Susan Brooks

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and could not make votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 418. Stated against:

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Cathedral High School in celebration of its 100th anniversary. The people of Indiana's 5th Congressional District are forever grateful for Cathedral High School's commitment to preparing all students to be successful, competent, concerned, responsible, and ethical members of society. It is a pleasure to congratulate Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Indiana in celebration of this special occasion. Cathedral has been an integral part of the Indianapolis community since its founding by the Indianapolis Catholic Diocese on September 13, 1918. Founded as an all boys Catholic high school, Cathedral has seen tremendous growth, from 90 students in 1918 to nearly 1,200 today. Originally on the second floor of Cathedral Grade School at 13th and Pennsylvania, the school moved in 1927 to 14th and Meridian, where it stayed for 50 years. Today the school operates under the direction of the Cathedral Trustees, Inc. as an independent private institution located at 56th Street and Emerson Way. In 1976, girls were integrated into the student body for the first time. Today, Cathedral is a premier Catholic high school in the Holy Cross tradition. The school draws students from Marion County and nine other central Indiana counties. Before attending Cathedral, students attended approximately 130 different schools. According to its mission, Cathedral ``transforms a diverse group of students spiritually, intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically to have the competence to see and the courage to act.'' This mission is carried out both in and out of the classroom by students, parents, teachers, administrators, and coaches through various academic programs and over 120 co-curricular activities. The Fighting Irish have a long history of excellence earning over 60 state championships across all their sports teams. With a 13:1 student-teacher ratio, Cathedral has a highly personalized, faith-based approach to learning. This approach has resulted in 100 percent of graduating seniors being accepted into colleges and universities across the country. Cathedral's commitment to its students and their success was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in 1988, 2004 and again in 2016, when Cathedral earned the distinction as a ``Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.'' The school's personalized approach to education has made Cathedral home to a robust alumni network, with previous graduates numbering among some of the most accomplished business, community, government, and religious leaders in the state and country. These graduates strive to distinguish themselves as scholars, servant leaders and role models who are culturally competent, engaged in the global society, sound in mind and body and spiritually active. It is important to our nation's future to encourage and raise a new generation of Americans who have the skills, knowledge, and compassion to succeed both in and out of the classroom. Students like those at Cathedral give me hope that we will accomplish this vital mission. Their outstanding work is an inspiration to students, educators and parents across the nation. Congratulations on 100 years of excellence in the academic and religious education of Indiana high school students.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, the opioid and heroin crisis continues to hit Hoosiers hard. Sadly, we haven't turned the tide yet. It is robbing the futures of Americans in every State in our Nation. We must support those battling addiction. I have met with so many Hoosiers battling addiction. I visited treatment centers and recovery houses like the La Verna Lodge for men and Ohana House Sober Living for women. I have talked with addicts and those battling addiction about what is working and what is not working with different recovery options. Passing the strong bipartisan bill before us today is critically important. It will help ensure that more people have better access to treatments, and we can try to save more lives across this country.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Evan Hansen, a senior at Wabash College who ended his life on September 10. Evan epitomized compassion, charity, and loving his neighbor. He was the kind of young man who made customers feel special when he greeted them personally while working at Joe's Butcher store in Carmel. His parents, Chuck and Mary, have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love they have received from friends at home and from overseas. He had studied abroad, making lasting friendships from people all around the world. Evan was admired by his teammates as the captain of the Wabash football team. While he was tough as nails on the football field, he was truly as caring as Mother Teresa off the field. He organized the summer lunch program for children in need at his church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. He was always ready to lend a hand to someone in need or offer his smile to friends and strangers. He planned on attending Marian University's nursing program next year. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. It is my hope we can remove the stigma of mental health issues so that all of us can help people like Evan who believe their only way to finding peace is by making a decision that can never be undone.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6378) to reauthorize certain programs under the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to public health security and all-hazards preparedness and response, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the Record on the bill.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2018, known as PAHPA. I am proud to have introduced this important bill with Energy and Commerce Chairman Greg Walden, Ranking Member Frank Pallone, and my good friend Representative Eshoo, who is one of the original authors of the 2006 PAHPA bill and lead author of the last reauthorization in 2013. This bipartisan public health and national security effort will ensure our Nation is better prepared to respond to natural disasters like hurricanes; emerging infectious diseases like Zika and Ebola; and chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attacks, whether from terrorist groups or from nation-states. Seventeen years ago, Congress was the target of a biological attack when letters laced with anthrax arrived in Member offices just days or soon after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In the aftermath of 9/11, the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense was formed. It was led by bipartisan leaders: former Senator Joe Lieberman, former Governor Tom Ridge, and many others. In October 2015, after extensive discussions around the country where they learned from experts, they created their ``National Blueprint for Biodefense,'' which provided us with a roadmap in drafting this important legislation. I was the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana during those 2001 anthrax attacks, and my own office dealt with an anthrax hoax when we received a letter with white powder inside. Of course, at the time, we didn't know it was a hoax. It was incredibly stressful for that staff member, who had to worry about their very own health. But that personal experience illustrated to me the importance of preparedness and sparked