Susan Brooks

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Tim Green of the Carmel Police Department. For over three decades, Chief Green has displayed courage, resilience, and leadership in serving the city of Carmel and its residents. During his tenure, Carmel was deemed the safest city to raise a child and best place to live in America, according to multiple national studies. The people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for Chief Green' s commitment to making the City of Carmel and the wider community of Hamilton County a safer, better place to live. After graduating from North Central High School, Chief Green earned a Bachelor's Degree in Law Enforcement from Calumet College. He then went on to graduate from the FBI National Academy in Quantico Virginia, the FBI Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, and the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Leadership Academy. Chief Green has served the Carmel Police Department for 35 years. He was first hired as a patrolman at age twenty-two. He has served as Commander of the Special Investigations Division, Director of the Hamilton County Drug Task Force, and was Assistant Chief of Police for 16 years. In 2011, Mayor Jim Brainard appointed Chief Green to lead the Department as Carmel's Chief of Police, where he has served with distinction for the last six years. Chief Green's commitment to quality police work and professionalism on the force has ensured the safety of our citizens, and has made Carmel a great place to live and do business. His colleagues have described him as a strong leader and great mentor. Chief Green's ability to lead by example inspires excellence in his fellow officers. His leadership has empowered the department to be successful in assessing and combatting trends in crime. During his time as Police Chief, Carmel's population has greatly increased and the department has grown to 113 sworn officers and 25 civilian support personnel and continues to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, an international recognition for professionalism, excellence and competence. Chief Green's devotion to a career of service to his community is invaluable. On behalf of all Hoosiers, I wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to Chief Green for his 35 years of service. I wish the very best to Chief Green, his wife Brigit, and his two children, Jessica and Evan, in his well-deserved retirement and in the next exciting chapter of his life.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 274. Stated against:

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and celebrate the Junior League of Indianapolis on the occasion of its 95th Anniversary. JLI's primary mission is to promote voluntarism, to develop the leadership potential of women, and to improve the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. For an astounding 95 years, JLI has worked diligently to promote these ideals and to enrich the lives of its members and the community in which they reside. The people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for the contributions to our Hoosier community, and as a formerly active member and current sustaining member, it is my distinct privilege to honor the Junior League of Indianapolis. Ten Indianapolis women founded the JLI in the fall of 1921 to promote voluntarism throughout the city. In 1922, their first major project put JLI to the test. They successfully opened an Occupational Therapy Clinic for Riley Children's Hospital, which served Indianapolis over two and a half decades until 1948. Since then, the lasting impact of JLI's community involvement has been felt constantly throughout the city. Committed to preserving Indianapolis' rich history, the League held its headquarters in the historic French Romanesque Schnull-Rauch House from 1979 to 2009, and maintained the historic monument during their residence. Several projects like Kids in the Kitchen, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and the Ronald McDonald House have endured through the years and even through a few decades. The women of the Junior League choose to take on our most pressing and difficult issues, notably in their project regarding Early Prevention of School Failure in Indianapolis Public Schools from 1984 to 1990. Today, education remains a priority, with members volunteering at Stephen Foster School, IPS 67. Through a three-year partnership, the Junior League in their Signature project, ``Partners Advancing Student Success'', will work on tutoring, stocking the food pantry, and more at IPS 67. JLI also holds annually their service event, ``Around the Community--Around the Clock'', an event in which members perform 95 hours of continuous community service. The League has nearly 1000 members today dedicating over 16,000 hours of uncompensated service each year. Through grant making, roughly $200,000 was invested into Indianapolis last year alone. In education, more than $500,000 has been invested since 2011. This year's projects are as charitable as ever. Tutors in Action provides program funding and volunteers for one on one or small group tutoring for families in transitional housing. The Kids in the Kitchen program provides nutritional information and healthy cooking techniques for families to combat childhood obesity. The Junior League of Indianapolis has proven time and time again that it is committed and vital to the wellbeing of our city. It serves as a role model for all charitable organizations like it. The focus on developing the potential of women in our community has served as an invaluable training ground for the next generation of amazingly, talented and generous leaders. JLI states that it seeks to be a catalyst for lasting change in the lives of children and families in our community, and it has exceeded this role for 95 years and counting. These selfless women and the families that support them, deserve our gratitude. On behalf of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District, I would like to congratulate this wonderful organization on 95 years of exemplary work within our community, and wish the JLI, and all their members, the best on their journey to another 95 remarkable years.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Police Week. It is also Mental Health Awareness Month. I want to thank my colleague, whom we affectionately call sheriff, who served his great State for 33 years. I want to express my profound gratitude to the men and women in uniform and their families who serve and sacrifice so much to protect our safety. I think we also need to talk about a way that we can repay these men and women for their sacrifice by making mental health services more available to our law enforcement officers so that they have the resources to handle so many difficult on-the-job situations that they deal with every single day. Police officers are under constant attack, often on the job, caught literally in the crossfire of violent domestic violence disputes; violent crime; finding and recovering bodies of murder victims, some of whom are young children; targets for lone wolf shootings and attacks; injecting Narcan, the overdose reversal drug, into people who have overdosed on heroin, trying to save them. Think about all of the different things that the men and women in uniform have to do day in and day out. For most people, just one of these experiences would be enough to cause trauma. But our police officers face these and other