Kerry Bentivolio

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

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

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, last week, we learned the IRS--the most powerful and intimidating Federal agency in existence and the agency now working to monitor our health care--has ``lost'' over 2 years of emails from at least six employees. In a master stroke of unluckiness, the IRS claims that the only computer systems impacted are those belonging to top senior officials connected to the targeting of Americans who held conservative political beliefs--beliefs like the notion that the First Amendment should always be protected in order to have a lasting, free democracy. Nothing is ever this convenient. Mr. Speaker, are we to believe the same entity that can turn the lives of Americans upside down and that can demand 7 years of financial and personal records just ``lost'' 2 years of data from its own employees? Mr. Speaker, what would happen to your constituents, to my constituents or to any of our constituents--Democrats, Republicans or Independents--if they were investigated by the IRS and ``lost'' 2 years of data? Do you think the IRS would simply say, ``That's okay. I am sure it was an accident. These things happen. We will drop our investigation now''? Of course not. Yet that is what the IRS is telling Congress. ``Oh, sorry. We lost our data. Oh, well. Let's move on.'' Mr. Speaker, how can we as Representatives tell our constituents to cooperate with an entity that refuses to cooperate with Congress? How can I tell my constituents to hand over personal information about their lives to the IRS when the IRS won't do the same? I will conclude with a simple question to my friends across the aisle: Have you no shame? Your entire political outlook is based on the idea that government can work in an unbiased and effective way. Yet, when it becomes fairly clear that something isn't quite proper at the most powerful agency in the United States, you simply obscure the investigation instead of joining us in the call for a special prosecutor. When it becomes clear that ordinary citizens who are engaging in their natural rights were targeted by a major officer at the IRS and when that official tries to take the Fifth Amendment to put up roadblocks to an investigation, you simply play politics. You are worried about poll numbers rather than the Republic. I recently asked the current IRS Commissioner whether or not he believed that IRS workers could remain objective towards a group of American citizens who believes that the IRS should be disbanded. He was confounded by the question before answering that they were professionals. I have no doubt that the people at the IRS are professionals. The way they attacked conservative groups could only have been done by professionals. Let me open my question to all of my friends from across the aisle: As members of the party of government, do you believe that any person can sustain objectivity towards someone one perceives as a threat to one's livelihood? If you believe the answer is ``yes,'' then join me in calling for a special prosecutor to help us find the truth. Prove your beliefs with action. Defend your ideas that government can be involved in most aspects of our lives by proving that nothing criminal happened at the IRS. Show the American people that bureaucrats can remain objective in the face of someone's telling them that their jobs shouldn't exist. Mr. Speaker, our number one job here in Congress is to protect the rights of the people, not to take them away. It is time for everyone in this Chamber to remember that. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 359, I was unavoidably detained during passage of H.R. 6. An important discussion on matters pertaining to U.S. Marine held prisoner in Mexico. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.'' Stated against:

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, the crisis unfolding in Iraq is deeply troubling to the American people. The rapid fall of several cities in Iraq to terrorist Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, also known as ISIS, has brought the militant group dangerously closer to establishing a caliphate that spans the northern sections of Syria and Iraq. ISIS has a reputation for brutality, including summary executions, beheadings, and, in some cases, crucifixions. The implications of the rise of ISIS for Iraq's ancient Christian community, along with its other religious minorities, is troubling. For years we have witnessed the decline of Iraq's Christian community. Thousands have fled in the face of targeted violence. Those who remained relocated to Mosul and the Nineveh plains. These areas were some of the last remaining havens for this beleaguered and brutalized Christian community in Iraq. In fact, Archbishop Warda, the Chaldean Diocese of Erbil, indicated this past Sunday that for the first time in 1,600 years there was no mass in Mosul. The thousands who fled Mosul face displacement, imminent danger, and a growing humanitarian nightmare, including access to clean water, food, fuel, and electricity. I urge the administration to engage with the Iraqi central government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to prioritize security and support for these vulnerable populations and provide emergency humanitarian assistance to those brutalized communities. If nothing is done, we will most certainly witness the annihilation of an ancient faith community. I call on our international community to stand together to protect the natural rights of being persecuted by ISIS.