my interest in biodefense. In the years since then, we know that the threat of a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear incident continues to grow. Every day, our adversaries are looking for more effective and faster ways to reduce the threat. It is not really a question of if we face the threat. It is a question of when. Thanks to PAHPA and the 21st Century Cures Act, we are more prepared than ever for biological threats and attacks. In July of just this last year, the FDA approved the first drug to treat smallpox. It is called TPOXX. But TPOXX isn't the only recent approval at the FDA. In July, the FDA also approved an autoinjector that provides a one-time dose of an antidote to block effects of a nerve agent. This new antidote and TPOXX will help protect Americans from biological attacks. But PAHPA is much more than just a biodefense bill. It also ensures a coordinated healthcare response, whether to hurricanes or other natural disasters. Florence has just hit the East Coast and residents in both North and South Carolina are still recovering and dealing with ongoing flooding. During the 2017 hurricane season, whether it was Hurricane Harvey, Irma, Jose, or Maria, far too many Americans were killed. It showed us that we need to do better to prioritize the needs of every person in our communities. The PAHPA bill we are considering today does just that. It prioritizes our Nation's most vulnerable populations: our children, senior citizens, and those with disabilities. It reauthorizes the advisory committee focused on the specific needs of children and creates new advisory committees to ensure the needs of the elderly and those with disabilities are considered. The bill provides liability protections for healthcare professionals who volunteer after medical disasters. In addition to these types of Good Samaritan provisions, the bill ensures more healthcare professionals like nurses, doctors, and others can be hired and trained when facing a public health crisis by strengthening our National Disaster Medical System, which provides grants to our regional healthcare network. It also ensures we have a robust supply of vaccines and basic equipment like gloves, hazmat suits, masks, personal protective gear, and more in our strategic national stockpiles located all across the country, so that our healthcare professionals and first responders have what they need. PAHPA ensures our preparedness and response capabilities will include a robust pipeline of medical countermeasures by reauthorizing and increasing funding for the BioShield Special Reserve Fund and BARDA, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. BARDA's work over the last decade has resulted in FDA approvals for more than 42 different medical countermeasures. The development of medical countermeasures is a lengthy and often risky endeavor, which is why sending a clear signal that BARDA remains a strong and committed partner with academic institutions and the private sector in these efforts is so very important. Last week, we saw even another example of a success of research funded by BARDA when FDA approved a product called ReCell, the first spray-on skin product ever approved for use in the United States. This new treatment will help treat burn victims so they can heal faster and with less risk of infection from painful skin grafts. By using a piece of a patient's skin about the size of a credit card, a doctor can turn it into a single cell-based solution that can be sprayed over the patient's burns so that new skin can grow and replace the damaged skin. These types of investments BARDA is making into innovative research are critical, but it is also important that we continue to address threats that have been around for years. It has been 100 years since the 1918 pandemic influenza killed millions of people around the globe, including 675,000 Americans. Some experts predict that we are actually due for the potential of another global pandemic influenza. To address that threat, the bill we are considering today authorizes $250 million for the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the ASPR, to address threats like pandemic influenza. Specifically, the bill directs the ASPR to work to increase manufacturing capacity and stockpile medical countermeasures. While the PAHPA bill we are considering today authorizes funding for research into known threats like pandemic influenza, it also maintains the flexibility that is the foundation of our medical countermeasure enterprise to deal with unknown threats for which we may have no defense today. Even today, the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to deal with an ongoing Ebola outbreak. In order to ensure we are better prepared when we face an outbreak like Ebola or Zika, the bill we are considering today does three important things. First, it improves the existing emergency response fund so that the Secretary of Health and Human Services does not have to wait on approval from Congress to immediately fund response measures needed to contain an outbreak and save lives. This emergency response fund will create a bridge so that immediate funding is available, so we can then supplement with an emergency appropriations bill later. Secondly, the bill requires GAO to conduct a review of the emergency response fund to help appropriators decide what funding levels and resources are needed. The third thing the bill does to help address threats like Ebola and Zika is to authorize $250 million in funding for an emerging infectious disease program so that BARDA can invest in new research. The PAHPA bill reauthorization we are considering is the process of months of committee work in both the House and the Senate, and I want to thank all the staff members and all of the organizations, everyone who has been involved, and all the Members who have participated, whether it is subcommittee or committee hearings on this bill, examining our response to threats. I thank everyone involved for their dedication and commitment to making sure we have the procedures, resources, and support in place to protect our fellow citizens from public health and national security threats. I can't emphasize enough how critically important it is to reauthorize PAHPA. We have a duty as Members of Congress to keep Americans safe and secure. This bill is an essential component of accomplishing that goal. I urge all Members to support this critical bipartisan piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters from many organizations that support the bill. Adult Vaccine Access Coalition, July 23, 2018. Hon. Susan W. Brooks, Member of Congress, Washington, DC. Hon. Anna Eshoo, Member of Congress, Washington, DC. Dear Representatives Brooks and Eshoo: On behalf of the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC), we are pleased to express our support for bipartisan legislation that recently passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee, ``Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act (PAHPA) of 2018''. AVAC includes more than fifty organizational leaders in health and public health who are committed to raising awareness of and engaging in advocacy on the importance of adult immunization. AVAC priorities and objectives are driven by a consensus process with the goal of enabling stakeholders to have a voice in the effort to improve access to and utilization of adult immunizations. The bipartisan reauthorization of the PAHPA provides improvements to key preparedness and response programs, enhances personnel and hiring authorities, as