unthinkable situations daily, sometimes leading to significant mental health challenges for officers like suicidal thoughts, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. Fortunately, we have many law enforcement groups, including the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Indiana Fraternal Order of Police, who are working to offer our officers the support and treatment they need to continue to protect themselves and our communities. Since 2010, officers in Indianapolis have been able to receive counseling and referrals to doctors and clinicians through unique, in- house programs staffed by fellow trained officers. To help police departments develop and implement similar programs, I have introduced, along with my good friend, a new Member of Congress from Florida, Val Demings, the former police chief of Orlando, H.R. 2228, the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act. This bill will improve the sharing of Federal best practices by the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, and the VA with local police departments. It will make grants available to initiate peer- mentoring pilot programs and develop training for mental health providers specific to law enforcement, study the effectiveness of crisis hotlines, and get officers mental health checkups. If our police officers are healthy, our communities will be even safer. We owe it to all of our heroes in law enforcement across the country to protect their mental health and well-being, and I urge passage of this legislation.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department on the occasion of their 50th Anniversary. For the last half century, the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department has enriched our community. Their greatly successful mission to provide high-quality parks and facilities, to be a leader in natural resource education and services, and as an excellent resource for our community and its citizens has made Hamilton County one of the best places to live in Indiana and in the United States. Thank you to the Staff and the Hamilton County Commissioners who have served with distinction and have carried out the mission of the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department. The people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for the contributions to our Hoosier community, and it is my distinct privilege to honor the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department today. Founded in 1967, Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department ordinance was established on March 11, 1967. The ordinance was filed May 1, 1967 in the office of Auditor John Randall. The inaugural board of directors were appointed for a two-year term beginning in 1968. Board meetings were held at the Commissioner's Court in The Hamilton County Court House, located in Noblesville. The founding Board members included: Henry Burgher as President, Jerry Barr as Secretary, Floyd Overdorf as a Member, and Paul Wheeler as a Member. Thanks to the foresight of the inaugural Board members, for the last 50 years we have had an excellent park system that has enriched the lives of our residents here in Hamilton County and all those who have visited. The Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department created its first park in 1970 after acquiring Potter's Bridge in Noblesville. Today the Parks Department oversees eleven parks: Bray Family Homestead Park, Cool Creek Park and Nature Center, Coxhall Gardens, Geist Park, Lafayette Trace Park, Morse Park & Beach, Potter's Bridge Park, River Road Park, Riverwood Canoe Landing, Rookery Preserve, and Strawtown Koteewi Park. Each park has a unique experience to offer, and has brought fun and joy to the citizens and families of Hamilton County and to all those who visit. Nature trails, bird watching, water sports, natural history, archery, and many other great activities make our Parks in Hamilton County world class. In addition to the thousands of acres of land to oversee, the Parks Department also offers workshops, school programs, and facilities. On behalf of the citizens of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District, I would like to congratulate the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department on the celebration of its 50th Anniversary. I am proud that our Hoosier state is home to an exemplary department such as this one. I wish the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department all the best as it embarks on its next 50 years of excellence in Indiana.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn yesterday's deadly chemical attack in Syria. Early yesterday morning, while most people were asleep in the rebel- held city of Khan Shaykhun, airstrikes hit, carrying what is suspected to be poisonous gas. These airstrikes are believed to be the work of the Syrian Government or its ally, Russia. According to the AP, at least 72, if not up to 100 people, including at least 10 children, were killed and hundreds more injured. Entire families were found dead in their homes, and healthcare workers who rushed to help others were also overcome by the poison. A second airstrike hit near a hospital where victims were being treated. The Assad regime's continued use of chemical weapons on its own people, innocent families, and children is despicable, and this is not the first time. Besides these unspeakable, horrific acts against innocent people since the Syrian civil war began 6 years ago, more than 11 million Syrians--half of the country's prewar population--have been displaced from their homes. The urgency of this situation cannot be denied. We can no longer ignore the continued abuse and killing of the Syrian people. We must take meaningful action to empower the Syrian people and remove Assad from power.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks, and include extraneous materials on the topic of my Special Order.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the first woman elected to Congress, Jeannette Rankin. 100 years ago this week, on April 2, 1917, Jeannette Rankin inspired millions of Americans when she became the first woman in the Nation's history to serve in the United States House of Representatives. It is hard for me to believe, but Jeannette Rankin served in Congress before women had the national right to vote in this country. In fact, it was a driving force behind her decision to run for elected office. Upon her historic election in November 1916, she declared: ``I may be the first woman Member of Congress, but I won't be the last.'' The women who have joined me here, and are going to join me here on the floor this afternoon, are her living legacy, along with the more than 300 women who have served in Congress before us. Representative Rankin, a Republican from Montana, served two terms in Congress; the first term from 1917 to 1918, and the second term from 1941 to 1942. Because of Rankin's groundbreaking achievement 100 years ago, hundreds of women from across the country have made history in Congress, drawing attention to the pressing issues of their time and creating policies that have impacted generations of Americans. We are as diverse as the districts we represent, and I am pleased to be joined on the floor by my fellow women in Congress to celebrate this important milestone. In recognition of her work and the rich history of women in Congress, Members of Congress from across the country, across party lines, will be rising to honor Representative Rankin and to share what 100 years of women in Congress means to them. Mr. Speaker, with that said, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Frankel), my friend and co-chair of the Congressional Women's Caucus.