Cheri Bustos

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional minute.

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay).

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster).

Mrs. BUSTOS. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. I rise today to talk about an issue of critical importance to my district in Illinois, and that is passing a 5-year farm bill. As anyone can tell as one drives across my district, from Rockford to the Quad Cities to Peoria and everywhere in between, agriculture is our number one industry. My district is home to thousands of farmers and to millions of acres of some of the best farmland in the world. It is also home to Caterpillar and John Deere--among the best farm implement manufacturers in the world. The entire western border of my congressional district is met by the Mississippi River, on which barge transportation of agricultural products is absolutely vital to commerce in the region, in the State, and even in the world. Whenever I talk with farmers or those employed in the agricultural business, what I hear more than anything else is that they want--and they need--certainty. Unfortunately, last year, Congress failed to pass a 5-year farm bill and, instead, resorted to a short-term extension, which expires at the end of September.

Mrs. BUSTOS. Thank you, Mr. Peterson. As a member of the Agriculture Committee, it was an honor to be part of the farm bill markup last month. Unlike so much else in Washington, the markup was an exercise in bipartisanship. The entire committee was civil and accommodating toward one another. While the bill we passed is not perfect, it contains many worthwhile provisions. Illinois farmers have endured some of the most extreme weather conditions in recent years, including record floods this year and the worst drought in a generation just a year ago. That is why we need to keep in place a strong and stable crop insurance program so that farmers, always at the mercy of Mother Nature, can continue to provide the food our Nation and our world depend on. The bill also contains an amendment that I sponsored that would help aid improvements to river transportation infrastructure, flood prevention and drought relief, including the aging locks and dam system along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The family farmers I talk with back home in Illinois want the security and the stability of a 5-year farm bill. That is how they can plan for future growth and investments and can continue to provide the world with a stable food supply. Let's give them the certainty by passing a 5-year farm bill.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Adam Leemans of Port Byron, Illinois on his recent achievement as valedictorian of his class at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Adam completed his course of study at West Point with an emphasis on mechanical engineering and earned a 4.2 grade-point average. He also attained nine post-graduate honors for both academic and athletic excellence. In addition to his classroom success, Adam was the captain of the West Point triathlon team for two years. After graduation, Adam will spend one month working at the Rock Island Arsenal, followed by one year working towards a master's degree in the United Kingdom. Following the completion of his studies he will report to Fort Leonard Wood for training and will eventually take over command of his own unit. Mr. Speaker, I want to applaud Adam for his momentous achievement. His parents, Bonnie and David, along with his community should be extremely proud of this fine young man, and I wish him luck with his future endeavors.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dave Chapman of Peoria on his recent retirement on April 1st, 2013, after more than 40 years at Caterpillar. Dave has been a true friend and advocate to working men and women throughout Illinois and truly cares for those less fortunate. Throughout his career he held a number of positions with the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), including President of UAW Local 974, representing more than 14,000 workers in the Peoria area. As President of the Local UAW, a position he held for 13 years, Dave Chapman and his administration negotiated two consecutive six-year contracts with Caterpillar without a strike, something that had not happened before in UAW 974 history. His success has not been limited to just CAT, as he and his administration negotiated at least 15 contracts with other companies, all without any strikes taking place. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for Dave's contributions as a leader in his community and I again want to congratulate him on his well-earned retirement and wish him luck with his future endeavors.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Chair, I am here to ask that you support my amendment requesting the Secretary of the Army to review and provide a report on the Medal of Honor nomination of Captain William L. Albracht of Moline, Illinois. Many, including the Vietnam Veterans of America, strongly believe that after reviewing all of the documentation that the Silver Star is not commensurate with Captain Albracht's actions during the five days of the siege of Firebase Kate in South Vietnam. It is the belief that the Army performed a cursory review of the nomination, given the length of time between Captain Albracht's heroic actions and his initial Medal of Honor nomination. Forty-three years ago, Captain Albracht, then a 21-year-old Green Beret, was in charge of a U.S. military evacuation at Firebase Kate. Captain Albracht's strong leadership, calm under extreme duress, and care for countless other soldiers was exemplary. He was responsible for saving 150 lives. Outnumbered 40-to-1 and vulnerable, conditions grew more dire. Albracht took shrapnel to the arm. The wound easily could have landed him aboard one of the last medevac helicopters that dared approach Firebase