centennial of World War I.\n (3) To facilitate and coordinate activities throughout the\n United States relating to the centennial of World War I.\n (4) To serve as a clearinghouse for the collection and\n dissemination of information about events and plans for the\n centennial of World War I.\n (5) To develop recommendations for Congress and the\n President for commemorating the centennial of World War I.\n (b) Reports.--\n (1) Periodic report.--Not later than the last day of the 6-\n month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this\n Act, and not later than the last day of each 3-month period\n thereafter, the Centennial Commission shall submit to\n Congress and the President a report on the activities and\n plans of the Centennial Commission.\n (2) Recommendations.--Not later than 2 years after the date\n of the enactment of this Act, the Centennial Commission shall\n submit to Congress and the President a report containing\n specific recommendations for commemorating the centennial of\n World War I and coordinating related activities.\n\n SEC. 6. POWERS OF CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.\n\n (a) Hearings.--The Centennial Commission may hold such\n hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such\n testimony, and receive such evidence as the Centennial\n Commission considers appropriate to carry out its duties\n under this Act.\n (b) Powers of Member and Agents.--If authorized by the\n Centennial Commission, any member or agent of the Centennial\n Commission may take any action which the Centennial\n Commission is authorized to take under this Act.\n (c) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Centennial\n Commission shall secure directly from any Federal department\n or agency such information as the Centennial Commission\n considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.\n Upon the request of the Chair of the Centennial Commission,\n the head of such department or agency shall furnish such\n information to the Centennial Commission.\n (d) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of\n the Centennial Commission, the Administrator of the General\n Services Administration shall provide to the Centennial\n Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative\n support services necessary for the Centennial Commission to\n carry out its responsibilities under this Act.\n (e) Contract Authority.--\n (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the\n Centennial Commission is authorized--\n (A) to procure supplies, services, and property; and\n (B) to make or enter into contracts, leases, or other legal\n agreements.\n (2) Limitation.--The Centennial Commission may not enter\n into any contract, lease, or other legal agreement that\n extends beyond the date of the termination of the Centennial\n Commission under section 8(a).\n (f) Postal Services.--The Centennial Commission may use the\n United States mails in the same manner and under the same\n conditions as other departments and agencies of the Federal\n Government.\n (g) Gifts, Bequests, and Devises.--The Centennial\n Commission shall accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests,\n or devises of services or property, both real and personal,\n for the purpose of covering the costs incurred by the\n Centennial Commission to carry out its duties under this Act.\n\n SEC. 7. CENTENNIAL COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.\n\n (a) Compensation of Members.--Members of the Centennial\n Commission shall serve without compensation for such service.\n (b) Travel Expenses.--Each member of the Centennial\n Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per\n diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with the\n applicable provisions of title 5, United States Code.\n (c) Staff.--\n (1) In general.--The Chair of the Centennial Commission\n shall, in consultation with the members of the Centennial\n Commission, appoint an executive director and such other\n additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the\n Centennial Commission to perform its duties.\n (2) Compensation.--\n\n[[Page H7497]]\n\n (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the Chair of\n the Centennial Commission may fix the compensation of the\n executive director and any other personnel appointed under\n paragraph (1).\n (B) Limitation.--The Chair of the Centennial Commission may\n not fix the compensation of the executive director or other\n personnel appointed under paragraph (1) at a rate that\n exceeds the rate of payable for level IV of the Executive\n Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.\n (C) Work location.--If the city government for Kansas City,\n Missouri, and the Liberty Memorial Association make space\n available in the building in which the America's National\n World War I Museum is located, the executive director of the\n Centennial Commission and other personnel appointed under\n paragraph (1) shall work in such building to the extent\n practical.\n (d) Detail of Government Employees.--Upon request of the\n Centennial Commission, the head of any Federal department or\n agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any employee of\n that department or agency to the Centennial Commission to\n assist it in carrying out its duties under this Act.\n (e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--\n The Chair of the Centennial Commission may procure temporary\n and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5,\n United States Code.\n (f) Source of Funds.--Gifts, bequests, and devises of\n services or property, both real and personal, received by the\n Centennial Commission under section 6(g) shall be the only\n source of funds to cover the costs incurred by the Centennial\n Commission under this section.\n\n SEC. 8. TERMINATION OF CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.\n\n (a) In General.--The Centennial Commission shall terminate\n on the earlier of--\n (1) the date that is 30 days after the date the completion\n of the activities under this Act honoring the centennial\n observation of World War I; or\n (2) July 28, 2019.\n (b) Application of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--\n (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the\n provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C.\n App.) shall apply to the activities of the Centennial\n Commission under this Act.\n (2) Exception.--Section 14(a)(2) of such Act shall not\n apply to the Centennial Commission.\n\n SEC. 9. PROHIBITION ON OBLIGATION OF FEDERAL FUNDS.\n\n No Federal funds may be obligated to carry out this Act.\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from\nUtah (Mr. Chaffetz) and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia\n(Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.\n The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah.\n\n General Leave\n\n Mr. CHAFFETZ. I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5\nlegislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and\ninclude extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the\ngentleman from Utah?\n There was no objection.\n Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield such\ntime as he may consume to the original sponsor of this bill, the\ngentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).\n Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the gentleman from Utah for yielding and\nfor his support on this legislation. I also thank the gentlewoman from\nthe District of Columbia.\n Madam Speaker, they said that World War I would be ``the war to end\nall wars.'' But it wasn't. It was a world war and encompassed the\nentire globe and most of the countries in the world.\n The war started in 1914, and the United States entered in April of\n1917. The United States entered the war for three main reasons: one,\nthe sinking of the British liner Lusitania and 128 Americans being\nkilled in that submarine attack; and then seven U.S. Merchant Marine\nships were sunk by German submarines when they had unconditional rights\nto sink any ship on the high seas, according to the German Government;\nand the third thing was when the Germans sent the Zimmerman telegram to\nMexico.\n Madam Speaker, a lot of Americans don't know what that was, but\nbasically the Germans were telling the country of Mexico if they would\nenter the war on the side of Germany, the central powers, that they\nwould help Mexico invade the United States and take the States of\nTexas, New Mexico and Arizona and give them to the country of Mexico.\nSo the United States entered the war in April 1917.\n H.R. 3159 would create a commission to commemorate the 100th\nanniversary of World War I. Over 116,000 Americans died in World War I.\nThat's more than in Korea, Vietnam, and both Iraq wars and Afghanistan\ncombined.\n Madam Speaker, to my left is a photograph of American doughboys, as\nthey were called because of the color of their uniform, going over out\nof a trench, ``over the top'' as it was called in World War I. They\nwere primarily teenagers. Like in most of our wars, the teenagers go to\nfight those wars. And they are leaving the trench going into what is\ncalled ``no man's land.'' And those Americans served, along with their\nallies in World War I.\n Two U.S. Presidents served in World War I, Harry Truman and Dwight\nEisenhower. And if World War II veterans were known as the Greatest\nGeneration, then World War I veterans should be known as the Selfless\nGeneration. After all, these World War I veterans--the ones that\nsurvived--were the fathers of the Greatest Generation.\n America's last doughboy was Frank Buckles. He died on February 26,\n2011. He was 110 years of age. I got to know Frank Buckles when he came\nto the United States Capitol on some legislation that I will talk about\nmomentarily. Frank Buckles in World War I was too young to join. Nobody\nwould let him in. He went from recruiter to recruiter. He was 16--he\nmight have been 15--but he lied about his age, and he finally convinced\nan Army recruiter to take him in. He joined the doughboys, and he went\n``Over There,'' that song that George Cohan wrote talking about the\nAmericans that wouldn't ``come back 'till it's over, over there.''\n He drove an ambulance in World War I helping rescue other doughboys\nthat were wounded out here in no man's land and some that had died\nbringing them back behind the lines. After the Great War was over with,\nhe was in the Philippines when World War II started. And, sure enough,\nhe's captured by the Japanese. Frank Buckles was held in a prisoner-of-\nwar camp by the Japanese for 3\\1/2\\ years, and he was finally released\nwhen rescued by Americans who liberated the Philippines.\n After the war, he moved to West Virginia and he worked on the farm\nuntil he was 106 driving the tractor. Frank Buckles, the last surviving\ndoughboy, lived half of our Nation's history. So, today, we have an\nopportunity to remember Frank Buckles, these doughboys, other\ndoughboys, and all those great Americans who fought for America 100\nyears ago.\n The bill establishes a commission to commemorate the centennial of\nWorld War I. The commission will plan programs and activities to\ncommemorate the 100th anniversary of that Great War. Time is short. The\ncentennial for the start of World War I is in 2014, and many of our\nallies have already started planning different events. It must be noted\nthat no Federal funds will be spent for this commission--they have to\nraise their own money from private funds.\n Madam Speaker, in the last century, there were four great wars where\nAmericans participated, and we have built memorials on the Mall for all\nof them, except one. We built a memorial for the Vietnam veterans, the\nKorean veterans and the World War II veterans; but there is no memorial\non the Mall for all of those doughboys that served in World War I.\nThere is a D.C. memorial that recognizes and honors the D.C. soldiers\nand sailors that served in World War I, but there is no great memorial\nfor all that served throughout the United States.\n It is my hope and the intent of the original legislation that passed\nthe House that there one day will be a national World War I memorial on\nthe Mall.\n And that's where I met Frank Buckles. He came to Washington, D.C., as\nthe guest of many of our Senators. And it was his hope, and really it\nwas one of his dying wishes, that we would build, that Congress would\nauthorize the building of a memorial on the Mall for all of those that\nserved in the great World War I. The original bill that passed this\nHouse by unanimous vote had that memorial in the bill. It went to the\nSenate, and now we have only the commission.\n So it is my intent to reauthorize, or reoffer, that bill in our next\nsession of Congress, and I'd encourage the commission to consider this\nbuilding of a memorial on the Mall in their commemoration. There would\nbe no better way to commemorate these brave Americans than to honor\nthem with a memorial on the Mall.\n\n[[Page H7498]]\n\n When one of our warriors dies, Madam Speaker, for our country, they\nbecome a casualty of war; but the worst casualty of war is to be\nforgotten. So I hope we would build that memorial on the Mall. But now\nlet's pass this bill to commemorate them and honor them with this\ncommission.\n Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.\n Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this important legislation. H.R.\n6364 establishes a commission to ensure that there is suitable\nobservation of the centennial of World War I. This bill is a fitting\ntribute to all servicemembers who valiantly fought in all theaters of\nWorld War I.\n The commission the bill establishes leaves ample time for appropriate\ncommemorative works, events, and a tribute before the 100th anniversary\nof the war in 2014.\n I would like to thank my colleagues, but especially Representative\nTed Poe, who has been singularly focused on this bill and who has\nworked with me and with others until this day, and I certainly pledge\nto work with him next year as he continues on this very laudable\nmission. I thank also my friend, Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri, Rob\nBishop of Utah, and Raul Grijalva of Arizona for working with me to\npreserve the District of Columbia World War I memorial in particular.\n\n {time} 1200\n\n Earlier this year, in his search for a suitable memorial for World\nWar I, Representative Ted Poe introduced H.R. 938, which would have\nnationalized the D.C. memorial by redesignating it as the District of\nColumbia and National World War I Memorial. He made clear, however,\nthat he was not necessarily focused on the D.C. memorial, but that his\ngoal was a World War I memorial here.\n While I very much support commemorating all the servicemen and -women\nwho fought in World War I, I had to oppose altering the integrity of\nthe D.C. memorial. The D.C. memorial was built with the blood and\ntreasure of D.C. residents only, including funds from schoolchildren.\nOf the more than 26,000 D.C. residents who served in World War I, the\n499 who died, more than the number from three States, have their names\nengraved on the memorial. Our memorial is deeply symbolic of the\nhistoric and continuing concerns of District residents, particularly\nour veterans who continue to serve without equal congressional\nrepresentation, equal rights as citizens, and equal local government\ncontrol.\n In the spirit of cooperation among Members of both parties, the\nHouse-passed version of H.R. 6364 would have protected the D.C. War\nMemorial, and H.R. 6364 as amended by the Senate similarly will have no\neffect on the D.C. War Memorial. In fact, all of the provisions\nregarding memorials have been removed from the bill. Instead, it\nestablishes a commission to observe World War I across the country as\nwe approach the centennial of the start of the war. I believe that the\nreason that this has been done reflects nothing more than the fact that\nthe commission's approach to two important commemorations has been the\nusual approach almost always to important commemorations, and World War\nI had enormous effects on those who fought, on the Nation and on the\nworld.\n More than 4 million men and women from the United States served in\nuniform during World War I. Among them, two future Presidents: Harry S.\nTruman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Two million men and women from the\nUnited States served overseas during World War I. The United States\nsuffered 375,000 casualties during that war, including 116,516 deaths.\n The national commission will plan, develop, and execute programs,\nprojects, and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I\nthroughout the United States. Importantly, not only here, but\nthroughout the United States, people are anxious to learn more about\nthe history of this war, to become involved in its commemoration,\nespecially considering the effects of this war on the 20th century\nuntil today. We very much look forward to the commission's efforts to\nhonor the participation and sacrifices of the United States and its\ncitizens in the war effort.\n And once again, I want to thank Representative Poe for the\nextraordinary effort and energy he has put into this bill and the way\nhe has worked cooperatively with all of us on both sides of the aisle.\n Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this\nbill, and I reserve the balance of my time.\n Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I\nreserve the balance of my time.\n Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield\nback the balance of my time.\n Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I would like to again thank\nRepresentative Poe from the State of Texas for introducing this\nlegislation and his tenacious pursuit of making this happen.\n The bill is bipartisan in its approach. It creates a means for\nproperly commemorating the centennial of the Great War in honoring\nthose who gallantly fought. I would encourage my colleagues to vote in\nconcurrence with the Senate amendment to H.R. 6364 and remind people\nthat no taxpayer dollars will be used to carry out this act.\n I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of this, and I yield back\nthe balance my time.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the\ngentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) that the House suspend the rules and\nconcur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 6364.\n The question was taken.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds\nbeing in the affirmative, the ayes have it.\n Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a\nquorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not\npresent.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further\nproceedings on this question will be postponed.\n The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7495", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "AMENDING THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7495", "H7495", "[{\"name\": \"Eric A. \\\"Rick\\\" Crawford\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Jim Costa\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3666\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3666\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7495", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7495]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n AMENDING THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT\n\n Mr. CRAWFORD. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the\nbill (S. 3666) to amend the Animal Welfare Act to modify the definition\nof ``exhibitor''.\n The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n The text of the bill is as follows:\n Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of\n the United States of America in Congress assembled,\n\n SECTION 1. ANIMAL WELFARE.\n\n Section 2(h) of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2132(h))\n is amended by adding ``an owner of a common, domesticated\n household pet who derives less than a substantial portion of\n income from a nonprimary source (as determined by the\n Secretary) for exhibiting an animal that exclusively resides\n at the residence of the pet owner,'' after ``stores,''.\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from\nArkansas (Mr. Crawford) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Costa)\neach will control 20 minutes.\n The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas.\n\n General Leave\n\n Mr. CRAWFORD. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members\nhave 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the bill\nunder consideration.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the\ngentleman from Arkansas?\n There was no objection.\n Mr. CRAWFORD. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the bill, S. 3666,\nand yield myself such time as I may consume.\n S. 3666 is a simple regulatory relief measure which has been proposed\nto modify the definition of the term ``exhibitor'' under the Federal\nAnimal Welfare Act. It has passed the Senate by unanimous consent and,\nin the last hours of the 112th Congress, I urge that it likewise be\npassed by the House of Representatives.\n The legislation would relieve private pet owners who might make a few\ndollars on the side with their pets but who do not derive a substantial\nportion of their income from such activities from the licensure\nrequirements under the Federal Animal Welfare Act.\n An example where this might be an issue is in hiring somebody to\nserve as an extra in a film. These are the people who appear in the\nbackground of film scenes and may work on the film set for a couple of\nhours at a time or a day or two at the most. If that person has their\npet with them during the filming, the current interpretation of the\nAnimal Welfare Act is that the extra would be designated an animal\nexhibitor under Federal law and must therefore be licensed, inspected,\nand comply with all the administrative and record-keeping requirements\nof the act. This was not what the law intended nor is the\nadministration of such a requirement a necessary or useful allocation\nof scarce Federal resources.\n The Federal Animal Welfare Act was intended to regulate businesses,\nnot private citizens. There are many examples across the government of\nregulatory overreach. While I regret that we have not been able to\naddress all of those in the 112th Congress, certainly this is one we\ncan agree needs fixing and should be fixed.\n I urge my colleagues to support the legislation and reserve the\nbalance of my time.\n Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may\nconsume.\n I want to thank the gentleman from Arkansas for his efforts with our\ncolleagues in the Senate to pass this measure, S. 3666.\n As was stated, this is a measure that involves common sense, and it\nattempts to relieve burdensome paperwork that frankly has no place\nunder the current scheme in which movies are made in this country that\nrequire, without the relief of this measure, them to be included under\nthe Federal Animal Welfare Act.\n As was stated, movies and television shows often use animals as\nextras. We're used to seeing that. It's part of the way these movies\nare made. This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to clarify that when\npets are owned by individual citizens who are acting in that movie or\nin that television show that they should not be regulated by the U.S.\nDepartment of Agriculture when it comes to these animals being used as\nextras in films.\n These animals should not be captured under the Animal Welfare Act\nregulations. The USDA, as we know, is spread pretty thin. It is using\nscarce resources to regulate personal pets, which now is required under\nthe current law that this legislation will relieve that burden from. We\nthink that the USDA should focus its resources on more cost-effective\nmeasures rather than regulating individual personal pets that are used\nin these movies or in these television shows as--the term of art is\n``animal actors''; animals that play a key movie or television role\nwill not be affected by this legislation. They will continue to be\nregulated by the Animal Welfare Act. This is, as I said at the outset,\na commonsense regulatory relief of burdensome paperwork. I would ask my\ncolleagues to support this measure.\n\n {time} 1150\n\n S. 3666 is, I think, a well-thought-out measure. I want to thank,\nagain, the gentleman from Arkansas and the committee for their efforts\non this measure and ask their support for the bill.\n I yield back the balance of my time.