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Frankel for her remarks and for reminding us that often while those of us in this arena might be called names, we are a strong voice. She was a very serious legislator, as are you. I just want to thank you for your leadership in this body and thank you for being a part of honoring the 100 years of women in the House. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers), my friend, our Republican Conference chair, the fourth highest Republican in the House, and also the highest ranking woman in Congress. I welcome her to discuss and honor Jeannette Rankin.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman so very much, and I am so inspired by the fact that the gentlewoman is the first woman to have given birth to three children while serving in Congress, also her service in her State legislature before and her role in leadership in this body. I just want to thank her very much for being a part of this. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence), my friend from the State to the north of Indiana, and would turn it over to her for any thoughts she might have celebrating 100 years of women in Congress.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Michigan for her work as vice chair of the bipartisan Women's Caucus. I also want to thank her so much for partnering with me and visiting a school in Detroit where my son was a student teacher. I will forever remember our partnership visiting with those kids at Davison Elementary and want to thank her for that.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. I now yield to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Mimi Walters), the other vice chair of the Women's Caucus, my friend.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from California for spending time with us and talking about the women who came before us who fought for equality, who fought for us, and women like Jeannette Rankin who actually fought so hard that she fought her way here before women had the right to vote in this country. Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman from California, too, has served in her State legislature, and I want to commend her for her service and being a role model for so many people in her State. Mr. Speaker, I yield to another gentlewoman from the State of California (Ms. Speier), who, in my time here in Congress, I have observed has fought on behalf of women and girls and has fought, in particular, with respect to issues involving sexual violence and other violence against women. I want to commend her for that work. Mr. Speaker, I would love to hear her thoughts on the 100 years of women in Congress.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California for sharing the trials and tribulations of a woman who came before us. As she said, as I look throughout our Chamber, the descriptions of her as grand and eloquent and deep-thinking really remind me of so many of the women who we serve with currently today. She certainly went through difficult elections and put herself in the arena which can be very difficult. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California for sharing that story, and I thank her for being here. I would like to welcome the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Black), my good friend, and actually the chair of the Budget Committee. I have long admired her career since joining the conference, and I just want to thank her for being here and look forward to anything she might share with us about her thoughts about women serving for 100 years here in Congress. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Tennessee for spending her time with us today. I think her story coming from, as she said, public housing, and I think over time because of education and because of opportunities in this country, and she started the business, she got her nursing degree, she started a business before coming here to Congress, served in her State Legislature as well, I know she is a mom, she is a grandmother, she has been an incredible voice here in the House, and she really does show that everything is possible in this country. Yet I really appreciate her acknowledging that we are standing on the shoulders of the women who came before us. I just want to thank the gentlewoman, and I know other women in Tennessee serve as well. The chair of my subcommittee, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, is serving as chair of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and there have just been terrific folks that have come from Tennessee.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Absolutely. As Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers mentioned, there needs to be a seat reserved at the table here in the House. And I certainly know that women on both sides of the aisle, like yourselves, are mentors to other women in other legislative bodies and in other elected offices, encouraging them to come to this body, and so I just want to thank you for that. We come from all parts of this country to talk about women here serving in the House over the last 100 years. While I come from the Midwest, we heard from the West Coast, Cathy McMorris Rodgers. We heard from the other Midwest Member, Brenda Lawrence from Michigan, the great State of California, but I don't think anyone comes as far to serve in the House of Representatives as the next Member I am about to introduce. Congresswoman Amata Coleman Radewagen joins us from American Samoa, so she represents a territory and travels tremendous distances to be here in this body each and every week that we are in session. I have really enjoyed getting to know you as a Member. With the beautiful reminder of the flower that you wear regularly here in this body, you remind us of the incredibly beautiful place from which you come and the proud people that you represent. I look forward to hearing your remarks. I yield to the gentlewoman from American Samoa (Mrs. Radewagen).

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I just want to commend the gentlewoman as well for being an incredible role model, not only for the young women of American Samoa, but for the young men of American Samoa because, as I have often said, we need to also bring along the young men to support young women who choose to run for office. I assume the gentlewoman had many of them in her election getting involved and helping her come to this place and be a voice for American Samoa. I know the gentlewoman's work on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, that she has continued to be a strong voice for the men and women of our armed services and veterans, and I want to thank her for that fine work. At this time, I welcome a new friend and a new colleague to talk about the women in Congress, someone whom I have just recently met, Congressman Raskin from the great State of Maryland. I welcome him to this body and to the Chamber and any thoughts that he might want to share. I know that he comes from the academic world prior to coming here, as a professor. And for anything the gentleman might want to share with us on his thoughts on women serving in Congress, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin).

