Cheri Bustos

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Mayor Larry Morrissey as he leaves office after 12 years of service to the great people of Rockford, Illinois. Larry Morrissey began his career after winning an ambitious campaign for mayor in 2005. During his past three terms, he's brought people together to fight for Rockford's future and move our community in a positive direction. Mayor Morrissey's commitment to improving lives all across Rockford can clearly be seen through his many accomplishments. Through his leadership, Rockford was the first city in the nation to reach a functional zero for veteran homelessness. Mayor Morrissey also realized that a strong infrastructure was necessary for a strong economy, and made necessary investments in Rockford's roads, bridges and water infrastructure. Perhaps most importantly, he was committed to creating a promising future for Rockford's kids--and brought together community organizations to advocate for school improvements and impactful educational programs. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Mayor Morrissey's tireless dedication to the people of Rockford. I wish him the best in his future endeavors and thank him for his invaluable service to our region.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, during the past month, I have been to every corner of my congressional district as part of a 21st Century Heartland Tour. I have spoken with the hardworking men and women who truly make the Heartland the greatest place in America to live, work, and raise a family. But our region faces serious challenges, and these challenges need to be addressed by Congress. That is why I held a roundtable in Monmouth, Illinois, to discuss rural broadband. In rural America, just over half of our families have access to high-speed Internet, as opposed to 90 percent in the more urban areas. That is why I was in Stronghurst, Illinois, to talk about rural health care. Although one in four Americans live in rural America, we only have a tenth of the Nation's practicing physicians. These are just a couple of the issues facing our families in rural America. They can't wait for solutions. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together to support a thriving, modern 21st century heartland.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Marty Helfers as he retires from a long and fulfilling union career. Marty Helfers began his distinguished career in the building and construction trades as a gas serviceman in 1979. Later working as a steamfitter and project manager, his leadership ability earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues. In 2007, he was selected to be the Executive Director of the West Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council. Representing the interests of 17,000 workers across 13 counties, he skillfully improved the relationships between labor, owners, developers, and contractors. He recognized the fact that strong and healthy labor organizations are fundamental to a thriving middle class. In addition to his work for the Trades Council, Marty has made career opportunities in the building and construction trades more accessible for young workers as a certified instructor of apprentice plumbers, steamfitters, welders, and service technicians and also as a chair of the Peoria Construction Career Expo. He is an active member of Steamfitters Local 353 and sits on the Heart of Illinois United Way Board of Directors, the Tri-County Construction Labor-Management Council, the Peoria Area Management Council, the West Central Illinois Labor Council, and the Illinois Prevailing Wage Council. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Mr. Helfers once again for his commitment to organized labor and the community alike. I wish him the best in his well-earned retirement.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Major General Kevin O'Connell as he retires in August after 34 years in service to the United States Army. A native of Clinton, Maryland, Major General O'Connell first joined the ROTC as a Quartermaster Corps Officer in 1982. Since then, he has risen through the ranks, proving himself a dedicated, honorable, and capable leader. As Commanding General of the United States Army Sustainment Command (ASC), he has helped to sustain Army and Joint Forces in support of Combatant Commands across the world. As the Senior Commander of the United States Army Garrison in Rock Island, he leads not only one of our nation's greatest military installations, but also one our region's largest employers. Major General O'Connell's commitment to the armed services is evident not only through his daily work, but also demonstrated by his numerous decorations throughout the years, including the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, as well as numerous unit awards, campaign medals, and service medals. He has also been presented with the Noble Patron of Armor, Order of Saint Michael, Somervell Award, Order of Saint Martin, and the Order of Samuel Sharpe for his contributions to the Armored and Cavalry forces, Army Aviation, Logistics Corps, Quartermaster Corps, and the Ordnance Corps respectively. I am proud to recognize Major General O'Connell not only as a hero, but as a friend. I wish him the best in his well-earned retirement, and thank him for his service.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Madam Speaker, I proudly come from a rural district in the State of Illinois. We have some of the best farmland anywhere in the world and what I would consider to be some of the hardest workers in America. But too often, communities like ours have been left behind or left out. We have had manufacturing jobs that have been sent overseas. We have had access to health care that has been very challenging. Net farm income has dropped. Many of our rural communities are without high- speed Internet. That hurts our businesses and even affects our children doing their homework. But even with these challenges, rural America holds tremendous potential. That is why I am kicking off what I am calling the 21st Century Heartland Tour. I am doing this to put Illinoisans in rural communities back to work, position ourselves to lead the Nation in clean energy, and to support our growers and producers who put food on the table of millions of Americans every single day. Madam Speaker, let's work together to ensure a strong and thriving 21st century heartland.