\n Mr. CRAWFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California,\nand I yield back the balance of my time.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the\ngentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Crawford) that the House suspend the rules\nand pass the bill, S. 3666.\n The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the\nrules were suspended and the bill was passed.\n A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7498", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "CONDEMNING NORTH KOREAN MISSILE LAUNCH", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7498", "H7500", "[{\"name\": \"Ileana Ros-Lehtinen\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Howard L. Berman\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Edward R. Royce\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HCONRES\", \"number\": \"145\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HCONRES\", \"number\": \"145\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HCONRES\", \"number\": \"145\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7498", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7498-H7500]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n CONDEMNING NORTH KOREAN MISSILE LAUNCH\n\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and\nagree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 145) calling for\nuniversal condemnation of the North Korean missile launch of December\n12, 2012, as amended.\n The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.\n The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:\n\n H. Con. Res. 145\n\n Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1695,\n unanimously adopted on July 15, 2006, following a series of\n North Korean missile firings on July 5, 2006, specifically\n condemned the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (North\n Korea) recent test-firing of a series of missiles, and\n demanded that the North-East Asian country suspend all\n ballistic missile related activity and reinstate its\n moratorium on missile launches;\n Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1695\n also required all Member States, in accordance with their\n national legal authorities and legislation and consistent\n with international law, to exercise vigilance and prevent\n missile and missile-related items, materials, goods, and\n technology being transferred to North Korea's missile or\n weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programmes, and to prevent\n the procurement of missiles or missile related-items,\n materials, goods, and technology from North Korea, and the\n transfer of any financial resources in relation to North\n Korea's missile or WMD programmes;\n Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718,\n adopted on October 14, 2006, decided that North Korea shall\n suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile\n programme and in this context re-establish its pre-existing\n commitments to a moratorium on missile launching;\n Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718\n also imposed a ban on the sales of military equipment and\n luxury goods to North Korea as well as a ban on technology\n transfers;\n Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718\n further required Member States to prevent the travel of North\n Korean officials connected to the ballistic missile or\n nuclear programs, the inspection of cargo from North Korea to\n assure it was not missile, WMD, or nuclear-related, and the\n immediate freezing of funds, other financial assets, and\n economic resources that support these illicit North Korean\n activities;\n Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874,\n adopted on June 12, 2009, called upon Member States to\n inspect, seize, and dispose of proscribed illicit North Korea\n items related to its missile, nuclear, and\n\n[[Page H7499]]\n\n WMD programmes and to prevent the provision of financial\n services or the transfer to, through, or from their territory\n of any financial or other assets or resources that could\n contribute to North Korea's nuclear-related, ballistic\n missile-related, or other WMD-related programmes or\n activities, and by denying fuel or supplies to service the\n vessels carrying them;\n Whereas, on December 12, 2012, in flagrant defiance of past\n United Nations Security Council resolutions, the\n international community, and its Six-Party partners, North\n Korea launched a three-stage, long-range missile, which\n overflew Japanese territory near Okinawa and dropped debris\n into the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and waters adjacent\n to the Philippines;\n Whereas North Korea's latest provocative and defiant action\n represents a direct threat to the United States Armed Forces\n in the Asia/Pacific region and regional allies and friends,\n including Australia, Japan, the Philippines, the Republic of\n Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan and is a potential future threat\n to the United States and its people, including those residing\n in Guam, Hawaii, Alaska, and the west coast of the United\n States mainland; and\n Whereas there has been extensive cooperation on missile\n development and military cooperation between the Governments\n of North Korea and Iran that dates back to the 1980s: Now,\n therefore, be it\n Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate\n concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that--\n (1) the North Korean missile launch of December 12, 2012,\n represents a flagrant violation of United Nations Security\n Council resolutions 825 (1993), 1540 (2004), 1695 (2006),\n 1718 (2006), and 1874 (2009), that North Korea continues to\n defy the United Nations, its Six-Party partners, and the\n international community, and that the Member States should\n immediately impose sanctions covered by these resolutions and\n censure North Korea;\n (2) all current restrictions against the Government of\n North Korea, including sanctions that ban the importation\n into the United States of North Korean products and goods,\n should remain in effect until the Government of North Korea\n no longer engages in activities that threaten United States\n interests and global peace and stability;\n (3) the Government of China should cooperate with the\n United States in pursuit of a new round of United Nations\n Security Council sanctions, to pressure its North Korean\n partner, redouble its efforts to prevent Chinese companies\n from transferring military and dual-use technologies to North\n Korea, and to crack down on transshipments through China that\n relate to North Korean military, missile, and nuclear\n programs and proliferation activities; and\n (4) North Korea should abandon and dismantle its\n provocative missile and nuclear weapons programs, cease its\n proliferation activities, and come into immediate compliance\n with all relevant international agreements and United Nations\n Security Council resolutions.\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Poe of Texas). Pursuant to the rule, the\ngentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from\nCalifornia (Mr. Berman) each will control 20 minutes.\n The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.\n\n General Leave\n\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all\nMembers may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks\nand to include extraneous material in the Record on this bill.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the\ngentlewoman from Florida?\n There was no objection.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.\n I rise to support this strongly bipartisan measure which condemns the\nlatest provocation by North Korea. Pyongyang has once again flagrantly\nviolated past United Nations Security Council resolutions and the\nassurances given to Six-Party partners.\n I would also like to take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to sincerely\ncongratulate President-elect Park for her victory in South Korea's\nhard-fought presidential election.\n The Republic of Korea is one of our Nation's closest friends in Asia.\nOurs is a steadfast alliance forged in the crucible of war. Two decades\nago, with all eyes on Europe, the United States prematurely celebrated\nvictory over communism and an end to the Cold War. But in 1989, the\nsame year the Berlin Wall fell, tanks rolled into Tiananmen Square,\ncrushing, in a bloody massacre, the democracy movement of the Chinese\npeople. So while communism fell in Europe, it was revitalized in the\nworld's most populous nation and preserved in North Korea and in my\nnative homeland of Cuba.\n Pyongyang's recent missile launch awakens America to the fact that\nthe shadow of communism still casts a long shadow over Asia. North\nKorea's expanding nuclear and missile proliferation threaten not only\nour allies in the Pacific, but potentially our own people as well. In\nAsia, the Cold War never ended, and the United States and South Korean\nforces stand guard together on this last frontier.\n Attempts to engage Pyongyang over the past 4 years have been met with\nrepeated provocations: the kidnapping of two American journalists,\nrepeated missile launches, one more nuclear test, the sinking of a\nSouth Korean naval vessel with the loss of 46 lives, and the shelling\nof a South Korean island.\n\n {time} 1210\n\n How much more should we endure before we say, Enough is enough?\n Sweet-talking Pyongyang only seems to inspire further belligerence.\nOur extended hand is met not only with a clenched fist but a fist\ngrasping a knife. Those who had hoped for openness and reform from this\nnew generation of the Kim dynasty saw their dreams go up in smoke on a\nNorth Korean launch pad. The only answer appears to be a coordinated,\nfirm, international strategy in which current sanctions are reinforced\nand strengthened. This, of course, requires the cooperation of Beijing,\na U.N. Security Council permanent member who deceptively seems to tell\none thing to Washington and yet another to Pyongyang.\n Press articles hailed the fact that China, in anticipation of the\nrecent launch, had begun inspecting cargo on North Korean ships in\nsearch of contraband. The question this raises is: Why has China not\nbeen inspecting North Korean ships since 2006, as was first called for\nin a U.N. resolution, which was reinforced by another resolution in the\nyear 2009? If U.N. member states would only enforce the sanctions\ncurrently on the books, North Korea would be unable to ignore the\ninternational community and the civilized world.\n The time for coordinated international action is now. The time, in\nfact, is long overdue.\n With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.\n Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res.\n145, as amended, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.\n I would like to thank the sponsor of this legislation, the chairman\nof the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, for her leadership\non this issue and for her work in addressing the North Korean threat.\n Earlier this month, North Korea carried out a missile launch using\nballistic missile technology in direct defiance of the international\ncommunity. This important resolution condemns North Korea's launch, and\nit calls on the North to live up to its commitments, to adhere to its\ninternational obligations and to deal peacefully with its neighbors.\n North Korea's missile launch is a blatant violation of U.N. Security\nCouncil resolutions 1718 and 1874, and we urge the Security Council to\ntake strong and concerted action to demonstrate that Pyongyang's\nactions are completely unacceptable. In particular, we call on China\nand Russia to work constructively with other members of the Council to\nshow that the international community is united in condemning North\nKorea's provocative behavior.\n North Korea is only further isolating itself with its irresponsible\naction, and the development of ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons\nwill never bring the real security and acceptance by the international\ncommunity that the regime so desperately wants. Instead of pouring\nhundreds of millions of dollars into its so-called space program,\nnuclear programs, and massive military, North Korea should instead work\nto feed its own citizens and improve its dismal economy.\n We must continue to remain vigilant in the face of North Korean\nprovocations and fully committed to the security of our allies in the\nregion, so I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.\n I reserve the balance of my time.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I would like to yield such time as he may consume\nto the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), the chairman of the\nForeign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade\nand the chairman-designate of the full committee in the next Congress.\nI thank\n\n[[Page H7500]]\n\nhim for his leadership on this and many of the issues that are facing\nour Foreign Affairs Committee.\n Mr. ROYCE. Thank you very much, Chairman, for yielding.\n I rise in support of this resolution, of which I am an original\ncosponsor.\n I think Members are very rightly concerned now, as the same\ntechnology that's used to put a satellite into space is also used to\nlaunch a ballistic missile. This experiment by North Korea is\ndefinitely an advance for them. It is definitely a threat to the\nregion. It is definitely a threat to the United States because what\nwe're talking about here are three-stage ICBMs.\n It is estimated that North Korea has spent $3 billion since 1998 on\nthat missile program, which is the amount of money that would have\nbought enough corn to feed that country over the last 3 years. I have\nbeen to North Korea, and I've seen the malnutrition. Instead of feeding\nits people, it continues to plow billions of dollars into its military.\nThat's the type of despicable regime we're dealing with--where $3\nbillion went into this project instead of feeding the population. This\nis why the House has passed legislation to prohibit the United States\nfrom giving food aid to North Korea. When we do so, money is fungible,\nand we have found in the past that that aid is both used to feed the\nmilitary and it's sold on the exchange for hard currency.\n U.S. policy towards North Korea--hoping that North Korea will give up\nits weapons for aid--has been a failure. It has been a bipartisan\nfailure, frankly, for decades, and it has gotten us now to this point.\nThe hope that North Korea can be induced to abandon its ambitions for\nnuclear weapons and missiles distracts us, unfortunately. It distracts\nus from pursuing the very policies that might actually change the\nbehavior of the regime and support its people.\n In going forward, we need to move away from an unimaginative policy\nhere to one with energy and creativity and focus. Let's tackle North\nKorea's illicit activities--its missile and drug proliferation, its\ncounterfeiting of U.S. currency. This regime will do anything for\nmoney. As many North Koreans who have left will tell you, this is a\ngangster regime. Let's interfere with those shipments and disrupt the\nbank accounts that are used. Let's ramp up radio broadcasts into the\ncountry where there is evidence that the information wall is cracking.\nWe see that with the defectors who are telling us about how much they\noppose the regime now. Let's help the refugees who are literally dying\nto escape the prison north of the 38th parallel.\n Severely weakening the regime is the only way to make the Korean\npeninsula secure. Until it was dropped in favor of a failed diplomacy\nprogram several years ago, the Treasury Department went after North\nKorea. If we can remember 2006, we went after North Korea's ill-gotten\ngains that were parked in a Macau bank. We put the brakes on North\nKorea's counterfeiting of U.S. currency. We cut the flow of currency to\nthe regime. The head of state could not pay his generals. It created a\ncrisis inside North Korea.\n That policy was mistakenly dropped. I'd like to see it reapplied.\nLet's go back to where we are proactively defending U.S. interests\ninstead of just condemning another North Korean provocation every few\nmonths. Let's do something that has been proven to work in terms of\nputting the pressure on North Korea.\n Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I\nyield back the balance of my time.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I also have no further requests for\ntime, and I yield back the balance of my time.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the\ngentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) that the House suspend the\nrules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 145, as\namended.\n The question was taken.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds\nbeing in the affirmative, the ayes have it.\n Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a\nquorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not\npresent.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further\nproceedings on this question will be postponed.\n The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7500", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "CONDEMNING IRAN FOR PERSECUTION OF BAHA'I MINORITY", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7500", "H7503", "[{\"name\": \"Ileana Ros-Lehtinen\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Eliot L. Engel\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Robert J. Dold\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Chris Van Hollen\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"134\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"134\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"134\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7500", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7500-H7503]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n {time} 1220\n CONDEMNING IRAN FOR PERSECUTION OF BAHA'I MINORITY\n\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree\nto the resolution (H. Res. 134) condemning the Government of Iran for\nits state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its\ncontinued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights, as\namended.\n The Clerk read the title of the resolution.\n The text of the resolution is as follows:\n\n H. Res. 134\n\n Whereas, in 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 2000,\n 2006, 2008, and 2009, Congress declared that it deplored the\n religious persecution by the Government of Iran of the Baha'i\n community and would hold the Government of Iran responsible\n for upholding the rights of all Iranian nationals, including\n members of the Baha'i faith;\n Whereas the Department of State 2011 International\n Religious Freedom Report stated that the Government of Iran\n ``prohibits Baha'is from teaching and practicing their faith\n and subjects them to many forms of discrimination that\n followers of other religions do not face'' and that ``Baha'is\n are barred from all leadership positions in the government\n and military'';\n Whereas the Department of State 2011 International\n Religious Freedom Report stated, ``Baha'is are banned from\n the social pension system. In addition, Baha'is are regularly\n denied compensation for injury or criminal victimization and\n the right to inherit property. Baha'i marriages and divorces\n are not officially recognized, although the government allows\n a civil attestation of marriage to serve as a marriage\n certificate.'';\n Whereas the Department of State July-December 2010\n International Religious Freedom Report stated, ``Since the\n 1979 Islamic Revolution, the government has killed more than\n 200 Bahai's and regularly raids and confiscates their\n property . . . Unknown assailants vandalized cemeteries and\n holy places, and school authorities denigrated and abused\n Baha'i students in primary and secondary schools in at least\n 10 cities.'';\n Whereas the Department of State July-December 2010\n International Religious Freedom Report stated, ``Public and\n private universities continued to deny admittance to or expel\n Baha'i students.'';\n Whereas on September 15, 2011, the United Nations\n Secretary-General issued a special report on human rights in\n Iran (A/66/361), stating, ``Restrictions on the overall\n enjoyment of human rights by unrecognized religious\n minorities, particularly the Baha'i community, remain of\n serious concern.'';\n Whereas on September 23, 2011, the ``United Nations Special\n Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic\n Republic of Iran'', issued a report (A/66/374), noting that\n ``[a] number of individuals and organizations provided the\n Special Rapporteur with first-hand testimonies, the\n preponderance of which presents a pattern of systemic\n violations of . . . fundamental human rights'' in Iran, and\n expressed concern regarding reports of ``human and civil\n rights violations'' against minority groups, including ``the\n Bahai community, which, despite being the largest non-Muslim\n religious minority, does not enjoy recognition as such by the\n Government'' and whose members ``have historically suffered\n multifaceted discrimination'';\n Whereas on November 21, 2011, the Third Committee of the\n United Nations General Assembly adopted a draft resolution\n (A/C.3/66/L.56) noting ``[i]ncreased persecution and human\n rights violations against unrecognized religious minorities,\n particularly members of the Baha'i Faith, including\n escalating attacks on Baha'is and their defenders, including\n in State-sponsored media, a significant increase in the\n number of Baha'is arrested and detained, including the\n targeted attack on the Baha'i educational institution, the\n reinstatement of twenty-year sentences against seven Baha'i\n leaders following deeply flawed legal proceedings, and\n renewed measures to deny Baha'is employment in the public and\n private sectors.'';\n Whereas on December 19, 2011, the United Nations General\n Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/66/175) calling upon the\n Government of Iran ``[t]o eliminate discrimination against,\n and exclusion of . . . members of the Baha'i Faith, regarding\n access to higher education, and to eliminate the\n criminalization of efforts to provide higher education to\n Baha'i youth denied access to Iranian universities'';\n Whereas in March and May of 2008, intelligence officials of\n the Government of Iran in Mashhad and Tehran arrested and\n imprisoned Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani,\n Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli,\n Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm, the members of the\n ad hoc leadership group for the Baha'i community in Iran;\n\n[[Page H7501]]\n\n Whereas, in August 2010, the Revolutionary Court in Tehran\n sentenced the 7 Baha'i leaders to 20-year prison terms on\n charges of spying for Israel, insulting religious sanctities,\n and propaganda against the regime;\n Whereas the lawyers for the 7 leaders were reportedly\n provided extremely limited access to the prisoners and their\n files;\n Whereas these 7 Baha'i leaders were targeted solely on the\n basis of their religion;\n Whereas beginning on May 22, 2011, officials of the\n Government of Iran in Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, and Shiraz\n raided the homes of individuals associated with the Baha'i\n Institute for Higher Education, searching over 30 homes,\n seizing educational materials, and arresting approximately 16\n individuals;\n Whereas, in October 2011, Mr. Vahid Mahmoudi, Mr. Mahmoud\n Badavam, Ms. Noushin Khadem, Mr. Kamran Mortezaie, Mr. Farhad\n Sedghi, Mr. Riaz Sobhani, and Mr. Ramin Zibaie were each\n sentenced to 4 or 5-year prison terms for the crime of\n ``membership in the deviant Baha'i sect, with the goal of\n taking action against the security of the country, in order\n to further the aims of the deviant sect and those of\n organizations outside the country,'' and, in January 2012,\n Mr. Mahmoudi was released on probation;\n Whereas ordinary Iranian citizens who belong to the Baha'i\n Faith are disproportionately targeted, interrogated, and\n detained under the pretext of national security;\n Whereas the efforts of the Government of Iran to collect\n information on individual Baha'is are reportedly ongoing as\n evidenced by a letter, dated November 5, 2011 from the\n Director of the Department of Education in the county of\n Shahriar in the province of Tehran, instructing the directors\n of schools in his jurisdiction to ``subtly and in a\n confidential manner'' collect information on Baha'i students;\n Whereas the Baha'i community continues to undergo intense\n economic and social pressure, including an ongoing campaign\n in the town of Semnan where the government reportedly has\n harassed and detained Baha'is and closed 17 Baha'i owned\n businesses in the last three years;\n Whereas the Government of Iran is party to the\n International Covenants on Human Rights; and\n Whereas the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability,\n and Divestment Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-195) urges the\n President and the Secretary of State to impose sanctions on\n ``the officials of the Government of Iran and other\n individuals who are responsible for continuing and severe\n violations of human rights and religious freedom in Iran'':\n Now, therefore, be it\n Resolved, That the House of Representatives--\n (1) condemns the Government of Iran for its state-sponsored\n persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued\n violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights;\n (2) calls on the Government of Iran to immediately release\n the seven leaders, the six imprisoned educators, and all\n other prisoners held solely on account of their religion;\n (3) calls on the President and Secretary of State, in\n cooperation with responsible nations, to immediately condemn\n the Government of Iran's continued violation of human rights\n and demand the immediate release of prisoners held solely on\n account of their religion; and\n (4) urges the President and Secretary of State to utilize\n measures, such as those available under the Comprehensive\n Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010\n and Executive Order 13553, to sanction officials of the\n Government of Iran and other individuals directly responsible\n for egregious human rights violations in Iran, including\n against the Baha'i community.