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. I thank the gentleman for speaking out and for being here today. I think that we do have a long way to go. There are many initiatives that are being undertaken around the country. The gentleman's offer or suggestion of a multi-Member district is certainly not one that I am familiar with. I know that often our party organizations require it to have gender balance, certainly in political organizations many times. But that is certainly a concept that I am not familiar with. But I will say that, as a new Member of Congress, I think and am hopeful that, as you work in your committee work, you will meet the incredible women in the body who serve currently. We, both sides of the aisle, are constantly recruiting and asking more women to consider serving. Often, our State legislatures or city councils and other places are wonderful places to seek out women to continue to serve in office, and it is because of terrific colleagues like the gentleman who add so much. I know he is already adding to this body in a significant way, and I want to thank him for honoring Jeannette Rankin. Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk a little bit more, because it was 97 years ago that the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote. I want you to think about this once again. Jeannette Rankin was elected to Congress before she could even vote, before women had the right to vote. And can you imagine being elected before women across the country could really cast a ballot? That is pretty incredible and pretty historic. She had a vision that women in Congress would one day be equal to the number of men, their male colleagues. Now, unfortunately, 100 years later, we are still far short of that goal. The reality is that many women today are still making history by just running for elected office, just like Congresswoman Rankin did 100 years ago. As you may or may not know, I am the Congresswoman from the Fifth Congressional District of Indiana. I represent Hoosier communities in eight urban, suburban, and rural counties in central Indiana. What you may not know is that, when I was elected in 2012 along with my colleague Congresswoman Jackie Walorski, we were the first Republican women to represent the State of Indiana in Congress in more than 50 years. By running and winning, Jackie and I were making history for the Indiana Republican Party, and we joined a proud tradition of Hoosier women across both sides of the aisle who served our State in government roles at every level since our State's founding 200 years ago. It was in 1851 that women in Indiana, in response to the failure of an amendment to our State constitution to give married women equal rights to property, formed the Women's Rights Association of Indiana. This group worked for the next 70 years to achieve women's suffrage. It is important that women recognize the success of other women, because we didn't get here on our own, and encourage and support each other to break through those barriers. The women that have come before us have set the groundwork for us to continue building upon. Since winning the right to vote, seven women from Indiana have represented Indiana in Congress. That is only seven, and that includes me. I would like to highlight just some of the accomplishments of the Hoosier women who came before me. Virginia Ellis Jenckes was a widow who managed her late husband's farm on the Wabash River. Serving as her own campaign manager, and with her 19-year-old daughter as her driver, Jenckes logged 15,000 miles on a districtwide speaking tour before her election in 1933, unseating a 16-year veteran Congressman to become the first female to represent Indiana in Washington. In Congress, she advocated for stronger flood control measures, as well as for American farmers, veterans, and workers. In 1949, Representative Cecil Murray Harden became the first Republican woman elected to represent Indiana. She believed that women had an important role to play in politics. She famously said earlier in her career: ``The more interest you take in politics, the more you meet your responsibilities as a citizen.'' She served for five terms and pushed for more women to become engaged in and consider running for public office. And, in fact, I was pleased that her great-granddaughter was involved in my first run for office. In 1982, Representative Katie Hall became the first African-American woman from Indiana to be elected to Congress. Democratic Representative Hall supported measures to reduce unemployment, to address crime, family debt and bankruptcy, and alcohol and drug abuse. She is best remembered for introducing and working to enact legislation to make Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday a Federal holiday. The fourth female elected to represent our State in Congress, Representative Jill Long Thompson, earned the nickname ``Jill Longshot'' when she became the first woman to earn the nomination of a major party for a U.S. Senate seat in Indiana in 1986. Although her bid was unsuccessful, she went on to win a seat in the House in 1989. She served three terms in Congress, focusing on efforts to help Hoosier farmers. She continued this work first as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development under President Clinton and then as Board Chair and CEO of the Farm Credit Administration under President Obama. After nearly 20 years in the Indiana Legislature and as Center Township trustee, where she erased the city's welfare agency debt, Democratic Representative Julia Carson, the grandmother of our own colleague now, Congressman Andre Carson, was elected to represent our State capital city of Indianapolis. She was the first African American and first woman to represent the city in Congress, and she served for 12 years. A staunch and passionate advocate for the poor, she focused on helping people achieve financial literacy and supported working families. In 2013, Indiana sent two Republican women to Congress for the first time in more than 50 years. I am proud to be serving in Congress alongside my good friend, Representative Jackie Walorski. Born in South Bend, Jackie served our State as a member of the Indiana State House of Representatives and in Congress. She has been an advocate for commonsense solutions to growing our economy and strengthening our national security from the beginning. Hoosier women have certainly left their marks in America's history book, but as I stand here today, I am struck by, quite frankly, how much work we still have to do. Indiana is one of only 22 States that hasn't yet sent a female United States Senator to Washington. As you have heard today, 19.4 percent of the seats in the House and Senate are held by women. A lot has been accomplished by women like Representative Jeannette Rankin--four women in the past 100 years--and, today, I want to encourage all of us to consider how much further we can go in the next 100 years. I am pleased that another colleague, a freshman from the great State of Washington, is joining a previous Congresswoman, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, from the State of Washington, who was here earlier. I was pleased to meet Representative Jayapal at our first Women's Caucus meeting. I want to welcome the gentlewoman. The gentlewoman has been an incredibly strong advocate on behalf of women in her career prior to coming to Congress, representing Seattle and the surrounding area, and I would welcome a discussion. I want to welcome the gentlewoman as a new member in the freshman class. Many women have joined the gentlewoman in this freshman class. I want to welcome the gentlewoman to our celebration of 100 years of women in Congress.