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Maggie Smith, the Illinois Champion of First Lady Michelle Obama's Healthy Lunchtime Challenge. The First Lady invited children from across the nation to submit their original ideas for healthy, affordable recipes, and selected one winner from every state to visit the White House for the Kid's State Dinner. Maggie, an 11 year old from Peoria, Illinois, became interested in cooking when she was just 9 years old. Since then, she's been cooking her family dinner once a week, inspired by her parent's emphasis on the need for healthy eating. After spending a lot of time crafting and perfecting her dish, Maggie's winning recipe is ``West Wing Chicken with Secret Service Noodles.'' The dish features breaded chicken with homemade marinara sauce, served with zucchini and squash noodles. I am so proud of Maggie for her hard work and dedication to promoting healthy eating, and I wish her success in her future culinary endeavors.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 5580.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the dedication of the Scott Air Force Base Visitor Control Center, which will be renamed in honor of Senator Alan J. Dixon. Senator Dixon dedicated his life to public service, fighting for our country in the United States Navy during World War II before representing Illinois in the United States Senate for 12 years, from 1981 to 1993. The Scott Air Force Base will honor Senator Dixon's commitment to our country and his tireless work on behalf of Illinois families--and given his lifetime of service, I cannot think of a more appropriate celebration of Senator Dixon's life. I was able to witness his dedication to Illinois first hand when my father worked for Senator Dixon as his Chief of Staff. As my father would often say, ``he was a senator from Illinois, for Illinois.'' As chairman of the subcommittee that authorized spending on armed services, Senator Dixon was known for reaching across the aisle. His support for Illinois ensured that the Scott Air Force Base became one of the largest employers in the state, which now employs approximately 13,000 people and its airfield serves both military and civilian planes. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to commend the Scott Air Force Base for honoring Senator Dixon for his lifetime of service to our country and the State of Illinois.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Boetje's Stone Ground Mustard, which recently was named Grand Champion in the 2016 World-Wide Mustard Competition. In the late 19th century, Fred Boetje began making stoneground Dutch mustard in his garage in Rock Island, Illinois. To this day, Boetje's is still a Quad Cities-based company and is gaining international recognition for their excellent and unique product. In fact, Boetje's is the first grainy mustard to win the Grand Champion award in the World-Wide Mustard Competition's history. Previously, in 2008, it took first prize in the ``Best Coarse Grained'' category at the World-Wide Mustard Competition, and in 2002, their mustard was named the ``Best Illinois Food Product'' by Illinois Magazine. Mr. Speaker, I want to again recognize Boetje's Mustard's victory in being named Grand Champion at the 2016 World-Wide Mustard Festival, and I wish them even more success in the future.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Tri-City Jewish Center in Rock Island, Illinois, on their 80th Jubilee. Jews first came to Illinois' Quad-Cities in the 1850s, contributing greatly to the growth of our region. The Tri-City Jewish Center opened its doors in 1936, and is now the central location for Jewish life in the Quad-Cities area. Since then, they have been a warm and welcoming place for the Jewish community to celebrate, worship, and learn. Members of the Tri-City Jewish Center pride themselves on providing a first-rate Jewish education to their young children, allowing them to appreciate their history and their heritage. They pride themselves on a strong community that comes together to support members in times of joy and in times of need. And they pride themselves on their service to the broader Quad-City community: leading the charge on interfaith discussions, community service, and education. Countless members volunteer their time to speak with children and educators about Jewish heritage, Israel, the dangers of antisemitism, and the lessons of the Holocaust. This community truly values tikkun olam, or repairing the world. In July, the center will celebrate its 80th anniversary with members current and past, young and old. Since its founding, The Center has been a credit to the rich history of Rock Island. Mr. Speaker, I again want to wish a hearty mazel tov to Rabbi Jeffrey Lipschultz President Steve Geifman, and all of the members of the Tri- City Jewish Center on the celebration of their 80th Jubilee as they look forward to another successful 80 years.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Congresswoman Kuster for organizing this Special Order this evening and for bringing attention to such a critical issue. I also want to thank Congresswoman Clark for her story as well. I appreciate so much her taking the time tonight. Most importantly, I want to thank both gentlewomen for sharing their stories. I thank Congresswoman Kuster for having the courage to share her personal story, which I think will give hope and strength to women and survivors across the country. Sexual assault is an epidemic that knows no boundaries. It is a crisis on our campuses that mandates the attention of every Member of Congress. I was in college in the late 1970s and the early 1980s, and I know what happened back then is sadly still happening today. I know of a college gang rape that happened when I was in school. I know of men who would brag about taking turns on drunk or unconscious women who could not give consent. They were not in a position