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the Investment Team from Boulan Park Middle School for placing ninth in the country in the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Foundation's Capitol Hill Challenge of 2014. The team is comprised of Kevin Li, Rohit Chakravarty, and Jason Song, along with their coach, Mr. Mark Martin. The students worked diligently on this project. They greatly improved their knowledge of the stock market and the world economic landscape. These students used their own knowledge to earn a 42% return on investment, turning 100,000 dollars into over 142,000 dollars. Additionally, this is the first year in which a middle school team finished in the top 10 nationwide. I am proud to have sponsored Kevin, Rohit, and Jason. The time and effort they dedicated to this project is beyond impressive. On behalf of the residents of Michigan's 11th Congressional District, I would like to congratulate them on this remarkable achievement.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, I am gravely concerned about the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran and the status of the current negotiations between P5+1 in Iran. As Iran has moved off the front pages over the past few months, I fear that the Iranians are becoming increasingly emboldened. With less than 2 months until the current Joint Plan of Action expires, we have yet to see real concessions from the Iranians. In fact, President Rouhani, supposedly a moderate, said just weeks ago that Iran will offer only transparency in a final agreement. What good is transparency if Iran can continue to spin uranium and charge forward towards a nuclear weapon? While the administration is responsible for representing the United States with the P5+1, it is important to remember that Congress has a very important role to play in this process. Congress has made it very clear that any final deal with Iran must lead to the dismantlement of Iran's nuclear infrastructure, and we must continue to reiterate this. It is unacceptable for the P5+1 to strike a deal that allows Iran any pathway to a nuclear weapon. Additionally, Congress must continue to insist that Iran does not extend the negotiations and use them as a stalling tactic to advance its program. If the Joint Plan of Action is extended beyond the July 20 deadline, Iran must make real and meaningful concessions and convince us that it is not simply stalling. If Iran violates the current agreement or if it refuses to negotiate an acceptable final agreement, Congress must move immediately to impose dramatic new sanctions on the regime. The administration must also remember that the implementation of any agreement will almost definitely require congressional approval. The President cannot unilaterally lift sanctions. It must come back to Congress for that. So why hasn't the administration kept us apprised of the negotiations? It cannot expect Congress to automatically accept any agreement it comes up with. Congress needs to be an active partner in this process. I urge the administration to provide Congress with increased transparency and to consult Congress on elements of the deal. It is imperative that Congress plays a critical role throughout this process. We must continue to insist that any final agreement with Iran ensures the dismantlement of Iran's nuclear infrastructure and that Iran has no pathway to a bomb. A nuclear-armed Iran would be a national security disaster. We must do everything we can to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and that includes a congressional role in the current negotiations.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, you can always identify them in a crowd wearing blue, green, pink, and yellow, and sometimes wearing a white coat. They have wings on their backs and many times a tired, tilted halo over their heads. They often miss holidays and similar events with family and friends. They work during times the rest of us sleep 24/7. They are educators who provide a concerned ear and empathetic heart, a smile supported by professionalism, and an unmatched sense of selfless service for those in need. They are angels of mercy. May God bless our courageous nurses, and especially this week. Mr. Speaker, may I say to that special nurse in my life: I love you.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, you can always identify them in a crowd wearing blue, green, pink, and yellow, and sometimes wearing a white coat. They have wings on their backs and many times a tired, tilted halo over their heads. The often miss holidays and similar events with family and friends. They work during times the rest of us sleep 24/7. They are educators who provide a concerned ear and empathetic heart, a smile supported by professionalism, and an unmatched sense of selfless service for those in need. They are angels of mercy. May God bless our courageous nurses, and especially this week. Mr. Speaker, may I say to that special nurse in my life: I love you.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 203, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 202 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of this resolution recommending that the House of Representatives find Lois Lerner in contempt of Congress. Our Pledge of Allegiance ends with the words, ``with liberty and justice for all.'' Lois Lerner's actions have made it nearly impossible for us to follow those ideals for the victims of the IRS targeting scandal. She has placed obstacle after obstacle in front of our pursuit for the truth, worrying that her ideology and the actions of a corrupt Federal agency will be exposed. I ask my colleagues to join our effort in promoting transparency in our government. As Members of Congress, it is our job to protect rights, not take them away.