well as prioritizes cybersecurity in health care and provides necessary resources for the development of medical countermeasures for pandemic influenza and emerging infectious diseases. We are delighted the Managers' Amendment included references to immunization programs and immunization information systems under Section 319D. These additions will help to strengthen and enhance coordination and integrate immunization programs and immunization information systems (IIS) capabilities into public health emergency preparedness, planning, and response activities. Immunization Information Systems (IIS), or registries, confidential, population-based, computerized systems can record immunization doses administered by participating providers to persons residing within a given jurisdiction. They provide state and local public health agencies aggregate data on immunization coverage rates for disease surveillance and program operations. IIS' can serve as a vital component for emergency preparedness and response activities and are an optimal tool for use during a pandemic or other emerging infectious disease event by enabling communication with providers, identifying variations in access and utilization of immunization, and enabling implementation of targeted strategies during emergency preparedness and response activities. Congratulations on putting together a strong, bipartisan reauthorization package that reflects many of the important priorities shared by stakeholders. We look forward to working with you throughout the process to enact the 2018 Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act. Sincerely, Lisa Foster, AVAC Manager. Abby Bownas, AVAC Manager.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC, September 24, 2018. Hon. Greg Walden, Chairman, Committee on Energy & Commerce, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Walden: I write concerning H.R. 6378, the ``Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2018''. This legislation includes matters that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Homeland Security. In order to expedite floor consideration of H.R. 6378, the Committee on Homeland Security will forgo action on this bill. However, this is conditional on our mutual understanding that forgoing consideration of the bill would not prejudice the Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bill or similar legislation that fall within the Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. I request you urge the Speaker to name members of the Committee to any conference committee names to consider such provisions. Please place a copy of this letter and your response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest in the Congressional Record during House Floor consideration of the bill. I look forward to working with the Committee on Energy and Commerce as the bill moves through the legislative process. Sincerely, Michael T. McCaul, Chairman.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden), the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess), the subcommittee chair for the Subcommittee on Health.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), who also serves on the Subcommittee on Health.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I would like to particularly thank Dr. Burgess and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health, Gene Green, for their leadership in working with so many of us who have brought this legislation to the floor at this time. It is really so very critical that all relevant Federal agencies, particularly the leadership of CDC and the ASPR, work together with our local and State partners that are truly on the ground; and I certainly urge my colleagues to pass this important piece of legislation not only to ensure that public health is of paramount importance in this country, but, also, because this is an incredibly important piece of national security legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I include the following letters in the Record. Health Industry Distributors Association, July 17, 2018. Hon. Greg Walden, Chairman, House Energy and Commerce Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Susan Brooks, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Frank Pallone, Ranking Member, House Energy and Commerce Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Anna Eshoo, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Walden, Ranking Member Pallone, Congresswoman Brooks and Congresswoman Eshoo: On behalf of the Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA), we appreciate the opportunity to express our support for H.R. 6378, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2018 (PAHPAI). HIDA commends you for your leadership on this issue and appreciates the active engagement of your staff with industry to incorporate lessons learned from recent events such as Ebola and the 2017 hurricane season, in H.R. 6378, to continually improve our nation's preparedness capabilities. HIDA is the trade association representing medical products distributors, all of which deliver medical products and supplies, manage logistics, and offer customer services to more than 294,000 points of care. HIDA members primarily distribute items used in every day medical services and procedures, ranging from gauze and gloves to diagnostic laboratory tests. Their customers include over 210,000 physician offices, 6,500 hospitals, and 44,000 nursing home and extended care facilities throughout the country, as well as numerous federal agencies and their healthcare facilities. As you know, the medical supply chain plays a critical role in preparedness, as it supplies key infection prevention products and protective equipment such as respirators, face shields, hoods, impermeable gowns and gloves to first responders and health care providers. Additionally, the medical supply chain is the primary source for the diagnostic and point-of-care rapid tests needed to identify infectious disease, as well as the ancillary products such as gloves, needles and syringes needed to deliver medical countermeasures effectively. HIDA and its members have collaborated with federal agencies on identifying opportunities to improve coordination and develop solutions that create more elasticity in the supply chain for key products. One of the many lessons learned during the 2017 hurricane season was a considerable need to improve coordination during an emergency response, ensuring appropriate infrastructure partners are included in a prioritization process for access to affected areas after an event. We appreciate the Committees' acknowledgement of the importance of this issue in the legislation, as well as the recognition of the healthcare supply chain in H.R. 6378. Specifically, we support the following: Section 101 provisions important to the healthcare supply chain including The value of public and private sector coordination during an event to ensure critical supplies are delivered and information is shared. The requirement that ancillary products needed to deliver a medical countermeasure are incorporated into the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasure Enterprise planning process. Section 319C-3 provisions that create a regional healthcare system plan and that it be communicated to supply chain partners so needed product can be redirected during a response. HIDA thanks you for your continued commitment to preparedness and look forward to working with you on H.R. 6378. Sincerely, Linda Rouse O'Neill, Vice President, Government Affairs, Health Industry Distributors Association.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I include the following letters in the Record. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC, July 23, 2018. Hon. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington,