Kate. But he chose to stay. He led these 150 men off the base, despite being wounded, surrounded and constantly targeted by the enemy. After long nights, Captain Albracht's escape plan worked. After arriving safely at a nearby outpost, word came that there would be a ceremony to honor their heroic actions. A helicopter was sent to pick up Captain Albracht, despite poor flying conditions that had grounded many other aircraft. Upon arrival of the helicopter, Captain Albracht noted that there were several wounded soldiers who could not be airlifted due to weather conditions. He told the aircrew of his helicopter to get the men to a hospital. Giving up his seat caused him to miss the ceremony. His actions went unrecognized for four decades. Others under Captain Albracht's command and guidance were awarded Silver Stars for their actions that day. However, Captain Albracht was not recognized for leading his soldiers to safety through the dense Vietnamese jungle while repeatedly facing extreme enemy fire. Many believe that every man at Firebase Kate would have died if not for Captain Albracht. There was no one else capable of calling in an airstrike and no one there capable of inspiring these men to follow him into that jungle. This is why I am requesting that the Army review and provide a report on why Captain Albracht's heroic actions and Medal of Honor nomination was downgraded two levels.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Harold ``Pete'' Vonachen, an American veteran from Illinois, who passed away on Monday, June 10th, 2013 at the age of 87. Pete was best known as ``Mr. Baseball'' around Peoria, and as a dedicated community leader and philanthropist. His loss will be felt throughout the community. Pete Vonachen, who graduated from Bradley University in Peoria with a Bachelor of Science in business administration, started out in the restaurant business, opening Vonachen's Junction in 1955. He carried over many of the same philosophies from his restaurant days to his other businesses, including a recognition of the importance of people. Pete treated everyone as a friend, regardless of whether you were a coworker, customer, or competitor. As his name and reputation grew, Pete purchased the Peoria Suns Minor League baseball franchise in 1985, later changing the name to the Peoria Chiefs, a tribute to Peoria's last baseball team. With the help of his close friend the great baseball broadcaster Harry Caray, he was able to reach an affiliation agreement with the Chicago Cubs. Under Pete's leadership, the once struggling franchise became the first Midwest League team to draw more than 200,000 fans in one season. Pete Vonachen also served his community in many roles, including as the Director of the Peoria Cerebral Palsy Board, a member of OSF St. Francis Medical Advisory Board, the Chairman of the Children's Hospital of Illinois Medical Center, a Peoria Park District trustee, the Director of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Peoria Rotary Club, among others. Mr. Speaker, I am forever grateful for Pete's contributions as a serviceman and leader in his community, and am deeply saddened by his passing. I offer my sincerest thoughts and prayers to his wife Donna, the rest of the Vonachen family, and the entire Peoria community.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding results achieved by the Milledgeville Missiles against the Toledo Cumberland Pirates in the 1A Illinois state softball championship game on June 1st, 2013. The game was a back and forth battle between two worthy opponents, which ultimately ended in a 5-4 rain-shortened victory this past Saturday. The Missiles struck first with a three-run homerun in the bottom of the first inning, staking Milledgeville to a 3-0 lead. Toledo Cumberland battled back for a 4-3 advantage, but the Missiles were resilient and were able to retake the lead 5-4 for the final time. I congratulate the Missiles for winning the Illinois 1A state championship. This hard fought victory by Milledgeville gives the school its first state title in school history. The school and the entire community should be extremely proud of the effort put forth by Milledgeville, which concluded the season with a record of 28-3. Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of the Milledgeville softball team, both on and off the field, and I am honored to salute them today.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Chairman, the purpose of this amendment is simple. It would ensure that American flags purchased with funds from this bill are actually made in America. Pretty simple, straightforward, common sense. Currently, here is what's happening: the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Homeland Security, and even the U.S. Capitol are free to buy American flags that are only 50 percent made in the United States of America. I find this astonishing. There are companies in America that manufacture American flags. Pretty logical. And there have been legislative efforts in the past to make sure that American flags purchased by the Federal Government are actually made in America. Last Congress, Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio was able to secure passage of the All-American Flag Act through the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent. Unfortunately, the House was unable to consider the measure prior to adjourning the last session of Congress. According to the most recent numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau, the value of American flags imported to the United States last year alone was $3.8 million; $3.6 million worth came from China alone. A ``Made in China'' tag should never be sewn into an American flag, let alone American flags purchased by our Federal Government. My amendment today is an attempt to address the growing practice of importing American flags not actually made in America. The idea for this came about just last week when I was home listening to veterans