G.K. Butterfield

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate my good friend, constituent, and public servant, Sheriff Wardie Pernell Vincent, Sr. upon his retirement from service as Sheriff for Northampton County, North Carolina. Wardie Vincent was born on November 4, 1947, to Eugene and Norene Vincent in the town of Henrico, North Carolina. He attended Northampton County public schools and graduated in 1966 from historic Gumberry High School. On October 5, 1967, Wardie enlisted in the United States Army and courageously served the United States of America for two years. He was Honorably Discharged from military service and returned to his hometown where he and his wife Betty would rear three wonderful children. Wardie Vincent's service in the United States Army introduced him to the important work of law enforcement and the value in maintaining safe communities. He applied the skills learned in the Army to excel in his desire to be a law enforcement officer and pursue training at Halifax Community College where he received a degree in Criminal Justice. Wardie Vincent's first job out of college was as security guard with the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers' Association in the Town of Rich Square. He later became an undercover officer working with Bertie, Hertford, Warren and Martin Counties on a variety of critical assignments targeting drug use and gang activity. It would become clear that Wardie Vincent's unmatched skills and experience would lead him to seek the office of Sheriff for Northampton County. At age 51, Wardie Vincent was elected Sheriff of Northampton County. He would be reelected three more times to this high office, most recently in November 2010 when he ran unopposed. Sheriff Vincent has served a total of fourteen years as the High Sheriff of Northampton County and has overseen the expansion of this office though the hiring of additional Deputy Sheriffs and a strategic crackdown on illegal drugs through the county's drug taskforce. He also modernized the Sheriffs office by securing grants and improved budgeting for updated technology and law enforcement tools. There is no doubt that the Northampton County has been made safer through the visionary leadership of Sheriff Wardie Vincent. Sheriff Vincent and his wife Betty look forward to spending more time with their three children--Kimberly, Kenisha, and Wardie, Jr. and their five grandchildren--Saige, Kai, Omani, Myles, Caleb, and Kenadi. Mr. Speaker, the retirement of Sheriff Wardie Pernell Vincent, Sr. will leave a great void in Northampton County. But I know he will continue to play a vital role in his community as a leader, advocate, and friend to his fellow citizens. I ask my colleagues to join me in offering our sincere appreciation for Sheriff Vincent's forty years of public service and best wishes upon his retirement.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I don't have any other speakers, and with that I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I thank the gentleman for those words, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in support of H.R. 2094, the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act. I am a cosponsor of this bill and urge its passage in the House. Mr. Speaker, this bill provides incentives for schools to stock the lifesaving medicine that is critical for students and school staff who experience an anaphylactic emergency. Anaphylaxis is serious and life threatening. It is often caused by bee stinks, bug bites, latex, and some medications, and can take just a few minutes to cause serious harm and even death. Epinephrine is used to treat the symptoms of anaphylaxis and comes in the form of an EpiPen that is injected into the body and provides almost instant relief. Nearly 30 States across the country are working on legislation that would permit schools to keep a stock of EpiPens that aren't designated for particular individuals but, rather, available to students and staff who experience an allergic reaction that can be treated with epinephrine. H.R. 2094 that we are considering tonight would encourage the remaining States to work on enacting similar legislation. This bill creates a preference in the existing Children's Asthma Treatment Grants Program, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, for States that meet certain requirements that are enumerated in the bill. Food allergies affect 5.9 million children. That's one in 13. This legislation is especially important because about 25 percent of individuals who are injected with an EpiPen for the first time don't know they have allergies that warrant the use of epinephrine. No student experiencing a severe allergic reaction at school should lose their life because there was no medicine prescribed to them. Mr. Speaker, simply put, the passage and enactment of this bill will save the lives of countless students across our country who live with severe allergies. So I want to take a moment to commend the bill's author, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), who has worked on this legislation for at least 3 years, and also Congressman Phil Roe, for their bipartisan work on behalf of all Americans with allergies. At this time, I yield such time as he may consume to the Democratic whip, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer). (Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. BUTTERFIELD asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. BUTTERFIELD asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in support of H.R. 2754, the Collectible Coin Protection Act. I introduced this bill with the bipartisan support of Energy and Commerce full committee Ranking Member