Gus Bilirakis

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 974) to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in awarding a contract for the procurement of goods or services, to give a preference to offerors that employ veterans.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation. I commend Representative Rice for her good work. I yield back the balance of my time.

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, to improve employment opportunities for veterans and business opportunities for the companies that employ them, H.R. 974 would authorize the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to consider how many veterans an offeror employs during a decision to award a contract. Under this bill, the Secretary may give a preference to such employers based on the percentage of the workforce made up of veterans. It makes sense. The bill would also allow the Secretary to debar any offeror who willfully and intentionally misrepresents the number of veterans they employ. I am glad that provision is in there. Mr. Speaker, the unemployment rate among certain age groups of veterans still exceeds their nonveteran peers, and this legislation is one commonsense step to incentivize employers to bring veterans into their workforce and increase job opportunities for veterans of all ages. I firmly believe that we should do all we can to encourage both small and large businesses to provide job opportunities for veterans as well as provide the Secretary the authority to consider such hires when making contracting decisions. This will further incentivize government contractors to make a positive investment in their companies by making investments in our Nation's veterans. I thank Miss Rice for her hard work on this bill, and it has my full support. I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 974. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

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

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cook), a good friend and a great veterans' advocate. I thank him for his service.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 244, as amended, would require the Department of Labor to establish a HIRE Vets Medallion Program to recognize and award employers with a HIRE Vets Medallion for their efforts to recruit, employ, and retain veterans, as well as their work to provide community and charitable services to veterans and their local communities. While we still have work to do, it is important to note that the veteran unemployment rate has continued to decrease over recent years and, as of last month, was at the low rate of 4.5 percent. Again, we have more work to do. While many factors have led to the continued reduction of the unemployment rate for the men and women who have served, our Nation's employers in both the public and private sectors deserve a lot of credit, and it is important that we highlight the work that these companies have done and that we publicly recognize their commitment to hiring our veterans--hiring our true American heroes. I commend them so much. With this idea in mind, H.R. 244, as amended, would authorize the Secretary of Labor to create the HIRE Vets Medallion Program, which would recognize employers who hire and retain veterans as well as companies that provide support services to the veterans and their communities. Employers would earn either platinum or gold status based on requirements that are related to the number of veterans hired each year, providing pay equity for guardsmen and Reserve employees who were called up to active military service and other requirements. Once these employers have earned HIRE Vets Medallions, they would be able to publicly display their awards to illustrate the work they have done on behalf of our veterans and the priorities they place on hiring veterans within their workforces. As we work to continue to decrease the national unemployment rate among our men and women who have served, it is vital that we highlight and thank the employers who have stepped up and have recognized the benefits of hiring a veteran, and there are many benefits as their work ethic is outstanding--their dedication, their integrity. They are really outstanding people, and I am glad that our employers have stepped up. I thank the staff of the Department of Labor and the Trump administration for working with us to make improvements to the legislation from what was passed last year. I also thank Colonel Paul Cook of California for introducing and advocating for this bill, which, again, has my full support. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 244, as amended. 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. 244) to encourage effective, voluntary private sector investments to recruit, employ, and retain men and women who have served in the United States military with annual presidential awards to private sector employers recognizing such efforts, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bergman).