to give consent. We would hear about these experiences later when a survivor was brave enough to confide in her friends about what happened on that night. But every time, without exception, she felt powerless, with little hope that justice would be on her side if she reported the crime. That is because the rape culture is suffocating for women all across America. She knew then that they would ask her what she was wearing, was she showing cleavage, were her jeans too tight. She knew they would ask her how much she had to drink, if she were asking for it because she had a few cocktails, and she knew that they would ask about her sexual history, if she were promiscuous, if she egged him on. This is the rape culture that sexual assault survivors live through each and every day. All of these memories came rushing back to me when I learned about the brave survivor at Stanford University. She courageously shared her vivid, graphic, and horrifying story of what happened before and after she was raped. Now, I didn't say during, because she was unconscious when she was raped behind Stanford University's dumpster. Mr. Speaker, I am sick. I am sick and tired about this epidemic while we have meaningful legislation that sits and dies in committee. Those of us here tonight strongly support this legislation that will reform the way sexual assaults are handled on our college campuses. But where is the movement? Where is the vote on this floor of this Congress? The silence and the inaction from Congress is deafening and appalling. For example, the Campus Accountability and Safety Act only has 34 cosponsors. That is right, 34 cosponsors out of 435 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Just as troubling is the HALT Act, the HALT Campus Sexual Violence Act, which has only one Republican cosponsor--I repeat, one Republican cosponsor. And why I bring that up is because rape is not a partisan issue. It does not have a label of Republican or Democrat on it. Rape victims are not Republicans; they are not Democrats. They are human beings, and they deserve better. At bare minimum, they deserve a hearing and a vote on this floor of Congress. Let me just say this. If women made up more than our measly 20 percent of Congress, if Congress truly reflected the makeup of America, where 50-plus percent of Americans are women, I guarantee that sexual assault wouldn't be a back-burner issue because this has impacted all of us: our friends, our sisters, our daughters. They have lived this experience. As a woman in Congress, I will not stay silent because why be Congresswomen if we can't help other women and do so vigorously and boldly? I will not stay silent while one in five college women experiences sexual assault during her undergraduate years. As a woman in Congress, I will not stay silent because every female staffer I work with knows of a woman who was raped in college. How many more college women will be raped before Congress will act? We are here tonight for Emily Doe, who was sexually assaulted behind that fraternity dumpster while she was unconscious. We are all here for all survivors because we see you, we hear you, we respect you. As women Members of Congress, we will amplify your voice until there is action. Let me be clear. We will not be silent until meaningful action is taken. We will continue to challenge the status quo so all survivors are given the adequate justice they deserve.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Al Riddley of Springfield, Illinois, who is giving this afternoon's opening prayer. This tradition of a congressional prayer dates back all the way to the Continental Congress in 1774. It has guided the House of Representatives through trying and through difficult times. That is why I can think of no better person to lead us in prayer this afternoon. Al has dedicated his life to helping others and improving our communities in Illinois. Throughout his entire professional career, he has extended a helping hand to the most vulnerable, especially our friends and our neighbors in need. Al serves on the Governor's Commission on the Elimination of Poverty. As the recent past executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Community Services, he has worked to empower volunteers through education and grassroots organizing. As a minister, Al gives the best sermons I have ever heard. He can move congregations to tears. He can give them a good laugh. And I can guarantee you that if you hear him, there is never a congregation that doesn't walk away feeling inspired to make a difference in the lives of their neighbors. That is why it makes me proud to say that Al Riddley is going to be giving the opening prayer later this afternoon, and I am honored to have him here with us today.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, during morning-hour debate, I spoke about Al Riddley, who is from Springfield, Illinois, which is my hometown. He also is my brother-in-law. My sister from Springfield, Illinois, Lynn Callahan Riddley is also here. I want to welcome them to the Nation's Capitol. Mr. Speaker, thank you very much for your courteousness to my sister and brother-in-law. I am grateful to you.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Vivian Hickey, who passed away on April 28, 2016 at the age of 100. She will be greatly missed by the Rockford community after influencing so many lives during her many years of service to the State of Illinois. As a member of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the original Rock Valley College's Board of Trustees, and the Illinois State Senate, Vivian was an icon and force in Rockford politics and public education. She was first appointed to the Illinois Senate to fill the 34th District seat following the death of Betty Ann Keegan in 1974, sparking the tradition of what soon became known as ``The Woman's Seat'' in Rockford. Vivian went on to serve one full term in that role, survived a fight against cancer, and became known as an impassioned leader in Illinois and an independent fighter for women and families. Vivian was a true inspiration for many people, whose passion and dedication made her a uniting force within our region. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for Vivian's contributions and service to our community, and my thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family during this difficult time.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, this week, we have seen a very clear difference between our two parties. I would remind my colleagues that this is the year 2016. It is not 1916. It is not 1816. We, as a Nation, have come so far. But there was a time when I, as a woman, would not have been allowed to vote, let alone speak on the floor of this Chamber. There was a time when our friends on the Congressional Black Caucus or our friends in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, also, would not have been welcomed right here. You know what, we are better than that. We know that the diversity of our Nation makes us greater. So whenever racism rears its ugly head, all of us, Democrats and Republicans, have an obligation to reject it. Mr. Speaker, I have been very disturbed to see so many of my Republican colleagues trying to tiptoe around the offensive behavior of the new leader of their party, Donald Trump. I urge all of my colleagues to do the right thing and reject racist policies without any ifs, ands, or buts.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of Michael ``Mike'' Pontius, who served the city of Freeport, Illinois, as a firefighter for nearly 14 years before retiring due to injuries sustained on the job. A dedicated firefighter and a loving husband and father, Mike had a warm and outgoing presence in his community. In addition to serving as a firefighter, he gave back to his alma mater, Aquin High School, throughout his life. When Mike wasn't cheering for the Aquin Bulldogs, he was rooting on the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears. He is survived by his wife, Dawn, and his children, Josh, Jerek, Jordan, and Kirsten. Mr. Speaker, as the wife of a sheriff, I know how important it is to support our first responders, and I am forever grateful for the service Mike provided to the Freeport community. While we commemorate Mike's life, and his dedication to his family and community, my thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this difficult time

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of Robert ``Bob'' Hanson, who served as the Chairman and CEO of Deere & Company from 1982 to 1990. Both as a citizen and a businessman, Bob was invaluable to the Quad- Cities and our region. During his tenure as CEO, Bob guided John Deere through the farm crisis of the 1980s, and kept up company morale during a decade rife with layoffs and downsizing. He focused on developing Deere as a good corporate citizen that gave back to Moline, and made time to engage and build relationships with employees at every level of the company. Later CEOs have credited Bob with laying the foundation for Deere's future success. In addition to his business success, Bob also gave back to the community as an individual. In the middle of earning his degree, Bob served our country for three years as a Marine in World War II. His passion for helping others led him and his wife, Patricia, to contribute generously to his alma mater, Augustana College, and establish a scholarship for the Quad-City Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Speaker, as we commemorate Bob's life, and his dedication to our community, my thoughts and prayers are with Bob's wife, Patricia, and the rest of his family during this difficult time.

Ms. BUSTOS

Ms. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, on the Legislative Day of May 25, 2016, a series of votes was held. Had I been present for these rollcall votes, I would have cast the following vote: Rollcall 247--I vote ``yes.''

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise with great news about the city of Galesburg, Illinois. About a month ago, I spoke on this floor, and I urged the city to apply for low-interest, federally funded loans through the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. Many officials expressed legitimate concerns about the impact that might have on their budgets, so I worked with the city as well as with the U.S. and the Illinois EPA to see if those loans could be forgiven. Today I am so proud to announce that I have received assurances that up to $4 million in Federal funding will be forgiven. That will happen as soon as the city completes its application and receives formal approval. Mr. Speaker, all communities face challenges. What separates the great ones from the rest is whether communities can come together and solve these challenges. We still have work to do to protect children from lead exposure, but Galesburg is a great city, and I am proud that we are taking this important step together.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Gene Green for yielding me time and for working with me to find better treatment for babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome, also known as NAS. Mr. Speaker, every 25 minutes, as we have heard, every 25 minutes in America, another baby is born addicted to heroin or other deadly opioids. It results from their mother's struggle with addiction. As the heroin epidemic sweeps our towns and our cities throughout the United States and impacts far too many families, many of the most overlooked victims have been the most vulnerable among us. It is heart- wrenching and it is terrible that an innocent newborn, trembling, crying uncontrollably, clenching her small fists, and gasping for air, again, is born every 25 minutes. These are just a few of the symptoms babies face when they are born addicted to opioids, and nothing from my perspective as a mother and as a grandmother could be more demanding of our immediate attention. That is why I joined Congressman Evan Jenkins from West Virginia to introduce the Nurturing and Supporting Healthy Babies Act. This bipartisan legislation will improve care for babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome. It will expand our knowledge of care for NAS babies, including its prevalence in the United States. It will also examine access to care for NAS babies under the State Medicaid programs and direct the Government Accountability Office to identify any Federal obstacles to care for NAS babies. In short, this legislation will do a top-to-bottom review to make sure we are doing everything we can to help babies born with addiction and withdrawal. Mr. Speaker, we must do our part to help all children reach their full potential.