Mr. Henry Waxman and Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Mr. Lee Terry, as well as three other colleagues, because the manufacture and sale of counterfeit coins is rapidly increasing across the country. Manufacturing and selling imitation coins is a little-known black market industry here in the United States. With the invention of 3-D printers, anyone with a computer can now create a fake coin with relative ease that, for all intents and purposes, appears genuine in size and in color and in weight. Unloading these imitation coins off on unsuspecting collectors has become big business and cuts to the very core of our ability to control and regulate the currency. By the time the collector realizes that he has been scammed, it is absolutely too late. Current law, Mr. Speaker, makes it illegal to manufacture or import imitation coins meant for sale unless that coin is plainly and permanently marked with the word ``copy.'' Mr. Burgess made reference to that a moment ago. My bill would extend current law and make it illegal to sell an imitation coin that is not conspicuously marked with the word ``copy.'' My bill would also make it unlawful for an individual to provide substantial support or assistance to anyone who manufactures or imports or sells counterfeit imitation coins in violation of the law. And this bill would also extend trademark infringement protections available under the Trademark Act of 1946 for unauthorized use of a registered trademark in connection with an unlawful sale or other violation involving an imitation coin. Mr. Speaker, my constituents in North Carolina and Americans across the country deserve to have the peace of mind to know that they will receive what they believe they are purchasing. Individuals who sell fake products have a real and significant impact on our economy. The manufacture and sale of counterfeit imitation currency cannot be permitted to continue. I'm confident my bill will provide greater protection for our Nation's currency and for those who collect it. And so I thank Mr. Burgess, and I thank all of my colleagues. I ask my colleagues to support this piece of legislation and vote ``aye.'' Again, I ask my colleagues to look at this and work with us, and let's get it passed and let's stop this black market that's emerging in our country. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. BUTTERFIELD asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. Speaker, I rise to join Mr. Runyan in support of H.R. 1300, a bill that will reauthorize volunteer and community partnerships for the National Wildlife Refuge System. The National Wildlife Refuge System is an incredible asset to our country. In addition to protecting habitat that is essential to the survival of many bird and mammal and fish species, the system provides recreational opportunities that translate into jobs for Americans. The 45 million people who visit a wildlife refuge each year to hunt and to fish and paddle, or simply watch wildlife, generate $1.7 billion in sales for local economies. They support more than 34,000 jobs and contribute $185 million in much-needed tax revenue. My State of North Carolina has 10 National Wildlife Refuges, and there are 516 of them across the country. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1300 would reauthorize valuable volunteer and community partnership programs that benefit the refuge system. Sequestration has tightened even more the scarce resources we have to keep the National Wildlife Refuge System open and operational. The system depends on refuge volunteers, and we thank those volunteers, 56,000 of them, in fact, who contributed more than 2.15 million hours, valued at almost $47 million in just 2012 alone. Generations of Americans would not be able to enjoy these national treasures if not for gracious volunteers. Therefore, I commend my colleague, Mr. Runyan of New Jersey, for his work on this bill. I thank him for his work on the Natural Resources Committee, even thank him for his work on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, and for all that he does in introducing H.R. 1300, along with Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Sablan. I strongly support this legislation and urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to extend my personal congratulations to North Carolina Central University for being recognized in the August 2013 edition of the US Airways Magazine. As a graduate of NCCU and its law school, I am excited to see NCCU featured in a magazine seen by thousands of travelers every day. It provides a great opportunity to feature the exciting things happening at our nation's historically minority serving institutions. Founded by visionaries, our nation's HBCUs have given generations of students a sense of their heritage, history, and their valuable place in the American narrative. They have produced many of our nation's leaders in business, government, academia, and the military. In this piece, US Airways recognized the legacy of learning that has contributed great minds to our country like Booker T. Washington, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr. George Washington Carver, and the Honorable Thurgood Marshall. From the founding day in 1910, NCCU has helped lead the way in higher education for African Americans in the United States. NCCU has produced educators and professionals who went into rural communities across North Carolina and trained my generation. NCCU is now recognized for its increasing presence in STEM-related research and recently introduced their new PhD program in integrated biosciences. Again, I applaud US Airways in recognizing our HBCUs. My Alma Mater, NCCU, is an institution that is a crucible of learning, where Julius Chambers discovered his sense of purpose that drove him to lead the NAACP Legal Defense Fund; where Eva Clayton was called to public service and became the first African American woman in Congress from North Carolina since reconstruction; and where a talented painter and professional athlete, Ernie Barnes, Jr., was empowered to inspire the nation with his art. Today and every day, I am proud to call myself an Eagle.