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to efforts to diminish the blight of human trafficking on my district, the country, and the world. Each year, millions of individuals worldwide, most often children and those living in poverty, fall victim to human trafficking. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, approximately 550 cases were reported in Florida last year. In my district, Pasco County law enforcement officials have been hard at work to combat human trafficking and protect victims locally. We have seen it too many times in our own community. I also wish to highlight the commitment to end human trafficking worldwide by the Greek Orthodox Church. This week, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew hosted a forum in Istanbul, Turkey, alongside religious leaders, scholars, and policymakers to address the issue of modern-day slavery. I commend their cooperative leadership and stand with them in promoting peace and human dignity internationally.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for his support. I rise today in support of critical legislation to support public safety and first responders, the Medical Preparedness Allowable Use Act, H.R. 437. My bill will help secure medical countermeasures for first responders, ensuring we are prepared for any type of emergency. For instance, last year, in Florida, we faced the outbreak of the Zika virus. The Medical Preparedness Allowable Use Act means that reliable grant funding would be available to conduct medical preparedness activities such as planning, training, and purchasing protective equipment to combat Zika or other public health threats going forward nationwide. When the worst occurs, our first responders are there for us on the front lines. I consistently find myself in awe of these brave men and women and the sacrifices they make on the public's behalf. They are heroes. The least we can do is make sure they have the tools they need to do their jobs and keep us safe. That is what my bill seeks to accomplish. We want to keep them safe as well, Mr. Speaker. The legislation authorizes grant funds for the stockpiling of countermeasures, including medical kits, protective gear, ventilators, and more. This should give us all peace of mind to know this vital equipment will be there in case of a crisis. Importantly, the grant fund used in H.R. 437 already exists. The bill does not require new or additional funding. Also significant, this bill has received strong bipartisan support. I thank my colleagues, Representatives Susan Brooks and Peter King, for being original cosponsors of H.R. 437. I was inspired to write this legislation during my time as subcommittee chairman on the Homeland Security Committee after a series of hearings with folks from the emergency response community. They expressed the urgent need for stockpiling these medical countermeasures and for providing first responders the assurance that grant funding may be used to support them now and in the future. They need certainty, Mr. Speaker. I am proud to have the support of the Emergency Services Coalition for Medical Preparedness and the International Association of Fire Chiefs on this issue. The Medical Preparedness Allowable Use Act is going to make a difference to protect the public and protect our protectors. I strongly urge passage today.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss important legislation I will soon be introducing in this Congress, the Flood Insurance Integrity Act. Flooding and flood insurance are major issues for Florida and my district. Our community along the coast is prone to experiencing hurricanes and tropical storms on a regular basis. Flood insurance is a must where we live. But right now, the National Flood Insurance Program bases its flood insurance rates on maps that can be 50 years or older. Many are completely out of date and often inaccurate. It is also one of the reasons that NFIP is over $23 billion in debt. The Flood Insurance Integrity Act will require an open and transparent annual review of flood maps. It sounds good. Americans who need flood insurance should be able to trust that their flood insurance premiums accurately reflect their flood risk. It is the least we can do. So that is why this bill seeks to do that.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, the Medical Preparedness Allowable Use Act, H.R. 437. Last year in Florida alone, we witnessed terrorism, major hurricanes, and the outbreak of the Zika virus. We need to be prepared for these types of emergencies, and we need to make sure our first responders have the tools they need to keep us safe. My bill enhances medical preparedness and promotes the stockpiling of medical countermeasures. This includes medical kits, protective gear, ventilators, and more. Importantly, the legislation uses existing grant funds to accomplish this. It does not require new or additional funding. This Medical Preparedness Allowable Use Act ensures we take these critical steps now so we are ready in case of crisis. In the wake of an emergency, our first responders bravely risk their lives on behalf of our safety. I introduced this bill to protect the public and protect our protecters.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the families that are feeling the burden of ObamaCare. Premiums have skyrocketed an average of 19 percent in our State, and insurers are fleeing the market left and right. In fact, 73 percent of counties in Florida only have one insurance provider, leaving people with higher costs and less choice when it comes to their health care. That is why the President's healthcare law has failed the people of Florida. Now, Republicans are offering up solid solutions to make our Nation's healthcare system work for everyone, without pulling the rug from anybody's feet. We are focused on a more affordable, more personalized healthcare plan that empowers patients, not Washington. I am proud to serve on the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee as we begin our first steps this week to bring relief to the people of Florida and our Nation.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, as the 115th Congress kicks off this week, I remain committed to supporting our Nation's veterans. We made some good progress last year, but there is still much more work to be done. While our military spends over 6 months preparing soldiers for assignment, we only spend 5 days preparing them to reintegrate to civilian life. I will be making it a priority to ensure veterans have a robust transition and support system for returning home. We also must bring greater accountability and transparency to the VA. If a VA employee fails to do their duty to care for our Nation's heroes, they should be swiftly terminated. We need to turn around the culture of mediocrity at the agency. I look forward to working with Chairman Roe and my colleagues on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs this year to stand up for our men and women in uniform.