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the band Cheap Trick on their induction into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. Cheap Trick is rightfully being honored by this iconic institution for their outstanding contributions to the music industry. Cheap Trick, from our Congressional District in Rockford, Illinois, has performed over 5,000 times in the last four decades, sold over 20 million records and has 40 gold and platinum recording awards. They have also been recognized by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for their incredible contributions to music and pop culture. Cheap Trick has been a staple of rock and roll for the past four decades, and their music has provided inspiration for young musicians for years and for decades to come. Despite their demanding tour schedule, Cheap Trick has always remembered their roots in Rockford and has always found time to perform in their hometown. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Cheap Trick for their contributions to the rock and roll community, and for always making Rockford proud. I congratulate them again on their well-earned induction into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, for corporations with a boardroom full of lawyers and thousands of employees, exporting products is something they do every day. But for a small-business owner or startup entrepreneurs in places like Rockford, Galesburg, Peoria, or the Quad Cities, the deck is stacked against them on the global economic playing field. That is why today I introduced the Boosting America's Export Act. It will help small- and medium-sized businesses expand economic opportunity and create more good-paying American jobs. My bill will identify and assist small businesses that have the potential to sell the products in new markets. We already know that small businesses create two out of every three jobs and, by building a business climate that helps them grow and succeed, we will strengthen working families across our Nation. I strongly urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand with me in this effort.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Joan Eastlund on her retirement from Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois. For 37 years, Joan has demonstrated a strong commitment to education and activism, influencing the lives of thousands of students throughout her career. In fact, Joan has served as a mentor and inspiration to several staff members in my office. Joan began her distinguished career at Black Hawk College in 1979, where she helped former manufacturing workers train for new careers. As a professor of Political Science, Joan introduced thousands of students to politics, inspiring many to pursue careers in the field themselves. To many students, Joan has been far more than just an educator, but also an incredible mentor and role model. She has shown her students the importance of fulfilling their civic duties, serving their communities, and working to advance causes that truly better our country. In addition to her work as a professor, Joan has been an active figure in the fight for women's equality. She is a founding member of the Quad-Cities chapter of the National Organization for Women, a group dedicated to supporting women's rights all across the United States. During the 1970s and 1980s, Joan joined thousands of other activists as they marched to support landmark legislation to advance women's rights and equality. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize Joan Eastlund for her commitment to inspiring the next generation of students and women in our region. Joan has undoubtedly made a difference in the lives of her students, and her retirement will be a significant loss to Black Hawk College. I congratulate her on a well-earned retirement and wish her the very best in her future endeavors.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Freeport High School in Freeport, Illinois, for their unique and historic mascot known as the ``Pretzels.'' Freeport has been known as ``The Pretzel City'' for over a hundred years, and Freeport High School's mascot helps reflect this tradition. The city's namesake serves as a reminder of its unique cultural heritage, in which early German immigrants brought over their love of pretzels to establish bakeries that helped introduce this staple into the United States. As the mother of three sons who were educated by our public schools, I am proud of the students of Freeport High School for their school spirit and continued enthusiasm in promoting this iconic mascot. Mr. Speaker, I want to again recognize the Freeport ``Pretzels'' for the important role their mascot has played in defining this region over the years.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, whether you are a mayor, a city council member, or a Member of Congress, it is the job of all elected officials to be problem solvers for the families we serve. For almost 25 years, the city of Galesburg has had a problem. The majority of water tests there have had lead content exceeding the Federal action level, and the most recent health report shows that more than 14 percent of children tested in Knox County had high lead levels in their small bodies. When there is a problem, especially a serious problem like this, leaders come together to solve it. They don't point fingers, and they certainly do not deny facts. Government officials at all levels have the responsibility to work constructively to solve the problem and protect our children. That is why I have assigned a watchdog task force within my office to investigate lead contamination throughout my congressional district and develop comprehensive solutions to overcome this challenge. We need to work together to solve this problem because that is what leaders do.