all over our district. I was in Rockford, Peoria, the Quad Cities, and Galesburg, Illinois. I listened to veterans from the gulf war, from the Vietnam war, from World War II, and had gentlemen stand up so disheartened by the fact that they had flown flags, they had seen flags that had a ``Made in China'' tag sewn into them. So it is my hope that this Congress will engage further on this issue; but until that time, I feel it necessary to offer this amendment. We must send a clear message as to what our expectations are. With that in mind, and using existing law as a guide, this amendment would ban purchases of any flag declared as a foreign end product in Buy American Act certifications required by all Federal contracts. This amendment is just the first step in what I hope is a larger effort to require that all American flags purchased by the Federal Government are actually made in America. I hope my colleagues here today will support me in this endeavor and work with me in moving forward on future, similar efforts. With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin. Far too often, people tend to focus on our differences instead of what brings us together. Despite what we all may hear, common ground does exist among lawmakers from opposing sides. Although the group we call No Labels is made up of Democrats and Republicans, what unites the 68 of us making up this group is the idea that work can and should get done in Washington. The people of each of our regions in the United States sent us to the Nation's Capital not to position and posture, but to use common sense and compromise to move our country forward. That is why I joined the bipartisan No Labels group and have been identified as a ``congressional problem solver.'' No Labels is the only bipartisan, bicameral group in Congress and is made up of liberals, moderates, conservatives. Yes, the left, the right, and the middle coming together. While we surely don't agree on every issue, there are plenty of areas that we can find to achieve results for the people who we represent. Let me just share a recent example. I'm a member of the House Ag Committee, and last week we completed an exercise in bipartisanship by working together to pass, by a large margin, a 5-year farm bill. The Republican chairman, Frank Lucas, and the Democratic ranking member, Collin Peterson, and the entire committee were civil, accommodating, and worked well together. It was refreshing. In fact, nine of my fellow congressional problem solvers on both Democratic and Republican sides are on the Ag Committee with me. Although we didn't agree on every aspect of the bill and I believe there still is room for improvements, we all come from different regions of the country where people expect their elected officials to put politics aside and do their job. Period. Last year, Congress wasn't able to get its act together and pass a 5- year farm bill, so instead had to resort to a short-term extension that expires in a matter of months. I am hopeful that this year will be different. The family farmers I talk with back home in Illinois want the security and stability that come with a 5-year farm bill so they can plan for future growth and investments and continue to provide the food our Nation--and the world also--depends on. If we approached more issues on a bipartisan basis like we did on the Ag Committee and like we do in No Labels, Congress would be more productive and the American people would be better off. I'm committed to working with my No Labels colleagues to achieve this goal of bipartisanship and urge all Members of Congress to join us in this pursuit.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say a few words about Don Wooten, a man I greatly admire and am honored to call a friend. Tonight, Don is being honored by Augustana College in Rock Island, his alma mater. Due to votes here in Washington, I won't be able to make it, but I want to talk about Don and what he has meant to me, and our community in Illinois. Don is a former award-winning television reporter and producer. He has also been a teacher, a print columnist and has served on the board of numerous local and state organizations. Don went on to become a public servant, and served two terms in the Illinois State Senate. Afterward, he returned to his roots and founded WVIK radio station at Augustana College in 1980, where he still hosts two weekly radio programs at the ripe age of 85. Don has been married for more than 50 years to Bernadette and they have 5 children and three grandchildren. As someone who spent years as a journalist herself and has now entered public service, I couldn't ask for a better role model than Don Wooten. He has influenced so many over his life and is a true community leader. Mr. Speaker, I want to Congratulate Don, and I look forward to hearing his voice on the radio for many years to come.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Monmouth College and the college's president, Mauri Ditzler, on the completion of the Center for Science and Business, which will have its dedication ceremony tomorrow, May 10. This is their first new academic building in over twenty years. It is a testament to Monmouth's commitment to its students by creating a learning environment conducive to motivating students to maximize their potential. I visited Monmouth College on April 29, and was greatly impressed with this new facility as well as with the dedication President Ditzler and his staff have to the institution and its students. The idea of this building has now become a building of ideas. The innovative combination of business and science within a single facility will promote interaction between what have traditionally been independent departments and will prove to be important for the academic and economic growth in the region. This new $40 million complex will house the departments of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science, psychology, political economy and commerce, and accounting. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Monmouth College for this giant step forward and I look forward to working with the College, its faculty, and graduates as they make their dreams a reality.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a commonsense bill that I will be introducing to give more flexibility to students eligible for the Pell Grant program. Last month, I had the privilege of spending a week on the road, touring and meeting with educators, students, business people, and others at the seven community colleges that serve my congressional district. On this tour I learned more about the ways local community colleges and businesses are coming together to address the skills gap, increase American manufacturing, and put people back to work. However, the one disappointment I learned during this tour is that the Pell Grant program doesn't give students who want to go to school year-round enough flexibility. Due to senseless changes in 2011, Pell Grants are no longer available for use during the summer semester under too many circumstances. The bill I am introducing, called the Access to Education and Training Act, would give more flexibility to the Pell Grant program to allow students to receive assistance year-round. This is important because many of the students I've met are interested in accelerated training courses that take place over the course of an entire year. Many of those who would benefit most are nontraditional students who want to complete their courses faster, simply so they can get back to the workforce. I want to make sure that community colleges are accessible and affordable for all Americans who want to get an education, learn a skill, and acquire the training they need to excel in today's economy. Giving more flexibility to the Pell Grant program would help ensure success for hardworking students simply looking to get ahead.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about Bob Michel, a man who served central Illinois in this Chamber for close to 4 decades and who continues to be a longtime friend of my family's and a role model to so many. Congressman Michel was born and raised in Peoria, graduated from Bradley University, and was a decorated war hero in World War II. After coming home, Bob Michel became involved in public service and ended up serving 38 years in this House of Representatives, eventually rising to the House minority leader. I'm a Democrat and Congressman Michel happens to be a Republican. But I'm proud to say that he earned a reputation as someone who worked across the aisle, striving to find commonsense, bipartisan solutions to the issues of the day. Congressman Michel celebrated his 90th birthday last month, and he continues to be an inspiration for all who are more interested in working together to get results than trying to score cheap political shots. Central Illinois has a long tradition of public servants who made a career out of reaching across party lines. Former Republican Senator Everett Dirksen of Pekin, in my district also, played a key role in the passage of the 1964 civil rights bill, while former Republican Congressman Ray LaHood of Peoria has worked across the aisle to improve the Nation's roads, bridges, and rail lines as Secretary of Transportation under the Obama administration. Mr. Speaker, I hope that all Members of this body will join me in pledging to work together to put the people we represent first, and I would like to wish Congressman Michel a happy 90th birthday.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. I rise today to talk about the recent flooding that has impacted families across my region. From Rockford to the Quad Cities to Peoria, Illinois, and in so many towns in between, communities large and small are suffering due to this month's record flooding. Among the worst hit areas of my region is London Mills, which is in the far southern part of my congressional district. Many there are suffering. Amanda Franklin of London Mills lost her home, many of her possessions, and even her children's drawings that she has held onto since they were in kindergarten. Bethene Weber, who is 78 years old, lost her home of almost half a century to the flooding. There are far too many heartbreaking stories from across my region. While keeping in mind those who are still recovering, I'd like to thank the first responders, the relief workers, and others who have volunteered their time and their energy to help those in need. Illinoisans are generous and compassionate, as well as resilient and hardworking. I have no doubt we will recover from this flooding. But, Mr. Speaker, this type of disaster could happen anywhere. As we continue to debate the issues of the day, I call on all of us to keep in mind the people who are suffering and be there for them in their time of need.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. I rise today to talk about the recent passing of Dick Fallow, a great friend to working men and women of the Quad-City region of Illinois and Iowa and a great ally to American workers. Dick spent his life fighting to improve the lives of others. He was a tireless and a passionate advocate for working families and a true champion for civil rights. As a young man, Dick served his country by driving an ambulance in World War II. Later, in the 1960s, he fought for civil rights legislation. He is best known for being a lifelong local and national leader on behalf of the American worker. He showed up at every labor rally, picket line, and civil rights event. Rain, snow, heat, old age, and sickness, nothing could deter Dick Fallow from fighting on behalf of working people. He was a rousing public speaker and inspired generations of Illinoisans and Iowans to get involved in public service. He also was a devoted and loving family man. I know my husband, Gerry, and I join so many others in extending our deepest condolences to Dick Fallow's family. He will truly be missed.