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. I thank the gentlewoman so very much for coming here today. I think the gentlewoman has reminded us that we are a body that reflects the country, and the gentlewoman, indicating that she was not born in this country, yet she is an incredible role model for so many young men and women. As I have said previously, I think it is important for the young men of this country, regardless of where they were born, who now live in this country, to see that women like the gentlewoman are a strong voice in this body. While the gentlewoman mentioned that there have been about 11,000 people who have served in this body, there have only been about 300 women. We have a long way to go. I also want to thank the gentlewoman for sharing her work with Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who has been in Congress serving this body, a female who has been here longer than any other female in this body. She does tremendous work. She has been chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and continues to be a strong--I assume the gentlewoman is serving with her on that committee.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. I think the gentlewoman helps demonstrate that very often we find colleagues, female colleagues across the aisle, to work on issues together, whether it is on legislation, cosponsoring legislation or co-leading legislation, whether it is leading discussion groups here in the House, or whether it is leading letters to the agency heads in the executive branch and letting them know that we stand together on those issues. So I look forward to working with the gentlewoman here in this body, and I want to thank the gentlewoman for her time and her thoughts. At this time, I would like to wrap up by sharing that we see that women have taken on leadership roles like all of the women who have spoken here during this past hour. In many ways, these women have all made history in their own rights in their communities, in their States, in their districts, and in this body. We should celebrate each of their accomplishments. As Cathy McMorris Rodgers from the great State of Washington said, we want to ensure that our daughters and our granddaughters have seats reserved at the tables, have seats here in this body in the future, and that eventually this body better reflects the composition of our country where, actually, more than 50 percent of our population is women. We need to do what we can to encourage women to continue to seek out leadership opportunities at all levels, whether it is working in student government in their schools, whether it is working in student government in their colleges and universities, whether it is having a leadership role in their church group, or whether it is having a leadership role in their neighborhood group or in their Y or in their 4-H. All of these things can help give them the skills to then go on, whether it is in their local communities, in city halls or in their local city councils or county councils, or in their neighborhood associations, or in State legislatures and then, really, coming to this body, because women do have strong, serious, and thoughtful voices. The women before us certainly had that. It was proud pioneers like Jeannette Rankin who came to this body before women had the right to vote. I want to continue to celebrate their accomplishments. The fact that women are still making history by participating in politics is a sign that we still have far to go. I want to thank all of the women and the gentleman from Maryland who participated in celebrating Jeannette Rankin. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the passion I have heard from colleagues on both sides of the aisle and from Hoosiers on all sides of this issue. The issue of health care is personal for people, and it should be. But today, health care isn't personal. Under ObamaCare, healthcare coverage has been a one-size-fits-all approach. I have heard from so many of my constituents in my more than 4 years in Congress about how ObamaCare has cost them and their families--lost doctors, higher premiums and deductibles, and a lack of options for coverage. As an example of just one of those Hoosiers, Lon told me his premiums and deductibles doubled last year when he lost his healthcare plan. He has had to change his insurance 3 times in 3 years. That is not how healthcare coverage should work. The American Health Care Act makes healthcare coverage more personal for every American. This bill empowers you, and every American, to choose the best health care for you and your family. It empowers our Governors and our State legislatures to meet the individual healthcare needs of their citizens, including the people struggling to make ends meet and the most vulnerable: the elderly, pregnant moms, kids, and people with disabilities. I applaud our Hoosier Governor Holcomb, who wrote a letter to Congress with other Governors from around the country who support this bill, he, too, believes it is in the best interest of Hoosiers. I agree and I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the American Health Care Act.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the retirement of Dr. Wilbur Williams from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana. Dr. Williams is a beloved member of the Indiana Wesleyan community, as well as the greater Marion community. Through his 50 years of teaching, he has taught over 17,000 students, led over a hundred trips to the Bible lands, and is an accomplished author. The people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for Dr. Wilbur Williams' commitment to educating the next generation of Indiana students to be knowledgeable, passionate, and active members of their community and the world. Born in Gas City, Indiana to William and Idelta Williams, Dr. Williams is a life-long Hoosier. He graduated from Fairmount High School and later attended Marion College, now Indiana Wesleyan, for his undergraduate studies. He married Ardelia Lee Williams, another beloved faculty member of Indiana Wesleyan, in 1953. After his undergraduate studies, Dr. Williams was a pastor at Sheridan Wesleyan Church in Sheridan, Indiana from 1953 to 1958. In 1957, during his time as pastor, Dr. Williams earned a Master of Science from Butler University. He then went on to become the Assistant General Manager of the Higley Press and Publishing Company from 1959 to 1960 then Plant Manager at the Economy Printing Concern from 1960 