Corrine Brown

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2460. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3715, as amended, the Final Farewell Act. This bill is of great importance to many families who traditionally hold funerals on weekends. While the VA has the authority to provide weekend services to veterans and their families, they rarely do. This has been a particular challenge for various religions and cultures who bury their loved ones on Saturday. Furthermore, these families are forced to bear the cost of storing their loved one's remains over the weekend. However, this bill, as amended, makes weekend burials available to all veterans, regardless of their reasoning and need for a weekend burial. This benefit for our veterans is to honor their service to our country. Their loved ones should have the opportunity to mourn their loss at a time that works for them. I thank all Members for their consideration and support for this commonsense change. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Miller for his support of this important legislation, and I urge passage of this very important bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3989, as amended. I know firsthand how difficult it is to deal with the illness of a loved one. I was blessed with the continued vibrant presence of Big Mama, my grandmother, until just a few years ago. My mother is with me now in Florida. I want to say that the work of a caregiver is God's work. I cannot think of anything more rewarding, pleasing, tiring, exhausting or mentally draining than taking care of a family member. I was pleased to support the Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act in the 111th Congress. President Obama signed into law the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act on May 5, 2010. The law requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish caregiver support services to veterans. Family caregivers are the foundation of the long-term care system, with more than 50 million people who provide informal caregiving for a chronically ill, disabled, or aging family member or friend in any given year in the United States. In fact, it is estimated that about 80 percent of adults living in the community and in need of long-term care depend on family caregivers, therefore, costly institutional nursing home care. The one issue I have with the legislation is that the bill asks the VA to report on expanding the caregiver program. We all know about the program. It works. Why have another report when we should just expand the program? Let me repeat that. We already know that the program works. We don't need another report. What we need is to just expand the program. I would ask that the Speaker allow us to bring up H.R. 2894, the Caregivers Access and Responsible Expansion for All Veterans Act. This bill expands the caregivers programs to veterans of all eras. The caregivers program works, and we need to expand the program. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 3989, as amended, a bill that is designated to create a process for external clinical review of the VA caregivers program. I am hoping that the chairman, as we move forward, will work with the Senate and try to come up with a way that we can at least have a pilot program to expand the caregivers program. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of Mr. Takano's bill, H.R. 5229, as amended, the bipartisan Improving Transition Programs for All Veterans Act. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that veteran unemployment is at a 7-year low. As of April 2016, veterans faced an overall unemployment rate of 3.9 percent, which is better than the Nation's unemployment rate of 4.5 percent. This is excellent news. I am proud that the numbers have improved under the leadership of our committee, the administration, and the Secretary of the VA; yet the overall unemployment rate for all veterans does not tell the whole story. Some subgroups of veterans are still struggling to find fulfilling careers that pay them well and provide an opportunity for growth. According to the Advisory Committee on Veterans' Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach at the Department of Labor, certain veteran populations face challenges and aspire to career paths that differ from the broader population of transitioning servicemembers. To ensure that we as policymakers are ahead of developing trends regarding the unique needs of these subgroups of transitioning veterans, this bill will determine the degree to which their needs are different and look for innovative approaches toward meeting their unique challenges. H.R. 5229 requires the VA to initiate a research program, in collaboration with DOL and DOD, to better understand if and how current veterans transition programs address what may be differentiated needs, challenges, and post-service aspirations of women veterans, veterans with disabilities, Native American veterans who are veterans from the U.S. territories, and other subgroups that the Secretary identifies. When we, as a Nation, sent individual members of the Armed Forces to war, Congress promised to support all servicemembers when they made the transition back into civilian life. The makeup of our modern military forces is changing, and in a few short years there will be a substantially greater percentage of female veterans than there are now. Thanks to modern-day medicine, more veterans survive injuries to return to productive life, even with service-connected disabilities. But women veterans face a higher unemployment rate than their male counterparts, and veterans with high disability rates have an unemployment rate much higher than those of veterans with low disability ratings. What is more, Native American veterans earn the lowest median personal income and are less likely to have finished an advanced degree than other veterans. There is much more we don't know about how these trends impact veterans from the U.S. territories. As policymakers, we must first understand the different needs of these groups of veterans and then be ready to adapt VA policies and programs to help all veterans access the resources they need to be successful. This bill will enable us to do that. I want to thank the leadership on this important issue and my colleague from across the aisle for being an original cosponsor of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of the Fifth Congressional District of Florida and myself, I rise to offer a tribute to Marty McVey for his continued public service, including his 4 year tenure at the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (BIFAD). We would like to congratulate Marty