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I include the following letters in the Record. Cerus, Concord, CA, July 17, 2018. Hon. Greg Walden, Chairman, House Energy and Commerce Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Frank Pallone, Ranking Member, House Energy & Commerce Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, Dear Chairman Walden and Ranking Member Pallone: As you review and deliberate over H.R. 6378, the Pandemic and All- Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2018, we wanted to provide our support for the efforts in the legislation to preserve and protect the nation's blood supply--especially in a public health emergency. As you know, the American public expects the nation's blood supply is safe and available every day, but especially in situations of natural or man-made disasters. Blood transfusions can be lifesaving measures, but this depends on our collective ability to ensure the safety and availability of the blood supply. Though the danger of transfusion- transmitted infections has decreased in recent years due to improved blood testing for specific pathogens such as HIV and hepatitis, these tests do not detect the presence of all viruses, bacteria, and parasites known to contaminate blood donations. In 2015 at the height of the Zika epidemic in Puerto Rico, the FDA released guidance calling for the use of blood treatment pathogen reduction technology as an option to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmission of Zika. This pathogen reduction technology helped ensure that very ill patients would have adequate access to safe blood and that they would not contract Zika virus infection from their therapeutic blood transfusions. Section 116 is critical to ensuring the blood collection community, in concert with the Department of Health and Human Services, begins to cohesively examine the challenges with preserving capacity in the nation's blood supply for major emergency care, addressing issues like recruiting sufficient donors to ensure the adequacy of the current supply to meet public health emergencies and implementation of innovative and best safety practices. The inclusion of blood banks in Section 203 is also critical for ensuring the blood banking community has an opportunity to engage along with hospitals, health care facilities, public agencies and others to provide input into our nation's new ``Healthcare Preparedness and it Response Program.'' The inclusion of blood banks is critical in providing feedback on the financial implications for the program as the industry faces many challenges in ensuring a transfusion-ready blood supply. I sincerely appreciate the time and effort that both of you, your fellow Committee members and the staff have placed in drafting, reviewing, and deliberation over H.R. 6378. I look forward to continuing to work with all of you in supporting our nation's ability to respond in public health emergencies. Sincerely, Dr. Laurence Corash, MD Chief Scientific Officer, Cerus.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I include the following letters in the Record. July 18, 2018. Hon. Susan Brooks, Washington, DC. Hon. Anna Eshoo, Washington, DC. Dear Representatives Brooks and Eshoo: I am writing on behalf of Roche Diagnostics Corporation in support of H.R. 6378, Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2018. Congratulations on advancing this legislation out of the Energy and Commerce Committee. We applaud your efforts in improving the nation's overall preparedness and response capabilities. We especially appreciate the Committee's recognition that diagnostics can play a key role in responding to public health and medical emergencies. We look forward to continuing to work with you as this legislation advances in Congress. Sincerely, Russell C. Ring, Vice President, Government Affairs, Roche Diagnostics Corporation.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Cathedral High School in celebration of its 100th anniversary. The people of Indiana's 5th Congressional District are forever grateful for Cathedral High School's commitment to preparing all students to be successful, competent, concerned, responsible, and ethical members of society. It is a pleasure to congratulate Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Indiana in celebration of this special occasion. Cathedral has been an integral part of the Indianapolis community since its founding by the Indianapolis Catholic Diocese on September 13, 1918. Founded as an all boys Catholic high school, Cathedral has seen tremendous growth, from 90 students in 1918 to nearly 1,200 today. Originally on the second floor of Cathedral Grade School at 13th and Pennsylvania, the school moved in 1927 to 14th and Meridian, where it stayed for 50 years. Today the school operates under the direction of the Cathedral Trustees, Inc. as an independent private institution located at 56th Street and Emerson Way. In 1988, girls were integrated into the student body for the first time. Today, Cathedral is a premier Catholic high school in the Holy Cross tradition. The school draws students from Marion County and nine other central Indiana counties. Before attending Cathedral, students attended approximately 130 different schools. According to its mission, Cathedral ``transforms a diverse group of students spiritually, intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically to have the competence to see and the courage to act.'' This mission is carried out both in and out of the classroom by students, parents, teachers, administrators, and coaches through various academic programs and over 120 co-curricular activities. The Fighting Irish have a long history of excellence earning over 60 state championships across all their sports teams. With a 13:1 student-teacher ratio, Cathedral has a highly personalized, faith-based approach to learning. This approach has resulted in 100 percent of graduating seniors being accepted into colleges and universities across the country. Cathedral's commitment to its students and their success was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in 1988, 2004 and again in 2016, when Cathedral earned the distinction as a ``Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.'' The school's personalized approach to education has made Cathedral home to a robust alumni network, with previous graduates numbering among some of the most accomplished business, community, government, and religious leaders in the state and country. These graduates strive to distinguish themselves as scholars, servant leaders and role models who are culturally competent, engaged in the global society, sound in mind and body and spiritually active. It is important to our nation's future to encourage and raise a new generation of Americans who have the skills, knowledge, and compassion to succeed both in and out of the classroom. Students like those at Cathedral give me hope that we will accomplish this vital mission. Their outstanding work is an inspiration to students, educators and parents across the nation. Congratulations on 100 years of excellence in the academic and religious education of Indiana high school students.