\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from\nFlorida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel)\neach will control 20 minutes.\n The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.\n\n General Leave\n\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all\nMembers may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their\nremarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on this measure.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the\ngentlewoman from Florida?\n There was no objection.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may\nconsume.\n Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 134\nintroduced by my good friend and colleague from Illinois (Mr. Dold).\n House Resolution 134 condemns the Iranian regime's persecution of\nIran's Baha'i minority. Baha'is are the largest non-Muslim minority in\nIran, numbering over 300,000 members in Iran alone. This resolution\nmarks the 12th congressional action urging the Iranian regime to end\nits persecution of the Baha'i minority. And still, Baha'is do not have\nthe freedom to practice their religion. In fact, restrictions on\nBaha'is extend far beyond their religious practices to further restrict\ntheir civil rights and human rights. Many members of the Baha'i faith\nliving in Iran are even subject to harassment, to persecution by the\nregime, and others with extensive reports of confiscation of property,\nrestrictions on travel, and raids on Baha'i homes and businesses. The\nIranian Government continues to arrest and detain Baha'is based on\ntheir religious beliefs, with at least 60 cases logged last year alone.\n The members of the national leadership of the Baha'i in Iran,\narrested in 2008 and unfairly tried with minimal access to their\ndefense attorneys, are now serving a 20-year sentence for crimes,\ncrimes including insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against\nthe regime. The government maintains possession of many Baha'i\nproperties that were seized following the 1979 revolution, including\nholy places, cemeteries, and historical sites. Many of those properties\nhave now been destroyed.\n Baha'is are barred from leadership positions in the government and\nare only permitted to enroll in schools if they do not identify\nthemselves to be Baha'i and are required to identify as members of\nanother religion in order to register for their entrance examinations.\nMany Baha'is are denied admission to the universities, and even those\nwho are admitted may face expulsion due to their faith.\n The Baha'i Institute for Higher Education, established after Baha'is\nwere barred from attending other universities, was declared illegal\nthis year and six educators from that institute are currently\nimprisoned in Iran.\n These are just a fraction of the injustices that the Baha'is face at\nthe hands of the Iranian regime. The regime has sought to make life as\na Baha'i in Iran simply unlivable. They seek to take away aspects of\neveryday life that you and I would consider fundamental, inalienable\nrights.\n This resolution draws attention to their plight and calls on the\nIranian regime to end its campaign of abuse against the Baha'is. It\ncondemns the Iranian regime for the persecution of the Baha'is and\ncalls on the regime to immediately release the Baha'is that it\nwrongfully holds in captivity, including the seven Baha'i leaders and\nthe six Baha'i educators; and it calls for the President and the\nSecretary to publicly express the same sentiments.\n Finally, the resolution urges the President and the Secretary of\nState to use measures already enacted into law under the Comprehensive\nIran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 to sanction\nIranian officials responsible for human rights violations against\nBaha'is and others.\n Mr. Speaker, I was a co-author of that legislation, and those\nmeasures are not here for show. They are there to punish those\nresponsible for these egregious crimes and deter future human rights\nviolations. It is therefore time for the administration to walk the\nwalk and hold the Iranian regime officials--from the so-called\n``supreme leader'' and Ahmadinejad on down--responsible for their\nviolations of the human rights of the Baha'is and other Iranians.\n I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the\nbalance of my time.\n Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 134, as\namended; and I yield myself such time as I may consume.\n Mr. Speaker, before I get into the substance of the bill, I just want\nto say a couple of things as we're ending the 112th Congress. In the\n113th Congress, I'm about to take over as ranking member on the House\nForeign Affairs Committee. The man I'm replacing, who spoke before me,\nthe gentleman from California (Mr. Berman), I just want him to know,\nwhich he already does, but I want to say it for the record how much\nwe're going to miss him and what a role model he really is for all of\nus on the committee, first as chair and then as ranking member. There\nisn't a person on either side of the aisle who doesn't respect him.\nThere isn't a person who doesn't understand how important he's been to\nthe Congress the many years he has served in Congress, and particularly\non the Foreign Affairs Committee. His shoes are going to be very hard\nto fill. I'm going to try the best I can, but I want him to know, which\nhe already does, but I want to say it for the record that I'm going to\n\n[[Page H7502]]\n\nmiss him. I'm going to miss him as a friend, and I'm going to miss him\nas a colleague; and I think the Congress as a whole will miss him\nbecause he's one of the best, and I wish him only the very, very best\nas he moves on to a future endeavor.\n Let me also say the gentlewoman from Florida, the current chair of\nthe committee and former ranking member of the committee, she knows the\naffection I have for her both personally as a friend but also as a\ncolleague, as chair of the committee for the past 2 years and as\nranking member for the previous 4. She and I have worked together not\nonly in these past 6 years but for all of the years we've been in\nCongress, and I think we've been in Congress for almost the exact same\ntime. It's been a pleasure and an honor to work with her, and I\ncontinue to look forward to collaborating with her on all these issues\nof importance to us--we agree on many, many, many things--in the 113th\nCongress. Madam Chair, I just want to tell you how much we appreciate\nyou on both sides of the aisle.\n So let me talk about the bill. I think it's important. I agree with\neverything the chairwoman said. While the international community is\nrightfully concerned about Iran's ties to international terrorism and\nits nuclear weapons program, we cannot forget those who struggle for\nreligious freedom and democracy in Iran.\n The Baha'i community has long been the target of religious\npersecution by the Iranian regime. Much of its informal leadership has\nbeen arrested, and many members of the community executed. The Baha'i\nare not permitted to practice their religion and culture. Their\nmarriages are not recognized. Their dead cannot be buried according to\nBaha'i law, and their cemeteries are desecrated. In addition, the\nBaha'i are denied government jobs and business licenses. They are not\npermitted to enroll in public universities, and Baha'i schoolchildren\nare frequently harassed by classmates, teachers, and administrators. No\nhuman being deserves this type of treatment at the hands of their\ngovernment.\n The social teachings of the Baha'i faith, such as the equality of\nwomen and men and the principle of each individual's responsibility to\nnavigate the truth, are impossible for the theocratic leaders of Iran\nto comprehend. But these are universal values--human values--and they\nmust be protected.\n Mr. Speaker, the United States and the international community must\nnot ignore the systematic and violent attacks against the Iranian\nBaha'i community, and Tehran must be held accountable. By passing this\nresolution, we shine a light on the persecution of the Baha'i and\nhopefully move us one step closer to the day that true freedom reaches\nIran.\n I encourage all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 134, and I\nreserve the balance of my time.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from New York\nfor those kind words. Mr. Engel is a true mensch. That's a good thing.\n Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman\nfrom Illinois (Mr. Dold), a member of the Financial Services Committee,\nthe Tom Lantos Congressional Human Rights Committee, and the author of\nthis measure, whom we will miss greatly.\n Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I certainly want to thank the chairwoman for\nher leadership and for her friendship and her work on human rights\nabuses. I certainly want to thank the ranking member and my friend from\nNew York as well.\n Mr. Speaker, I've talked at length in this Chamber about the human\nrights abuses taking place inside the country of Iran. In response to\nthis Iranian regime's oppressive rule, we have worked to promote\ndemocracy and human rights through a variety of legislative tools, and\nwe have championed measures like the Lautenberg amendment to offer a\nlifeline to those individuals who seek nothing more than the freedom\nthey cannot find in their home country.\n\n {time} 1230\n\n Today I'm proud to stand here with my colleagues and encourage others\nto support House Resolution 134, officially condemning the Government\nof Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i religious\nminority and for the continued violation of human rights. It's time for\nthese continued violations of human rights to be fully exposed and to\nreceive increased international attention.\n The Baha'i population is Iran's largest non-Muslim religious\nminority. Over 300,000 Iranians consider themselves part of the Baha'i\nfaith, yet since the Islamic revolution of Iran of 1979, members of the\nBaha'i faith in Iran have faced intense suppression solely because of\ntheir religious beliefs. Baha'is are unrecognized under the Iranian\nConstitution, and over 200 Baha'is have been killed in Iran since the\nrevolution.\n Additionally, Baha'is are wrongfully imprisoned and discriminated\nagainst throughout the country. Baha'is are barred from universities,\nbanned from government employment, and excluded from the social pension\nsystem unless they deny their religious affiliation. Their marriages\nare not recognized; their property is confiscated; their holy places\nand cemeteries have been desecrated.\n The situation has worsened considerably, Mr. Speaker, in the last\nyear as the number of Baha'is in prison has roughly doubled, and there\nhave been raids on the Baha'i Institution of Higher Education, an\nalternative education system that the Baha'i community developed to\neducate Baha'i youth who are excluded from the state's university\nsystem.\n House Resolution 134 condemns the state-sponsored persecution\nperformed by the Iranian Government and calls on it to release the\nseven imprisoned Baha'i leaders, six imprisoned educators, and all\nother prisoners held solely on account of their religious beliefs.\nAdditionally, the resolution calls on the President and the Secretary\nof State to condemn the Iranian Government's continued violation of\nhuman rights. Finally, the resolution urges the President and the\nSecretary of State to utilize available measures to sanction officials\nof the Government of Iran and other individuals directly responsible\nfor egregious human rights violations, including against the Baha'i\ncommunity.\n Mr. Speaker, in recognition of the importance of this issue, this\nresolution currently enjoys over 146 bipartisan cosponsors. On behalf\nof all those who are concerned about human rights abuses, and on behalf\nof the Baha'i community in the Tenth District of Illinois, which is\nhome to the Baha'i Temple of North America--the beautiful temple in\nWilmette is one of only seven, Mr. Speaker, throughout the world--I'd\nlike to encourage my colleagues, my friends to vote in support of H.\nRes. 134's passage.\n I thank you, and I thank, again, the chairwoman for her leadership.\n Mr. ENGEL. I have no further speakers, so I yield back the balance of\nmy time.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I also have no further requests for\ntime. I yield back the balance of my time.\n Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise as a cosponsor of H. Res 134, a\nresolution condemning the Government of Iran for the state-sponsored\npersecution of its Baha'i minority and to thank Representatives Dold,\nLipinski and Sherman for their collaboration on this important measure.\n Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Government of Iran has\ncontinued to repress Baha'is and prevent them from participating in the\ngovernment and the military, from joining the social pension system or\nattending public schools and universities unless they concealed their\nfaith.\n This resolution calls on the President and Secretary of State, in\ncooperation with the international community, to immediately condemn\nthe Government of Iran's violation of the human rights of the Baha'i\nand urges the President and Secretary of State to utilize all available\nmeasures, including sanctions on officials of the Government of Iran\nand other individuals directly responsible for egregious human rights\nviolations against the Baha'i community and other minorities.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the\ngentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) that the House suspend the\nrules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 134, as amended.\n The question was taken.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds\nbeing in the affirmative, the ayes have it.\n Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a\nquorum\n\n[[Page H7503]]\n\nis not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not\npresent.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further\nproceedings on this question will be postponed.\n The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7503", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "URGING EUROPEAN UNION TO DESIGNATE HIZBALLAH AS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "DESIGNATING", "H7503", "H7506", "[{\"name\": \"Ileana Ros-Lehtinen\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Eliot L. Engel\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Mike Kelly\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Dennis J. Kucinich\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Theodore E. Deutch\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Christopher H. Smith\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Chris Van Hollen\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"SRES\", \"number\": \"613\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"834\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"834\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"834\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7503", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7503-H7506]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n URGING EUROPEAN UNION TO DESIGNATE HIZBALLAH AS A TERRORIST\n ORGANIZATION\n\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree\nto the resolution (H. Res. 834) urging the governments of Europe and\nthe European Union to designate Hizballah as a terrorist organization\nand impose sanctions, and urging the President to provide information\nabout Hizballah to the European allies of the United States and to\nsupport the Government of Bulgaria in investigating the July 18, 2012,\nterrorist attack in Burgas.\n The Clerk read the title of the resolution.\n The text of the resolution is as follows:\n\n H. Res. 834\n\n Whereas the Department of State has designated Hizballah as\n a foreign terrorist organization since October 1997;\n Whereas the United States Government designated Hizballah a\n specially designated terrorist organization in January 1995\n and a ``Specially Designated Global Terrorist'' pursuant to\n Executive Order 13224 (66 Fed. Reg. 49079) in October 2001;\n Whereas Hizballah was established in 1982 through the\n direct sponsorship and support of Iran's Islamic\n Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Qods Force and, as a\n primary terrorist proxy of Iran, continues to receive\n training, weapons, and explosives, as well as political,\n diplomatic, monetary, and organizational aid, from Iran;\n Whereas Hizballah has been implicated in multiple acts of\n terrorism over the past 30 years, including the bombings in\n Lebanon in 1983 of the United States Embassy, the United\n States Marine barracks, and the French Army barracks, the\n airline hijackings and the kidnapping of European, American,\n and other Western hostages in the 1980s and 1990s, and\n support for the Khobar Towers attack in Saudi Arabia that\n killed 19 Americans in 1996;\n Whereas, according to the 2011 Country Reports on Terrorism\n issued by the Department of State, ``Since at least 2004,\n Hizballah has provided training to select Iraqi Shia\n militants, including on the construction and use of\n improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that can penetrate\n heavily-armored vehicles.'';\n Whereas, in 2007, a senior Hizballah operative, Ali Mussa\n Daqduq, was captured in Iraq with detailed documents that\n discussed tactics to attack Iraqi and coalition forces, and\n has been directly implicated in a terrorist attack that\n resulted in the murder of 5 members of the United States\n Armed Forces;\n Whereas Hizballah has been implicated in the terrorist\n attacks in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on the Israeli Embassy in\n 1992 and the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association in 1994;\n Whereas Hizballah has been implicated in acts of terrorism\n and extrajudicial violence in Lebanon, including the\n assassination of political opponents;\n Whereas, in June 2011, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, an\n international tribunal for the prosecution of those\n responsible for the February 14, 2005, assassination of\n former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, issued arrest\n warrants against 4 senior Hizballah members, including its\n top military commander, Mustafa Badr al-Din, identified as\n the primary suspect in the assassination;\n Whereas, according to the 2011 Country Reports on Terrorism\n issued by the Department of State, Hizballah is ``the likely\n perpetrator'' of 2 bomb attacks that wounded United Nations\n Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers in Lebanon\n during 2011;\n Whereas, according to the October 18, 2012, report of the\n Secretary-General of the United Nations to the United Nations\n Security Council on the implementation of Security Council\n Resolution 1559 (2004) (in this preamble referred to as the\n ``October 18 Report''), ``The maintenance by Hizbullah of\n sizeable sophisticated military capabilities outside the\n control of the Government of Lebanon . . . creates an\n atmosphere of intimidation in the country[,] . . . puts\n Lebanon in violation of its obligations under Resolution 1559\n (2004)[,] and constitutes a threat to regional peace and\n stability.'';\n Whereas, on July 12, 2006, Hizballah engaged in an\n unprovoked attack on Israel that instigated the 2006 Israel-\n Hizballah War, in which Hizballah deliberately targeted\n Israeli civilians and utilized innocent Lebanese as human\n shields in violation of international norms;\n Whereas, since the 2006 conflict, Iran and Syria have\n provided substantial assistance to Hizballah to rebuild its\n stockpile of tens of thousands of rockets, including\n sophisticated long-range weapons that can strike deep into\n Israeli territory;\n Whereas John Brennan, Assistant to the President for\n Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, stated on October 26,\n 2012, that Hizballah's ``social and political activities must\n not obscure [its] true nature or prevent us from seeing it\n for what it is--an international terrorist organization\n actively supported by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards\n Corps-Quds Force'';\n Whereas David Cohen, Under Secretary of the Treasury for\n Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated on August 10,\n 2012, ``Before al Qaeda's attack on the U.S. on September 11,\n 2001, Hizballah was responsible for killing more Americans in\n terrorist attacks than any other terrorist group'';\n Whereas, according to a September 13, 2012, Department of\n the Treasury press release, ``The last year has witnessed\n Hizballah's most aggressive terrorist plotting outside the\n Middle East since the 1990s.'';\n Whereas, since 2011, Hizballah has been implicated in\n thwarted terrorist plots in Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Thailand, and\n elsewhere;\n Whereas, on July 18, 2012, a suicide bomber attacked a bus\n in Burgas, Bulgaria, murdering 5 Israeli tourists and the\n Bulgarian bus driver in a terrorist attack that, according to\n Mr. Brennan, ``bore the hallmarks of a Hizballah attack'';\n Whereas Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has\n stated regarding the Burgas terrorist attack, ``We have\n unquestionable, fully substantiated evidence that this was\n done by Hizballah backed by Iran.'';\n Whereas Bulgaria is a member of the European Union and of\n the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO);\n Whereas, according to the October 18 Report, ``There have\n been credible reports suggesting involvement by Hizbullah and\n other Lebanese political forces in support of the parties in\n the conflict in Syria. . . . Such militant activities by\n Hizbullah in Syria contradict and undermine the\n disassociation policy of the Government of Lebanon, of which\n Hizbullah is a coalition member.'';\n Whereas, on October 26, 2012, Mr. Brennan stated, ``We have\n seen Hizballah training militants in Yemen and Syria, where\n it continues to provide material support to the regime of\n Bashar al Assad, in part to preserve its weapon supply\n lines.'';\n Whereas, on August 10, 2012, the Department of the Treasury\n designated Hizballah pursuant to Executive Order 13582 (76\n Fed. Reg. 52209), which targets those responsible for human\n rights abuses in Syria, for providing support to the\n Government of Syria;\n Whereas, according to the Department of the Treasury, since\n early 2011, Hizballah ``has provided training, advice and\n extensive logistical support to the Government of Syria's\n increasingly ruthless effort to fight against the\n opposition'' and has ``directly trained Syrian government\n personnel inside Syria and has facilitated the training of\n Syrian forces by Iran's terrorism arm, the Islamic\n Revolutionary Guards Corps-Qods Force'';\n Whereas, on September 13, 2012, the Department of the\n Treasury designated the Secretary-General of Hizballah,\n Hassan Nasrallah, for overseeing ``Hizballah's efforts to\n help the Syrian regime's violent crackdown on the Syrian\n civilian population'';\n Whereas, on October 26, 2012, Mr. Brennan stated, ``Even in\n Europe, many countries . . . have not yet designated\n Hizballah as a terrorist organization. Nor has the European\n Union. Let me be clear: failure to designate Hizballah as a\n terrorist organization makes it harder to defend our\n countries and protect our citizens. As a result, for example,\n countries that have arrested Hizballah suspects for plotting\n in Europe have been unable to prosecute them on terrorism\n charges''; and\n Whereas, on October 26, 2012, Mr. Brennan called on the\n European Union to designate Hizballah as a terrorist\n organization, saying, ``European nations are our most\n sophisticated and important counterterrorism partners, and\n together we must make it clear that we will not tolerate\n Hizballah's criminal and terrorist activities.'': Now,\n therefore, be it\n Resolved, That the House of Representatives--\n (1) urges the governments of Europe and the European Union\n to designate Hizballah as a terrorist organization so that\n Hizballah cannot use the territories of the European Union\n for fundraising, recruitment, financing, logistical support,\n training, and propaganda;\n (2) urges the governments of Europe and the European Union\n to impose sanctions on Hizballah for providing material\n support to Bashar al Assad's ongoing campaign of violent\n repression against the people of Syria;\n (3) expresses support for the Government of Bulgaria as it\n conducts an investigation into the July 18, 2012, terrorist\n attack in Burgas, and expresses hope that the investigation\n can be successfully concluded and that the perpetrators can\n be identified as quickly as possible;\n (4) urges the President to provide all necessary\n diplomatic, intelligence, and law enforcement support to the\n Government of Bulgaria to investigate the July 18, 2012,\n terrorist attack in Burgas;\n (5) reaffirms support for the Government of Bulgaria by the\n United States as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty\n Organization (NATO), and urges the United States, NATO, and\n the European Union to work with the Government of Bulgaria to\n safeguard its territory and citizens from the threat of\n terrorism; and\n (6) urges the President to make available to European\n allies and the European public information about Hizballah's\n terrorist activities, efforts to subvert democracy within\n Lebanon, and provision of material support\n\n[[Page H7504]]\n\n to Bashar al Assad's campaign of violence in Syria.