to 1961. Dr. Williams was then the Circulation Manager of the Christian Freedom Foundation from 1961 to 1966 as well as was the Editor of the Evangelical Sunday School commentary from 1960 through 1973. He earned his Master of Arts from New York University in 1965 and shortly thereafter, he came back home to Indiana and began his long career as an associate professor, teaching Old Testament and Archaeology, for Indiana Wesleyan University. Dr. Williams earned his Doctorate of Divinity from Oklahoma Wesleyan University in 1992. Dr. Williams is perhaps one of the most well-known professors in Indiana Wesleyan history. Many students have taken his course, Old Testament Survey, where he has been known to incorporate his 40 plus years' experience in Israel Archeological excavations into the material he teaches. Not only is he a long serving professor, he is beloved by his students. He has been elected ``Professor of the Year'' eight times, most recently in 2009 and 2010. Dr. Williams for many years taught for only a $1 annual salary, so that the money could be dedicated to maintain the Williams Prayer Chapel. The small Gothic-style chapel in the center of campus opened in August 2001, and is designed to provide a place of solitude for students to experience a moment of peace with the Lord amidst their busy schedules. Dr. Williams' wife, Ardelia Williams, who taught for many years within the Indiana Wesleyan Art Department, crafted all of the stained glass windows in the small sanctuary. In addition to Dr. Williams' time as a faculty member at Indiana Wesleyan, he has been active on Indian archaeological digs throughout the United States. He has been even more active on excavations in Israel and North Africa. He dug for over 40 years in such cities as Arad, Aphek, Jerusalem, Carthage, Lacbish, Megiddo, Jezreel and Hazor. In September of 2005, at the Indiana-Israel Dinner of State, Israel Bonds bestowed upon Dr. Williams the honor of ``Friend of Israel''. Governor Mitch Daniels, who was honorary co-chair of the dinner, also presented Williams a ``Distinguished Hoosier'' award. Altogether Dr. Williams has been to the Bible lands 156 times, nearly all of which have been to Israel. The Israeli Ministry of Tourism honored Dr. Williams for his many trips to the Holy Land, by presenting him with a sterling silver copy of a 1585 world map depicting Jerusalem as the center of the world. Dr. Williams is an accomplished author who has published many articles and three books: one of poetry titled, ``From Sand to Glass''; one on the Ten Commandments titled ``How To Find Your Maximum Happiness,'' and the other a Commentary on the book of Genesis. He is currently writing ``God's Grand Design and Satan's Counter Plan''. On behalf of all Hoosiers, I wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Williams for his many years in education, for his contributions to our Hoosier community, our nation, and the resilient nation of Israel. I want to congratulate Dr. Williams on his remarkable career and I wish the very best to Dr. Williams, to his wife Ardelia, and to their children and their families, in his well-deserved retirement.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a beloved and iconic member of the Hoosier community, William Hudnut III. Bill, who served as Mayor of Indianapolis from 1976 to 1992, passed away on December 17th, 2016 at the age of 84. Bill was a vibrant, enthusiastic, and passionate individual. His larger than life persona and animated approach to being Mayor will not soon be forgotten. He was a mentor to many and will be sorely missed by our community, but we will remember him forever through the spectacular legacy he left behind. Bill entered political life with his election to Congress in 1972. After which he served 16 years as Mayor of Indianapolis, making him the longest serving Mayor of Indianapolis. Through his time as Mayor he transformed Indianapolis into a dynamic metropolitan city and the amateur sports capital of the world. The people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for Bill's contributions to our Hoosier community, and it is my privilege to honor him today. Bill was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1932. He attended the Darrow School in New York for high school, and graduated from Princeton University as an undergraduate, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In 1957, he graduated with a Master's Degree in Theology from the Union Theological Seminary in New York, and, like his father and grandfather before him, Bill became an ordained clergyman. At the age of 30, Bill first became a Hoosier when he moved to Indianapolis and began work as the senior pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. He served as Senior Pastor from 1964 to 1972, during which time he became interested in politics. In the 1972 Republican primary for Indiana's 11th Congressional District, Bill defeated future Congressman Dan Burton and went on to win the general election against four-term Congressman Andrew Jacobs, Jr. During his term in the 93rd Congress, he was an original sponsor of seventeen bills and a cosponsor of 179 bills, five of which became law. He was a true statesman focused on good governance with dedication toward bipartisan solutions. After his time in Congress he came home to Indianapolis to run for, and serve in, the office of Mayor. Bill's interest in politics came from his passion for helping his community and his belief that politics was where he could make the greatest change for his community. As Mayor he aimed to generate job growth, improve infrastructure, and develop projects to attract businesses to downtown Indianapolis. He aimed to not only draw businesses back downtown, but to bring back many citizens who had previously fled to the suburbs. Through his dedicated efforts to revitalize the city, he made Indianapolis a more attractive place to live and to do business. Over his tenure from 1976 to 1992, he oversaw more than 30 building projects, including renovations and expansions to Monument Circle, Indianapolis Union Station, the Indiana University School of Medicine, and the Indiana Convention Center. Many office buildings were constructed, and companies such as Eli Lilly and Company and American United Life committed to stay in Indianapolis. In addition to spurring on local business, he also made unequalled contributions to Indiana's sports culture. He retained the NBA's Pacers, which were on the brink of failing if not for the efforts of Bill and others. He built the Hoosier Dome, hopeful that the infrastructure and investment would bring Indianapolis a national football team. Ultimately, he was able to bring home the Indianapolis Colts. He was also able to draw the Pan American Games to Indiana, bringing the world's eyes to Indiana and shining the International spotlight on Indianapolis. The Pan American Games had 38 nations represented by over 4,000 competing athletes. Bill was also instrumental in founding the Indiana Sports Corp, a nonprofit organization that has brought Indianapolis numerous sporting events that include the 1982 National Sports