Ralph Abraham

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the heroism of two Louisianians who served valiantly during World War II: William Henry Ward and Richard Leon Watson. William, who recently celebrated his 95th birthday, grew up in New Orleans and shipped off to Europe in 1943 to join a heavy bombardment squadron that participated in Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge. During the Battle of the Bulge, his B-24 Liberator got shot down, took heavy fire, and he was forced into an emergency landing near Brussels. He hitchhiked back to England and, as soon as possible, rejoined the fight. On January 10, 1945, he completed his 35th mission over Germany and finally telegraphed his mother, Maude Ward, saying, ``Duties completed. Returning home soon.'' Sadly, Richard Watson came home to Morehouse Parish in a more tragic way. He died defending our country while aboard the USS Oklahoma, which sank from a torpedo strike when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He was one of 429 crewmen killed in that attack. After 77 years, his body was identified and finally sent back home to Louisiana earlier this year. Mr. Speaker, our World War II veterans truly are America's Greatest Generation. It is because of the courageous acts of soldiers like William Ward and the sacrifices of sailors like Richard Watson that we are the country we are today. We owe a tremendous debt to our World War II veterans. I encourage everyone to thank these wonderful people when you see them and let them know that a grateful Nation has not forgotten what they did for us.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of the two amendments included in this en bloc package. The first is to ensure that the Air Force prioritizes construction of the Weapons Generation Facility at Barksdale Air Force Base. The Louisiana congressional delegation and I have continued to push the Air Force for this project because of its strategic importance to our Nation's security and nuclear strategy. Millions of Federal dollars have been invested in projects to prepare for this facility, and last year, we in Congress prioritized funding for a new gate entrance at Barksdale. The Weapons Generation Facility at Barksdale is a national security imperative. Funding this project cannot wait any longer, and I encourage the Air Force to prioritize funding for this project. The second amendment I would like to speak on is to prioritize the funding of our Army's combat development centers. One of these is the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Fort Polk has supported training operations for our Army for decades. The training our soldiers receive at Fort Polk is the best and closest they will get to combat without actually being deployed. This training is imperative to readiness and our national security. We need to do a better job about resourcing the infrastructure needs of these training centers, and we must prioritize funding for them. Madam Chair, I want to thank my colleagues for working with Congressman Johnson and me on these amendments, and I look forward to seeing them pass.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Madam Chair, I thank Mr. Gosar and the Congressional Western Caucus for bringing further attention to the scourge that is chronic wasting disease. At the beginning of this Congress, I introduced H.R. 837, which would require the USDA and the Department of the Interior to collaborate with the National Academy of Sciences to study the predominant pathways and mechanisms for the transmission of chronic wasting disease in cervid populations. There is a lot of CWD research out there--some good, some not so good. What we need is an authoritative and comprehensive scientific consensus on how chronic wasting disease spreads. This study will allow us to pursue the most effective methods to fight CWD, but we cannot do this without the proper resources. I thank the committee and the subcommittee chairs, ranking members, and staff for increasing CWD funding and for providing language that encourages greater scientific collaboration within the Federal Government. This will set us on the right path to understanding how CWD infects and how it spreads, and it will give the foundation of knowledge we need to build the right policy. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Chair, section 117 of this bill is just another example of the anti-American energy agenda being pushed by this Democratic majority. The draft Outer Continental Shelf leasing program proposed by the Trump administration is actually a forward-looking energy policy that takes full advantage of our vast offshore oil and gas resources. This includes expanding lease sales in the eastern Gulf of Mexico in a manner that does not interfere with our critical defense mission. In fact, fully utilizing our offshore mineral resources in the Gulf is vital to our national defense because it will make the U.S. more energy independent and will let us continue to be the worldwide leader in energy production. The draft proposal in this program will also create thousands of jobs and boost economies of energy-producing States like Louisiana. We should not delay offshore mineral leasing. Any attempt by the Democrats to stop an America- and Louisiana-first energy policy should be fought tooth and nail. Mr. Chair, I thank my good friend for offering this amendment to strike section 117, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 962, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Madam Speaker, if this unanimous consent request cannot be entertained, I urge the Speaker and the majority leader to immediately schedule the Born-Alive bill.