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Dr. Erdag Goknar of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina for being honored by the National Endowment for the Arts, NEA, and awarded a 2014 NEA Literature Translation Fellowship. Dr. Goknar serves at Duke University as an Assistant Professor of Turkish Studies and concentrates on late Ottoman and modern Turkish works. He also specializes in politics and cultural translation on works from the Middle East, including Islam and Sufism as well as secular modernity, identity, and gender issues. He is a published author on Turkish literary culture and has produced three complete translations of important Turkish books. Dr. Goknar has an impressive list of national and international accomplishments, including receiving two Fulbright awards and the Dublin IMPAC literary award. He holds a PhD and Master's Degree from the University of Washington, Seattle. Since 1981, the NEA has helped support the accessibility of priceless pieces of literature to all Americans by providing Literature Translation Fellowships to outstanding scholars to help translate those works into English. For 22 years the NEA has awarded 255 fellowships to help translate different pieces of literature in 62 languages from 78 countries. This year, after a rigorous review process, only 16 scholars are being awarded a total of $250,000 to translate works in 13 languages from 15 countries into English. Mr. Speaker, I commend Dr. Goknar on his commitment and contributions to helping more Americans access important literary works through translation. In an increasingly globalized society, it is critical to understand those from other places and walks of life. Literature provides perspective and context into important cultural trends and ideals, so we must invest in learning all we can through works in other languages and from other places. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating Dr. Erdag Goknar and other 2014 NEA Literature Translation Fellowship recipients for their outstanding work and commitment to helping others access important pieces of literature.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, during the final vote series last night, I inadvertently voted ``no'' on the DeLauro amendment No. 44 that would prohibit the use of funds to train the Afghan Special Mission Wing. I would say for the record that I support the amendment offered by Ms. DeLauro, and had I voted correctly, I would have voted for the amendment.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I am still hurting from the farm bill debate last week. I was looking forward to a bipartisan compromise on farm programs as well as nutrition programs. But as we all know, the Republicans removed the food title from the farm bill and narrowly passed it on a vote of 216-208. I am proud that not a single Democrat voted for this ill-conceived bill denying food support for food banks and millions of Americans. The House farm bill was passed. I now urge House conferees to meet with Senate conferees and reauthorize the farm bill with nutrition before the August recess. I am beginning to hear rumors that the Republican leadership may be considering a stand-alone rewrite of the food stamp program to cut nutrition by $135 billion. I hope that's a rumor and not fact. If it's a fact, many of us will speak as loudly as we have ever spoken before on this floor. Please let the conference committee meet and resolve the difference between the House and Senate. Don't play politics with food support for low-income American citizens.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Let me thank you, Mr. McDermott, for yielding time, and thank you for you leadership on this issue. I've watched you for years doing your work, and you are consistent. I thank you so very much. Mr. Speaker, I am opposed to this bill. You know, I've kind of lost track. I think it's 38 times that the Republican-controlled House has voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, either in whole or in part. Why are my colleagues wasting valuable time legislating on what amounts to nothing more than a talking point and something they know has no chance, no chance of becoming law? Why is discrediting this President at the top of their agenda? Let me remind my colleagues that there is real work to be done here on this floor on behalf of the American people. Maybe my friends somehow forget student loan interest rates doubled on July 1. Maybe they forget that they rammed through a farm bill that, for the first time since 1973, was without a nutrition title, leaving the door open for food banks to be closed and for millions of needy Americans to go hungry. But, no, they didn't forget. I suggest that many of them just do not care. Today, for the 38th time, Mr. Speaker, we vote on a bill that would delay better health care, delay fixing the problem of uncompensated care from emergency room visits, and delay access to good, affordable health care for millions of good Americans. Therefore, I come to the floor today to urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 2668. I ask you to vote ``no'' on this ill-conceived legislation.