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of the late Professor Lawrence A. Jegen III, a pillar of the Indianapolis community and an outstanding teacher and mentor. For 56 years, Professor Jegen served as the Thomas F. Sheehan Professor of Tax Law and Policy at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, and was an active member of the legal community. The people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for Professor Jegen's commitment to providing his law students with an outstanding education and for his significant contributions to the state of Indiana and the nation. Although he was a Chicago native, Professor Jegen was a long time Hoosier, dedicating more than five decades of service to Indiana University (IU) and his law students. A 1956 graduate of Beloit College, Professor Jegen earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and literature. He later attended the University of Michigan receiving his Juris Doctor in 1959 and a Masters of Business Administration in accounting in 1960. His passion for knowledge led him to New York University, where he received a Master of Laws (LL.M) in taxation in 1963. Professor Jegen began his career as an Assistant Professor of Law in 1962. He later became the Special Counsel for the Indiana Department Revenue in 1963 before becoming a full Professor of Law at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 1966. During his tenure, he served on Governor Edgar Whitcomb's Commission on Medical Education in 1970 while teaching taxation, estate planning, and philanthropy. Professor Jegen is best remembered for his love of tax law and his dedication to his students, both prior to and following graduation. I am so fortunate to have been one of those students. He saw the greatness within all his pupils and found fulfillment in helping them grow. With a proven record as an exceptional leader, Professor Jegen was appointed by the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to the Commissioner's Advisory Committee in 1981. For his work, he received nine certificates of recognition from the IRS for contributions to the education of IRS personnel. Professor Jegen was a driving force behind the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), helping to draft the bill and testifying before Congress. After the bill's passage in 1974, he attended the signing ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House at the invitation of President Gerald Ford. ERISA remains an important tax and labor act of legislation today, becoming the underpinning of current pension and 401(k) plans. Professor Jegen also co-founded the Indiana Bar Review, the official bar exam review course of the Indianapolis Bar Association. This program is specifically designed to prepare future Indiana lawyers to practice Indiana law. Here he conducted over 400 bar review tax lectures spanning more than 35 years. Ever dedicated to education, he later co-founded the Annual Tax Institute for Colleges and Universities with Stewart T. Cobine, which educated thousands of lawyers and accountants from 1994 to 2010. A testament to an outstanding career, Professor Jegen was honored with numerous awards and accolades. He was awarded the President's Distinguished Teaching Award from IU President John Ryan in 1987 and the Teaching Excellence Recognition Award from the IU Board of Trustees in 1997. He notably received the Thomas Hart Benton Mural Medallion twice, the highest award given by IU. Professor Jegen was especially honored to receive the ``Black Cane Award'' six times from students, recognizing him as the most outstanding law professor. He was also a three-time recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash from Governors Matthew E. Welsh, Edgar Whitcomb, and Otis Bowen. His life-long commitment to the law and his students led to Professor Jegen's service on the board of directors for the American College Probate Counsel, American College Tax Counsel, American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, the Indianapolis Bar Association, and the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and served as chairman of Baccalaureate Education Systems Trust of Indiana. He also sat on the advisory boards for the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy and the Midwest Institute on Estate and Tax Planning. He served on the American College Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum in the 1980s and early 1990s where he helped shape and define the direction of future programming efforts. In 2018, an endowed chair, the Lawrence A. Jegen, III Chair in Tax Law, was created in his honor. Professor Jegen will be forever missed by his family and loved ones as well as his colleagues and friends at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law and across Indiana. The people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are grateful for Professor Jegen's service to our Hoosier community and it is my privilege to honor him today. On behalf of all Hoosiers, I thank Professor Jegen for his service to the great state of Indiana and the United States of America. His legacy of excellence will live on for generations to come through his family, friends, colleagues and the thousands of attorneys who had the privilege of learning from him.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Larry Landis on the occasion of his retirement as Executive Director of the Indiana Public Defender Council. For the past 41 years, Larry has devoted his life to ensuring those unable to afford counsel have exceptional legal representation. For the entirety of his career, Larry was instrumental in public defense reforms, developing and advising talented lawyers, and encouraging others to become public defenders. The people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for Larry's commitment to the law and for educating decades of Indiana law students. A lifelong Hoosier, Larry was raised in Highland, Indiana. He attended Indiana University where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in business in 1969. Interested in the legal system, he earned his juris doctorate from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 1973. A true public servant, Larry began his law career as a deputy state public defender. His passion for legislation advocacy led him to work on criminal code reform in 1976, 1977, and in 2014, which focused on ensuring Indiana's criminal justice system values restoration over punishment. Throughout his career, Larry worked with the Indiana General Assembly in crafting criminal and juvenile justice bills. His many appearances testifying before the Indiana General Assembly, as well as providing significant input on most bills affecting the criminal justice system has been invaluable to the state of Indiana. An exceptional leader, Larry helped establish the Indiana Public Defender Council when it was created in 1977. In 1980, he became Executive Director where he conducted over 350 seminars and workshops, published six manuals and numerous articles on criminal defense, and lectured on a variety of criminal justice topics. He later drafted legislation that created the Indiana Public Defender Commission in 1989, an organization that recommends standards for low income defense in capital cases, adopts guidelines of salary and fee schedules for individual county reimbursement eligibility, and reviews and approves requests for reimbursement in capital and non-capital cases. Ever dedicated to the Commission's mission, Larry now serves as an advisor. Passionate about education, Larry became an adjunct professor in trial advocacy at IU McKinney Law School in 1981, where