\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from\nFlorida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel)\neach will control 20 minutes.\n The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.\n\n General Leave\n\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all\nMembers may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks\nand to insert extraneous material into the Record on this measure.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the\ngentlewoman from Florida?\n There was no objection.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.\n Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 834,\nintroduced by my good friend and colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr.\nKelly).\n The resolution before the House condemns the ongoing violence\nperpetrated by Hezbollah. It urges the European Union to classify\nHezbollah as a designated terrorist organization.\n Now, in March of 2005, the House voted on a similar resolution urging\nthe European Union to add Hezbollah as a designated foreign terrorist\norganization; yet here we are again, Mr. Speaker, nearly 8 years later,\ncalling for the EU to take this long overdue action.\n As the purveyor of one of the most expansive extremist networks in\nthe world, Hezbollah has engaged in nearly three decades of attacks\nagainst Americans, Europeans, Israeli civilians, in addition to plots\nand attacks on nearly every continent. Among the most egregious\nexamples of Hezbollah attacks against innocent civilians abroad were\nits bombings of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires in March 1992 and\nthe Jewish Cultural Center in Buenos Aires in 1994.\n Hezbollah has never missed an opportunity to target innocent\ncivilians, especially innocent Israelis, as the 2006 conflict in\nsouthern Lebanon illustrated, while using innocent Lebanese as human\nshields. Hezbollah has even turned its weapons on Syrians and against\nother Lebanese, as the Special Tribunal for Lebanon has uncovered. And\nmost recently, Mr. Speaker, Hezbollah attacked innocent Israeli and\nBulgarian civilians in Burgas, Bulgaria.\n Mr. Speaker, given Hezbollah's long and grisly record, it is no\nsurprise that many of our allies--from Canada, Great Britain, the\nNetherlands, Australia, New Zealand--have designated Hezbollah as a\nterrorist organization, because that is what it is.\n In this respect, it defies comprehension that our allies in the\nEuropean Union continue to purposely omit Hezbollah from their list of\ndesignated terrorist organizations. The logic of the European Union's\ndecisionmaking on this matter is, at best, baffling, particularly\nagainst the backdrop of our mutual efforts to address the threats of\nHezbollah patrons Iran and Syria.\n By simply designating Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and\nstating the obvious, the European Union could deprive Hezbollah of\naccess to millions of dollars in European banks and other financial\ninstitutions, while making an enormous contribution to regional\nstability, saving hundreds of lives that would otherwise be Hezbollah's\nfuture victims.\n Again, I strongly support this Kelly resolution, and I urge all of my\ncolleagues to do the same.\n With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.\n Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 834 and\nyield myself as much time as I may consume.\n This important resolution urges the nations of Europe and the\nEuropean Union to designate Hezbollah has a terrorist organization and\nto impose sanctions on it. We know from our experience with Iran that\nsanctions and, in fact, all diplomacy are most effective when they are\nmultilateral--the more multilateral, the better.\n We are particularly strong in such matters when we and our friends\nand allies in the European Union stand shoulder to shoulder. That's why\nEurope's seemingly inexplicable refusal to classify Hezbollah as a\nterrorist group has been so disappointing over the years.\n Hezbollah is a charter member of the Foreign Terrorist Organizations\nlist in the United States. It's crimes are legion, spread over many\ncontinents, and far too numerous to list here. They begin in the early\n1980s with deadly bombings of the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Marine and\nFrench Army barracks in Beirut, and they have continued up to the\npresent day. I still remember Ronald Reagan, President Reagan talking\nabout it after so many of our marines were murdered in Lebanon.\n\n {time} 1240\n\n Let me mention just a few of the other lowlights: countless\nkidnappings of Americans and Europeans in the 1980s and 1990s; the\nKhobar Towers attack that killed 19 Americans in 1996; the 1992 bombing\nof the Israeli Embassy and the 1994 bombing of the Jewish community\ncenter in Buenos Aires, again, with multiple killings; the murders of\nAmericans in Iraq and the training of other Iraqi militants; and\ncountless assassinations in Lebanon, including, most likely, that of\nformer prime minister Rafik Hariri in 2005. In 2006, Hezbollah's\nunprovoked murder of three Israeli soldiers caused a war, during which\nHezbollah rocketed civilian targets in Lebanon and used Lebanese\ncivilian as human shields.\n Over the past 2 years, it has staged attacks from Turkey to Thailand.\nToday, it has forces in Syria fighting on behalf of Assad and the\nmurderous Assad regime and helping to train Assad's thugs. In addition,\nthis year Hezbollah twice has been directly implicated in terrorism on\nEuropean Union territory--in Bulgaria, where a suicide bomber killed\nfive Israeli tourists and a Bulgarian, and in Cyprus, where an apparent\nHezbollah terrorist attack was thwarted.\n The failure of most European nations to designate Hezbollah has been\nbased on the flimsiest of reasons; namely, that Hezbollah provides\nsocial services to the Shiite community and participates in electoral\npolitics in Lebanon. In fact, Hezbollah takes a very novel approach to\nelectoral politics--using a militia to intimidate voters into voting\nfor them. By the way, it's a lesson that Hamas has learned very, very\nwell.\n But Europe's failure to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist group is\nnot merely a problem because it accords legitimacy to a terrorist\norganization. Rather, it has important operational consequences as\nwell. The failure to designate makes it more difficult to prosecute\ncases against Hezbollah crimes committed in Europe. It allows Hezbollah\nto use EU territories to fund-raise, recruit new members, propagandize,\nand train. And thus, the freedom Hezbollah enjoys in Europe ultimately\naffects non-Europeans as well. The European Union obviously will make\nits own decisions on this matter, but it's hard to escape the\nconclusion that the EU's failure to designate Hezbollah undermines both\nEurope's security and ours as well.\n The State Department's top counterterrorism official recently said\nthat he's ``cautiously optimistic--at last--about the prospects for an\nEU designation of the group.'' I hope his optimism is justified. Until\nit is borne out with an actual terrorist designation, however, it is\nimportant that we join the Senate in going on record as urging the\nEuropean Union to make that designation, which would be so beneficial\nto the fight against terrorism worldwide and to our own national\nsecurity.\n I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the\nbalance of my time.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield such time as he may consume to the\ngentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly), an esteemed member of our\nHouse Foreign Affairs Committee and the author of this bill.\n Mr. KELLY. I thank the gentlelady for your guidance and your\nleadership the last couple of years. It was a joy serving with you in\nForeign Affairs.\n I rise today in support of House Resolution 834 and urge the EU and\nmember states to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.\nHezbollah is called ``the A Team'' of international terrorist\norganizations by terrorism experts. Hezbollah was created by Iran's\nIslamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force in 1982, and is a primary\nterrorist proxy of Iran. Hezbollah receives weapons, training, monies,\nand support from Iran and Syria.\n\n[[Page H7505]]\n\n Hezbollah has left its bloody fingerprints around the world in the\nlast 30 years. Hezbollah has been implicated in numerous deadly\nterrorist attacks against Europeans, Americans, and Israelis:\n In 1983, the bombing of the U.S. embassy in Beirut, which killed 63\npeople; the 1983 bombing of the U.S. and French barracks of the\nMultinational Force in Lebanon, killing 241 American servicemen and 58\nFrench soldiers; the 1992 bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos\nAires, killing 29 people; the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community\ncenter building in Buenos Aires, killing 85 people; the suicide bombing\non July 18, 2012, that killed five Israeli tourists and a Bulgarian\ndriver in the town of Burgas, Bulgaria, that had all the hallmarks of a\nHezbollah attack.\n Hezbollah has created violence and instability in Lebanon. In\naddition to terrorist attacks and political assassinations, it has\nlaunched thousands of rockets and missiles at Israel from within\nLebanon. Hezbollah supports Bashar al-Assad's brutal, ongoing violence\nagainst the Syrian people.\n It's long past time for the EU and its members to join the U.S. and\nother allies and list Hezbollah as a terrorism organization. I would\nask the EU as a recipient of the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize to please wake\nup. The U.S. designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in the\nlate 1990s. Canada and Australia, as well as the United Kingdom and the\nNetherlands, both EU members, also list Hezbollah as a terrorist\norganization.\n Failure to recognize and designate Hezbollah allows it to continue\nevading law enforcement, intelligence, and security services, and it\nendangers the people of Europe. Hezbollah cannot claim to be a\nlegitimate political party or provider of social services when it\nrefuses to abandon its terrorist agenda. Both the United States and the\nEU must be united in our fight against Hezbollah.\n This resolution, H. Res. 834, urges the EU and member states to\ndesignate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and to prevent\nHezbollah from using EU territories for fundraising, for recruitment,\nfor training, for propaganda, and any other activities. It urges the EU\nand its members to impose sanctions on Hezbollah for supporting the\nAssad regime's brutal violence against the Syrian people. It affirms\nour support for the Bulgarian government in its investigation of the\nJuly 18, 2012, terrorist attack, and urges our President to support\nthat investigation. It urges the President to provide information to\nour European allies regarding Hezbollah's terrorist activities,\nsubversion of democracy in Lebanon, and support of Assad's violence in\nSyria. This Congress has and will do all it can to urge the EU to do\nthe right thing and list Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.\n In September, my good friend Gus Bilirakis from Florida, Mr. Deutch,\nMr. Israel, Mr. Sires and I led a bipartisan group of 268 House Members\nto send a letter to the President and the 27 ministers of the European\nCommission urging the Commission to include Hezbollah on the EU\nterrorist list. I might mention Mr. Deutch and I had talked one day\nwalking into our offices about how well our staffs have worked together\nto forge this letter, to put it together. And we do things in a lot of\nbipartisan ways. I think sometimes it gets lost in the wash of other\nthings that are going on. I especially want to thank all those members\nof the staffs and also one of my staff members, Mr. Isaac Fong, for the\ntireless work he put in.\n Earlier this month, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Resolution\n613, which also urges the EU to declare Hezbollah a terrorist\norganization. H. Res. 834 has over 80 bipartisan cosponsors. I urge my\ncolleagues to vote ``yes'' on H. Res. 834. It's time to recognize\nHezbollah for what it is. If it waddles like a duck and quacks like a\nduck, it's a duck. This is a terrorist organization. It needs to be\nrecognized and designated as one worldwide.\n\n Mr. ENGEL. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.\nKucinich).\n Mr. KUCINICH. First of all, I want to begin by thanking the chair and\nthe ranking member for their commitment to security, to Israel and to\nthe region. I want to thank Mr. Kelly for his commitment, similarly.\n In my office, which I recently shut down because I'm not going to be\nin the next Congress, I had a pedestal on which rested a bomb fragment\nthat I brought back from the village of Qana in south Lebanon. Qana is\nthe place where Christ is said to have performed his first miracle. And\nQana was also the place where a bomb dropped on an apartment building\nand killed about 50 women and children.\n I brought a fragment of that bomb back and put it on a pedestal in\nthe office. And within that pedestal I put the dog tags of three\nIsraeli soldiers who were captured and kidnapped. I got the dog tags\nfrom their parents. I've had that in my office since 2006, when I first\nwent to Lebanon to look at the effects of the war. And I have them\ntogether because they represent the parenthesis on a human tragedy.\n\n {time} 1250\n\n But we're all concerned about Israel's security. I rose on the floor\nof this House when the war started to talk about putting immediately\ninto effect a plan that would stop the war. I've been to south Lebanon\nand Israel on several occasions.\n I want to add a word of caution here because what I'm concerned\nabout, notwithstanding the best intentions of my friends who are taking\na strong stand here, is the impact of this resolution on a United\nNations force in Lebanon, UNIFIL. There are European troops there.\nTheir mission is to enforce U.N. Security Resolution 1701 to end the\nhostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.\n UNIFIL has been working with Hezbollah to stabilize south Lebanon.\nAnd there are reports from the ground that they have helped to achieve\na good measure of stability in that regard, even reports that Hezbollah\nhas worked to help curb the work of terrorist cells of extremist bent.\nUNIFIL has, in effect, worked with Hezbollah. Peacekeepers have worked\nwith Hezbollah. They've developed a relationship for future dialogue.\n Now, I'm concerned that this resolution could make it even more\ndifficult to enforce UN Resolution 1701 and that, if it's passed, one\nof the things that this Congress has to consider is that the Lebanese\narmy, itself, has to be strengthened.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.\n Mr. ENGEL. I yield the gentleman 1 minute.\n Mr. KUCINICH. We have to look at the implications of this. If you\nhave European countries who are essentially part of the UNIFIL presence\nin south Lebanon in furtherance of a U.N. resolution to end hostilities\nbetween Hezbollah and Israel, to create safety for both the people of\nIsrael and the people of Lebanon, we've got to be very careful here\nthat we don't create a situation that is the opposite of what we are\ntrying to achieve. If this resolution passes--and unfortunately, I'm\nnot going to be able to support it. But if it passes, we have to do\nsomething to strengthen the Lebanese army, because if the Lebanese army\nisn't strong enough, then you have a situation where the very thing\nthat we are opposing here could come to pass and with great force.\n So I would just urge your consideration of that, and I thank you very\nmuch for giving me an opportunity to put this forward. Again, I thank\nmy colleagues for their constant support of Israel.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.\n Mr. ENGEL. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr.\nDeutch).\n Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution\n834, which urges the European Union to take steps to swiftly designate\nHezbollah as a terrorist organization.\n Despite its history of violent civilian attacks, our European\npartners in fighting terrorism as a whole have yet to formally\nrecognize Hezbollah as a foreign terrorist organization. Mr. Speaker,\nthe failure of the EU to gain consensus on this matter serves as a\ngrave injustice to those who have been the victims of terror attacks\nmasterminded and carried out by Hezbollah throughout the world.\n From the suicide truck bombings of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut in\nApril 1983 that killed 63, the U.S. Marine barracks bombing in October\n1983 that killed 241 American military personnel, a separate attack on\nthe French military compound that killed 58, as well\n\n[[Page H7506]]\n\nas the hijacking of TWA 847 in 1995 and Hezbollah's role in the 1994\nbombing of the Israel-Argentine Mutual Aid Association in Buenos Aires\nthat killed 85, right up to the terrorist attack this summer at a\nBulgarian airport that killed six, Hezbollah has shown its propensity\nto attack civilians and to attack them anywhere in the world. It's also\nshown its propensity to attack even within Lebanon, where the group is\nresponsible for the 2005 assassination of Prime Minister Hariri.\n Hezbollah and its state sponsor Iran continually spread anti-U.S. and\nanti-Israel rhetoric and excitement, with Hezbollah chief Hassan\nNasrallah recently threatening to rain down rockets on Israel ``from\nthe Lebanese border to Jordan to the Red Sea, from Kiryat Shmona to\nEilat,'' prompting harsh rebukes from several prominent members of\nLebanon's Parliament.\n By failing to label Hezbollah a terrorist organization, Hezbollah is\nfree to continue its operations, including recruiting and fundraising\nin Europe.\n Mr. Speaker, we deeply value our relationship with our European\nallies, including our joint commitment to combatting terror around the\nglobe. We appreciate their partnership in enacting crushing sanctions\ndesigned to thwart Iran's nuclear ambitions, but we do not understand\nthe failure of our friends to join together in stopping this\norganization's reign of terror. That's why we are here this morning\nspeaking about House Resolution 834.\n Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I'd like to thank my friend, Congressman\nKelly, as well as Chairman Ros-Lehtinen and Ranking Member Berman for\ntheir leadership on this issue.\n My friend, Mr. Engel, the incoming ranking member, I look forward to\nworking with you, continuing to work on these vitally important issues.\n I urge my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, to support this resolution.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I reserve the balance of my time.\n Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, so I yield back\nthe balance of my time.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I also have no further requests for\ntime, and I yield back the balance of my time.\n Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of\nthis legislation, and thank my good friend Mr. Kelly for authoring it.\n Mr. Speaker, this resolution urges the governments of Europe and the\nEuropean Union to designate Hezballah a terrorist organization, so that\nit will not be able to raise funds and recruit operatives in Europe.\n Since Hezballah is one of the most active, dangerous, ruthless, and\nevil terrorist groups in the world, this should be the most obvious\nthing in the world for the European governments to do--the minimum\naction which they should be in a hurry to do on their own, without any\nurging from anybody.\n One reason many European countries have not done so is the ongoing\npresence of anti-Semitism in Europe. It's a very sad story, but it's\nundeniably true that in many European countries large minorities or\neven majorities of the population hold attitudes that can only be\ndescribed as anti-Semitic. Regarding this I'd like to recommend to my\ncolleagues a March 2012 study of the Anti-Defamation League on\n``Attitudes Toward Jews in Ten European Countries.'' It is shocking but\nnecessary reading--I will be happy to share it with any of my\ncolleagues.\n Further, in Europe anti-Semitic opinion doesn't hide its head\nfurtively. Rather people who are not anti-Semitic accept various forms\nof anti-Semitic statement and attitudes into seemingly ``mainstream''\ndiscussion, where it's allowed to influence government policy--that is,\nanti-Semitic public opinion limits what some governments are willing to\nsay and do in fighting anti-Semitism.\n So with this resolution we are also urging the European governments,\nand the European Union, to deal more pro-actively, much more pro-\nactively, with anti-Semitism in Europe. Denounce anti-Semitic actions\nand statements whenever they occur--this is a fundamental\nresponsibility of every elected official. As elected officials, we\nalways have a special responsibility to anyone in danger--and this\nresolution documents very well that Hezbollah is an extraordinarily\ndangerous terrorist group.\n In closing, Mr. Speaker, I do want to recognize the many European\nparliamentarians who have worked hard in fighting anti-Semitism in\nEurope. I've worked with many of them over the years, particularly in\nthe Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE and in the Interparliamentary\nCoalition for Combating Anti-Semitism.\n This resolution, with its careful documentation of the extraordinary\ndanger posed by Hezballah, will provide Europeans engaged in fighting\nanti-Semitism with a tool they can take to their governments and demand\nthat they be much more pro-active against anti-Semitism. For it is\nanti-Semitism that creates the poisonous atmosphere in which Hezballah\noperates.