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, we honor Isabel Marie Zurek, one of the many women who rose up to help the wartime effort during WWII. Ms. Zurek is proudly recognized as a ``Rosie the Riveter'' who worked in one of the many factories in Detroit during the war. Now celebrating her 90th birthday, we honor the life and accomplishments of Isabel Marie Zurek.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, the Women Officials Network Foundation will be honoring five extraordinary women at the WONder Woman Awards banquet April 30 at the San Marino Club in Troy. The award honors women who have improved the quality of life in Southeast Michigan through their civic, philanthropic and professional accomplishments. This year marks the 30th celebration of WONder Women and many past honorees will attend. The 2014 WONder Women are: Debra Ehrmann, Lisa Gorcyca, Mattie McKinney Hatchett, Ruth Holmes, and Cynthia Walker. The Honorable Debra Ehrmann has held elected and appointed office including service on the State Commission on Spanish Speaking Affairs and the Oakland County Employment Diversity Council. Debra has been Vice President of Centro Multicultural since 2007 and previously worked as the Health Care Coordinator of Clinica Santa Teresa. She is well known and respected for developing networks of stakeholders and volunteers. She is recognized for her dedication to vulnerable populations and for providing interpretation, relationship-building and vital connections for their connection with community services. Debra currently serves on the Genisys Credit Union Board of Directors-VP Supervisory Committee. The Honorable Lisa Gorcyca is Presiding Judge of the Family Division of the Oakland County Circuit Court. Before her election to the bench in 2008, she spent fifteen years working at the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office as Chief of the Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse Unit. She chairs the Oakland County Coordinating Council Against Domestic Violence and is founder and member of the Oakland County Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team. She was recently recognized as a Top Circuit Court Judge for 2014. The Honorable Mattie McKinney Hatchett was first elected to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners in 2002 and made history in 2011, when she became the first African-American woman to serve as President of the Michigan Association of Counties. Known as ``The Mother of Pontiac,'' Mattie served as Deputy Mayor and has spent more than fifty years advocating for her community. Since 1963, she has been actively involved with the Pontiac School District as an employee and volunteer. Presently, she is a Trustee on the Pontiac Board of Education. Ruth Elliott Holmes is President of the International Women's Forum--Michigan which brings together a global membership of women to exchange ideas, to learn, to inspire and to promote better leadership for a changing world. In eleven years overseas, she worked for the African-American Institute in Abidjan in the Ivory Coast and was active in the international community in Brussels, Belgium. She serves on many professional boards and is a Trustee for the National Association of Document Examiners. A handwriting examiner and personnel consultant, Ruth owns her own business and was named 2010 Innovator of the Year, one of Michigan's Top 10 Women Business Owners and, in 2002, Corp! magazine listed her among Michigan's 95 Most Powerful Women. The Honorable Cynthia Thomas Walker currently serves as Chief Judge of the 50th District Court in Pontiac and has been a district judge since 2003. Before taking the bench, she worked as Court Administrator of that court, as Pontiac City Attorney, and as a staff attorney for UAW Legal Services and for Legal Services of Eastern Michigan. She serves on the board of the Oakland County Bar Association and is active in judicial, professional and civic organizations. She supports the Teen Court program at her court and volunteers her time at local schools, churches, and non-profit organizations. All WONder Women demonstrate achievement in each of the following areas: contribute to the community beyond that which is required in their employment; demonstrate character, commitment and leadership; and assist women/girls in reaching full leadership potential through civic engagement, personal and professional contacts, or resources. The WON Foundation advances the vision and mission of the Women Officials Network: empowering leaders of today and mentoring women leaders of tomorrow. The Women Officials Network envisions more women in Leadership positions at all levels of government.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady for giving me this opportunity. Mr. Speaker, I, along with 71 of my colleagues, have signed on to the brief in support of Hobby Lobby. We must fight for religious freedom. In responding to the Hobby Lobby case, the President has acknowledged how critical religious liberty is to our freedom. I couldn't agree more. There is a reason why the Bill of Rights prioritizes our right to religious freedom: our Founders knew people could never be free if they could not worship in a manner they found appropriate. Sadly, ObamaCare takes away that right by forcing Americans to participate in a practice they are morally opposed to. ObamaCare is more about forcing Americans to follow a certain dogma rather than promoting a healthy society. Tomorrow, the Supreme Court will hear the advocates for religious liberty pitted against the voice in support of government moralism. From Plessy v. Ferguson to Roe v. Wade to the ObamaCare ruling, we have seen how a handful of judges can take away our natural rights. I pray the Supreme Court will rule on the side of American liberty. The Supreme Court must protect the First Amendment. The foundation of our Nation rests upon it.