on his many successful years as a mentor and beacon of the community. An accomplished entrepreneur and public servant, Marty has served as a voice for people around the world. His strong leadership is demonstrated in a variety of selfless accomplishments. He has been a major supporter of charitable organizations that include Halo House Foundation, Human Rights Watch and the World Affairs Council. Marty is a lifetime member of the NAACP, a National Advisory Board Member of the Tahirih Justice Center, a committee member of the Bush-Clinton Ike Coastal Recovery Fund, and former Chairman for the Haitian Reconstruction Task Force, and the BIFAD Budget Committee. In 2011, he was honored to be appointed by President Barack Obama to travel worldwide as a Director of the United States Agency for International Development's Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (BIFAD). Marty's work at USAID is a perfect example of Mr. McVey's life as a problem solver in which he seeks to provide solutions to conflict. Over the years, Marty has lent his voice and leadership to the many issues concerning the community of Houston, Texas. He actively promoted the economic development and sustainability of the City of Houston, and served as an Executive Committee Member and former Chair of the Political Engagement Committee of the Greater Houston Partnership. Today we pay tribute to Marty McVey, a public servant, entrepreneur, humanitarian, and friend. Congratulations to Marty McVey for his many years of service to the citizens of Houston, Texas and women, children, and small businesses throughout the world.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this communication is forwarded on behalf of the constituents of the Fifth Congressional District of Florida and me as we pay tribute to the life of Alma Arrington Brown: We are deeply and profoundly saddened by the loss of this great woman, mother, grandmother, loved one, friend, philanthropist, community leader and so much more. She was married to the late Ronald H. Brown who served as the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee and President Clinton's Secretary of Commerce. She passed 20 years to the day of his passing. To her loving children, the Honorable Michael A. Brown and Tracey Brown James; her son-in-law, Kendall James; and her grandchildren, Morgan and Ryan Brown, and Harmon and Calab James, our thoughts and prayers are with you, and our hearts share your loss. She loved and cared deeply for her family, her God and her politics. I hope in some small way you know just how much I cared for and will miss her too. She was born in Brooklyn, New York. She was a graduate of Fisk University, and received a master's degree from Manhattenville College. She lived the majority of her adult life in Washington, DC. She launched her career as an educator then worked with numerous organizations including the National Council of Negro Women, National Urban League and Girl Scouts of America. While at the District of Columbia Office of International Business, she worked with the Chinese government to construct a Chinese archway, which helped energize Chinatown. She was also a radio show host at WKYS- FM. She eventually retired as a business executive with Chevy Chase Bank. During her illustrious career, she was a fierce and formidable force for positive change and equality. She was active with national and community social, civic and political organizations. She had leadership roles with numerous entities including The Links, Inc.; Jack and Jill; The Girl Friends Inc.; and the Smart Set. She lived her passion for humanity by her actions. As a human rights champion, she dared us to be more than ordinary, she encouraged and pushed us to be better than we even knew we could be. As a citizen of the world, she made us understand and appreciate our individual differences, and all that we hold in common. As a true believer, she simply made us believe by her example. Her standards were high, yet attainable; her truths were straightforward and without embellishment; her voice was strong with reason and reassurance; her directions were clear, simple and intended for keeping our feet on the right path; and her love was great and powerful and showed brightly in her eyes and heart. We are better for having had her in our midst, and we now ask Our Heavenly Father to hold her gently in his loving embrace for all eternity.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I, Congresswoman Corrine Brown, the representative of Florida's 5th congressional district, wholeheartedly congratulate the Ribault High School Trojan girls basketball team in defeating Riverdale Baptist at Madison Square Garden to bring home to Jacksonville the Dick's Sporting Goods High School National Championship trophy. I also would like to extend my congratulations to the coaches, the staff, and the administration and all of the friends of Ribault High School on this tremendous honor. Beyond a doubt, the Ribault High School girls' basketball team is a powerhouse in the state of Florida, and across the nation. Given that the team has won ten previous state titles and has been ranked as high as ninth in the country, they are a force to be reckoned with! Remarkably, the Lady Trojans made it through the regular season with just one loss. This did not deter them; however, as they Roared back to win the Florida state championship, and follow that up with a national championship victory in New York. This is now the 4th time a Florida girls team has won this event in the eight years it has been held! Ribault, 30-1 this season, led by their star players Rennia Davis and Nola Carter, along with Day'Neshia Banks, played a press defense which suffocated their opponents throughout the tournament. Indeed, Ribault Coach Shelia Pennick did an outstanding job in maintaining the team's extraordinary discipline and level of fitness throughout the season. Certainly, playing full court defense with that kind of intensity is exhausting, yet her players rarely exhibited any expression of slowing down. With each succeeding championship, the Lady Trojans basketball team climbs the list of schools with the most state titles in Florida high school athletics, now tied for seventh place with 11 state titles, the most of any girls' basketball team in the state, and a remarkable achievement for a public high school given the presence of so many private schools on the multi-championships list. Beyond a doubt, this outstanding achievement is tremendously exciting for the entire Jacksonville community and I am proud to say once again that on behalf of the constituents of Florida's 5th congressional district, I hereby honor the Ribault Trojans basketball team for their 11th state championship and this year's national title game in New York City's Madison Square Garden--Go Lady Trojans.