he founded the Trial Skills Practice course. Larry recruited a network of highly respected and qualified trial lawyers and judges to teach, providing students with an exceptional experiential learning experience. As a third year IU McKinney Law student in 1985, I am among the countless lawyers who benefited from Larry Landis's Trial Skills Practice class. More importantly, a multitude of clients have benefited from the enhanced skills of those fortunate enough to have participated in this critically important course for future trial lawyers. Larry has been honored with numerous awards in the public and private sectors. Notably, he received the Hoosier Freedom Award from the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association in 2012, the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) in 2010, as well as the Part-Time Teaching Award from Indiana University President Michael McRobbie, in 2010. Additionally, he received the Marc Emery Award from the Marion County Public Defender Agency Board of Directors in 2007, the Distinguished Teaching Award from Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis in 1998 and 1999, the Reginald Heber Smith Award from the National Legal Aid and Defender Association in 1996, and the Criminal Justice Service Award from the Indiana State Bar Association Criminal Justice Section in 1996. Larry's life-long commitment to justice and public defense led to his service on the board of directors at the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, the Commission on Children, and the Commission on the Interstate Compact on Probation and Parole. He has also served as a member of the American Bar Association, National Legal Aid and Defender Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Indiana State Bar Association, International Bar Association, the Public Defender Commission, the Criminal Code Evaluation Commission and the Criminal Law and Sentencing Policy Study Committee. Larry has made a remarkable impact on his community and the lives of his friends, family, and colleagues. He has truly left a legacy of success at the Indiana Public Defender Council and in the State of Indiana that will be built upon for years to come. On behalf of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District, I congratulate Larry Landis on his extraordinary career and extend my gratitude for all the wonderful contributions he has made to our Hoosier community. I wish the very best to my dear friend and his family, and hope that he will have many happy times on the golf course and beyond as he enjoys a well-deserved retirement.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, beloved and iconic member of the Hoosier community, John Hall, who is retiring as the Indianapolis Field Office Director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Indiana (HUD). During his time at HUD, John worked tirelessly to improve the living conditions, neighborhoods, and quality of life for residents across the State of Indiana. The people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for John's contributions to our Hoosier community, and it is my privilege to honor him today. A native Hoosier, John was raised in Indianapolis where he attended Shortridge High School and later graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor's of Social Science. After earning his undergraduate degree, John pursued graduate studies at both Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and DePauw University. He then began his career teaching history and government at Arsenal Technical High School. Passionate about community youth, John coached freshman track and was the trainer for the Arsenal Tech sports program. Dedicated to making a difference through education, John directed the Minority Engineering Advancement Program (MEAP) and later became an administrator at the Purdue University School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI. In addition to his career in education, John served as a senior aide to Senator Richard Lugar for 15 years. Under Senator Lugar, he managed a vast portfolio of issues, including education, economic development, small business, and special projects. As Assistant State Director, John worked with key Indiana staff members on domestic and international issues, specifically focusing on African affairs. He later served as Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis for three years under Mayor Stephen Goldsmith. Under his leadership, John helped facilitate the Mayor's education forums, the Front Porch Alliance, faith-based initiative, welfare-to-work initiative, small and minority business development, affordable housing, and inner city retail and race relations issues. During my time as Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis, I had the unique opportunity to work side by side with John to help lead our city. A true public servant, John then became the Director of Neighborhood Relations for the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County in 2000. In 2002 John became the first African-American Indianapolis Field Office Director in the history of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. As Field Office Director, John met with various mayors, housing authority executives, and community development professionals throughout the State of Indiana. His communication skills and deep experience were instrumental in gaining a better understanding of the strengths and challenges presented in communities across the state of Indiana. Personal knowledge of neighborhood issues allowed him to understand the importance of a safe, stable living environment, with available opportunities for home ownership. Responsible for leading the Indianapolis field office and offices in Gary, Indiana, John oversaw over 87 HUD employees. Under his leadership, the Indianapolis office encouraged homeownership, refinanced FHA mortgages for affordable housing, and doubled its homeownership outreach, especially among minorities. This led to administering more than 460 million in grant dollars across Indiana communities. John's impact on his community goes far beyond his work at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as evidenced by his service on the boards of the Fund for Hoosier Excellence, the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, and the Greater Indianapolis Health Foundation. He also served as a chairman for the Greater Indy Neighborhoods Initiative, Co-Chair of the Civic Engagement segment of the Community Revitalization Summit, Trustee of the Indianapolis Building Authority, and member of the Marion County Sheriff's Merit Board and Indianapolis Human Rights Commission. A man of faith, John currently serves as the Staff Parish Team Leader at Barnes United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. In the public and private sector, John has been honored with numerous awards. He notably received the 2007 Outstanding Black Alumnus from Ball State University, the 2006 Award for Public Service from the Indiana Black Expo, the 2005 President's Award from Ball State University's Black Alumni Constituent Society, and the award for Excellence in Public Health from Indiana's State Health Commissioner in 2004. He was also honored with the Ball State Benny Award in 2004, Drum Major Award in Community Service by the Circle City Frontiers of Indianapolis in 2000, and the Achievement in Public Service Award by the Center for Leadership Development in 1997. John has made a remarkable impression on his community and the lives of his friends, family, and colleagues. He has truly left a legacy of service at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and beyond that will be built upon for years to come. On behalf of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District, I would like to congratulate John Hall on his extraordinary career and extend my gratitude for all the wonderful contributions he has made to our Hoosier community. While I know John will be missed at HUD, I wish the very best to him, his two sons and the rest of his family as he enjoys a well-deserved retirement.