Festival, the 1991 World Gymnastics Championships, 19 Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournaments, 10 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournaments, recently the 2012 Superbowl, and many other events. The Indiana Sports Corp has cemented Bill's legacy and continued to realize his vision of Indianapolis as a sporting destination. Bill helped put Indianapolis on the world map and paved the way for the city to be the sporting and convention destination that it is today. Bill's work was not only greatly appreciated by Hoosiers but also recognized and awarded by his peers. He was the president of the National League of Cities and a member of their board for over twenty years. In 1988, Bill was named City & State magazine's Nation's Most Valuable Public Official. In 1985, he earned the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns and in 1986, a Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service. Bill leaves behind a larger than life legacy that is fitting for someone with his larger than life personality. In his time as Mayor, he revitalized downtown Indianapolis, transforming it into a world class city by changing it from what he called ``India-NO-place'' to ``India- SHOW-place.'' Many can fondly remember his booming voice, his uncommon approach to being Mayor, his fun antics like dressing up as a Leprechaun for a St. Patrick's Day parade, and his vivacious personality. He dedicated his life to public service through his time as a pastor, his time in Congress and through his time as Mayor of Indianapolis. Bill will be remembered for his amazing compassion, charismatic and warm personality, as well as his unparalleled love for the city he served. I feel fortunate to have known him, and I know that his legacy lives on through the great contributions he made to Indianapolis, to Indiana, and to the country. On behalf of Indiana's Fifth District, I offer my condolences to his wife Beverly, the entire Hudnut family, and all who mourn his loss and cherish his memory.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. John C. Lechleiter on the occasion of his retirement. Through his tenacious and determined leadership at Lilly's helm and through his compassionate engagement with our community, Dr. Lechleiter has brought about positive growth to our Hoosier home. The people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for Dr. Lechleiter's dedication to our Hoosier community. Although born in Louisville, Kentucky, Dr. Lechleiter has lived and worked in Indiana for decades. He joined Eli Lilly in 1979 as a senior organic chemist in process research and development after earning his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Xavier University and his master's and doctoral degrees in organic chemistry from Harvard University. He became head of the process research and development department in 1982, and in 1984, he began serving as director of pharmaceutical product development for the Lilly Research Centre Limited in Windlesham, England. He later held roles in project management, regulatory affairs, product development, and pharma operations. Dr. Lechleiter was named President and COO of Eli Lilly in 2005, was named CEO in 2008 and was subsequently appointed Chairman of the board in 2009. In his eight years as CEO, Dr. Lechleiter has demonstrated key strategic leadership abilities and tireless efforts to ensure the growth and success of one of Indiana's largest employers. His outstanding leadership was not only good for Lilly and Indiana's economy but also for the economic well- being of so many families in our community. His unwavering commitment to Lilly's mission to make medicines that help people live longer, healthier, and lead more active lives, as well as the commitment to make significant contributions to humanity by improving global health in the 21st century, has supported the flourishing biosciences industry and Indiana STEM jobs. Under Dr. Lechleiter's leadership, Lilly has helped make Indiana a leading state, number two in the nation, in the life sciences exports. Since the company's inception more than 140 years ago, Lilly has been devoted to discovering, developing, and improving new and better pharmaceuticals. Under Dr. Lechleiter's leadership, Lilly continued to achieve its vision of contributing to humanity and improving modern healthcare. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Eli Lilly and Company has had a positive impact throughout the state of Indiana. The Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, created in 1968, is dedicated to improving the lives of those lacking the resources to obtain quality healthcare and strengthening education in math and science for underserved students. The Lilly Foundation has given more than $15.7 million to Indiana organizations, and Lilly employees have given more than $19.6 million to charitable organizations. Lilly does $819 million in business with over 700 Indiana vendors. Lilly employees work to create an impact on the world by discovering and creating life-changing medicines; improving-the understanding and management of disease, and giving back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. This philosophy of giving and commitment to the community has been canied down through management from Colonel Eli Lilly to Dr. Lechleiter. And Dr. Lechleiter's own personal dedication to charitable work and emphasis on sustainable giving has greatly improved our community's long term growth and development. Under his leadership, Eli Lilly has shown progress year after year in diversity initiatives and through his insistence to make diversity of his scientific workforce a priority, Lilly climbed Diversitylnc's Top 50 list. Lilly's corporate philosophy rests on the belief that the employees are the company's most valuable assets. Indeed Dr. Lechleiter's dedication to this principle has made an impact through the Lilly community, he is known for his enthusiasm to take on any problem none too small for his attention. His friends, his colleagues, and our community have benefited from his sincere regard for his employees, his hands on approach to sustainable giving, and dedicated community involvement. Dr. Lechleiter's passion for, and dedication to, the biosciences industry clearly shows in his award winning work throughout the years. In 2014, he was named as the August M. Watanabe Life Sciences Champion of the Year for his vital support as one of the original organizers of the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute. BioCrossroads presents the Watanabe Award annually to an individual or organization that has facilitated the development and promotion of Indiana's life sciences. Dr. Lechleiter stated the importance of bringing together industry and research universities in a new, industry-led research institute that would bring entrepreneurial success as well as world-class talent to Indiana. His efforts to engage all sectors across the broader community have pushed Indiana forward to become a national leader in the biosciences industry. Additionally, he was awarded the inaugural Global Health