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that the Republican Tea Party has a national agenda that is playing out right here in this Chamber today. You are attempting to defund food stamps--yes, you are-- and place poor people, which includes children and the elderly and veterans, in a position that none of you would want to be in. When it was time to reauthorize the farm bill, Republicans cut $16 billion in food stamps. And what happened? The Speaker refused to schedule the bill for floor action, not because the cuts were too deep, but because they were not deep enough. And so the Ag Committee made deeper cuts, this time $20 billion in cuts. When the bill was debated, Republicans then added mean-spirit amendments that doomed the bill. Now you bring us another bill with no nutrition title at all. We cannot stand by and be silent when Republicans take these actions that offend what we are as Americans. We can do better than this.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, shame on the Republican majority. Shame on you. The Rules Committee met last night and is sending us a rule today that has attached to it a bill that we have not seen and have not been able to read. They call it the farm bill. But it appears that, in this farm bill, they have stripped away the nutrition title from the bill. Mr. Speaker, for years and years we have combined nutrition assistance with support for farmers and ranchers, but this is a rush job. Democrats and the Congressional Black Caucus are appalled that the Republicans are determined to defund food stamps and place vulnerable Americans in a position of not being able to feed their families. Shame on you. You have removed food stamps, the SNAP program, from this legislation. I don't know where it's going to go. It looks like it's going to die a slow death. It is despicable. What is it about poor people that you don't like? What is it? Tell us today. What is it about poor people that you don't like and you don't want to feed their families? I have the fourth poorest district in the Nation. We do not like it.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I have a parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I have finally received a copy of the bill. It appears to have no ``nutrition'' title at all. Is this a printing error?

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Chair, I am very disappointed, to say the least, that significant cuts are being proposed to reduce funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. But with that in mind, I've come to the floor this evening with an idea that I think mitigates the effects of those cuts. I will begin by saying that my amendment has no cost associated with it. It simply expresses the sense of Congress that the Army Corps of Engineers should consider and prioritize projects that mitigate the danger of natural disasters. Eastern North Carolina is especially vulnerable to extreme weather events, and other States have the same vulnerability. The Corps works to improve the safety of communities near the Neuse River in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and in Princeville, where Hurricane Floyd all but destroyed the town because of the rapidly rising and poorly contained Tar River. My amendment would give added confidence to my constituents in North Carolina and to many of your constituents, as well, that the Federal Government is doing everything possible to protect and reinforce communities and neighborhood from natural disasters. For several years, the Nation has witnessed the widespread devastation caused by these disasters. Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Irene are just two examples. Communities affected by natural disasters like those in my district face a long recovery filled with hardship and painful dilemmas. The underlying bill we are discussing today cuts $104 million in civil projects of the Corps, and it rescinds $200 million in previously appropriated funding. At the same time, the Corps has a $60 million backlog of projects, and some of my colleagues have referenced that tonight. Many of these are in important places like my district, and many of yours, as well, that experience frequent storms. Due to insufficient funding and a prohibition on new construction, no new projects have been initiated by the Corps since the year 2010. The Corps has many important responsibilities, but none more so than its effort to mitigate flood and storm dangers. The Corps provides essential mitigation assistance such as repairing damaged levees and providing emergency water supplies to communities in need. It also works to engineer infrastructure that will prevent some of the effects of natural disaster. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an especially active hurricane season, with up to 11 hurricanes and up to 16 major hurricanes in the 6-month hurricane season. The number of predicted storms is significantly greater than the seasonal average of six hurricanes and three major hurricanes. NOAA has also indicated that hurricanes threaten inland areas through rain and strong winds and flooding, as we saw in many communities. Never has funding and support for the Corps been more critical to my constituents and the many areas throughout the country. So as we consider a bill that plans to reduce funding for the Corps, we must keep in mind the communities who may suffer, and many who have spoken tonight come from those districts. They suffer the most from this type of activity. I remind my colleagues that this amendment costs no money whatsoever. A ``no'' vote on the amendment does carry the cost of heavy inaction. I ask the Chair to overrule the point of order. The chairman of the subcommittee mentioned earlier that he supports the Corps and funding for the Corps. This is simply an effort to try to instruct the Corps to prioritize the projects as they make these difficult decisions. My colleagues, I thank you for listening, and I yield back the balance of my time. Point of Order