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, I recognize Ms. Yushu ``Joy'' Xie's acceptance into the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship Program. The Fulbright Program is universally recognized as America's premier international exchange program. I am honored to represent Joy and wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, I recognize Ms. Josephine Kao's acceptance into the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship Program. The Fulbright Program is universally recognized as America's premier international exchange program. I am honored to represent Josephine in Congress and wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, I recognize Mr. Patrick Pijls' acceptance into the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship Program. The Fulbright Program is universally recognized as America's premier international exchange program. I am honored to represent Patrick and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, I recognize Ms. Stephanie Chen's acceptance into the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship Program. The Fulbright Program is universally recognized as America's premier international exchange program. I am honored to represent Stephanie in Congress and wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, I seek recognition on behalf of Al Fracassa, head coach of Birmingham Brother Rice's football team for 45 years. Throughout these years, Mr. Fracassa taught young men at Brother Rice the values of leadership, teamwork, and discipline. In a world where mediocrity is encouraged, and even praised through things like ``participation awards,'' Mr. Fracassa accepted nothing less than the best from his teams. As he said, ``. . . the difference between good and great is just a little effort.'' It is this mindset, that success must be earned through hard work and perseverance, which has made America the great nation it is today. Whereas, Mr. Fracassa has achieved a record 430 wins over the course of his career, along with nine playoff titles, and the most wins in Michigan football history, putting him at fifth in the nation; and Whereas; he has raised an estimated $150,000 for Brother Rice by auctioning off pasta dinners with Al; and Whereas; he has won awards including the 1997 and 2006 NFL High School Coach of the Year, the 2002 American Football Coaches Association National Coach of the Year, and the Fred Danzinger Award; and Whereas; he has been named Michigan's Coach of the Year four times, been inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, and received the MSU Duffy Daugherty Memorial Lifetime Achievement; and Whereas; the Brother Rice Football Field was renamed Fracassa Field in 2006, and he will be Coach Emeritus following his retirement; and Whereas; he has been praised as influential, inspirational, caring, and humble, and been called a leader, a mentor, and a legend; and Whereas; he will remain active at Brother Rice and in the community as a motivational speaker, continuing to be a paragon of strength and virtue; now, therefore be it proclaimed by the Congress of the United States of America that Al Fracassa be honored for his commitment to excellence, his pursuit of greatness, and his stalwart demonstration of American traditions and values.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, I recognize Mr. Mark Jackson's acceptance into the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship Program. The Fulbright Program is universally recognized as America's premier international exchange program. I am honored to represent Mark in Congress and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to celebrate Pastor Charles J. Whitfield, who has defined and dedicated his life to spreading the grace-filled love of our Lord. Alongside with the wonderful support of his wife Judy, daughter Susan, and son Daniel, Pastor Whitfield has lead Grace Baptist Church for over 57 years. He is the longest serving pastor in the history of the City of Birmingham, Michigan. Through his leadership, Grace Baptist has financially supported hundreds of missionaries across the world. He has shared the Gospel with over 172 countries. Pastor Whitfield's accomplishments will be forever recorded in the U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Record. Future generations must know of his invaluable service to our community and service to all mankind.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the outstanding young men of the Olivet Michigan Middle School Football Team. At one of their football games this past fall, the Olivet Eagles planned what is now called ``The Remarkable Play''. The play involved giving the ball to a teammate with special needs so that he could score his first career touchdown. I am honored to recognize these young men. The selflessness and caring for their teammate is we should all celebrate. The Eagles exemplify how caring for others can go a long way.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Piraneo defends our country everyday as a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. Thank you to Mr. Joseph Piraneo for his service.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Tom and Phyllis Freudenberg who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on January 2, 2014.

Mr. BENTIVOLIO

Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Dalton was appointed to the Livonia Human Relations Commission by Livonia Mayor Jack Kirksey and was elected by his fellow commissioners to serve as the Vice Chairman of the city commission. He takes his new position on the commission at the start of 2014. Congratulations to Mr. John Dalton.