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, later this week, the House will vote on the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, also known as the WIIN Act. This legislation includes a number of great provisions for Florida and my district, including promoting public-private partnerships for dredging projects. Allowing these partnerships will help clear the backlog of Army Corps projects, at or below cost, all while adhering to Federal maintenance standards. This means that there will be more opportunities for projects to be completed in a reasonable timeframe, such as the federally authorized Anclote River dredging project in my district. Dredging the Anclote River would promote relief for local residents from chronic flooding and bring commerce back to the Tarpon Springs area.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of an American hero from St. Petersburg, Florida, Tuskegee Airman Willie Rogers. Willie was the oldest remaining Tuskegee Airman from the original legendary 100th Fighter Squadron, the first African American military aviators in the history of the U.S. Armed Forces. He was a part of history, and I am saddened to hear he passed away recently at the incredible age of 101. Willie truly represented the Greatest Generation: humble, hardworking, and dedicated to his country and his family. He fought the Axis powers and protected our freedom and our way of life, despite the disgraceful way the Tuskegee Airmen were treated. We would not be the Nation we are today without those who served, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to sincerely thank Willie and his family again for Willie's honorable service and his unwavering love of country.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. I thank the chairman for all of his hard work on this great bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise to talk about the incredible impact the 21st Century Cures Act would have on so many Americans. Deadly diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, ALS, and more affect each and every one of us. Within Cures, one will find the voices of patients, doctors, advocacy groups, and families I have met with from throughout Florida's 12th Congressional District. I am proud to say that a lot of their input is reflected in this final bill. Samantha Lindsay, from Lutz, Florida, has Alpha-1, which is a rare genetic condition that results in serious lung problems. When we met, she talked about the need to use biomarkers for the faster approval of drugs for rare diseases. We did that. We have a framework for biomarker qualifications in this legislation. Wayne Taylor, from Hudson, Florida, was a leukemia patient. He talked about the difficulty of participating in the clinical trials that eventually saved his life. This bill has reforms to make clinical trials more patient-focused and input-driven. Dr. David Morgan, the CEO of the Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute at the University of South Florida, talked about the need for stable funding for Alzheimer's and about reforming institutional review boards. This bill invests in the NIH, and it reforms the IRB system. Cures also includes my provisions to reform the FDA's Office of Combination Products in order to streamline the approval of these products; to establish a new Medicare Web site to help seniors price shop; and to allow physical therapists to enter into locum tenens arrangements so they can take maternity leave or sick time without having to turn away patients. For many families, including my own, the potential impact of 21st Century Cures could change their lives. Let's get this meaningful bill across the finish line.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to shine a light on the millions of Americans impacted by deadly diseases that currently have no cure. We know that better treatments and cures for diseases like cancer, ALS, Alzheimer's, and the 7,000 rare diseases are within our reach. We need to break down the government barriers to innovation and discovery. The 21st Century Cures Act will do just that. I stand with my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee when I say: let's get this done. We have the chance now to help make a profound impact on people's lives. With Cures, and my provision in the OPEN Act, we are opening the doors for medical breakthroughs to happen. For the sake of millions of patients and their families, let's get 21st Century Cures across the finish line.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor George Poumakis, a highly-successful entrepreneur and distinguished member of the Greek community in my district. Mr. Poumakis was recently recognized by the Federation of Hellenic American Educators and the Greek Teacher Association of Florida for the being the pioneer and founder of the first Greek immersion charter school in the United States--the Athenian Academy. Today, the Athenian Academy is recognized by the Florida Department of Education as a High Performing School--receiving an ``A'' grade-- and is the only school in Pinellas County that teaches two foreign languages (Greek and Spanish) daily to all K-8 students. As a father of four boys, all of whom attended public schools, I am very familiar with the link between a robust public education system and our nation's vitality. Benjamin Franklin once said, ``An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.'' Mr. Poumakis is a valuable community partner and stands as an example of main street solutions to main street challenges. Through the entrepreneurial approach which brought him personal success in the past, Mr. Poumakis managed to build an academy which will contribute to the success of countless lives in Florida's Twelfth Congressional District for years to come. I commend the Federation of Hellenic American Educators and the Greek Teacher Association of Florida for recognizing the contributions of Mr. Poumakis, and I hope every American can learn from and emulate the commitment of this Greek entrepreneur to education.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of a local hero in my district, Mr. Austin Curry, who passed away on September 18 at the age of 86. Friends remember him as a ``young soul who spent days in prayer or sharing his sunny demeanor and faith in prolific Facebook posts.'' With a full life devoted to God and service to his country, Mr. Curry was an Air Force veteran who served in the Korean war. As a passionate advocate in the elderly community, Mr. Curry served in leadership roles for the Florida Silver-Haired Legislature, the Hillsborough County Hospital Association, and the Health Council of West Central Florida. He also served as a delegate to the White House's 2005 Conference on Aging. His accomplishments and the lives he touched will remain in our memories.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues in the Senate to act on mental health reform legislation. Back in July, the House passed H.R. 2646, Representative Murphy's bill, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, with strong bipartisan support; but the Senate has yet to take action on this vital piece of legislation. There can be no more delay; our Nation has suffered the loss of over 70,000 lives as a result of mental illness, many of which could have been prevented with access to mental health treatment. Mental illness devastates our criminal justice system, our communities, and our families. We cannot arrest our way out of this problem. Mr. Speaker, I urge our Senate colleagues to advance this bill so that we can intervene before more Americans lose their lives to this treatable disease.