\n I strongly urge my colleagues to support this excellent resolution.\n Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, As a cosponsor of H. Res. 834, I rise to\nthank Representatives Kelly and Deutch for bringing this important\nresolution to the floor today and to encourage my colleagues to join me\nin supporting the measure.\n H. Res. 834 urges the governments of Europe and the European Union to\ndesignate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. According to John\nBrennan, the deputy national security advisor, Europe's failure to\ndesignate Hezbollah as a terrorist group makes it more difficult to\ndefend the citizens of the European Union and the United States because\nHezbollah is able to openly raise funds in some European countries and\nbecause EU countries are unable to prosecute Hezbollah members\nsuspected of plotting terrorist attacks.\n Hezbollah has been implicated in multiple acts of terrorism over the\npast 30 years, including the bombings in Lebanon in 1983 of the United\nStates Embassy, the United States Marine barracks, and the French Army\nbarracks, the airline hijackings and the kidnapping of European,\nAmerican, and other Western hostages in the 1980s and 1990s. Before al\nQaeda's attack on the U.S. on September 11, 2001, Hezbollah was\nresponsible for killing more Americans in terrorist attacks than any\nother terrorist group. Today, Hezbollah is training militants in Yemen\nand Syria and continues to provide financial and material support to\nthe regime of Bashar al Assad.\n This resolution urges the governments of Europe and the European\nUnion to forbid Hezbollah from using EU territory for the purpose of\nfundraising, recruitment, financing, training and propaganda and it\nwill help protect European and American lives. I encourage my\ncolleagues to support the bill.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the\ngentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) that the House suspend the\nrules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 834.\n The question was taken.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds\nbeing in the affirmative, the ayes have it.\n Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a\nquorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not\npresent.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further\nproceedings on this question will be postponed.\n The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7506", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "REQUESTING EGYPT RETURN NOOR AND RAMSAY BOWER TO THE UNITED STATES", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7506", "H7508", "[{\"name\": \"Ileana Ros-Lehtinen\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Eliot L. Engel\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Barney Frank\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Christopher H. Smith\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"193\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"193\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"193\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7506", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7506-H7508]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n REQUESTING EGYPT RETURN NOOR AND RAMSAY BOWER TO THE UNITED STATES\n\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree\nto the resolution (H. Res. 193) calling on the new Government of Egypt\nto honor the rule of law and immediately return Noor and Ramsay Bower\nto the United States, as amended.\n The Clerk read the title of the resolution.\n The text of the resolution is as follows:\n\n H. Res. 193\n\n Whereas Colin Bower's 2 young sons, Noor and Ramsay Bower,\n were illegally abducted from the United States by their\n mother in August 2009 and taken to Egypt;\n Whereas Noor William Noble Bower, age 11, and Ramsay\n Maclean Bower, age 9, are citizens of the United States of\n America;\n Whereas, on December 1, 2008, prior to the abduction of\n Noor and Ramsay, the Probate and Family Court of the\n Commonwealth of Massachusetts awarded sole legal custody of\n Noor and Ramsay to Colin Bower, and joint physical custody\n with Mirvat el Nady, which ruling stipulated Mirvat el Nady\n was not to remove Noor and Ramsay from the Commonwealth of\n Massachusetts;\n Whereas, in August of 2009, following a violation of the\n Probate Court's ruling, the Massachusetts Trial Court granted\n sole physical custody of Noor and Ramsay to their father,\n Colin Bower;\n Whereas Colin Bower has been granted only 4 visitations\n with his sons in the more than 3 years since the abduction;\n Whereas the United States has expressed its commitment,\n through the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of\n International Child Abduction, done at the Hague October 25,\n 1980, ``to protect children internationally from the harmful\n effects of their wrongful removal or retention and to\n establish procedures to ensure their prompt return to the\n State of their habitual residence''; and\n\n[[Page H7507]]\n\n Whereas the United States and 69 other countries that are\n partners to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of\n International Child Abduction have agreed, and encourage all\n other countries to concur, that the appropriate court for\n determining the best interests of children in custody matters\n is the court in the country of their habitual residence: Now,\n therefore, be it\n Resolved, That the House of Representatives calls on\n government officials and competent courts in Egypt to assist\n in the safe and immediate return of Noor and Ramsay Bower to\n the United States.\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from\nFlorida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel)\neach will control 20 minutes.\n The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.\n\n General Leave\n\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all\nMembers may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks\nand to insert extraneous material into the Record on this measure.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the\ngentlewoman from Florida?\n There was no objection.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may\nconsume.\n Mr. Speaker, 3\\1/2\\ years ago, Colin Bower's two sons, Noor and\nRamsay, were abducted from the United States by their mother in\nviolation of the custody ruling given by the courts of the Commonwealth\nof Massachusetts. The boys' mother used forged passports to remove the\nboys from the United States and take them to her native land of Egypt,\ndespite the fact that a court ruling stipulated that she was not to\nremove them from Massachusetts. Last I checked, Egypt was not in Red\nSox country.\n One of the objectives of the Hague Convention, Mr. Speaker, on the\nCivil Aspects of International Child Abduction--of which Egypt and the\nUnited States are members--is to ensure that custody rights and access\nunder the law of one contracting state are respected in the others.\nThat means helping to bring Noor and Ramsay home to their father.\n The resolution is not calling for anything extraordinary. We are\nsimply appealing to the Egyptian Government to uphold its\nresponsibilities and return these two boys to their rightful home.\n I would like to thank my colleague from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) for\nworking so diligently to secure the safe and speedy return of these\nboys to their dad. This bipartisan measure deserves our unanimous\nsupport.\n With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.\n\n {time} 1300\n\n Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 193 and\nyield myself as much time as I may consume.\n This resolution calls on the new Government of Egypt to immediately\nreturn two kidnapped American children to their father in the United\nStates.\n In August of 2009, Colin Bower of Wellesley, Massachusetts, received\na terrifying phone call that his two children--Noor and Ramsay, ages 9\nand 7 at the time--had been abducted to Egypt by his ex-wife, Mirvat el\nNady. Mr. Bower was granted sole legal custody of the children after\nhis divorce.\n El Nady lost custody over the children because the Massachusetts\ncourts found her to have a drug addiction which put the safety of the\nboys at risk. She utilized falsified Egyptian passports to smuggle the\nchildren out of the country on an Egypt Air flight and is now wanted by\nFederal and local officials on charges of kidnapping.\n The facts of this case are heartbreaking, and I want to thank my good\nfriend and colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), for\nworking so hard on this resolution and trying to reunite Mr. Bower with\nhis children.\n The resolution before us asks for three simple things: first, that\nEgypt bring about the safe return of Noor and Ramsay Bower to their\nfather, Colin Bower, in the United States; secondly, that Egypt\nimmediately stop using its own security forces to aid and abet the\ncontinued unlawful retention of these two United States citizens; and,\nthirdly and finally, it urges Egypt and all other nations to join and\nfully participate in The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of\nInternational Child Abduction and to establish procedures to promptly\nand equitably address the tragedy of child abductions.\n During this holiday season, we are reminded that children are our\nmost important and cherished resource, and it is a tragedy for everyone\ninvolved when they are taken away and denied access to one of their\nparents.\n Egypt's Government must do better. What the Mubarak and now Morsi\ngovernments have done is actively work to make sure Mr. Bower is not\npart of his children's lives. This is unjust, illegal, tragic, and\nunacceptable; and sadly, Mr. Speaker, this is but one of 31 separate\ncases involving American children wrongfully removed from the United\nStates to Egypt.\n Mr. Speaker, I ask that all my colleagues join me in supporting this\nimportant resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.\n Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from\nMassachusetts (Mr. Frank).\n Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, my thanks go to the chair of\nthe committee, the gentlewoman from Florida, the ranking member from\nCalifornia (Mr. Berman), and the new ranking member from New York (Mr.\nEngel) for giving us a chance to try to achieve not just justice but\nlove, the love of a father for children for whom he grieves daily\nbecause they were illegally and abusively kidnapped.\n As the gentlewoman from Florida pointed out, this kidnapping was in\nviolation of a decision by the family court in Massachusetts giving\nfull custody to the father. Members will not be surprised to learn that\nthere have been very few complaints, that I've ever heard of, of there\nbeing a bias in favor of fathers in those courts. Some say there's a\nbias in favor of mothers. There is certainly a presumption, as I\nunderstand it, in favor of mothers. So for a court to say unequivocally\nthat the father gets sole control is a strong indication of the\nunfitness of the mother.\n And so the case is very clear; but I want in my remarks, Mr. Speaker,\nto address the Government of Egypt. There's a new government in Egypt.\nThere are points of friction between Egypt and the United States. We\nhave a great interest in a good relationship. The foundation of peace\nin the Middle East began in 1979 with the Camp David Accords. America\nhas consistently provided Egypt with more foreign assistance than all\nbut a handful of nations. And in this current period when there are\nissues that could arise that could divide us, I urge the Egyptian\nGovernment not to put or keep in place a serious problem, not an\nirritant. It's more than an irritant when a loving father who has been\ngiven custody of his children because of the court's decision that the\nmother is unfit by virtue of a drug addiction, when he is denied the\nability to have his paternal instincts honored, to be able to honor and\nprotect his children. And I urge the Government of Egypt: do not\nminimize the extent to which this will be an obstacle.\n I will not be here in a week, Mr. Speaker. I didn't think I'd be here\nthis week. But I know that my successor in Congress, Mr. Kennedy, and\nmy colleagues, the chair of the committee and the ranking member, will\nnot forget this. The Government of Egypt will be seeking from this\nHouse support of measures, and there are a lot of reasons why we want\nto work together. I plead with them, do not allow what to us is a very\nserious issue--perhaps to some in Egypt it appears minor--but to have a\nfather's children taken away from him and kidnapped with the implicit\ncooperation of the prior Egyptian Government is a grave problem. If the\ncurrent Egyptian Government does not correct this situation, it will be\nan obstacle to the kind of cooperation that is in our mutual interest.\n I hope we get a very large, indeed unanimous, vote for this\nresolution and the Egyptian Government understands that it is not just\njustice but its best interests that call for compliance.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.\n Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute to again reiterate\nthe fact that I support this bill very strongly and also, since Mr.\nFrank spoke before me, I want to, as I mentioned before with some of\nthe other people, tell him\n\n[[Page H7508]]\n\nhow much I appreciate being his colleague through the years and how\nmuch not only I will miss him and the Congress will miss him but that\nthe country will miss him. It's been wonderful to call him a colleague,\neven better for me to call him a friend, and I wish him the best in all\nfuture endeavors. Thank you very much, Barney.\n Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I also will miss Mr. Frank for his\nfriendship and his great insight on many of the issues, and I thank him\nso much for caring deeply about constituents in his district, and we\nwill continue to fight on their behalf.\n With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.\n Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.\nRes. 193, calling on the new government of Egypt to honor the rule of\nlaw and immediately return American citizens Noor and Ramsey Bower to\nthe United States. It is absolutely appalling and inexcusable that more\nthan three years after a textbook abduction, the new government of\nEgypt has yet to right the terrible wrong that has been perpetrated\nupon Noor and Ramsey, as well as upon their father, Colin Bower.\n Noor and Ramsey were abducted and hidden with the assistance of the\nprevious Egyptian government August 2009. The boys' mother had lost\ncustody of the children in the United States because of her drug use\nand psychological problems. Their father, Mr. Bower, was their primary\ncaregiver.\n For the last three years, Colin Bower has been doing everything in\nhis power to find out if his sons are safe and to be reunited with\nthem. In July of 2011, he testified before my subcommittee on Africa,\nGlobal Health, and Human Rights--and conveyed his frustration over the\nlack of priority abduction cases receive in U.S. foreign policy.\n This sentiment is shared by the thousands of American parents whose\nAmerican children have been abducted to foreign jurisdictions, often in\nviolation of valid U.S. court orders. Every year, more than a thousand\nadditional families are anguished by an abduction. We are losing our\nchildren and are not bringing them home.\n At that same hearing, we heard from Michael Elias, an Iraqi veteran\nfrom New Jersey, who told this committee of his anguish after his ex-\nwife used her Japanese consulate connections to abduct Jade and Michael\nJr., after the New Jersey court had ordered surrender of passports and\njoint custody.\n His ex-wife flagrantly disregarded those valid court orders telling\nMichael Elias, ``My country [Japan] will protect me.'' She was right.\nBoth the U.S. embassy personnel and Mr. Elias have been unable to even\nsee the American citizen children since 2008--much less return them to\ntheir home.\n The U.S. talks about the problem with Japan, and talks, and talks--\nbut Japan has yet to issue and enforce a court order to return a single\nAmerican child.\n In the case of Egypt, we have provided more than $4 billion in aid\nand debt relief since the abduction of Noor and Ramsey in 2009--despite\nthe fact that Egypt has continued to flagrantly violate valid U.S.\ncourt orders, prevent Mr. Bower from seeing his sons, and otherwise aid\nand abet a kidnapping.\n The United States can and must do more to demand that our would-be\nallies respect the rule of law and return our abducted children. H.\nRes. 193 is a step in the right direction. Specifically, H. Res. 193\n``urges Egypt and all other nations--such as Japan--to join and fully\nparticipate in the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of\nInternational Child Abduction, and to establish procedures to promptly\nand equitably address the tragedy of child abductions, given the\nserious consequences to children of not expeditiously resolving these\ncases and of denying them access to a parent.''\n H. Res. 193 also urges the House of Representatives to take other\nappropriate measures to ensure that Hague Convention partners return\nabducted children to the United States in compliance with the Hague\nConvention's provisions--and to work aggressively for the return of\nchildren abducted from the United States to countries that are not\nHague Convention Partners and for visitation rights for left-behind\nparents while return is negotiated, establishing memorandums of\nunderstanding where necessary for the expeditious return of children.\n Mr. Speaker, it may soon be time for this body to consider additional\nsteps if we do not see immediate cooperation from our would-be allies\nin the return of American children. H. Res. 193 is ample warning to\nEgypt, Japan, and other nations that American patience with abductions\nhas run out. I strongly support the passage of H. Res. 193--and the\npassage of additional steps if the warning is not heeded.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the\ngentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) that the House suspend the\nrules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 193, as amended.\n The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the\nrules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.\n The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``Calling for\nthe safe and immediate return of Noor and Ramsay Bower to the United\nStates.''.\n A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7508", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "NAVAL VESSEL TRANSFER ACT OF 2012", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7508", "H7511", "[{\"name\": \"Ileana Ros-Lehtinen\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Eliot L. Engel\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Gus M. Bilirakis\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"Brad Sherman\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}, {\"name\": \"John P. Sarbanes\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6649\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6649\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6649\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7508", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7508-H7511]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n NAVAL VESSEL TRANSFER ACT OF 2012\n\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass\nthe bill (H.R. 6649) to provide for the transfer of naval vessels to\ncertain foreign recipients, as amended.\n The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n The text of the bill is as follows:\n\n H.R. 6649\n\n Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of\n the United States of America in Congress assembled,\n\n SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.\n\n This Act may be cited as the ``Naval Vessel Transfer Act of\n 2012''.\n\n SEC. 2. TRANSFER OF NAVAL VESSELS TO CERTAIN FOREIGN\n RECIPIENTS.\n\n (a) Transfers by Grant.--The President is authorized to\n transfer vessels to foreign countries on a grant basis under\n section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.\n 2321j), as follows:\n (1) Mexico.--To the Government of Mexico, the OLIVER HAZARD\n PERRY class guided missile frigates USS CURTS (FFG-38) and\n USS MCCLUSKY (FFG-41).\n (2) Thailand.--To the Government of Thailand, the OLIVER\n HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates USS RENTZ (FFG-46)\n and USS VANDEGRIFT (FFG-48).\n (3) Turkey.--To the Government of Turkey, the OLIVER HAZARD\n PERRY class guided missile frigates USS HALYBURTON (FFG-40)\n and USS THACH (FFG-43).\n (b) Transfer by Sale.--The President is authorized to\n transfer the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile\n frigates USS TAYLOR (FFG-50), USS GARY (FFG-51), USS CARR\n (FFG-52), and USS ELROD (FFG-55) to the Taipei Economic and\n Cultural Representative Office of the United States (which is\n the Taiwan instrumentality designated pursuant to section\n 10(a) of the Taiwan Relations Act (22 U.S.C. 3309(a))) on a\n sale basis under section 21 of the Arms Export Control Act\n (22 U.S.C. 2761).\n (c) Alternative Transfer Authority.--Notwithstanding the\n authority provided in subsections (a) and (b) to transfer\n specific vessels to specific countries, the President is\n authorized, subject to the same conditions that would apply\n for such country under this Act, to transfer any vessel named\n in this Act to any country named in this Act such that the\n total number of vessels transferred to such country does not\n exceed the total number of vessels authorized for transfer to\n such country by this Act.\n (d) Grants Not Counted in Annual Total of Transferred\n Excess Defense Articles.--The value of a vessel transferred\n to another country on a grant basis pursuant to authority\n provided by subsection (a) or (c) shall not be counted\n against the aggregate value of excess defense articles\n transferred in any fiscal year under section 516 of the\n Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321j).\n (e) Costs of Transfers.--Any expense incurred by the United\n States in connection with a transfer authorized by this\n section shall be charged to the recipient notwithstanding\n section 516(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22\n U.S.C. 2321j(e)).\n (f) Repair and Refurbishment in United States Shipyards.--\n To the maximum extent practicable, the President shall\n require, as a condition of the transfer of a vessel under\n this section, that the recipient to which the vessel is\n transferred have such repair or refurbishment of the vessel\n as is needed, before the vessel joins the naval forces of\n that recipient, performed at a shipyard located in the United\n States, including a United States Navy shipyard.\n (g) Expiration of Authority.--The authority to transfer a\n vessel under this section shall expire at the end of the 3-\n year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this\n Act.\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from\nFlorida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel)\neach will control 20 minutes.\n The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.\n\n General Leave\n\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all\nMembers may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks\nand to include extraneous material in the Record on this bill.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the\ngentlewoman from Florida?\n\n[[Page H7509]]\n\n There was no objection.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may\nconsume.\n I rise in support of H.R. 6649, the Naval Transfer Act of 2012, as\namended.\n According to the Secretary of the Navy, authority to transfer surplus\nvessels is an important element of the U.S. strategy for decommissioned\nships. It enables our Navy to manage its inventory while strengthening\nties with our key security partners and with allies by transferring\nships that meet key operational requirements.\n This legislation authorizes the transfer of 10 decommissioned Oliver\nHazard Perry class guided missile frigates to Mexico, to Thailand, to\nTurkey and Taiwan. Six of the 10 vessels would be authorized for\ntransfer on a grant basis as excess defense articles under section 516\nof the Foreign Assistance Act.