Gus Bilirakis

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Kiwanis Club of Brooksville as it celebrates its 100th anniversary this weekend. Service is at the heart of every Kiwanis club, with Kiwanis members participating in over 150,000 service projects, devoting more than six million hours of service and raising nearly $100 million every year in communities around the globe. The Kiwanis Club of Brooksville is especially impactful. Under the skillful leadership of President Frank Cassara, the Kiwanis Club of Brooksville has made immeasurable contributions to the community. In addition to raising funds to support countless local charities and organizations, the Club sponsors an annual Easter egg hunt and helps facilitate the Christmas parade each year. Most recently, the Club has been collaborating with the City of Brooksville to build a splash pad for Tom Varn Park. The lives of residents throughout Hernando County have been improved because of this group's philanthropic approach to making a difference of the lives of others.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 50th anniversary of Pasco-Hernando State College. Pasco-Hernando State College combines high-tech educational facilities and state-of-the-art programs with a focus on teaching for student success. With six convenient locations, students can expect personalized attention, small class sizes, highly credentialed faculty, and tuition and fees that are among the most affordable in the State of Florida. The Associate in Arts (AA) degree program provides a solid foundation in the arts and sciences. Successful completion of PHSC's AA degree guarantees seamless transfer to one of Florida's public universities or state colleges at the junior level. PHSC provides training for more than 30 high demand careers in business, health, industry and technology, and public service through new bachelor's degree, Associate in Science degree and certificate programs. PHSC, offers educational opportunities for students of all ages and abilities. Their ``Open Door'' policy welcomes all high school graduates and GED recipients. Under the skillful leadership of Dr. Tim Beard, PHSC has a team of highly dedicated professionals working to provide students with valuable career preparation and education advancement opportunities. We are grateful for their efforts.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the tireless contributions of one of my constituents, Beatrice Walters. After graduating high school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Beatrice Borowski went to work for International Harvester. There she was a turret lathe operator, building parts for gyroscopes for torpedoes in support of the war effort. When she enlisted in the U.S. Army in April 1945, Basic Training was in Fort Des Moines, lowa. Beatrice's subsequent assignments were at Camp Atterbury, Indiana and Army Air Base Santa Ana in California. These assignments eventually took her to Pratt General Hospital which had been converted for the war as it was previously the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. Rest and Relaxation excursions included a trip to Cuba. She would remain at Pratt General as a Nurse Assistant until mustering out of the Army in June 1947. Upon her return to Milwaukee, Beatrice went back to work for International Harvester in the Human Resources department. On May 8 1948, Beatrice Borowski married Robert Walters. Together, they raised eight children. Beatrice ran the large household primarily on her own as her husband, Robert, was often deployed to sea.Through her own example, Beatrice instilled a passion for public service within her children. While she was very busy raising her family, Beatrice found time to volunteer in several organizations including: Holy Name Monastery in St Leo, Florida, as a Cub Scout Den Mother in several communities throughout the country, and as part of the Citrus High School Athletic booster club. Following in her footsteps of service, one of her children, James Walters, has served as the Police Chief of Dade City, Florida for many years. It is my pleasure to recognize her and her family's service to our Nation on this special occasion.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 90th anniversary of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System. With the opening of its first domiciliary in 1933, Bay Pines VA became the cornerstone for Veteran healthcare throughout Tampa Bay. Now, the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System proudly serves more than 110,000 Veterans annually across the Southwest region of Florida. Since its inception, its team of dedicated professionals have worked tirelessly to foster an experience that is built on respect and transparency. The team also strives to remain Veteran-focused in all decision-making. As our community celebrates this important milestone, I'd like to congratulate Director Paul Russo and his entire team for their efforts to ensure all Veterans receive the care they've earned and deserve.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible effort of my Hernando County constituents from Brooksville, Florida, who mobilized rapidly under the skillful leadership of Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis to search for 2-year-old JJ Rowland, who went missing 24 hours earlier. Against all hope, Sheriff Nienhuis and his team of dedicated professionals coordinated a colossal effort with hundreds of volunteers in their search for little JJ. Through the powers of prayer and the remarkable instincts of volunteer Roy Link, a retired marine, the sweet, precious child was found safe and sound deep in the woods, a mile and a half from the home he wandered from. What a miracle, Mr. Speaker. I am so proud and honored to represent this loving and faithful community. God bless them all. I thank all who prayed for this wonderful little boy.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the service and commitment of Barbara Lincoln. Her dedication to our country throughout her lifetime demonstrates the true American spirit of sacrifice for the greater good. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mrs. Barbara Lincoln joined the United States Cadet Nurse Corps. She trained at the Lenox Hill Hospital for two and a half years, graduating in March 1947 as a registered nurse. Mrs. Lincoln then went on to work in several New York hospitals during the rise of polio. Despite already having a registered nurse's license, Barbara Lincoln continued her education, gaining a bachelor's degree in human health services and certifications to become a school nurse, teacher, and nurse practitioner. In 1949, Barbara Lincoln married Donald Pantke and had three children. Unfortunately, her husband Donald passed away when she was 35, leaving her a single mother. Still, she persevered to provide for her family. In 1967, she eventually remarried to Judson Lincoln, a major in the Air Force. Their blended family had 7 children, larger than the Brady Bunch. Today, Mrs. Barbara Lincoln is an active member of First Christian Church in Inverness, as well as a retired military group. She still finds time to be active and give back to her community through volunteering at Precious Paws Rescue. Mrs. Lincoln is also a loving grandmother to 15 grandchildren and great-grandmother to 18 great- grandchildren. Mrs. Barbara Lincoln's legacy truly represents the American dream through her marvelous life full of patriotism, courage, and determination.