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize April as National Donate Life Month and the awareness one Louisiana family has brought to organ donation through the tragic loss of their son. On May 5, 2015, the Perry family, from Monroe, welcomed twin babies, John Clarke and Ella, to the world. All was fine and well for the twins until John Clarke was given the fatal diagnosis of a brain bleed shortly after their 6-month checkup. On November 29, 2015, John Clarke passed away at only 6 months old. Before his death, his parents, Jonathan and Holley, were approached about donating John Clarke's organs, to which they agreed. Meanwhile, 400 miles away in Auburn, Alabama, the Boswell family faced a similarly heartbreaking situation. Their son Davis, who was born in June 2015, had been diagnosed with enterovirus, an infection that attacked his heart. His only chance at survival was an improbable heart transplant. On a Sunday night in November, Davis' parents, Amanda and Tucker, received a call saying that a match had been found and that Davis would receive a heart. On November 29, 2015, Davis underwent a successful heart transplant. A few days later, Amanda and Holley were connected by a mutual friend on Facebook and realized that Davis had probably received John Clarke's heart, a fact confirmed by the hospital. In April 2016, the Boswells and the Perrys met at an event raising awareness for organ donation. The two families have continued to meet over the years at the annual Auburn-LSU football game, turning the rivalry game into an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for organ donation across the country. While this sequence of events could have only been handcrafted by God, organ donations save lives across the country on a daily basis. In 2018, 36,528 organ transplants were performed, a record high for the sixth consecutive year. On average, one organ donor can save up to eight lives. Through organ donation, John Clarke saved two children's lives. Mr. Speaker, today, I recognize the unspeakable tragedy that the Perrys faced and their incredibly brave decision to donate John Clarke's organs. Through this heartbreaking decision, John Clarke became a hero. Today, John Clarke is remembered by his family for his big blue eyes and sweet smile, a smile his parents say grew wider every time the LSU Tigers and New Orleans Saints were on TV. Like so many donors, John Clarke is no longer with us, but his legacy lives on in the bodies of those who received his organs. Throughout the month of April, I will be thinking of John Clarke, the entire Perry family, and all those who have given the gift of organ donation as a final act of compassion. Honoring Mason Andrews

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Mason Andrews, an 18-year-old from Monroe, Louisiana, who was recently recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest pilot to circumnavigate the globe. Mason is a junior at Louisiana Tech University who set off on his trip around the world on July 22 and returned October 6 of 2018. He flew for 76 days in the spirit of Louisiana, a 1976 Piper Lance PA-32 single-engine aircraft. Mason made over 20 stops around the world, including Dubai, Paris, and Taiwan. His longest leg of the journey was the 14-hour, 2,150-mile stretch from Japan to Alaska. Mason flew not only to break a world record, but to raise awareness and funds for MedCamps of Louisiana. MedCamps of Louisiana is a free summer camp for children with varying disabilities or illnesses, such as autism, spina bifida, and Down syndrome. Mason has served as a camp counselor for 3 years with MedCamps of Louisiana and raised over $30,000 for the camp during his flight. To raise these funds and to break the world record, Mason overcame all obstacles he faced, including a sandstorm over Saudi Arabia and two Category 5 typhoons that kept him grounded for the better part of September. I am proud of what Mason was able to accomplish and how he has represented the great State of Louisiana. From one pilot to another, I congratulate Mason on his incredible achievement and look forward to what he will accomplish next. Born-Alive Survivor Protection

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today about something that has really been weighing on my mind, and that is the disturbing push for late-term abortions we have been seeing around the country. I am a doctor by trade. I have delivered many babies myself. I have seen babies in the womb on ultrasound wince in pain, and I have seen them comforted by their mother's voice. That baby is every bit as alive then as he or she is when a mother gets to hold her or him for the first time. I believe that life begins at conception. I believe adoption is always better than abortion. And I certainly believe that delivering a baby in the third trimester is far better for both the mother and the baby than a late-term abortion, which brings me back to why I wanted to speak tonight. The disturbing trend of codifying protections for late-term abortions must stop, and it will take Federal action to ban it across the entire country. We see what is happening at the State level: New York has passed a law that allows abortions at any time--at any time. That is outrageous, especially considering that many babies can live outside the womb around 20 weeks. Virginia tried to pass a similar law. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, a Democrat, who argued that babies could be killed after birth if the mother had preferred to abort it rather than to birth it, said: ``The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that's what the mother and family desired. And then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother.'' That is disgusting. That is an endorsement of a murder of a helpless child, and we cannot stand for that. I am a proud cosponsor of the Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act, which requires that babies who survive abortions be given the same standard of care as any person in medical need. This is a commonsense approach because a baby is a person. Doctors are sworn to help those in need, and I cannot fathom how any medical provider could watch a helpless baby struggling outside the womb after she survives an abortion. Even still, Democrats are standing in the way of ending this heinous practice. Republicans have tried nearly 30 times to bring to the floor a vote on the Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act, and Democrats have blocked it every single time. Thankfully, my colleagues, Steve Scalise from my great State of Louisiana and Ann Wagner, have introduced a discharge petition to go around the Democratic leadership and force a vote on this important bill. I have signed the petition, and my prayer is that the Chamber can come together in a bipartisan way to state firmly that the United States of America does not believe in killing babies, especially after they are born. Critics say that it is a woman's choice and that politicians are interfering. If a baby is crying and he is crying out for help in an operating room, that is a person, an individual who is entitled to the same life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness that every American is entitled to. Only the individual can decide that path forward for themselves; it is not the choice of anyone else; and a living, breathing baby deserves a chance to live. They say this bill is unnecessary because it is already law, pointing to the 2002 Born-Alive Infants Protection Act which codified into law that any person born alive in any stage of development is a legal person. Since that time, however, there have been cases where abortion providers do not consider a baby born if it survives an abortion. The Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act ends all debate and further protects babies who survive abortions. The Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act is a literal matter of life and death. It is about the core values of what we as Americans and every single politician in State and Federal Government should clearly and definitely know: where we stand on this important bill. My position is clear: I stand with the babies. I stand with life. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Madam Speaker, the President has a duty to protect our borders and our people. He has the Constitution and the law of the land on his side to declare this national emergency. Democrats have blocked the appropriations for this border security, but they had no problem when President Obama built 130 miles of border wall. While they played political games, 76,000 people alone, in February, streamed across our borders, but the United States has endured because we are a land that believes in the rule of law. Turning a blind eye to this law and allowing these open borders sends the wrong message to the American people and our laws. Madam Speaker, I am a country physician who has, unfortunately, been in emergency rooms and in funeral homes with the families of those that have died of illegal opioid overdoses. When we play political games with American lives and American families, shame on us. Madam Speaker, 85 to maybe 95 percent of these illegal opioids come across the southern border where we have no fence, we have no barrier to prevent these illegal people from bringing these drugs in. We have got to secure this border with a wall. Let the President secure our border; let the President protect our people; and let's vote against this veto override.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the urgent need for increased U.S. Coast Guard assets in the polar regions of the globe. America has been a world leader and a dominant force in the Arctic and Antarctic regions for over a century. While both of these areas are currently models of internationally shared territory, the geopolitical relevance of the polar regions is rising, and with it comes a larger and stronger presence of countries such as Russia and China. Russia and China have both declared plans to grow and strengthen their presence in the polar region. China recently announced its status as a near-Arctic nation and continues to rapidly grow its ice-breaking fleet. Over the last 3 years, Russia has constructed six new bases in Russian Arctic territory. These are concerning and clear signs that Russia and China have intentions to change the nature of their presence in the polar regions. In order to compete with these countries, we must protect our sovereignty in the Arctic and our national interests in the Antarctic. It is time for Congress to reinvest in Coast Guard assets in this area. The Coast Guard's sole heavy icebreaker, the Coast Guard cutter Polar Star, is 40 years old, and the task of accessing the polar region becomes more difficult for this ship every ice season. Immediate investments in new heavy icebreaker ships, the Polar Security Cutter fleet, is critical to ensuring a long-term presence for the U.S. in these polar areas. The U.S. Coast Guard has created a 6-3-1 approach to rebuilding its polar region fleets. With this 6-3-1 position, the Coast Guard will build a fleet of six polar icebreakers, including three Polar Security cutters similar to the Polar Star, and the U.S. Coast Guard's first Polar Security cutter. These new heavy icebreakers provide continued access to the polar region and, ultimately, will prevent the U.S. from ceding any ground to our political adversaries. I appreciate the hard work done by the folks at the Coast Guard, not only in the polar regions, but across the world. Their efforts play a role in ensuring our national security, and it is vital that we continue to provide the Coast Guard with the funding they need in order to do their jobs. This investment will arm the Coast Guard with the tools, equipment, and personnel it needs to complete its missions on the polar front. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in Congress to join me in supporting the requested $750 million in funding.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 115th Combat Support Hospital headquartered in Fort Polk, Louisiana. The 115th Combat Support Hospital was established in 1918 and is recognized as having the highest combat injury survival rate in the world. The unit has been deployed in World War I, World War II, Desert Storm, and the Iraq war. In World War II, the 115th Combat Support Hospital received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for its work while on the front lines across Europe. The 115th Combat Support Hospital has become the standard for all medical units and a central asset for Fort Polk, the Joint Readiness Training Center, and the United States Army. I had the incredible opportunity to witness the work that the hospital does when the unit set up at Camp Beauregard in Pineville, Louisiana, to celebrate their centennial anniversary. These soldiers enter the field, build a facility, and become a fully functioning hospital in a matter of hours. The unit and its facilities, which include an emergency room, operating room, pharmacy, and lab, are all trained to set up in 12 to 18 hours. The 115th Combat Support Hospital also contains subordinate units that provide optical care, veterinary services, preventive medicine, and a ground ambulance company. The work they do saves lives and allows troops to return home and back to their families. I am thankful for the honorable men and women that comprise the 115th Combat Support Hospital, as they reflect the absolute best of the United States Army. The 115th Combat Support Hospital is truly a great asset to our military. Today, I join our country and all members, both past and present, of the 115th Combat Support Hospital in celebrating 100 years of lifesaving work. I look forward to continuing to witness their successes and achievements at Fort Polk for many years to come.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the nonprofit organization Kids' Orchestra for the positive impact it has had on the children throughout East Baton Rouge Parish. Kids' Orchestra is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is one of the largest after school programs for elementary schools in the entire United States. The program began in 2011 with 30 students from a few local schools. Now, 800 students from 21 schools participate each year, learning a musical instrument, performing in an ensemble, and/or singing in the choir. Kids' Orchestra uses music as a way to teach students valuable lessons, both in and out of the classroom. Ultimately, they are successful, as 82 percent of their students say they feel more confident, part of the team, and like they are good at something after completing the program. Teachers and parents also see improvements in peer interaction, self-confidence, school attendance, and classroom behavior from the participating students. These benefits translate academically also, as, on average, Kids' Orchestra students receive 15 percent higher grades than students who do not participate in the program. The organization also aims to create a strong sense of community between the children from all different backgrounds, different neighborhoods, and different schools. Each class contains 25 students of varying ages, schools, and skill levels, all brought together for weekly lessons and regular performances. By forming a community based on musical training and enrichment, Kids' Orchestra is making a positive impact on neighborhood schools and individual students. I am proud to have had this program in Louisiana, and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts from the organization for many, many years to come. Celebrating National Rice Month

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate September as National Rice Month. Very few places in the world take their rice as seriously as Louisiana, where we produced 2.7 billion pounds of rice just last year. Rice is also a huge economic driver for the United States, as rice milling operations generate about $6 billion in wages and business profits, according to the LSU AgCenter. U.S. rice not only puts food on our tables, but also on tables across the world. We contribute 5 percent of the total rice exports in food aid to developing nations. This is the kind of international contribution our rice producers can be proud of. In turn, I am proud to represent the hardworking rice farmers across Louisiana. They produce high-quality rice that feeds the world, gives jobs to their neighbors, and helps the community. These facts alone make rice worth celebrating all month long.