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life of a true American hero, Major Christopher ``Tripp'' Zanetis who gave his country the last full measure of devotion. On March 15, 2018, Major Zanetis and six other American soldiers were killed when their helicopter crashed during a mission in Iraq. Major Zanetis served with the 106th Rescue Wing, New York Air National Guard and was deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq. I, along with all Americans, stand in eternal gratitude for the dedication, service and sacrifice of this young man. As we celebrate our nation's 242nd birthday and our freedoms on July 4th I would like to take a moment to honor and recognize the service of Major Zanetis who gave his life to protect the liberties Americans hold dear. A native of Carmel, Indiana, Tripp graduated from Carmel High School in 1999, where he was on the Greyhounds' diving team and a member of the Ambassador's show choir. His education led him to New York City, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from New York University and graduated cum laude. Tripp quickly stood out as a leader serving on the student senate and as President of the student body. He was also a member of the NYU swimming and diving team. On September 11, 2001, Tripp was living three blocks from the World Trade Center. In the midst of the terrorist attacks, Tripp volunteered at Ground Zero helping first responders aid victims. Tripp stayed at Ground Zero for hours assisting with the response. His experience on 9/ 11 inspired him to join the New York City Fire Department in 2004, where he ultimately became a Fire Marshal and was assigned to the Bureau of Fire Investigation's Citywide South in Brooklyn. In 2014, Tripp received a commendation for bravery for his role in the investigative unit. Tripp joined the Air National Guard in 2008 and trained to fly the Air Force's combat search and rescue helicopter--the HH60G PaveHawk. He was later deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq in 2011 and 2012 with Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn. During his service with the Air National Guard, he flew search and rescue helicopters with the 106th Rescue Wing. Tripp received the Meritorious Service Medal and five Air Medals for combat missions. While still on active duty, Tripp enrolled at Stanford Law School. There, he served as co-president of the Stanford Law Veterans organization, co-produced the Stanford Law musical, and facilitated Stanford Law's inaugural OutLaw Conference on LGBTQ Advocacy in the workplace. Tripp was also a member of both the International Refugee Assistance Project and the Stanford Journal of International Law. He graduated with pro bono distinction in 2017. His many awards are a testament to the exceptional character of this incredibly talented, compassionate, and immensely brave young man. A true public servant, Tripp continued striving for success beyond the combat field and advocated for LGBTQ and human rights. Tripp strived to make a difference, taking an internship with the Office of Legal Affairs at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. He was also a participant of the Stanford International Human Rights Conflict Resolution Clinic and was awarded the National LGBT Bar Association's Student Leadership Award. Major Zanetis will forever be remembered as an extraordinary individual who gave his life defending the freedoms that we so cherish. Tripp came from a family of true patriots, following the example set by his maternal and paternal grandfathers who were both World War II veterans. Major Zanetis is survived by his parents, Sarah and John Zanetis; sisters, Angela and Britt Zanetis; nephew, Beau Zanetis; grandmother, Joyce Galbreath; numerous loving Aunts and Uncles; and his boyfriend, Jean Pouget-Abadie. Tripp also leaves behind his beloved Malinois, Nyx. I extend my deepest condolences to Tripp's family and friends who mourn his loss. On a day we gather together to honor our independence, may we remember the sacrifices made by patriots like Major Zanetis who so selflessly defend our rights and freedoms.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend, beloved and iconic member of the Hoosier community, Sue Anne Gilroy, on the occasion of her retirement from the St. Vincent Foundation. For the past twelve years Sue Anne served as Vice President and Executive Director, devoting a large portion of her life to facilitating and providing financial resources for sick patients unable to afford the care they desperately need. The people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for Sue Anne's commitment to her community, passion for public service, and years of inspired leadership with the St. Vincent Foundation and beyond. A lifelong Hoosier, Sue Anne was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana. She attended DePauw University where she graduated cum laude and earned a Bachelor's Degree in speech and secondary education. From an early age, Sue Anne displayed a strong interest in public service. During her senior year at DePauw University, she accepted an internship in the office of Crawfordsville Mayor Bill Hays, Jr. This opportunity led to an introduction with then Mayor of Indianapolis Richard Lugar, where she became Assistant to the Mayor. Credited as her ``big break'', Sue Anne attributes this experience to the start of her career in public service. It was at the Mayor's Office where Sue Anne met the love of her life, Dick Gilroy, her husband of 42 years. Eager to learn even more about the public sector, she left the Mayor's Office to pursue her Master's degree in Public Administration at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis. After earning her Master's degree, she continued her career as State Director for Senator Richard Lugar from 1990 to 1993 and as Chair for Mayor Stephen Goldsmith's transition team in 1991. An inspiration to her community, Sue Anne began to redefine the role of women in public service. She became the first female director under Mayor Lugar's UniGov by serving as the Director of the Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation. She broke yet another barrier becoming Indiana's first female Secretary of State in 1994. During her eight years in office, Sue Anne focused on election, corporate, and securities reform throughout the state of Indiana. Although unsuccessful, she ran a competitive race for Mayor of the City of Indianapolis in 1999. After finishing her second term as Indiana Secretary of State, Sue Anne became Director of Advancement at the University High School in Carmel, Indiana, where she was responsible for building community relationships, developing financial resources, providing strategic planning leadership, and serving as a student mentor for the newly established institution. Inspired by her late daughter Emily, who passed away from childhood cancer at the age of 11 in 1989, Sue Anne became the Vice President of Development and Executive Director of the St. Vincent