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Ribault High School girls basketball team. Yes, the Ribault High School Trojans basketball team defeated Riverdale Baptist at Madison Square Garden to bring home to Jacksonville the Dick's Sporting Goods High School National Championship trophy. Beyond a doubt, the Ribault High School girls basketball team is a powerhouse in the State of Florida and across the Nation. Given that the team has won 10 previous State titles and has been ranked as high as ninth in the country, they are a force to be reckoned with. This outstanding achievement is tremendously exciting for the entire Jacksonville community, and I am proud to say once again that, on behalf of the constituents of Florida's Fifth Congressional District, I hereby honor the Ribault Trojans girls basketball team for their 11th State championship and this year's national title game in New York City's Madison Square Garden. Go, Lady Trojans, go.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster), who is on the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 4336, as amended. Arlington National Cemetery has been called our Nation's most hallowed ground. Since the first military burial took place on May 13, 1864, Arlington is the final resting place for over 400,000 Active Duty servicemembers, veterans, and their families. H.R. 4336, as amended, would overturn a recent change in Army policy and restore the right of the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II, or WASP, to be buried in Arlington. These brave women volunteered for duty, and their service made a major contribution to our victory in World War II. In addition, H.R. 4336 would restore the right of others who assisted in the war and whose service and sacrifice was recognized with the enacting of the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977. I applaud my colleagues, Representatives Martha McSally and Susan Davis, for introducing this important bill and leading the fight, a fight that has widespread support and bipartisan support, to recognize the service of these brave women and others who helped us defeat the Axis Powers in World War II. That we are bringing this to the floor during Women's History Month is a fitting tribute to women who served our Nation in the past and the women who today serve in our Active Duty forces. This is a matter of justice and a matter of fairness. In 2009, we recognized the service and sacrifice of these brave men and women when we awarded a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots. Today, we have the opportunity to do it again. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman).

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Fudge).

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. In recent hearings, many of the service organizations have indicated that this was one of their top priorities. Women have served in every single war in this country, and they deserve the same benefits and recognition as men. I urge my colleagues to support this important and timely bill in order to honor those brave women and others whose efforts were essential in the victory of World War II. I yield back the balance of my time. Again, I encourage all my fellow colleagues to support H.R. 4336, as amended. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of S. 2393, the Foreclosure Relief and Extension for Servicemembers Act of 2015. This bill provides a 2-year extension of current protections so veterans transitioning out of the military don't lose their homes that they owned before beginning their military service, if they are experiencing financial hardships for up to a year after they leave the service. S. 2393 allows courts to pause proceedings to foreclose on or seize a home for 1 year following service, allowing time for transitioning soldiers to adjust their financial situations, as well as all other aspects of their lives, to civilian life. We owe our veterans the benefit of the doubt when they may have missed payments while facing the tough realities of serving our Nation. There is broad support for this provision in both Chambers of Congress, and I urge my colleagues to support it today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Millions of people are losing their homes and have lost their homes to foreclosure. I have worked with the banking community, Federal HUD, and NACA. Our veterans and other individuals are still losing their homes, and now many churches in my district are closing and losing their properties through foreclosure. I am pleased that we have this bipartisan legislation, but this bill is a temporary fix. We need to work together, as a Congress, to find a permanent fix so that our veterans, other individuals, and churches are protected from foreclosure. Again, I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Coffman), for bringing this legislation forward. I urge the passage of S. 2393. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this legislation to name the community-based outpatient clinic in Sevierville, Tennessee, after Mr. Dannie A. Carr. Specialist Four Dannie Arthur Carr was born on June 30, 1947, and was originally from Tennessee. He served his country in the Vietnam war as a member of the U.S. Army and as an infantryman in B Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. Dannie was a 1-year veteran of the Army when his tour began on November 5, 1968. On July 3, 1969, he was killed from artillery fire under hostile conditions in Tay Ninh Province, South Vietnam. He was only 22 years old. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart. SP-4 Carr is buried at Zion Grove Cemetery in Tennessee, and each year he is memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on panel 21W, line 50. Dannie was just one of the many young men who fought and died for the freedom we hold most dear. Naming this facility is just one small way we can honor his memory and make sure that his sacrifice for our Nation will never be forgotten. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the Vietnam veterans. When they came home from Vietnam 40 years ago, we as a Nation did not properly recognize them, and we should have. Today we are finding that the largest portion of our veterans who are committing suicide are our Vietnam veterans. Many of those men and women were not integrated into the VA health system; yet if they could get the treatment that they need, we could reduce the incidences of suicide, which number about 22 a day. Of this number, only three of these veterans are in the VA health system. It is our time for all of us to soldier up. We need to ensure that all of our veterans are enrolled in the VA system. So if you know a veteran, make sure to encourage him or her to register and actively seek help at the VA. If you know a veteran who served during the Vietnam conflict, make sure you let that veteran know that our country loves them and we really appreciate their service. Saying ``God bless America'' means that God has blessed America with the service of the Vietnam veterans. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to acknowledge that there are 1,000 Delta Sigma Theta visiting with us on the Hill today during Women's History Month. I want to thank the families and thank the leadership for bringing this bill naming to us today, Mr. Dannie A. Carr. I want to once again thank the Vietnam veterans for their service to this country. God has blessed America with their service. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Sergeant Major Debra J. Wilcox, an honored veteran that served our country with honor and distinction. I was saddened to hear about the passing of a daughter of Jacksonville. On behalf of the constituents of Florida's Congressional District Five we salute and pay tribute to SGM Wilcox. Sergeant Major Debra J. Wilcox was born in Jacksonville, Florida. She volunteered for the U.S. Army and took the oath of enlistment on 19 August 1979 and subsequently completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. She completed 35 years, 9 months, 19 days of service. Her past assignments include: Information Management Specialist, Joint Staff, DOM; Administrative Sergeant, Defense Intelligence Agency; Command Sergeant Major, 436th Transportation Command; Command Sergeant Major, 3/318th MP OSUT; student at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, Ft. Bliss, Texas; Administrative NCO, J-5; Training Chief Instructor, HQ/6/80th DIV; NCOIC DCSPER, 5115th Garrison Support Unit; Force Management NCO, 97th ARCOM; PAB NCOIC, 318th Reception Battalion; Test Administrator, MEPS Los Angeles; Mail Clerk, Fort Rucker, AL; Administrative Specialist, 43rd USA Artillery Detachment, Germany. Sergeant Major Wilcox's military and civilian education includes: Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic and Advanced Non- commissioned Officer Course, Personnel, Administrative, and Training Management Courses, a graduate of the Sergeants Major Academy. She completed a double Master's in Interdisciplinary Studies and an MBA Degree followed with a number of Graduate Certificates. Her awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1st OLC), Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal (3rd OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4th OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (w/Bronze Star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (w/M, Silver H), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (w/Numeral 4), and the Overseas Service Ribbon. As twice the Citizen Debra's civilian work includes The Aerospace Corporation, Defense Finance and Accounting Service, and the Department of the Army Inspector General Agency. Sergeant Major Wilcox is survived by her mother, Jean Walker, two sisters, Cheryl Adams, Deandrous Wilcox; four brothers, George Wilcox, Anthony Wilcox, Vaughn Wilcox, Joe Walker; Aunties; many cousins, Angela, Joy, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, and friend John Jackson.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4437, of which I am an original cosponsor. When the Congress passed and the President signed into law the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, we included a section requiring an independent assessment of the hospital care, medical services, and other health care furnished in medical facilities of the VA. We also established a Commission on Care to examine the access of veterans to health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs and strategically examine how best to organize the Veterans Health Administration, local health care resources, and deliver health care to veterans over the next 20 years. The Commission has contacted us to explain that they will not be able to meet the statutory deadline of presenting their report to us in time, and would like an extension until June of 2016. I feel this is a very important report, and I am willing to extend the authorization for the Commission on Care in order to receive this information. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to thank the chairman for his fair and even leadership on this committee. While we don't agree on all issues, I feel he has made an effort to allow all voices to be heard, and for that I want to thank him. I thank the chairman for bringing this important legislation to our attention. As we have seen by recent events, the VA has been challenged with major construction projects. Before they undertook the most recent medical center construction projects, it had been at least 15 years since a new medical center had been built. This lack of experience showed and continues to show today. Not one of the major hospitals is on its original timeline. However, the VA has demonstrated they are able to do small, less complicated projects on time and under budget. The bill also references ``a non-department Federal entity to provide full project management services for the super construction project, including management over the project design, acquisition, construction, and contract changes.'' We all know from experience that there is only one Federal entity that fits that description, and that is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For those projects that have not broken ground yet, the VA and the Corps of Engineers are already working on plans to include the Corps in the planning and construction of major projects over $100 million. I continue to believe that the threshold for a super construction project should be at least $250 million. As a member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I know how busy the Army Corps is in responding to the projects that the committee requires them to complete. It is important that they do not get bogged down with projects of insufficient complexity. I will continue to watch the construction process and follow the complexity issue to determine if the threshold needs to be increased in the future. I am pleased this legislation also includes an assistant inspector general for construction. Oversight of the projects needs a person who has the expertise to evaluate the complexity of VA's ongoing construction projects. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.