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible life of Lieutenant Colonel Adolf ``Wes'' Wesselhoeft, who, as a child, was one of 11,000 German-Americans placed in internment camps during World War II. You see his picture to my left. Wes was born to German immigrants in Chicago in 1936. When he was seven, his family packed what few things they could and were taken to Crystal City, Texas, to a detainment camp built there for German, Japanese, and Italian immigrants. Just a year later, in 1944, his family packed up once again and was sent to New York City to board the M.S. Gripsholm. The M.S. Gripsholm headed to Portugal where the Wesselhoeft family and 633 other German expatriates and repatriates were exchanged for American prisoners of war and then sent back to Germany. Once back in Germany, Wes and his family lived in the town of Hamburg with his grandparents. Unfortunately, Hamburg was the center of Allied bombings during World War II. Wes has vivid memories from the bombings, seeking shelter in bunkers with his family. Despite those experiences, Wes remained a true American patriot, and he was committed to coming back home to the United States of America. After the war ended, Wes and his family moved to Konstanz where he finished school and worked manual labor jobs to save money for a return to America. He stayed in touch with the American consulate in Stuttgart, riding his bike 2 days each way to meet with them until finally in 1958 the consulate informed him he could return home. He bought the cheapest passage to the United States. Upon arriving in New York, he went straight to a recruiting office to enlist in the United States Air Force. Wes served 22 years in the Air Force and flew EC-121Rs and B-52s during the Vietnam war. During his service, he was exposed to Agent Orange. He is now legally blind. Wes and his wife, Shirley, now live in Ruston, Louisiana, where I proudly represent them in Congress. Wes represents the best of America, a patriot who never gave up on his country. His service to his country, as well as the horrors he and his family suffered in Germany, will never be forgotten. America is better because of people like Wes, those willing to give up everything to serve the American cause.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Lieutenant Colonel Robert Miller, a veteran of the Marine Corps from Bogalusa, Louisiana, which I have the privilege to represent. Colonel Miller went above and beyond to answer the call of service to our Nation. He fought in three wars between 1945 and 1973: World War II, the Korean war, and the Vietnam war. He received three Purple Hearts during his time with the Marines, and some of his war experiences are quite impressive. While in Korea, American forces suffered enormous casualties due to bitter cold and frostbite, yet Colonel Miller's platoon did not suffer a single casualty. He was asked later how he protected his men, and he shared with them a trick he learned from a gentleman, Delos Nobles, a homeless man from his home of Bogalusa. Mr. Nobles would line his clothes and shoes with old newspapers to block the cold. Colonel Miller and his men asked friends and family to send them as many newspapers as they could get, and the results helped earn him a battlefield commission. Maybe fittingly, Colonel Miller eventually earned a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland. Colonel Miller also caught the eye of Marilyn Monroe while serving in Korea. His rifle platoon provided security to her while she visited the DMZ. She arranged a front row seat for him at her show. She even gave him her phone number and told him to call her when he got home from the war. He did, and the two went on to become great friends. Following his military service, Colonel Miller started what now is known as Venture Scout Crew 313, which specializes on learning survival skills and winning national white water canoe races. That legacy includes 18 national championships in open cruisers, 27 national championships in advanced aluminums, and 26 national championships in the novice division. His scouts also serve as stretcher bearers during medical emergencies at LSU football games. There is a reason that some of us joke that our Tigers are more like the Cardiac Cats. His work with youth garnered him national and international leadership awards. Colonel Miller has stayed active throughout his long life as a member of the local Lion's Club and chairman of the Christmas in Cassidy Park in Bogalusa. He is certainly a shining example of public service, someone who puts community and country first. We could always use a few more Colonel Millers in whatever community we call home, and I thank him for everything and all he has done for Bogalusa and the United States of America.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6720) to prohibit the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption, and for other purposes.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6720, to prohibit the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption, and for other purposes. While this practice is completely unacceptable in the United States, only four States explicitly ban it. This patchwork of State laws does not signal the appropriate protection we Americans expect for our beloved pets and companions. To credibly condemn the international dog and cat meat trade, including the Yulin Dog Meat Festival in China, the United States must send a clear message that this practice is completely unacceptable. This overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation is a crucial step in doing just that. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick), my distinguished colleague.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I simply urge all Members to join me in support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, allowing the NFIP to expire is simply not an option. It would be catastrophic on financial markets. But more importantly, for that family sitting around the table, it would be catastrophic. Chairman Hensarling and Majority Whip Scalise had a good reform bill, but the Senate needs to act. Until that happens, we have to reauthorize this, so that the next hurricane doesn't have a devastating effect on the economy and families. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. ABRAHAM

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