Don Bacon

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Never Again Education Act. Madam Speaker, I recognize Congresswoman Maloney for her decades of leadership on this issue, as well as Congresswoman Stefanik, who served as co-leads on this effort. Today, we have 300 of our Members cosponsoring this bill, compared to only 53 Members in the last Congress, and it took the leadership of many to make today a reality. Madam Speaker, I also thank the Nebraska State Education Association for raising awareness of this bill to their counterparts at the National Education Association. We appreciate their efforts to secure the NEA endorsement. As we remember the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and other Nazi death camps, we must pledge to each other and ourselves to never forget the victims and the lessons learned. This cannot be a partisan issue. We must remember that the fight against anti-Semitism is an American endeavor and does not belong to Republicans or Democrats. Stamping out this evil is an endeavor for all humanity. If we allow it to become the agenda of just a single party or to be used as a partisan weapon, then we will provide the fertile ground for the growth of this evil. Anti-Semitism and all of its manifestations are plain evil, and the Holocaust illustrates the ultimate and horrible endpoint of where hatred leads. As the firsthand witnesses of these crimes pass away, it becomes incumbent upon us to ensure that they are never forgotten and that their pain and suffering never become just a footnote in history. In addition, the eyes of future generations are upon us, and this legislation is needed now more than ever. According to recent studies, nearly half of our millennials are unaware that 6 million Jews were murdered, and two-thirds of American millennials surveyed were not familiar with Auschwitz. Another statistic shows that over 60 percent of religious hate crimes are anti-Semitic in nature. Our schools need the resources that this bill provides, and education is one of our strongest tools against anti-Semitism. This bill is especially important considering the increase in anti-Semitic attacks both in this country and around the world. Even in my home State, we have seen this evil. Most recently, the South Street Temple in Lincoln, Nebraska, was the target of anti- Semitic vandalism, and last November, the Temple Israel Cemetery in Omaha was desecrated. The cemetery attack also happened near Veterans Day, which, unfortunately, provided a dark reminder that the cause of defending freedom and combating hate never rests and that this is a cause that we all share the responsibility for, to fight. When liberating the camps, General Eisenhower brought journalists, government officials, and military personnel to the camps, as he believed ``the evidence should be immediately placed before the American and British publics in a fashion that would leave no room for cynical doubt.'' Today, we continue that legacy. Our work today is a continuation of what General Eisenhower wanted. Today, we continue that legacy to ensure that this will never happen again, and we do this partially through education. We never forget so that ``never again'' will be the reality.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I oppose this resolution that is designed to embarrass our President in front of the world and, in reality, gives comfort to Iran's leadership. It weakens America and emboldens our enemies. This resolution is not needed. The War Powers Act is still in effect, and the President is not conducting combat operations against Iran. He wants deescalation; he does not want war. He is not doing what President Obama did in Libya. What the President did was a onetime defensive operation, when he targeted General Soleimani. Let us be clear: Soleimani murdered 609 Americans in Iraq. His proxies attacked our embassy, and the Quds Force he commanded shed blood across the world. He even attempted terrorism right here in Washington, D.C. He was the number one threat to Israel, and he was anti-Semitism personified. I knew who Soleimani was when I was in Iraq. We were targeted by rockets every single day from Iranian proxies trained in, funded by, and armed by Iran and sometimes led by Iranian commanders, and fellow Americans died. The targeting of Soleimani is justice for the 609 families who had a son or daughter murdered by this guy and the thousands missing an arm or a leg because of his savagery. In bringing up this resolution, the Speaker said that our targeting of Soleimani was disproportionate. It is disgusting. This guy killed 609 Americans in Iraq alone. He was the mastermind. Does it take 100 more? 200 more? 300 more? It is vile. Our strike was also defensive. General Milley said that he saw some of the best intelligence he has ever seen and that it clearly showed Soleimani was in Baghdad, planning an imminent attack on Americans. To deny this is to call General Milley a liar. This resolution weakens America and gives hope to the Ayatollah that we don't have the resolve to stand up to these attacks. A house divided will not stand. I pray wise leadership prevails and that we unify to oppose Iranian terror that murdered hundreds of our fellow citizens.