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

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

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment. H.R. 2609 seems to decimate funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy programs. In reading the bill, it appears that the bill cuts ARPA-E funding by some $215 million--that's 81 percent--effectively terminating this program. At the same time, the bill provides $98 million in additional funds for nuclear weapons activities, and it even provides $29 million beyond the President's budget request for fossil fuels energy and research development. My amendment would shift that extra funding to fund ARPA-E and continue important investments in innovation that keep our Nation globally competitive. ARPA-E is modeled after the successful Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which helped develop global positioning systems and stealth fighter technologies. Since 2009, ARPA-E has helped fund 275 innovative energy technology projects, and we are beginning to see the positive benefits. ARPA-E projects have doubled energy density for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and have developed microbes to use hydrogen and carbon dioxide to make liquid transportation fuel. The many important innovations made possible by ARPA-E have resulted in millions of dollars of economic activity in the private sector. In my district in North Carolina, the Research Triangle Institute in Durham has developed technologies to dramatically reduce the cost of carbon capture to coal-fired power plants. This valuable technology will increase our energy efficiency, reduce climate change, and create jobs. RTI has also received funding to enhance economic and energy security by converting biomass resources, such as leaves and corn husks, into transportation fuel. They have developed some of these fuels already and intend to test them at a local military facility in the very near future. Mr. Chairman, we can all agree that we must remain globally competitive in energy industries to continue to create the jobs of the future. ARPA-E provides critical funding for new technologies, which will strengthen our economy and lead us to energy sustainability. Eliminating the ARPA-E program will harm our competitiveness and will cost jobs in emerging energy industries, so I urge my colleagues tonight to support this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I thank you, Congressman Fattah, for convening this Special Order this evening, and I thank you for doing so much for so many. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my friend and great American, William Herbert Gray, III. I spoke by email today, Mr. Speaker, with a family friend in Cincinnati, her name is Barbara Bond, whose deceased late husband, LaVelle, was Bill's friend. She informed me that Bill's closest of friends called him Herb, and that Herb always insisted on paying for the meal and telling his friends where to sit at the dinner table. Mr. Speaker, I first met Bill Gray many years ago. He was a dear friend of a mutual friend, Attorney Ralph Stephens, of Raleigh, North Carolina, who was also a minister and a lawyer. Bill and Ralph's relationship was very deep. When Ralph passed away some years ago, Bill came to Raleigh, consoled the family, and delivered the eulogy. In fact, when Ralph's older brother, Dr. Claude Stephens, of Fayetteville, passed away, Bill chartered a flight from Washington to Fayetteville and then flew back to Washington. He was that type of human being, compassionate and caring for his friends. On Monday of last week, June 24, Bill Gray telephoned me to say that he wanted me to meet the former Ambassador to Morocco. I agreed, and we met at noon the following day in the Members' dining room here in the Capitol for a delightful 1-hour meeting. During the meeting, Bill reminisced about his days here in the House of Representatives and talked about his work as majority whip. He reminded me, Mr. Fattah, that he'd never lost a vote during his tenure. But he went on to talk about how Democrats and Republicans worked together on the big issues of that day and solved problems. And he mused about how that approach to governance would be so valuable today. Bill also reminded me that when I was first elected in 2004, he and Andrea invited me to their Virginia home to meet CEO Michael Dell of Dell, Incorporated. Well, Mr. Speaker, as we departed from the lunch last week, Bill gave me a big hug and said something that men generally don't say to other men. He said to me, Butter, I love you, man, and we walked away. Well, Bill Gray, we love you and will celebrate your life and your work. To Andrea and the entire Gray family, I extend to you my warmest condolences as you reflect on the life and work of your loved one. May God bless each of you.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlelady from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore).

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I'm going to ask my colleagues if they would look very closely at this amendment. It's not a radical amendment. It simply empowers those recipients of SNAP to buy very simple and basic items that are related to nutrition, such as toilet paper and toothpaste and toothbrushes and the like. I ask my colleagues to please allow an up-or-down vote on this and to vote ``aye'' on the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.