Mrs. BUSTOS

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mrs. BUSTOS. I am opposed.

Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill. It will not delay or kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will proceed immediately to final passage as amended. This past November, Illinoisans and people across our country sent a strong, but simple, message to Congress, that the middle class needs to be a priority, not an afterthought. The people I talk with back home are worn out by Washington putting politics before people. I was honored to take my oath of office in January with a mission to be part of the solution here in Congress. Like so many other Members of the freshman class of this session of Congress, I ran for office to fight for the American worker and for a stronger middle class. I believed I could make a difference, and I still do. The hardworking middle class people from my district in Illinois are counting on us to remember them as we deliberate in this Chamber. That begins with standing up against attempts to cut the legs out from beneath American workers, which is exactly what this bill does that's being presented today. Mr. Speaker, without the support of organized labor, my family wouldn't be where we are today. My father-in-law, Joe, was born in a boxcar to immigrant parents from Mexico. With just an eighth grade education, he worked the line at John Deere Harvester Works in East Moline, Illinois. And because of organized labor, he earned an honest wage and benefits for his hard work. He was able to provide for his family and make sure his four children had a better life and more opportunities than he did. Joe's youngest son is Gerry, my husband, who, with the help of organized labor, has helped lift our own family to success. I'm proud of my husband's nearly 30-year law enforcement career, and he is now the undersheriff of Rock Island County, where I live, and the commander of the Quad-City Bomb Squad. I know my family story is not unique about how organized labor helped lift us and that so many American families share this same type of experience. Far too many people across this great Nation of ours are still struggling but are still hopeful that, if they work hard and play by the rules, they too can live the American Dream. Unfortunately, the bill before us today tells American workers they're on their own. Instead of adding certainty and stability to our communities, this bill creates chaos and undermines decades of progress. My amendment pleads for just a morsel of common sense. It provides a few simple but critical exceptions to the chaos that the bill otherwise promises. It protects workers who have risked their lives for our country on the battlefields abroad. These are heroes like Clarence Adams, who was among the first American marines to set foot in Iraq 10 years ago. After Clarence returned home, he tried to exercise his right to organize at his workplace. The election was held, the union won, and then the union busting began. Clarence and 21 of his fellow workers were even fired at one point. He had one place to go, and that was to turn to the National Labor Relations Board. Voting for this bill means stripping away those rights for Clarence and countless other brave veterans. My amendment would protect the rights of veterans to organize in the workplace. As far too many hardworking families across our Nation feel each day, our economy is still healing. I pledged to fight for the American worker, and that's a pledge I'm committed to keeping. The middle class is stronger because of organized labor. If a company takes American jobs and outsources them overseas simply to avoid the formation of a union, that must not be allowed. My amendment would protect these jobs. If a foreign company abuses our American workers' rights, we need a strong NLRB to stand up for them. My amendment does this. If American workers face dangerous working conditions that could cost them their lives and they seek the right to organize for their own protection, we need the NLRB to function on their behalf. If a person faces sexual harassment at the workplace or a worker faces racial discrimination, they should be allowed to join with their coworkers so they can address these issues. My amendment gives these workers a voice. The NLRB was created to decide cases on a fair and an independent basis and has traditionally been made up of both Republican and Democrat Board members. It is there to fight for the rights of workers and the middle class against the worst abuses. They are depending on us. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``yes'' to put aside partisanship and begin focusing on the middle class and to remember all those people getting up early, working hard, and playing by the rules who deserve the same chance that my family has had to realize the American Dream. I yield back the balance of my time.

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