\n Mexico, Thailand, and Turkey would each receive two frigates. With\nrespect to Turkey, I remain greatly concerned with the deterioration in\nthat country's relations with, and policy toward, the democratic Jewish\nstate and our ally, the State of Israel.\n\n {time} 1310\n\n Since the 2010 flotilla incident--a crisis on the high seas that\ntriggered a tailspin in Turkish-Israeli relations--we have witnessed a\nTurkey that is increasingly hostile toward Israel.\n From its recall of its Ambassador to Israel, its attempts to\nmarginalize Israel in other international fora, and its continued\noccupation of Cyprus to the embrace of the Muslim Brotherhood and its\noffshoots, current Turkish policy is unacceptable. I will continue to\nchallenge those and take steps to ensure, for example, that Turkey is\nsanctioned for its activities regarding the Iranian regime.\n But, Mr. Speaker, the proposed transfer that we're talking about\ntoday is not validation of the current Turkish policy in the region. It\nis about our Nation's long-term national security interests. That is\nwhat this bill is all about. Turkey is a NATO ally that we need to\ncontinue participating in joint anti-piracy operations, for which they\nwould use these frigates. It has even commanded the Combined Joint Task\nForce 151, fighting piracy in the Gulf of Aden and along the Somali\ncoast, protecting American citizens who are traveling in that volatile\nregion.\n Additionally, in light of the deteriorating security environment in\nSyria and Turkey's critical role in that arena, the Department of\nDefense feels that it was necessary for our foreign policy priorities\nand security objectives that Turkey receive these transfers.\n Finally, Mr. Speaker, in 2010, the last time that Congress authorized\nsuch naval transfers, we approved the grant transfer of three OSPREY\nclass mine-hunter coastal ships to Greece, but no transfers to Turkey.\n Lastly, these transfers are job creators here at home. Each frigate\ntransferred will require 40 to $80 million of repair and refurbishment.\nThis represents economic benefit to the United States through labor and\nservices during the transfer process, as well as the potential for\nmillions more in follow-on services, equipment, and training. According\nto estimates from U.S. sources, each frigate transfer creates or\nsustains approximately 100 shipyard jobs and 50 services jobs in the\nU.S. for approximately 6 months. Performing this ship transfer work in\ndomestic shipyards that perform U.S. Navy overhauls and repairs lowers\nthe cost of U.S. Navy maintenance by spreading costs over a wider base.\nThe end result is an overall lower cost to our U.S. Navy and thus for\nthe American taxpayer.\n The alternative to foreign ship transfers for ships no longer\nrequired by the U.S. Navy is to place the decommissioned ships into\ncold storage or have them be sunk. Navy funding is required for both\nthe storage and the sinking option.\n Turning to the other four frigates, Mr. Speaker, these would be\nauthorized for transfer to our close friends and ally, Taiwan. The\ntransfer of these four frigates is not only a symbol of our enduring\ncommitment to a secure and democratic Taiwan but will also provide the\nisland with additional capabilities to conduct maritime security\noperations in the Taiwan Strait.\n The legislation also requires that any expense incurred by the U.S.\nin connection with a transfer authorized by this bill shall be charged\nto the recipient.\n Mr. Speaker, passage of this bill will help advance United States\nforeign policy interests and our broader national security\nrequirements. Therefore, I urge adoption, and I reserve the balance of\nmy time.\n Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill, H.R. 6649,\nas amended, and yield myself as much time as I may consume.\n Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the transfer of decommissioned\nfrigates to four foreign countries. The governments of Turkey, Mexico,\nand Thailand would each receive by grant two Perry class frigates. That\nmeans for free. Taiwan would be authorized to purchase four of the same\nclass of frigates, which they clearly need to protect their territorial\nwaters.\n I object to this bill primarily because of Turkey. While I recognize\nthat Turkey is an important NATO ally, I regret that I have to oppose\nthis bill in light of Turkey's problematic behavior and disturbing\nrhetoric regarding Israel and Cyprus over the past year and a half. For\nexample, in May, with no apparent justification, Turkey sent combat\naircraft to intercept an Israeli aircraft that was flying near Cyprus.\nThis could have turned into a significant confrontation between a U.S.\nNATO ally and the United States' closest ally in the Middle East.\nFortunately, it did not.\n In September 2011, Turkey announced that it would send warships to\nescort aid convoys to Gaza. It has not followed through with this\nthreat, but nor has it rescinded it.\n Prime Minister Erdogan and Foreign Minister Davutoglu have been\nfamously competing to see who can issue the most vile denunciations of\nIsrael, as we saw, once again, during the recent Gaza crisis. Indeed,\ntheir allegations of ``ethnic cleansing'' and ``crimes against\nhumanity,'' quotes from them, topped even the claims of Hamas for\nstridency and falsehood. Of course, the prime minister called Israel a\n``terrorist state.'' Is that the kind of rhetoric we should expect from\na NATO ally?\n\n Some people say this should continue because, after all, Turkey is an\nally and we need to help them. Well, I look at it the other way.\nThey're a NATO ally, so they have responsibility. And the way they're\nacting has been anything but responsible. This is not an\ninconsequential or trivial matter. As many public opinion surveys show,\nand as is widely acknowledged, Turkey wields enormous influence among\nMiddle Easterners, with the sway to exacerbate or tamp down tensions as\nit sees fit. For too long, it has been exacerbating these tensions,\nparticularly since the new government--well, it's not new anymore--a\ngovernment for several years with an Islamist bent has been in.\n Moreover, Turkey's longstanding recognition of Hamas has done nothing\nto moderate that group. It has merely lent legitimacy to a terrorist\ngroup and undermined the standing of the Palestinian Authority in\nRamallah. Indeed, in the aftermath of the Gaza hostilities, Turkey's\nextreme rhetoric and one-sided approach to Israel's conflict with Hamas\ndisqualified it from playing the useful mediating role which should be\nits natural vocation.\n Turkey's unnecessarily harsh anti-Israel rhetoric over the last\nseveral years actually did cost the Turks the support of Congress to\nauthorize the transfer of two decommissioned U.S. frigates in the last\nCongress. It should have that result again in this Congress, and it\nshould be denied.\n But Turkey's poisonous rhetoric and menacing behavior towards Israel\nis not the only reason to oppose this ship transfer, and perhaps not\neven the most potentially explosive. To cite the other important\nreason: Turkey has repeatedly threatened Cyprus and its energy\nexplorations. One year ago, Turkey used its naval forces--and, by the\nway, the very naval forces this bill would enhance--in an effort to\nharass and intimidate Cyprus and workers employed by the Houston-based\nNoble Energy company as they sought to explore for offshore natural gas\nin Cyprus' exclusive economic zone. Prime Minister Erdogan also\nthreatened that Turkey would use force to stop these explorations.\nProbably because of U.S. opposition, it has not done so, but, again,\nTurkey has never rescinded the threat. Almost exactly 1 year ago,\nTurkey conducted a dangerous live-fire\n\n[[Page H7510]]\n\nnaval exercise in the vicinity of both the Cypriot and Israeli offshore\nnatural gas explorations, which Cyprus and Israel are doing jointly.\n The Turkish attitude is epitomized by Turkey's Minister for European\nUnion Affairs, Egemen Bagis, who addressed the issue of Cypriot natural\ngas exploration last year. This was his warning, and I quote:\n This is what we have a navy for. We have trained our marines for\nthis. We have equipped the navy for this. All options are on the table.\nAnything can be done.\n And I want to remind my colleagues that Turkey has continued to\noccupy the northern part of Cyprus since the 1970s. It's just\nunacceptable.\n\n {time} 1320\n\n Mr. Speaker, I realize that Turkey is an important member of NATO. It\naccepted radar emplacements for NATO's missile defense initiative, and\nit is an important element of the solution to several regional\nproblems--notably, Syria--but it has become a major problem for U.S.\ninterests in terms of its relations with Israel and the inflammatory\nand distinctly unhelpful role it has assumed in the Palestinian issue,\nas well as its threats against Cyprus.\n In the last several years, the once warm relationship between Israel\nand Turkey has unfortunately frozen over. We would truly like to see a\nthaw in that relationship, just as we would like to see Turkey respect\nthe sovereign right of every country in the region, like Cyprus, to\nutilize their natural resources. Until then, I believe we should hold\noff on sending powerful warships to Turkey and encourage the government\nin Ankara to take a less belligerent approach to their neighbors.\n Early in the next Congress, I would look forward to working with my\ncolleagues on a new ship transfer bill that excludes Turkey, if we can\ndefeat this bill, or appropriately conditions our ship transfer so that\nthe government in Ankara gets the right message.\n So I urge my colleagues to reject this bill, and I reserve the\nbalance of my time.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from\nFlorida, my colleague, Mr. Bilirakis, an esteemed member on our\nCommittee of Foreign Affairs.\n Mr. BILIRAKIS. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. I appreciate it very\nmuch.\n Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6649, the Naval Vessel\nTransfer Act of 2012. As part of this legislation before us, the United\nStates would transfer two Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile\nfrigates to the Government of Turkey.\n I have serious concerns, and I oppose this military transfer, Mr.\nSpeaker, because the Turkish navy, as recently as last year, held naval\nlive-fire exercises in the eastern Mediterranean. These provocative\nexercises took place near the natural gas fields of Israel and the\nRepublic of Cyprus and threatened to disrupt peaceful and productive\neconomic activity. Instead, Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that, in the\neastern Mediterranean, Congress will continue to work to foster the\nrelationships between the United States, Greece, Israel, and Cyprus in\norder to promote and foster issues of mutual, economic, and diplomatic\nimportance.\n For those reasons, Mr. Speaker, I oppose the bill.\n Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time I have\nleft?\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York has 13\\1/2\\\nminutes remaining.\n Mr. ENGEL. I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr.\nSherman).\n Mr. SHERMAN. I thank the gentleman for yielding.\n Woodrow Wilson noted that Congress in committee is Congress at work.\nCongress ignoring the committee process is a Congress that doesn't\nwork.\n This bill has not been the subject of hearing and, more importantly,\na markup in the Foreign Affairs Committee. And in the dead of night,\nprovisions to transfer two frigates to Turkey, a controversial\nprovision, was added to this otherwise innocuous bill.\n There are arguments on both sides of the issue: Should we transfer\nthe frigates to Turkey at no cost, a gift from the American taxpayer?\nShould we condition that transfer? Should we limit it to perhaps only\none ship?\n I'd like to have hearings. I'd like Congress to work its will.\nInstead, a bill is brought to the floor on a day we were not scheduled\nto be in session for a last-minute discussion and a last-minute vote.\n In prior discussions in our committee dealing with providing frigates\nto Turkey, we've been told that Turkey lives in a dangerous\nneighborhood, that it shares a border with Iran. I would ask: Where on\nthe Turkish-Iranian border will these frigates be deployed? The last\ntime an oceangoing vessel has been seen in eastern Anatolia, it was\nNoah's Ark.\n Now these frigates will be deployed in the Mediterranean, and we've\nseen what the Turkish navy does in the Mediterranean. In 1974, there\nwas the invasion of Cyprus. More recently, there are the actions taken\nagainst Israel and in support of Hamas. In June of 2010, after a Gaza\nflotilla attempted to aid the terrorist group Hamas with supplies,\nTurkey threatened to send armed naval escorts to back another aid\nconvoy to Hamas. The Turkish Prime Minister, Erdogan, called for Israel\nto be punished for interfering with the previous effort to aid Hamas\nwith the flotilla. In September 2011, after a U.N. report on the Gaza\nflotilla was released, Turkey threatened to send an armed naval\npresence to the eastern Mediterranean to confront Israel, and Prime\nMinister Erdogan said that Israel should expect more naval presence\nfrom Turkey in the area, and I quote:\n\n ``Turkish warships will be tasked with protecting the\n Turkish boats'' bringing aid to Hamas in the Gaza Strip.\n\n The gentleman from New York pointed out how the Turkish navy has\ninterfered with both the Cypriot and Israeli efforts to exploit natural\ngas deposits on the seabed between those two countries. This is\nparticularly outrageous when you realize that the Cypriot natural gas\nfields are off the shores of South Cyprus, an area where Turkey has not\ntried to assert its military presence. And they've gone further and\neven interfered with Israel exploiting its own natural gas fields off\nof its coast.\n This is the action of the Turkish navy in the Mediterranean. Is this\nsomething that we should be furthering by two free frigates? I don't\nknow. We haven't had hearings. We haven't had a markup. We haven't had\na discussion on what limitations, what conditions, and what quantity of\nships should be transferred.\n I've come to this floor on over 100 occasions to vote on suspension\nbills renaming post offices. Most of those bills were subject to a\nmarkup in the appropriate committee. Shouldn't we give that same level\nof attention to the transfer of frigates to Turkey?\n Send this bill back to committee. Let us have a real discussion. Let\nus follow the rules, not suspend the rules, when we're dealing with a\nmatter of this importance to our foreign policy in the eastern\nMediterranean.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.\n Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from\nMaryland (Mr. Sarbanes).\n Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the soon-to-be ranking\nmember of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Engel, for\nyielding this time, and I want to thank him for his eloquent opposition\nto H.R. 6649.\n This is not a noncontroversial bill. I know it's being brought here\non suspension as though it is, and I'm sure in the past when we've had\nthese transfers of vessels, excess defense materials and so forth,\noften that is a noncontroversial action to take. In this case, it's\nanything but noncontroversial, and I'm surprised, frankly, that the\nmajority would bring the bill to the floor in this form.\n Turkey is the problem here. There are vessels that are being\ntransferred to Turkey. These are vessels that apparently are obsolete\nfrom our standpoint, surplus material that can go to them. And, yes,\nTurkey is a NATO ally, but it's a problematic ally at best.\n At critical moments over a period of many years, when the United\nStates has looked to its ally Turkey for assistance for some critical\nsupport, Turkey has been absent. You've heard already, discussed at\nlength here, the unlawful occupation of Cyprus. We're\n\n[[Page H7511]]\n\ntalking about 38 years of unlawful occupation of our ally Cyprus. The\nadventurism of Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean and its recent\nconduct towards Israel has been detailed here at length.\n\n {time} 1330\n\n So what you have is, yes, an American ally but one that has created\nsome real problems for us and is a destabilizing actor in the eastern\nMediterranean.\n You can only characterize Turkey's behavior in that region as gunboat\ndiplomacy. When you look at its conduct towards Cyprus, towards Israel,\nits interference with American commercial interests that are trying to\noperate in the exclusive economic zone of these two nations that are\ncritical to U.S. national security, Turkey has threatened to use force\nto stop Texas-based Noble Energy from drilling for oil and gas off the\nshores of Cyprus and Israel. Texas-based Noble Energy is an American\ncompany, and yet we are now going to transfer these vessels to Turkey\nfor further adventurism on the high seas. You've heard this now\ndetailed on both sides. At one point in the last year and a half,\nTurkey threatened to mobilize its air and naval assets to escort ships\nto Gaza.\n As Congressman Engel says, we're about to enhance those naval assets,\nwith high anxiety on my part and, I think, on the part of other Members\nthat they'll be used in furtherance of this same kind of provocative\nbehavior. If we are going transfer these things, at the very least we\nought to be putting some conditions on this transfer--that no offensive\nuse of these vessels can be made and that they can't be used to\ntraverse these exclusive economic zones that we've talked about. But\nthis is going free of any conditions, and it's why I have severe\nreservations about it.\n This could be an opportunity to step back and think about how we\nconduct our foreign policy. Every bill we pass here matters. It all\nmakes a difference. This may be on suspension, and it may be getting\nrid of excess material, but it's a chance for us to send a powerful\nmessage in terms of the kind of foreign policy that the United States\nis going to exercise. Frankly, I don't think that Turkey should be a\nbeneficiary of this bill given its conduct over many years, but\nparticularly over the last couple of years. It sends the wrong message.\nIt rewards bad behavior. For that reason, I oppose it.\n Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.\n Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.\n Mr. Speaker, in a snapshot, this is the background to this bill and\nthe inclusion of Turkey. I'd like to explain this.\n These are DOD requests for our U.S. national security interests.\nTurkey is a NATO ally that DOD needs to continue participating in joint\nanti-piracy operations for which they would use these frigates. In\nlight of the deteriorating situation regarding Syria and Turkey's\ncritical role, DOD insisted that it was timely to do this transfer.\nNow, just a few years ago, in 2010, Congress authorized the grant\ntransfer of three Osprey class minehunter coastal ships to Greece--\nOsprey MHC-51, Blackhawk MHC-58, and Shrike MHC-62.\n So today's bill, Mr. Speaker, maintains the Turkey-Greece balance.\nThis lowers costs to our U.S. Navy, as they won't have to deal with\ndecommissioned frigates. This bill creates U.S. jobs, as the mammoth\nportion of maintenance work is done here in the United States.\n On the issue of granting to Thailand, to Mexico, to Turkey versus the\nselling of the ships to Taiwan, this is what our U.S. Navy says:\n\n The determining factor on the grant or sale of extra\n defense articles is always what is in the best interest of\n the United States. Granting the hull does not make it free to\n the receiving nation. Among the types of extra defense\n articles that are granted to partner nations, ships are\n unique in that there is always a significant refurbishment\n cost paid by the receiving nation. The current legislation\n requires the refurbishment of the hulls here in the United\n States. This is approximately $60 million per hull; though\n with Turkey our experience has been that they will spend even\n more. Because of the high cost of refurbishment, we always\n try to grant the hulls.\n\n Both Armed Services Committee Chairman McKeon and Intelligence\nCommittee Chairman Rogers support this bill with the inclusion of\nTurkey.\n Mr. Speaker, when our military officials tell me that they need these\nspecific transfers, including to Turkey, because it is in our Nation's\nsecurity interests and it advances our priorities, I believe that all\nof us here should take note. I trust our U.S. military when it comes to\nthe operational needs and joint military and anti-piracy activities.\nThis is why Turkey was included--and not at the last minute under the\ncover of night.\n No, quite the contrary. For almost 2 weeks, the text of this bill has\nbeen posted not just for our fellow colleagues to review but for all of\nthe American people to review at their leisure. This bill is a standard\nbill that is done at the end of each Congress. Two years ago, as I\nstated, under a different majority, a similar annual transfer bill was\nconsidered at the end of the session.\n So, in short, Mr. Speaker, this bill helps our ally Taiwan. It\nadvances our U.S. national security interests, and it reduces costs to\nour Navy. It creates jobs for Americans right here at home, and I hope\nthat our colleagues see it as such.\n With that, I yield back the balance of my time.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the\ngentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) that the House suspend the\nrules and pass the bill, H.R. 6649, as amended.\n The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the\nrules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.\n A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7511", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "HMESSAGE", "H7511", "H7512", null, "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"114\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"140\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"264\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"499\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"970\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"1047\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"1421\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"1478\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"2015\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3250\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"3263\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3563\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"3641\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3715\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"4073\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7511", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7511-H7512]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE\n\n A message from the Senate by Ms. Curtis, one of its clerks, announced\nthat the Senate has passed without amendment bills of the House of the\nfollowing titles:\n\n H.R. 3263. An act to authorize the Secretary of the\n Interior to allow the storage and conveyance of nonproject\n water at the Norman project in Oklahoma, and for other\n purposes.\n H.R. 3641. An act to establish Pinnacles National Park in\n the State of California as a unit of the National Park\n System, and for other purposes.\n H.R. 4073. an act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture\n to accept the quitclaim, disclaimer, and relinquishment of a\n railroad right of way within and adjacent to Pike National\n Forest in El Paso County, Colorado, originally granted to the\n Mt. Manitou Park and Incline Railway Company pursuant to the\n Act of March 3, 1875.\n\n The message also announced that the Senate has passed bills of the\nfollowing titles in which the concurrence of the House is requested:\n\n S. 114. An act to expand the boundary of the San Antonio\n Missions National Historical Park.\n S. 140. An act to designate as wilderness certain land and\n inland water within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National\n Lakeshore in the State of Michigan, and for other purposes.\n S. 264. An act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to\n convey to the State of Mississippi 2 parcels of surplus land\n within the boundary of the Natchez Trace Parkway, and for\n other purposes.\n S. 499. An act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior\n to facilitate the development of hydroelectric power on the\n Diamond Fork System of the Central Utah Project.\n S. 970. An act to designate additional segments and\n tributaries of White Clay Creek, in the States of Delaware\n and Pennsylvania, as a component of the National Wild and\n Scenic Rivers System.