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a tremendous asset in the communities I serve. For more than 50 years, CARES has been working to create a caring community committed to strengthening lives and creating positive futures for seniors in Pasco and Hernando counties. CARES serves people from all walks of life through their personal journey of aging and offers a broad spectrum of services and programs to help seniors live as they wish--Independently in their own homes. CARES In-Home Health delivers assistance to help low-income, frail elders with basic services to ensure they are able to maintain their independence in a safe manner. CARES Senior Centers help elderly individuals stay connected to their world and their community through social activities, computer learning, educational programs, wellness initiatives and recreational activities. Research has shown that remaining active and engaged is positively correlated with living a longer, healthier life and CARES helps to make that a reality for many. CARES also provides critical respite services through its Adult Day Care programs. Through this initiative, caregivers have the peace of mind of knowing their loved ones are supervised while they take some personal time away from caregiving. And, CARES runs a senior health clinic to serve those who are 55 years and older, low-income, and uninsured. It was my privilege to advocate for this tremendous agency by sponsoring a community budget request to secure $2.5 million to for CARES to expand its footprint in the area. These funds will be used to purchase land and build an 8,000 square foot ``One Stop Senior Center.'' CARES anticipates promoting quality of life and independence for frail and vulnerable seniors and their families at this center. A safe environment where the lives of senior citizens and their caregivers and families of West/Central Pasco will be enriched by the existence of a ``One Stop Senior Center'' geared to assist these individuals with in-home and community care to remain living independently in their communities and prevent institutional/nursing home placement. Other direct services will include Adult Day Care facility, Case Management to provide information and referrals; mental health counseling and a FREE Health Clinic for non-invasive medical care. As we celebrate this important milestone in CARES history, we look forward to another 50 years of outstanding service to local seniors throughout our community.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill, H.R. 1059. The SECURE Notarization Act would provide a national standard for notarizing documents when the signing parties are not physically present. The process of remote notarization improves the security of notarizations through the use of multifactor verification of identification, audiovisual recording of the event, and tamper- detection technology. Mr. Speaker, it is actually safer. I did a lot of this work in my other life when I was in the private sector. By recording the notarization as it happens, remote notarizations can provide law enforcement with evidence if a fraud is determined to have occurred. This is much more secure, as I said before, than a traditional paper- only notarization where once the transaction has occurred, there is very little evidence left behind. Preventing fraud and abuse is critical to a well-functioning legal system. And let's face it, it is more practical. This legislation passed the House last Congress, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation once again. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1059) to authorize notaries public to perform, and to establish minimum standards for, electronic notarizations and remote notarizations that occur in or affect interstate commerce, to require any Federal court to recognize notarizations performed by a notarial officer of any State, to require any State to recognize notarizations performed by a notarial officer of any other State when the notarization was performed under or relates to a public Act, record, or judicial proceeding of the notarial officer's State or when the notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce, and for other purposes.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Armstrong), the vice chairman of the full Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, again, this is commonsense legislation. I have some experience in this area, as does Mr. Armstrong and Ms. Dean, as well. It is efficient and safe for the public, and we need a national standard. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this particular bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, again, this is a commonsense bill, a necessary bill. It impacts our constituents. They need full disclosure. That is not too much to ask for. Again, I urge my colleagues to unanimously support this for the second year in a row. Let's get it across the finish line, get it to the President's desk as soon as possible. Mr. Speaker, I thank the sponsors of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 538) to require the disclosure of a camera or recording capability in certain internet-connected devices.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Curtis), a great member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the sponsor of the bill.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 538, the Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act. This is a relatively straightforward bill. It requires the manufacturers of covered devices to clearly disclose if a device contains a camera or microphone. Internet connected devices are becoming increasingly present in our lives, and it is important for people to understand what they are buying. This legislation would allow the FTC to go after bad actors and provide compliance guidance to manufacturers of covered devices. Not being recorded or monitored without permission is a basic tenet of privacy that we all have come to expect. Again, we have to get notification. Given Senate Commerce Committee leadership has followed suit with a companion bill, I am hopeful this whets the appetite for bipartisan, bicameral action on comprehensive privacy protections for all Americans. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the tireless contributions of one of my constituents, June D. Kreger, who was born in December of 1935. She began her VA service at the Salem, VA facility as a Medical Technologist in 1973. She and her husband, James P. Kreger Jr., moved to Florida when June was transferred to James A. Haley VA hospital in 1978. June worked at the James A. Haley VA Hospital until she accepted a position to help open the New Port Richey Veterans' Outpatient Clinic in 1985 under the leadership of Dr. Duke Miller. June Kreger retired after dedicating 20 years of service to our nation's heroes through her work at the VA. Upon her retirement she remarked that it was always her goal to help make Veterans smile. The great tennis legend, Arthur Ashe, once noted that, ``True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.'' Through her daily service at the VA, June undoubtedly made a positive impact on the lives of countless local Veterans. June is also the surviving spouse of Veteran James P. Kreger, Jr., who served in the United States Army and was stationed in Nuremberg, Germany. Both June and James were very active in their church upon retirement and also volunteered with the Meals on Wheels program for many years. At 87 years young, June Kreger lives in New Port Richey with her daughter, Wendy, and her son-in-law, Mike, who is also a Veteran. June is proud to be able to attend the Grand Opening of the new, expanded VA clinic on March 4th. She is excited to see another beautiful facility in our community dedicated to treating our local heroes and will be welcoming the new employees at the facility who will be entrusted with the task of providing outstanding quality care to all Veterans while also working to help them smile. It is my pleasure to recognize her and her family's service to our Nation on this special occasion.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentleman yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 185, which will lift the CDC's burdensome mandates for international travelers into the United States. Frankly, I can't believe the mandate is still here, but I talk to my constituents who have family that want to come to the United States, international travelers, and they can't come because they don't want to take the vaccine. That is their right. We need to lift this. I thank my colleague, Mr. Massie, for his leadership on this particular piece of legislation. This past week, my colleagues and I on the Energy and Commerce Committee have held hearings and markups focused on competitiveness versus China, ensuring American companies lead the globe. This morning, we also held a long-overdue Oversight Committee hearing with the CDC, and I challenged them to think of the impacts their mandates are having on the travel and tourism section. The Biden administration's onerous vaccine mandates for workers, citizens, and international travelers have been disastrous for our economy and have done very little to mitigate public health concerns, as my colleague stated. Republicans have made it clear: We are tired of mandates and overregulation. This legislation will remove these mandates so travel can resume into the country and so we can make our Nation competitive again on the international stage. We have the Brand USA program that advertises our Nation's hidden treasures. They are everywhere, but the travel sector hasn't been able to be fully unleashed, thanks to the CDC. We know, historically, that the industry in my home State of Florida--but it is not just my home State--has accounted for more than $80 billion in revenue and 1\1/2\ million jobs annually. Let's get our economy back on track. This makes so much sense, this particular bill. Let's remove this ridiculous mandate.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Four Chaplains Sunday. February 3, 2023 will mark the 80th anniversary of the sinking of troopship USAT Dorchester, which carried to their deaths 672 men, including 4 United States Army chaplains of 3 faiths who stood united in prayer as the ship went down. These 4 chaplains, Roman Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant, gave their life jackets to 4 soldiers and thus sacrificed their own lives to save the lives of others. The heroic deeds of Chaplains Lt. George L. Fox, Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Lt. Johnny P. Washington, and Lt. Clark V. Poling, and their combined act of supreme devotion and sacrifice for American liberty and human freedom, are an inspiring and shining example of real brotherhood for all time to the people of the world. In 1944, the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart were awarded posthumously to the chaplains' next of kin, and in 1961, President Eisenhower awarded a special Medal for heroism, a one-time award authorized by Congress and intended to have the same weight and importance as the Medal of Honor. We must all see to it that their supreme sacrifice to the common cause of human freedom and justice for all shall not have been in vain. May their memory be everlasting.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the gentlewoman on her chairmanship and I look forward to working with her. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. It is high time to stop the Biden administration from continuing to provide China with oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Under the current administration we have only seen a war against domestic energy production. As a Band-Aid to cover up the consequences of Biden's policies, resulting in unprecedented high energy prices, it chooses to draw down the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, a critical national security asset. Drawing down these reserves to cover up failed policies is wrong but doing it and then selling that oil to China, our chief adversary, is un-American, in my opinion.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. It sounds really good to call him Mr. Chairman. He is going to do a great job for us and the American people, more importantly. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 26, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Since my first year in office, I have shown a strong commitment to promoting a culture of life. The bill before us requires practitioners who are present for an attempted abortion, resulting in a live birth, to exercise the same degree of care that would be offered to any other child born of that gestational age. After those efforts, the healthcare workers must admit the child to a hospital. This bill also gives mothers a civil cause of action and protection from any prosecution, recognizing that women are the second victims of abortion and attempted abortions. Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation because, surely, we can all agree that a child born alive has a right to live.