Foundation. Here she raised funds for underprivileged families in need of medical resources. Under Sue Anne's leadership, the St. Vincent Foundation has raised more than $70 million to support St. Vincent hospital projects and programs. The foundation's assets increased from $23 million to over $100 million. Sue Anne's life-long commitment to her community goes beyond her career. Using her vast knowledge and expertise, she consulted in fundraising and business administration for the Tabernacle Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. In her free time, she notably served on the board of directors at the University of Indianapolis, Cathedral High School, Indiana Dollars for Scholars, and Highland Country Club. She also served on the advisory board for Salvation Army. A member of the Junior league of Indianapolis, Sue Anne promoted voluntarism, development of women, and improvement of the community through her philanthropic endeavors. Sue Anne was a co-founder of The Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series, an organization designed to provide leadership training experience that encourages, mentors, and prepares women leaders at the local, state, and federal levels of government. Governor Mitch Daniels appointed her to serve on the Blue Ribbon Commission on Local Government Reform and Governor Eric Holcomb recently appointed Sue Anne to serve on the State Ethics Commission. Sue Anne's consistent leadership and commitment to the highest standard of success has not gone unnoticed. The beneficiary of numerous awards and accolades, Sue Anne most notably received the Sagamore of the Wabash, Girls Inc. Touchstone Honoree, IBJ Woman of Influence, SPEA Distinguished Alumnus, Guardian of Small Business, and Speaking of Woman's Health Honoree, all illuminating her countless achievements throughout her career. She was also the recipient of the Nancy A. Maloley Outstanding Public Servant Award in 2015. This award recognizes a Hoosier Republican woman who demonstrates extraordinary dedication to serving the public good through appointed governmental and political office. Sue Anne leaves behind a strong legacy of success at the St. Vincent Foundation and has made a remarkable impression on her friends, family, colleagues, and community. Her dedication and service to others was always supported by the enduring love and support of her husband Dick. They were married for over 4 decades before he unexpectedly passed away in 2015. On behalf of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District, I would like to congratulate Sue Anne on her extraordinary career and extend my gratitude for all the wonderful contributions she has made to our Hoosier community. While I know Sue Anne will be missed at the Saint Vincent Foundation, I wish the very best to her and hope that she will have many happy times on the golf course and enjoying more time with her son, Dr. Grant Gilroy, daughter-in law, Andrea Lee, and three grandchildren.

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 to include extraneous material on the topic of this Special Order.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a number of my colleagues from Indiana and Ohio, the great Midwest, to celebrate the 6-month anniversary of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act being signed into law. Our previous tax code was written more than 30 years ago and became broken, outdated, and overly complicated, and desperately needed to be reworked so Americans could receive much-needed relief. It was failing to support families with the resources they need in order to properly plan for their futures. Our tax code left those who were struggling to make ends meet behind. But on December 22, 2017, that began to change when the President signed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, into law. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cut the individual tax rates for all individuals, allowing Americans to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks. It also slashed our corporate tax rate to ensure American businesses can remain competitive and compete on a global scale. H.R. 1 also included provisions to support the most important engines of our economy: small businesses. By allowing businesses to fully write off the cost of new equipment in the first year, our updated and revamped tax code provides small businesses more money up front to quickly reinvest back into improving their operations, hiring new workers, and increasing pay and/or bonuses of current workers. In 6 short months, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is already working for those who need it most, our country's hardworking middle class families and workers, allowing Americans across the country, and in Indiana, to keep more of their income. For the typical family of four nationwide earning the median family income of $73,000, with this new law, they will now receive a tax cut of $2,059. In the Fifth District of Indiana--central Indiana, which I represent--the average family of four is saving even more than that, at about $2,590, and the average single person is saving about $1,716 dollars. These savings allow people to put money aside for things like continued education; payments toward a new home; and, overall, provide relief by making the cost of living just that much more manageable. Additionally, more than $4 billion in bonuses have been given out to employees all across the country--$4 billion. Our Nation's unemployment has fallen to the lowest in 17 years, an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent as of May of this year. Market confidence is also high. Our economy is booming, with 63 percent of small businesses saying they feel optimistic about the direction of our economy and 77 percent of manufacturers are planning on hiring new employees. This is good news, because when our economy grows, everyone benefits. A constituent of mine from Pendleton, who owns a restaurant, recently told me that instead of having to shut down for several days for repairs when a vital piece of his kitchen equipment broke, he was able to purchase a newer, more efficient model and remain open thanks to the new expensing provisions in the tax law. I also heard from a Hoosier who came to D.C. with NFIB who is now able to provide his employees health insurance thanks to the savings he has seen through the savings for small businesses resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This critical benefit has helped him retain workers--he, I recall, had eight employees--and is allowing him to recruit even better talent to further grow his operations. These stories are just two of millions from across the country showing just how much tax reform changes people's lives for the better and will provide certainty and optimism for much brighter futures. Still more good news is to come as Americans file their taxes next April for the first time using the new system. Mr. Speaker, I am really pleased that I have several colleagues here both from Indiana and from Ohio who have come to share their stories about their constituents and the good things that are happening in their districts. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Banks). Mr. Banks represents Indiana's northeastern Third District and is serving in his first term in Congress. I thank Congressman Banks for being here.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hollingsworth), who represents the Ninth Congressional District in southern Indiana. He is a gentleman who has done business for many years.