\n S. 1047. An act to amend the Reclamation Projects\n Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to require the\n Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of\n Reclamation, to take actions to improve environmental\n conditions in the vicinity of the Leadville Mine Drainage\n Tunnel in Lake County, Colorado, and the other purposes.\n S. 1421. An act to authorize the Peace Corps Commemorative\n Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District\n of Columbia and its environs, and for other purposes.\n S. 1478. An act to modify the boundary of the Minuteman\n Missile National Historic Site in the State of South Dakota,\n and for other purposes.\n S. 2015. An act to require the Secretary of the Interior to\n convey certain Federal land to the Powell Recreation District\n in the State of Wyoming.\n S. 3250. An act to amend the DNA Analysis Backlog\n Elimination Act of 2000 to provide for Debbie Smith grants\n for auditing sexual assault evidence backlogs and to\n establish a Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Registry, and\n for other purposes.\n\n[[Page H7512]]\n\n S. 3563. An act to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to\n modify the Pilot Project offices of the Federal Permit\n Streamlining Pilot Project.\n S. 3715. An act to extend the limited antitrust exemption\n contained in the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7512-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "AFTER RECESS", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7512", "H7512", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7512", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7512]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n {time} 1744\n AFTER RECESS\n\n The recess having expired, the House was called to order by the\nSpeaker pro tempore (Mr. Womack) at 5 o'clock and 44 minutes p.m.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7512-3", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "HANNOUNCEMENT", "H7512", "H7512", null, "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3454\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3454\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6364\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6364\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6612\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6612\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7512", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7512]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings\nwill resume on motions to suspend the rules previously postponed.\n Votes will be taken in the following order:\n S. 3454, de novo;\n H.R. 6612, de novo;\n the Senate amendment to H.R. 6364, de novo.\n The first electronic vote will be conducted as a 15-minute vote.\nRemaining electronic votes will be conducted as 5-minute votes.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7512-4", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7512", "H7512", "[{\"name\": \"David Schweikert\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3454\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3454\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7512", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7512]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The unfinished business is the question on\nsuspending the rules and passing the bill (S. 3454) to authorize\nappropriations for fiscal year 2013 for intelligence and intelligence-\nrelated activities of the United States Government and the Office of\nthe Director of National Intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency\nRetirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.\n The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the\ngentleman from Michigan (Mr. Rogers) that the House suspend the rules\nand pass the bill.\n The question was taken.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds\nbeing in the affirmative, the ayes have it.\n Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.\n The yeas and nays were ordered.\n The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 373,\nnays 29, not voting 29, as follows:\n\n [Roll No. 652]\n\n YEAS--373\n\n Adams\n Aderholt\n Akin\n Alexander\n Altmire\n Amodei\n Andrews\n Austria\n Baca\n Bachmann\n Bachus\n Baldwin\n Barber\n Barletta\n Barrow\n Bartlett\n Barton (TX)\n Bass (CA)\n Becerra\n Benishek\n Berg\n Berkley\n Berman\n Biggert\n Bilbray\n Bilirakis\n Bishop (GA)\n Bishop (NY)\n Bishop (UT)\n Black\n Blackburn\n Bonamici\n Bonner\n Boren\n Boswell\n Boustany\n Brady (PA)\n Brady (TX)\n Braley (IA)\n Brooks\n Broun (GA)\n Brown (FL)\n Buchanan\n Bucshon\n Buerkle\n Burgess\n Butterfield\n Calvert\n Camp\n Campbell\n Canseco\n Cantor\n Capito\n Capps\n Carnahan\n Carney\n Carson (IN)\n Carter\n Cassidy\n Chabot\n Chaffetz\n Chandler\n Chu\n Cicilline\n Clarke (MI)\n Clarke (NY)\n Clay\n Cleaver\n Clyburn\n Coble\n Coffman (CO)\n Cole\n Conaway\n Connolly (VA)\n Cooper\n Costa\n Courtney\n Cravaack\n Crenshaw\n Critz\n Crowley\n Cuellar\n Culberson\n Curson (MI)\n Davis (CA)\n DeFazio\n DeLauro\n DelBene\n Denham\n Dent\n DesJarlais\n Deutch\n Diaz-Balart\n Dicks\n Dingell\n Dold\n Donnelly (IN)\n Doyle\n Dreier\n Duffy\n Duncan (SC)\n Edwards\n Ellmers\n Emerson\n Engel\n Eshoo\n Farenthold\n Farr\n Fattah\n Fincher\n Fitzpatrick\n Flake\n Fleischmann\n Fleming\n Flores\n Forbes\n Fortenberry\n Foxx\n Frank (MA)\n Franks (AZ)\n Frelinghuysen\n Fudge\n Garamendi\n Gardner\n Garrett\n Gerlach\n Gibbs\n Gingrey (GA)\n Gohmert\n Gonzalez\n Goodlatte\n Gosar\n Gowdy\n Granger\n Graves (GA)\n Graves (MO)\n Green, Al\n Green, Gene\n Griffin (AR)\n Griffith (VA)\n Grimm\n Guinta\n Guthrie\n Hall\n Hanabusa\n Hanna\n Harper\n Harris\n Hartzler\n Hastings (FL)\n Hastings (WA)\n Hayworth\n Heck\n Heinrich\n Hensarling\n Herger\n Herrera Beutler\n Higgins\n Himes\n Hinchey\n Hirono\n Hochul\n Holden\n Hoyer\n Huelskamp\n Huizenga (MI)\n Hultgren\n Hunter\n Hurt\n Israel\n Issa\n Jackson Lee (TX)\n Jenkins\n Johnson (GA)\n Johnson (OH)\n Johnson, E. B.\n Johnson, Sam\n Jordan\n Kaptur\n Keating\n Kelly\n Kildee\n Kind\n King (IA)\n King (NY)\n Kingston\n Kinzinger (IL)\n Kissell\n Kline\n Labrador\n Lamborn\n Lance\n Landry\n Langevin\n Lankford\n Larsen (WA)\n Larson (CT)\n Latham\n LaTourette\n Latta\n Levin\n Lipinski\n LoBiondo\n Loebsack\n Long\n Lowey\n Lucas\n Luetkemeyer\n Lujan\n Lummis\n Lungren, Daniel E.\n Lynch\n Manzullo\n Marchant\n Marino\n Markey\n Matheson\n Matsui\n McCarthy (CA)\n McCaul\n McClintock\n McCollum\n McDermott\n McHenry\n McIntyre\n McKeon\n McKinley\n McMorris Rodgers\n McNerney\n Meehan\n Meeks\n Mica\n Michaud\n Miller (FL)\n Miller (MI)\n Miller (NC)\n Miller, Gary\n Moore\n Moran\n Mulvaney\n Murphy (CT)\n Murphy (PA)\n Myrick\n Nadler\n Napolitano\n Neal\n Neugebauer\n Noem\n Nugent\n Nunes\n Nunnelee\n Olson\n Owens\n Palazzo\n Pallone\n Paulsen\n Payne\n Pearce\n Pence\n Perlmutter\n Peters\n Peterson\n Petri\n Pitts\n Platts\n Poe (TX)\n Pompeo\n Posey\n Price (GA)\n Price (NC)\n Quayle\n Quigley\n Rahall\n Rangel\n Reed\n Rehberg\n Reichert\n Renacci\n Reyes\n Ribble\n Richardson\n Richmond\n Rigell\n Rivera\n Roby\n Roe (TN)\n Rogers (AL)\n Rogers (KY)\n Rogers (MI)\n Rokita\n Rooney\n Ros-Lehtinen\n Roskam\n Ross (AR)\n Rothman (NJ)\n Royce\n Runyan\n Ruppersberger\n Rush\n Ryan (OH)\n Ryan (WI)\n Sanchez, Linda T.\n Sanchez, Loretta\n Sarbanes\n Scalise\n Schakowsky\n Schiff\n Schilling\n Schock\n Schrader\n Schwartz\n Schweikert\n Scott (SC)\n Scott (VA)\n Scott, Austin\n Scott, David\n Sensenbrenner\n Serrano\n Sessions\n Sewell\n Sherman\n Shimkus\n Shuster\n Sires\n Slaughter\n Smith (NE)\n Smith (NJ)\n Smith (TX)\n Smith (WA)\n Southerland\n Stearns\n Stivers\n Stutzman\n Sullivan\n Sutton\n Terry\n Thompson (CA)\n Thompson (MS)\n Thompson (PA)\n Thornberry\n Tiberi\n Tierney\n Tipton\n Tonko\n Tsongas\n Turner (NY)\n Turner (OH)\n Upton\n Van Hollen\n Velazquez\n Visclosky\n Walberg\n Walden\n Walsh (IL)\n Walz (MN)\n Wasserman Schultz\n Watt\n Webster\n Welch\n West\n Westmoreland\n Whitfield\n Wilson (FL)\n Wilson (SC)\n Wittman\n Wolf\n Womack\n Woodall\n Yarmuth\n Yoder\n Young (AK)\n Young (FL)\n Young (IN)\n\n NAYS--29\n\n Amash\n Blumenauer\n Capuano\n Cohen\n Conyers\n Cummings\n Davis (IL)\n DeGette\n Doggett\n Duncan (TN)\n Ellison\n Gibson\n Grijalva\n Gutierrez\n Hahn\n Holt\n Honda\n Jones\n Kucinich\n Lee (CA)\n Lofgren, Zoe\n Massie\n McGovern\n Miller, George\n Olver\n Pingree (ME)\n Polis\n Speier\n Waters\n\n NOT VOTING--29\n\n Ackerman\n Bass (NH)\n Bono Mack\n Burton (IN)\n Castor (FL)\n Costello\n Crawford\n Gallegly\n Hinojosa\n Johnson (IL)\n Lewis (CA)\n Lewis (GA)\n Mack\n Maloney\n McCarthy (NY)\n Pascrell\n Pastor (AZ)\n Paul\n Pelosi\n Rohrabacher\n Ross (FL)\n Roybal-Allard\n Schmidt\n Shuler\n Simpson\n Stark\n Towns\n Waxman\n Woolsey\n\n {time} 1805\n\n Messrs. CONYERS, COHEN, CUMMINGS, DOGGETT, GRIJALVA, and Ms. SPEIER\nchanged their vote from ``yea'' to ``nay.''\n Mr. SERRANO changed his vote from ``nay'' to ``yea.''\n So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and\nthe bill was passed.\n The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.\n A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7512", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "RECESS", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7512", "H7512", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7512", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7512]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n RECESS\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the\nChair declares the House in recess subject to the call of the Chair.\n Accordingly (at 1 o'clock and 37 minutes p.m.), the House stood in\nrecess.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7512-5", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "NEIL A. ARMSTRONG FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER AND HUGH L. DRYDEN AERONAUTICAL TEST RANGE DESIGNATION ACT", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7512", "H7513", "[{\"name\": \"Glenn Thompson\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6612\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6612\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7512", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7512-H7513]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n NEIL A. ARMSTRONG FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER AND HUGH L. DRYDEN\n AERONAUTICAL TEST RANGE DESIGNATION ACT\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The unfinished business is the question on\nsuspending the rules and passing the bill (H.R. 6612) to redesignate\nthe Dryden Flight Research Center as the Neil A. Armstrong Flight\nResearch Center and the Western Aeronautical Test Range as the Hugh L.\nDryden Aeronautical Test Range.\n The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the\ngentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) that the House suspend the rules and\npass the bill.\n\n[[Page H7513]]\n\n The question was taken.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds\nbeing in the affirmative, the ayes have it.\n Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas\nand nays.\n The yeas and nays were ordered.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. This is a 5-minute vote.\n The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 404,\nnays 0, not voting 27, as follows:\n\n [Roll No. 653]\n\n YEAS--404\n\n Adams\n Aderholt\n Akin\n Alexander\n Altmire\n Amash\n Amodei\n Andrews\n Austria\n Baca\n Bachmann\n Bachus\n Baldwin\n Barber\n Barletta\n Barrow\n Bartlett\n Barton (TX)\n Becerra\n Benishek\n Berg\n Berkley\n Berman\n Biggert\n Bilbray\n Bilirakis\n Bishop (GA)\n Bishop (NY)\n Bishop (UT)\n Black\n Blackburn\n Blumenauer\n Bonamici\n Bonner\n Boren\n Boswell\n Boustany\n Brady (PA)\n Brady (TX)\n Braley (IA)\n Brooks\n Broun (GA)\n Brown (FL)\n Buchanan\n Bucshon\n Buerkle\n Burgess\n Butterfield\n Calvert\n Camp\n Campbell\n Canseco\n Cantor\n Capito\n Capps\n Capuano\n Carnahan\n Carney\n Carson (IN)\n Carter\n Cassidy\n Castor (FL)\n Chabot\n Chaffetz\n Chandler\n Chu\n Cicilline\n Clarke (MI)\n Clarke (NY)\n Clay\n Cleaver\n Clyburn\n Coble\n Coffman (CO)\n Cohen\n Cole\n Conaway\n Connolly (VA)\n Conyers\n Cooper\n Costa\n Courtney\n Cravaack\n Crawford\n Crenshaw\n Critz\n Crowley\n Cuellar\n Culberson\n Cummings\n Curson (MI)\n Davis (CA)\n Davis (IL)\n DeFazio\n DeGette\n DeLauro\n DelBene\n Denham\n Dent\n DesJarlais\n Deutch\n Diaz-Balart\n Dicks\n Dingell\n Doggett\n Dold\n Donnelly (IN)\n Doyle\n Dreier\n Duffy\n Duncan (SC)\n Duncan (TN)\n Edwards\n Ellison\n Ellmers\n Emerson\n Engel\n Eshoo\n Farenthold\n Farr\n Fattah\n Fincher\n Fitzpatrick\n Flake\n Fleischmann\n Fleming\n Flores\n Forbes\n Fortenberry\n Foxx\n Frank (MA)\n Franks (AZ)\n Frelinghuysen\n Fudge\n Garamendi\n Gardner\n Garrett\n Gerlach\n Gibbs\n Gibson\n Gingrey (GA)\n Gohmert\n Gonzalez\n Goodlatte\n Gosar\n Gowdy\n Granger\n Graves (GA)\n Graves (MO)\n Green, Al\n Green, Gene\n Griffin (AR)\n Griffith (VA)\n Grijalva\n Grimm\n Guinta\n Guthrie\n Gutierrez\n Hahn\n Hall\n Hanabusa\n Hanna\n Harper\n Harris\n Hartzler\n Hastings (FL)\n Hastings (WA)\n Hayworth\n Heck\n Heinrich\n Hensarling\n Herger\n Herrera Beutler\n Higgins\n Himes\n Hinchey\n Hirono\n Hochul\n Holden\n Holt\n Honda\n Hoyer\n Huelskamp\n Huizenga (MI)\n Hultgren\n Hunter\n Hurt\n Israel\n Issa\n Jackson Lee (TX)\n Jenkins\n Johnson (GA)\n Johnson (OH)\n Johnson, E. B.\n Johnson, Sam\n Jones\n Jordan\n Kaptur\n Keating\n Kelly\n Kildee\n Kind\n King (IA)\n King (NY)\n Kingston\n Kinzinger (IL)\n Kissell\n Kline\n Kucinich\n Labrador\n Lamborn\n Lance\n Landry\n Langevin\n Lankford\n Larsen (WA)\n Larson (CT)\n Latham\n LaTourette\n Latta\n Lee (CA)\n Levin\n Lipinski\n LoBiondo\n Loebsack\n Lofgren, Zoe\n Long\n Lowey\n Lucas\n Luetkemeyer\n Lujan\n Lummis\n Lungren, Daniel E.\n Lynch\n Manzullo\n Marchant\n Marino\n Markey\n Massie\n Matheson\n Matsui\n McCarthy (CA)\n McCaul\n McClintock\n McCollum\n McDermott\n McGovern\n McHenry\n McIntyre\n McKeon\n McKinley\n McMorris Rodgers\n McNerney\n Meehan\n Meeks\n Mica\n Michaud\n Miller (FL)\n Miller (MI)\n Miller (NC)\n Miller, Gary\n Miller, George\n Moore\n Moran\n Mulvaney\n Murphy (CT)\n Murphy (PA)\n Myrick\n Nadler\n Napolitano\n Neal\n Neugebauer\n Noem\n Nugent\n Nunes\n Nunnelee\n Olson\n Olver\n Owens\n Palazzo\n Pallone\n Pascrell\n Paulsen\n Payne\n Pearce\n Pelosi\n Pence\n Perlmutter\n Peters\n Peterson\n Petri\n Pingree (ME)\n Pitts\n Platts\n Poe (TX)\n Polis\n Pompeo\n Posey\n Price (GA)\n Price (NC)\n Quayle\n Quigley\n Rahall\n Rangel\n Reed\n Rehberg\n Reichert\n Renacci\n Reyes\n Ribble\n Richardson\n Richmond\n Rigell\n Rivera\n Roby\n Roe (TN)\n Rogers (AL)\n Rogers (KY)\n Rogers (MI)\n Rokita\n Rooney\n Ros-Lehtinen\n Roskam\n Ross (AR)\n Rothman (NJ)\n Royce\n Runyan\n Ruppersberger\n Rush\n Ryan (OH)\n Ryan (WI)\n Sanchez, Linda T.\n Sanchez, Loretta\n Sarbanes\n Scalise\n Schakowsky\n Schiff\n Schilling\n Schock\n Schrader\n Schwartz\n Schweikert\n Scott (SC)\n Scott (VA)\n Scott, Austin\n Scott, David\n Sensenbrenner\n Serrano\n Sessions\n Sewell\n Sherman\n Shimkus\n Shuster\n Sires\n Slaughter\n Smith (NE)\n Smith (NJ)\n Smith (TX)\n Smith (WA)\n Southerland\n Speier\n Stearns\n Stivers\n Stutzman\n Sullivan\n Sutton\n Terry\n Thompson (CA)\n Thompson (MS)\n Thompson (PA)\n Thornberry\n Tiberi\n Tierney\n Tipton\n Tonko\n Tsongas\n Turner (NY)\n Turner (OH)\n Upton\n Van Hollen\n Velazquez\n Visclosky\n Walden\n Walsh (IL)\n Walz (MN)\n Wasserman Schultz\n Waters\n Watt\n Webster\n Welch\n West\n Westmoreland\n Whitfield\n Wilson (FL)\n Wilson (SC)\n Wittman\n Wolf\n Womack\n Woodall\n Yarmuth\n Yoder\n Young (AK)\n Young (FL)\n Young (IN)\n\n NOT VOTING--27\n\n Ackerman\n Bass (CA)\n Bass (NH)\n Bono Mack\n Burton (IN)\n Costello\n Gallegly\n Hinojosa\n Johnson (IL)\n Lewis (CA)\n Lewis (GA)\n Mack\n Maloney\n McCarthy (NY)\n Pastor (AZ)\n Paul\n Rohrabacher\n Ross (FL)\n Roybal-Allard\n Schmidt\n Shuler\n Simpson\n Stark\n Towns\n Walberg\n Waxman\n Woolsey\n\n {time} 1812\n\n So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and\nthe bill was passed.\n The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.\n A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7513", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL COMMISSION ACT", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7513", "H7514", "[{\"name\": \"Bob Goodlatte\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6364\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6364\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7513", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7513-H7514]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL COMMISSION ACT\n\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The unfinished business is the question on\nsuspending the rules and concurring in the Senate amendment to the bill\n(H.R. 6364) to establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance\nof the centennial of World War I, to provide for the designation of\nmemorials to the service of members of the United States Armed Forces\nin World War I, and for other purposes.\n The Clerk read the title of the bill.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the\ngentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) that the House suspend the rules and\nconcur in the Senate amendment.\n The question was taken.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds\nbeing in the affirmative, the ayes have it.\n Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.\n The yeas and nays were ordered.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. This is a 5-minute vote.\n The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 401,\nnays 5, not voting 25, as follows:\n\n [Roll No. 654]\n\n YEAS--401\n\n Adams\n Aderholt\n Akin\n Alexander\n Altmire\n Amodei\n Andrews\n Austria\n Baca\n Bachmann\n Bachus\n Baldwin\n Barber\n Barletta\n Barrow\n Bartlett\n Barton (TX)\n Bass (CA)\n Becerra\n Benishek\n Berg\n Berkley\n Berman\n Biggert\n Bilbray\n Bilirakis\n Bishop (GA)\n Bishop (NY)\n Bishop (UT)\n Black\n Blackburn\n Blumenauer\n Bonamici\n Bonner\n Boren\n Boswell\n Boustany\n Brady (PA)\n Brady (TX)\n Braley (IA)\n Brooks\n Broun (GA)\n Brown (FL)\n Buchanan\n Bucshon\n Buerkle\n Burgess\n Butterfield\n Calvert\n Camp\n Campbell\n Canseco\n Cantor\n Capito\n Capps\n Capuano\n Carnahan\n Carney\n Carson (IN)\n Carter\n Cassidy\n Castor (FL)\n Chabot\n Chaffetz\n Chandler\n Chu\n Cicilline\n Clarke (MI)\n Clarke (NY)\n Clay\n Cleaver\n Clyburn\n Coble\n Coffman (CO)\n Cohen\n Cole\n Conaway\n Connolly (VA)\n Conyers\n Cooper\n Costa\n Courtney\n Cravaack\n Crawford\n Crenshaw\n Critz\n Crowley\n Cuellar\n Culberson\n Cummings\n Curson (MI)\n Davis (CA)\n Davis (IL)\n DeFazio\n DeGette\n DeLauro\n DelBene\n Denham\n Dent\n DesJarlais\n Deutch\n Diaz-Balart\n Dicks\n Dingell\n Doggett\n Dold\n Donnelly (IN)\n Doyle\n Dreier\n Duffy\n Duncan (SC)\n Duncan (TN)\n Edwards\n Ellison\n Ellmers\n Emerson\n Engel\n Eshoo\n Farenthold\n Farr\n Fattah\n Fincher\n Fitzpatrick\n Flake\n Fleischmann\n Fleming\n Forbes\n Fortenberry\n Foxx\n Frank (MA)\n Franks (AZ)\n Frelinghuysen\n Fudge\n Garamendi\n Gardner\n Garrett\n Gerlach\n Gibbs\n Gibson\n Gingrey (GA)\n Gohmert\n Gonzalez\n Goodlatte\n Gosar\n Gowdy\n Granger\n Graves (GA)\n Graves (MO)\n Green, Al\n Green, Gene\n Griffin (AR)\n Griffith (VA)\n Grijalva\n Grimm\n Guinta\n Guthrie\n Gutierrez\n Hahn\n Hall\n Hanabusa\n Hanna\n Harper\n Harris\n Hartzler\n Hastings (FL)\n Hastings (WA)\n Hayworth\n Heck\n Heinrich\n Hensarling\n Herger\n Herrera Beutler\n Higgins\n Himes\n Hinchey\n Hirono\n Hochul\n Holden\n Holt\n Honda\n Hoyer\n Huelskamp\n Huizenga (MI)\n Hultgren\n Hunter\n Hurt\n Israel\n Issa\n Jackson Lee (TX)\n Jenkins\n Johnson (GA)\n Johnson (OH)\n Johnson, E. B.\n Johnson, Sam\n Jones\n Jordan\n Kaptur\n Keating\n Kelly\n Kildee\n Kind\n King (IA)\n King (NY)\n Kingston\n Kinzinger (IL)\n Kissell\n Kline\n Kucinich\n Labrador\n Lamborn\n Lance\n Landry\n Langevin\n Lankford\n Larsen (WA)\n\n[[Page H7514]]\n\n Larson (CT)\n Latham\n LaTourette\n Latta\n Lee (CA)\n Levin\n Lipinski\n LoBiondo\n Loebsack\n Lofgren, Zoe\n Long\n Lowey\n Lucas\n Luetkemeyer\n Lujan\n Lummis\n Lungren, Daniel E.\n Lynch\n Manzullo\n Marchant\n Marino\n Markey\n Matheson\n Matsui\n McCarthy (CA)\n McCaul\n McClintock\n McCollum\n McDermott\n McGovern\n McHenry\n McIntyre\n McKeon\n McKinley\n McMorris Rodgers\n McNerney\n Meehan\n Meeks\n Mica\n Michaud\n Miller (FL)\n Miller (MI)\n Miller (NC)\n Miller, Gary\n Miller, George\n Moore\n Moran\n Mulvaney\n Murphy (CT)\n Murphy (PA)\n Myrick\n Nadler\n Napolitano\n Neal\n Neugebauer\n Noem\n Nugent\n Nunes\n Nunnelee\n Olson\n Olver\n Owens\n Palazzo\n Pallone\n Pascrell\n Paulsen\n Payne\n Pearce\n Pelosi\n Pence\n Perlmutter\n Peters\n Peterson\n Petri\n Pingree (ME)\n Pitts\n Platts\n Poe (TX)\n Polis\n Pompeo\n Posey\n Price (GA)\n Price (NC)\n Quayle\n Quigley\n Rahall\n Rangel\n Reed\n Rehberg\n Reichert\n Renacci\n Reyes\n Richardson\n Richmond\n Rigell\n Rivera\n Roby\n Roe (TN)\n Rogers (AL)\n Rogers (KY)\n Rogers (MI)\n Rokita\n Rooney\n Ros-Lehtinen\n Roskam\n Ross (AR)\n Rothman (NJ)\n Royce\n Runyan\n Ruppersberger\n Rush\n Ryan (OH)\n Ryan (WI)\n Sanchez, Linda T.\n Sanchez, Loretta\n Sarbanes\n Scalise\n Schakowsky\n Schiff\n Schilling\n Schock\n Schrader\n Schwartz\n Scott (SC)\n Scott (VA)\n Scott, Austin\n Scott, David\n Sensenbrenner\n Serrano\n Sessions\n Sewell\n Sherman\n Shimkus\n Shuster\n Sires\n Slaughter\n Smith (NE)\n Smith (NJ)\n Smith (TX)\n Smith (WA)\n Southerland\n Speier\n Stearns\n Stivers\n Stutzman\n Sullivan\n Sutton\n Terry\n Thompson (CA)\n Thompson (MS)\n Thompson (PA)\n Thornberry\n Tiberi\n Tierney\n Tipton\n Tonko\n Tsongas\n Turner (NY)\n Turner (OH)\n Upton\n Van Hollen\n Velazquez\n Visclosky\n Walberg\n Walden\n Walsh (IL)\n Walz (MN)\n Wasserman Schultz\n Waters\n Watt\n Webster\n Welch\n West\n Westmoreland\n Whitfield\n Wilson (FL)\n Wilson (SC)\n Wittman\n Wolf\n Womack\n Woodall\n Yarmuth\n Yoder\n Young (AK)\n Young (FL)\n Young (IN)\n\n NAYS--5\n\n Amash\n Flores\n Massie\n Ribble\n Schweikert\n\n NOT VOTING--25\n\n Ackerman\n Bass (NH)\n Bono Mack\n Burton (IN)\n Costello\n Gallegly\n Hinojosa\n Johnson (IL)\n Lewis (CA)\n Lewis (GA)\n Mack\n Maloney\n McCarthy (NY)\n Pastor (AZ)\n Paul\n Rohrabacher\n Ross (FL)\n Roybal-Allard\n Schmidt\n Shuler\n Simpson\n Stark\n Towns\n Waxman\n Woolsey\n\n {time} 1822\n\n So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and\nthe Senate amendment was concurred in.\n The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.\n A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7514-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "SENATE BILL REFERRED", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "HSENATEBILLREFERRED", "H7514", "H7514", null, "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"140\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7514", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7514]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n SENATE BILL REFERRED\n\n A bill of the Senate of the following title was taken from the\nSpeaker's table and, under the rule, referred as follows:\n\n S. 140. An act to designate as wilderness certain land and\n inland water within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National\n Lakeshore in the State of Michigan, and for other purposes;\n to the Committee on Natural Resources.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7514-3", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ENROLLEDSIGNED", "H7514", "H7514", null, "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"3263\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"3641\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"4057\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"4073\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6014\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6620\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7514", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7514]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED\n\n Karen L. Haas, Clerk of the House, reported and found truly enrolled\nbills of the House of the following titles, which were thereupon signed\nby the Speaker:\n\n H.R. 3263. An act to authorize the Secretary of the\n Interior to allow the storage and conveyance of nonproject\n water at the Norman project in Oklahoma, and for other\n purposes.