Partner Award from Project HOPE in 2012, and he received the 2015 International Citizen of the Year Award from the International Center of Indianapolis, Indiana. John and his wife Sarah have just recently been named as the winner of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee's 2016 Charles L. Whistler Award. This annual award recognizes individuals who, outside the regular duties of their chosen professions have brought together the public and private sectors for civic improvement in Indianapolis. This award recognizes the great commitment John and Sarah have made to early childhood education and their dedication to helping the advancement of our young people through early education. He has received Honorary Doctorates from Marian University, the University of Indianapolis, the National University of Ireland, Indiana University, Franklin College, and Purdue University. In addition to his work at Lilly, Dr. Lechleiter is also a member of multiple boards and councils. Dr. Lechleiter is a member of the American Chemical Society and Business Roundtable. He is chairman of the U.S.--Japan Business Council, United Way Worldwide, and the United Way of Central Indiana, the Central Indiana Community Foundation, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and the Indiana Repertory Theater. He also serves on the boards of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, PhRMA, the Chemical Heritage Foundation, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, Nike, Inc., and Ford Motor Company. During his time at Lilly, Dr. Lechleiter upheld and expanded Lilly's devotion to producing high-quality pharmaceuticals and giving back to the community. Lilly employs more than 11,000 people in the state of Indiana and more than 42,000 people across the globe. Lilly medicines serve countless doctors and more importantly patients around the world. Through Dr Lechleiter's guidance and resolute leadership, great good has been done for the people of Indiana and the larger world. On behalf of the citizens of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District, I would like to congratulate Dr. Lechleiter on his outstanding career at Eli Lilly and Company and wish all the best to him and his wife Sarah and their children Andrew, Daniel and Elizabeth and their families as they start the next exciting chapter their lives.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of our home State's bicentennial. I want to thank the gentleman from Indiana's Fourth Congressional District for organizing this very meaningful celebration of our State's 200 years. I want to thank him for his leadership here in the House, representing not only the Fourth District, but all Hoosiers so very proudly, and in your time as secretary of state, where you served throughout our State. I really appreciate the fact that you and your staff put the time and effort in to making these last minutes on the House floor possible as we close out the 114th Congress. I want to specifically highlight a little bit of the history of the Fifth District, which I represent, but more importantly, how that history informs, inspires, and ignites our future. Since we became a State in 1816, Indiana has transformed again and again, growing and evolving into the strong and thriving State it is today. I want to talk with you about Conner Prairie in my district. Conner Prairie has grown up with the State. What started as a log cabin in the early 1800s by the White River has grown into a stately brick home that has served as the seat of early Hamilton County government. It is now an interactive history museum and park, and recently it has been recognized as the only Smithsonian affiliate in Indiana. It is a leading innovator in the history museum field, with more than 360,000 visitors each year. In 1800, William Conner settled in Indiana to become a fur trader. He and his Lenape Indian spouse and their six children lived in that first log cabin on the property. In 1818, Conner played a pivotal role as interpreter and liaison for the Treaty of St. Mary's, in which the Delaware Tribe ceded lands in central Indiana for those west of the Mississippi River. The Lenape Tribe, including Conner's wife and children, left Indiana, but Conner decided to stay. In 1823, he and his second wife, Elizabeth, built a beautiful brick home on a hill overlooking land that came to be known as Conner Prairie. This home served as the seat of Hamilton County government and the local post office in the early days of the county's founding. In 1934, Colonel Eli Lilly, then the president of the pharmaceutical company that he founded, which remains today in Indianapolis, Indiana, purchased Conner Prairie and the old brick home in hopes of restoring it and opening it to the public. Lilly believed that history and its preservation were cornerstones of American democracy. He wanted Conner Prairie to be a place where people could connect with their history and see their heritage brought to life. Little did he realize that his idea would be so vividly brought to life in modern-day Conner Prairie. Growing from the site of occasional historical reenactments, Conner Prairie blossomed into a living history museum that transports visitors back to the Hoosier frontier and invites them to see life in Indiana in 1836. Prairietown, an immersive exhibit where people, animals, buildings, objects, and daily routines remain just as they were 180 years ago, was just the beginning. In addition to the Prairietown exhibit, Conner Prairie has expanded its historical experience to now include an 1859 Balloon Voyage--the gentleman from Indiana's Fourth District, who loves to fly, I hope he has tried the balloon voyage; it is really remarkable--as well as an 1863 Civil War Journey and a Lenape Indian Camp. In addition, visitors to Conner Prairie today can see how innovations in math, science, technology, and engineering have shaped our history, and how these vital and growing industries will shape our State's future and are shaping the State of Indiana. Students and children can build planes, create an electrical circuit or radio, construct a windmill, or invent their own products, which they then attempt to patent. I agree with Colonel Lilly that history is a cornerstone of our democracy. I believe that Conner Prairie is an incredible realization of the idea that history plays a pivotal role in our future. In fact, Conner Prairie, William Conner, and the Conner family is one of the reasons that we named our son Conner and why we spell his name with an ``e.'' In fact, he happens to be in the balcony of the Chamber today. I am very pleased that he is here with us to learn more about our State's incredible history and the history of his own name. The brick house that Colonel Lilly purchased in the 1930s still stands, and its renovation was an Indiana Bicentennial Project. As Indiana celebrates its bicentennial and in the many years to come, the many places just like Conner Prairie will always help Hoosiers find their heritage, understand our history, and, most importantly, ignite the future. Happy birthday to Indiana and all Hoosiers.