\n H.R. 3641. An act to establish Pinnacles National Park in\n the State of California as a unit of the National Park\n System, and for other purposes.\n H.R. 4057. An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to\n direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop a\n comprehensive policy to improve outreach and transparency to\n veterans and members of the Armed Forces through the\n provision of information on institutions of higher learning,\n and for other purposes.\n H.R. 4073. An act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture\n to accept the quitclaim, disclaimer, and relinquishment of a\n railroad right of way within and adjacent to Pike National\n Forest in El Paso County, Colorado, originally granted to the\n Mt. Manitou Park and Incline Railway Company pursuant to the\n Act of March 3, 1875.\n H.R. 6014. An act to authorize the Attorney General to\n award grants for States to implement DNA arrestee collections\n processes.\n H.R. 6620. An act to amend title 18, United States Code, to\n eliminate certain limitations on the length of Secret Service\n Protection for former Presidents and for the children of\n former Presidents.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7514-4", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "SENATE ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ENROLLEDSIGNED", "H7514", "H7514", null, "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3202\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"S\", \"number\": \"3666\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7514", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7514]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n SENATE ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED\n\n The Speaker announced his signature to enrolled bills of the Senate\nof the following titles:\n\n S. 3202. An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to\n ensure that deceased veterans with no known next of kin can\n receive a dignified burial, and for other purposes.\n S. 3666. An act to amend the Animal Welfare Act to modify\n the definition of ``exhibitor''.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7514-5", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "ADJOURNMENT", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ADJOURNMENT", "H7514", "H7514", "[{\"name\": \"Sean P. Duffy\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7514", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7514]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n ADJOURNMENT\n\n Mr. DUFFY. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.\n The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 6 o'clock and 25 minutes\np.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow,\nTuesday, January 1, 2013, at noon.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7514-6", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, ETC.", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "EXECUTIVECOMM", "H7514", "H7516", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7514", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Pages H7514-H7516]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, ETC.\n\n Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive communications were taken from\nthe Speaker's table and referred as follows:\n\n 8960. A letter from the Acting Congressional Review\n Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the\n Department's final rule -- Importation of Live Swine, Swine\n Semen, Pork, and Pork Products; Estonia, Hungary, Slovakia,\n and Slovenia [Docket No.: APHIS-2008-0043] (RIN: 0579-AD20)\n received December 20, 2012, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Agriculture.\n 8961. A letter from the Acting Principal Deputy, Department\n of Defense, transmitting the interim response to section 519\n of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2012; to the\n Committee on Armed Services.\n 8962. A letter from the Under Secretary, Department of\n Defense, transmitting the fiscal year 2010 report entitled,\n ``Operation and Financial Support of Military Museums''; to\n the Committee on Armed Services.\n 8963. A letter from the Chief Counsel, Department of\n Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule\n -- Suspension of Community Eligibility (Chesterfield County,\n VA, et. al) [Docket ID: FEMA-2012-0003] [Internal Agency\n Docket No.: FEMA-8259] received December 20, 2012, pursuant\n to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Financial\n Services.\n 8964. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative\n Affairs, Department of the Treasury, transmitting the annual\n report of the National Advisory Council on International\n Monetary and Financial Policies for fiscal year 2011; to the\n Committee on Financial Services.\n 8965. A letter from the Assistant to the Board, Federal\n Reserve System, transmitting the System's final rule --\n Community Reinvestment Act Regulations [Regulation BB; Docket\n No.: R-1454] received December 26, 2012, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Financial Services.\n 8966. A letter from the Director, Division of Regulations,\n Legislation, and Interpretation, Department of Labor,\n transmitting the Department's final rule -- Nondisplacement\n of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts; Effective Date\n (RIN: 1215-AB69; 1235-AA02) received December 26, 2012,\n pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on\n Education and the Workforce.\n 8967. A letter from the Administrator, Department of\n Energy, transmitting A report on ``The Availability and Price\n of Petroleum and Petroleum Products Produced in Countries\n Other Than Iran'', pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 68513(a) Public Law\n 112-81, section 1245(d)(4); to the Committee on Energy and\n Commerce.\n 8968. A letter from the Assistant General Counsel for\n Legislation, Regulation and Energy Efficiency, Department of\n Energy, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Energy\n Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedures\n for Residential Water Heaters, Direct Heating Equipment, and\n Pool Heaters (Standby Mode and Off Mode) [Docket No.: EERE-\n 2009-BT-TP-0013] (RIN: 1904-AB95) received December 26, 2012,\n pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy\n and Commerce.\n 8969. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Health and\n Human Services, transmitting the Department's Annual Report\n entitled, ``Delays in Approvals of Applications Related to\n Citizen Petitions and Petitions for Stay of Agency Action for\n Fiscal Year 2011''; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n 8970. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Health and\n Human Services, transmitting a report entitled ``Performance\n\n[[Page H7515]]\n\n Evaluation of Accreditation Bodies under the Mammography\n Quality Standards Act of 1992 as amended by the Mammography\n Quality Standards Reauthorization Acts of 1998 and 2004''\n covering January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2011; to the\n Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n 8971. A letter from the Program Manager, Department of\n Health and Human Services, transmitting the Department's\n final rule -- Control of Communicable Diseases: Foreign;\n Scope and Definitions [Docket No.: CDC-2012-0017] (RIN: 0920-\n AA12) received December 26, 2012, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n 8972. A letter from the Program Manager, Department of\n Health and Human Services, transmitting the Department's\n final rule -- Control of Communicable Diseases: Interstate;\n Scope and Definitions [Docket No.: CDC-2012-0016] (RIN: 0920-\n AA22) received December 28, 2012, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n 8973. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n Agency's final rule -- Approval and Promulgation of Air\n Quality Implementation Plans; Delaware, New Jersey, and\n Pennsylvania; Determination of Attainment of the 2006 24-hour\n Fine Particulate Matter Standard for the Philadelphia-\n Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE Nonattainment Area [EPA-R03-OAR-2012-\n 0371; FRL-9765-9] received December 27, 2012, pursuant to 5\n U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n 8974. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n Department's final rule -- Health and Safety Data Reporting;\n Addition of Certain Chemicals; Withdrawal of Final Rule [EPA-\n HQ-OPPT-2011-0363; FRL-9375-3] (RIN: 2070-AJ89) received\n December 27, 2012, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the\n Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n 8975. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n Agency's final rule -- Approval and Promulgation of Air\n Quality Implementation Plans; Alaska: Eagle River PM 10\n Nonattainment Area Limited Maintenance Plan and Redesignation\n Request [Docket #: EPA-R10-OAR-2010-0914; FRL-9764-7]\n received December 27, 2012, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n 8976. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n Agency's final rule -- Approval and Promulgation of Air\n Quality Implementation Plans; Utah; Determination of Clean\n Data for the 1987 PM10 Standard for the Ogden Area [EPA-R08-\n OAR-2012-0446; FRL-9765-6] received December 27, 2012,\n pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy\n and Commerce.\n 8977. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n Agency's final rule -- Approval and Promulgation of\n Implementation Plans and Designation of Areas for Air Quality\n Planning Purposes; Ohio; Redesignation of the Ohio Portion of\n the Huntington-Ashland 1997 Annual Fine Particulate Matter\n Nonattainment Area to Attainment [EPA-R05-OAR-2011-0468; FRL-\n 9764-9] received December 27, 2012, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n 8978. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n Agency's final rule -- Approval and Promulgation of\n Implementation Plans; State of Colorado; Regional Haze State\n Implementation Plan [EPA-R08-OAR-2011-0770; FRL-9734-8]\n received December 27, 2012, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n 8979. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n Agency's final rule -- National Primary Drinking Water\n Regulations: Revisions to the Total Coliform Rule [EPA-HQ-OW-\n 2008-0878; FRL-9684-8] (RIN: 2040-AD94) received December 27,\n 2012, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on\n Energy and Commerce.\n 8980. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management\n Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the\n Agency's final rule -- Significant New Use Rule on Certain\n Chemical Substances; Removal of Significant New Use Rules\n [EPA-HQ-OPPT-2011-0941; FRL-9369-8] (RIN: 2070-AB27) received\n December 27, 2012, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the\n Committee on Energy and Commerce.\n 8981. A letter from the Director, Defense Security\n Cooperation Agency, transmitting Transmittal No. 12-02,\n pursuant to the reporting requirements of Section 36(b)(1) of\n the Arms Export Control Act, as amended; to the Committee on\n Foreign Affairs.\n 8982. A letter from the Acting Secretary, Department of\n Commerce, transmitting a certification of export to China; to\n the Committee on Foreign Affairs.\n 8983. A letter from the Assistant Secretary, Legislative\n Affairs, Department of State, transmitting notification of a\n possible unauthorized retransfer of technical data and\n unauthorized retransfer of hardware provided by the United\n States; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.\n 8984. A letter from the Assistant Secretary, Legislative\n Affairs, Department of State, transmitting Transmittal No.\n DDTC 12-139, pursuant to the reporting requirements of\n Section 36(c) of the Arms Export Control Act; to the\n Committee on Foreign Affairs.\n 8985. A letter from the Assistant Secretary, Legislative\n Affairs, Department of State, transmitting Transmittal No.\n DDTC 12-173, pursuant to the reporting requirements of\n Section 36(c) of the Arms Export Control Act; to the\n Committee on Foreign Affairs.\n 8986. A letter from the Assistant Secretary, Legislative\n Affairs, Department of State, transmitting Transmittal No.\n DDTC 12-169, pursuant to the reporting requirements of\n Section 36(c) of the Arms Export Control Act; to the\n Committee on Foreign Affairs.\n 8987. A letter from the Secretary, Department of the\n Treasury, transmitting as required by section 401(c) of the\n National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1641(c), and section\n 204(c) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50\n U.S.C. 1703(c), and pursuant to Executive Order 13313 of July\n 31, 2003, a six-month periodic report on the national\n emergency with respect to the Western Balkans that was\n declared in Executive Order 13219 of June 26, 2001; to the\n Committee on Foreign Affairs.\n 8988. A letter from the Secretary, Department of the\n Treasury, transmitting as required by section 401(c) of the\n National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1641(c), and section\n 204(c) of the International Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C.\n 1703(c), a six-month periodic report on the national\n emergency blocking property of the Government of the Russian\n Federation relating to the dispositing of the highly enriched\n uranium extracted from nuclear weapons that was declared in\n Executive Order 13617 of June 25, 2012; to the Committee on\n Foreign Affairs.\n 8989. A letter from the Secretary, Department of the\n Treasury, transmitting as required by section 401(c) of the\n National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1641(c), and section\n 204(c) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50\n U.S.C. 1703(c), a six-month periodic report on the national\n emergency with respect to terrorists who threaten to disrupt\n the Middle East peace process that was declared in Executive\n Order 12947 of January 23, 1995; to the Committee on Foreign\n Affairs.\n 8990. A letter from the Secretary, Department of the\n Treasury, transmitting as required by section 401(c) of the\n National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1641(c), and section\n 204(c) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50\n U.S.C. 1703(c), a six-month periodic report on the national\n emergency with respect to North Korea that was declared in\n Executive Order 13466 of June 26, 2008; to the Committee on\n Foreign Affairs.\n 8991. A letter from the Chairman, Securities and Exchange\n Commission, transmitting the Semiannual Report of the\n Inspector General and a separate management report for the\n period April 1, 2012 through September 30, 2012, pursuant to\n 5 U.S.C. app. (Insp. Gen. Act), section 5(b); to the\n Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.\n 8992. A letter from the Chief, Border Security Regulations\n Branch, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting the\n Department's final rule -- Closing of the Port of Whitetail,\n MT [Docket No.: USCBP-2011-0017] (RIN: 1651-AA93) received\n December 20, 2012, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the\n Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.\n 8993. A letter from the Secretary, Department Health and\n Human Services, transmitting Targeted Grants to Increase the\n Well-Being of, and to Improve the Permanency Outcomes for,\n Children Affected by Methamphetamine or Other Substance\n Abuse: Second Annual Report to Congress; to the Committee on\n Ways and Means.\n 8994. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Labor,\n transmitting the Department's nineteenth annual report\n prepared in accordance with section 207 of the Andean Trade\n Preference Act (ATPA); to the Committee on Ways and Means.\n 8995. A letter from the Chief, Publications and\n Regulations, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the\n Service's final rule -- Partner's Distributive Share [TD\n 9607] (RIN: 1545-BJ37) received December 28, 2012, pursuant\n to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ways and Means.\n 8996. A letter from the Chief, Publications and\n Regulations, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the\n Service's final rule -- Use of Controlled Corporations to\n Avoid the Application of Section 304 [TD 9606] (RIN: 1545-\n BI13) received December 28, 2012, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ways and Means.\n 8997. A letter from the Chief, Publications and\n Regulations, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the\n Service's final rule -- Appeals Settlement Guideline --\n Military Disability Retirement Benefits [UIL: 104.04-00 &\n 122.01-00] received December 21, 2012, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.\n 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ways and Means.\n 8998. A letter from the Chief, Publications and\n Regulations, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the\n Service's final rule -- Applicable Federal Rates -- January\n 2013 (Rev. Rul. 2013-1) received December 21, 2012, pursuant\n to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ways and Means.\n 8999. A letter from the Chair, Board of Directors, Office\n of Compliance, transmitting a report entitled\n ``Recommendations for Improvements to the Congressional\n Accountability Act''; jointly to the Committees on House\n Administration and Education and the Workforce.\n\n[[Page H7516]]\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7514", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "HOUR OF MEETING ON TOMORROW", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "ALLOTHER", "H7514", "H7514", "[{\"name\": \"Lynn A. Westmoreland\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7514", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7514]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n HOUR OF MEETING ON TOMORROW\n\n Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the\nHouse adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at noon tomorrow.\n The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the\ngentleman from Georgia?\n There was no objection.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7516-10", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "ADDITIONAL SPONSORS", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "HADDSPONSORS", "H7516", "H7516", null, "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"823\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HRES\", \"number\": \"834\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"2221\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"3855\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"4202\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"4221\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"5741\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6446\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6600\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7516", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7516]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n ADDITIONAL SPONSORS\n\n Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were added to public bills and\nresolutions as follows:\n\n H.R. 2221: Mr. Engel.\n H.R. 3855: Mr. Amash.\n H.R. 4202: Mr. Capuano.\n H.R. 4221: Mr. Rangel.\n H.R. 5741: Ms. Wilson of Florida.\n H.R. 6446: Mr. Gardner.\n H.R. 6600: Mr. Turner of New York.\n H. Res. 823: Ms. Roybal-Allard.\n H. Res. 834: Mr. Van Hollen."], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7516-2", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "HPUBBILLS", "H7516", "H7516", null, "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6720\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6721\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6722\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6723\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6724\"}, {\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6725\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7516", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7516]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS\n\n Under clause 2 of rule XII, public bills and resolutions of the\nfollowing titles were introduced and severally referred, as follows:\n\n By Mr. FLORES:\n H.R. 6720. A bill to provide that no pay adjustment for\n Members of Congress shall be made in fiscal year 2013 or\n 2014; to the Committee on House Administration, and in\n addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,\n for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in\n each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within\n the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.\n By Mr. FITZPATRICK (for himself, Mr. Bucshon, Mr.\n Huizenga of Michigan, Ms. Jenkins, Mrs. Hartzler, Mr.\n Jones, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Lance, Mr. Reed, Mr.\n Marchant, Mr. Platts, Mr. Wittman, Mr. Carney, Mr.\n Ribble, Mr. Flores, Mr. Paul, Mr. Griffin of\n Arkansas, Mr. Barletta, Mr. Loebsack, Mrs. Black, Mr.\n Gardner, Mr. Johnson of Ohio, Mr. Austria, Mr.\n McKinley, Mr. Latta, Mr. Dent, and Mr. Gibson):\n H.R. 6721. A bill to provide that no pay adjustment for\n Members of Congress shall be made in fiscal year 2013 or\n 2014; to the Committee on House Administration, and in\n addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,\n for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in\n each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within\n the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.\n By Mrs. BACHMANN:\n H.R. 6722. A bill to provide that no pay adjustment for\n Members of Congress shall be made in fiscal year 2013; to the\n Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the\n Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to\n be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for\n consideration of such provisions as fall within the\n jurisdiction of the committee concerned.\n By Mrs. EMERSON:\n H.R. 6723. A bill to provide for Inspector General\n oversight for Federal entities not otherwise subject to such\n oversight, and for other purposes; to the Committee on\n Oversight and Government Reform.\n By Mr. KELLY:\n H.R. 6724. A bill to reform United States export control\n restrictions relating to commercially-available automotive\n products and technologies, and for other purposes; to the\n Committee on Foreign Affairs.\n By Mr. MORAN:\n H.R. 6725. A bill to provide for greater safety in the use\n of firearms; to the Committee on the Judiciary.\n\n ____________________"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7516-3", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "Constitutional Authority Statement", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "CASTATEMENT", "H7516", "H7516", null, null, "158 Cong. Rec. H7516", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7516]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT\n\n Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII of the Rules of the House of\nRepresentatives, the following statements are submitted regarding the\nspecific powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact the\naccompanying bill or joint resolution."], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7516-4", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "Constitutional Authority Statement for H.R. 6720", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "CASTATEMENT", "H7516", "H7516", null, "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6720\"}]", "158 Cong. Rec. H7516", "Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]\n[House]\n[Page H7516]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n By Mr. FLORES:\n H.R. 6720.\n Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant\n to the following:\n Article I, Section 6, Clause 1:\n ``The Senators and Representatives shall receive a\n Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law,\n and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.'' and\n Clause 1 of Section 1 of Article I, which states ``All\n legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a\n Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a\n Senate and House of Representatives.''"], ["CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7516-5", "2012-12-31", 112, 2, null, null, "Constitutional Authority Statement for H.R. 6721", "HOUSE", "HOUSE", "CASTATEMENT", "H7516", "H7516", null, "[{\"congress\": \"112\", \"type\": \"HR\", \"number\": \"6721\"}]", "158 Cong. 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