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I am strongly opposed to this impeachment. No law was broken, no high crimes or misdemeanors, no impeachable offenses. The Ukrainians received aid 1 week prior to the law's requirement, aid that was previously rejected by the administration before it. There was no investigation, and President Zelensky said he received no pressure from the Trump administration ever. Simply put, there was no quid pro quo and no crime. There was only the majority's disdain for the President, and that is not an impeachable offense. The elections are in 10 months, but the majority doesn't trust the American people. Too many have said that the impeachment is necessary so that the President is not reelected in 2020, and that is shameful. Today's vote sets a new precedent for America. In the future, the majority will use impeachment as a tactic to remove a President simply based on partisanship. Our Founders feared this, and I strongly oppose it. I want my statement to be in the Record until the end of time to show that I was on the side of the Constitution, that I oppose the majority taking down a duly elected President who committed no crime, and that I defended the truth.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my appreciation for my friend, Rabbi Steven Abraham, and thank him for leading today's session with the opening prayer. I would also like to welcome his family to this House that belongs to all Americans. Rabbi Abraham has been the rabbi for Beth El Synagogue since 2013, after moving to Omaha to be the assistant rabbi in 2011. He graduated from rabbinical school at the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he also received a masters of arts in Jewish education. He is also an alumnus of the University of Baltimore. Since I came to Congress in 2017, Rabbi Abraham has been a trusted friend and adviser for both my staff and me. I call on all of us to heed the words offered in prayer by the rabbi. We must all humble ourselves to the wisdom of the Almighty, and let us always try to be a voice for the voiceless and serve with compassion and courage. We face many challenges ahead, but with prayerfulness and good faith in one another, I know we can rise above the trials of today in search of a better tomorrow, all for the sake of our country. Thank you again, Rabbi Abraham, for being a genuine leader and for being with us today.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, in an anti-Semitic attack this last week, cowards desecrated over 75 headstones of the Temple Israel Cemetery in Omaha. Countless headstones were pushed from their bases, with many broken in the process. It is vile. It is reprehensible. It is disgusting. This hateful action toward the Jewish community causes great pain in my heart. As Rabbi Abraham of Beth El Synagogue in Omaha recently reminded us, cemeteries are one of the most holy places, and the Talmud teaches us that ``gravestones are fairer than royal palaces.'' This attack happened around Veterans Day, which provided a dark reminder that the cause of defending freedom and combating hate never rests. On that note, I call upon the leadership of Congress to move H.R. 943, the Never Again Education Act by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. Education is a powerful weapon combating anti-Semitism, and this bill will provide valuable tools in that fight. As we near the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, one of the darkest chapters in human history, we must never forget the lessons of the past so that we never again repeat those horrors in the future.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize World War II Veteran Edward H. Morrissette of Omaha who will be awarded with France's highest distinction--the Legion of Honor--on October 30, 2019 for his heroism and courage in the liberation of France. Mr. Morrissette enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1940, at the age of 17. He served with the 16th Regiment, First Infantry Division, also known as ``The Big Red One,'' as a machine gun squad leader and military policeman. From August 1942 until September 1945, he participated in the campaigns of North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. On June 6, 1944 Edward landed at Omaha Beach as part of the second wave. He then went on to fight in the Battle of the Hedgerows and participated in the capture of St. Lo and many other cities in Normandy. During the fall and winter of 1944-45, he fought in the Hurtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge before entering Germany and later Czechoslovakia. After the war, Mr. Morrissette obtained a civil engineering degree from Indiana Tech University and spent most of his career with the U.S. Air Force including time at Langley Air Force Base at Norfolk, Virginia and March Air Force Base in Southern California. In 1972, he moved to Nebraska and was employed by Offutt Air Force Base, where he retired in 1981 as the Deputy Director of Operations and Maintenance for Strategic Air Command. For his actions during World War II, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, and the Distinguished Unit Badge. The Legion of Honor is the highest distinction that France can bestow upon those who have achieved remarkable deeds for France. Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the National Order of the Legion of Honor recognizes eminent service to the French Republic. Recipients of this honor are named by a decree signed by the President of the Republic. The Consul General will present the medal on behalf President Macron of France on October 29, 2019. I personally thank Mr. Morrissette for his many years of sacrificial service to our country, and the liberation of so many in France. Without courageous men like him, World War II might have had a completely different ending. Congratulations to Edward on receiving this prestigious honor. It is well deserved.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Steve Tamayo in recognition of Native American Heritage Month for his lifetime contributions in the arts and the preservation of Native American culture. Steve's passion has been fueled by the desire to restore what was taken away from the indigenous people of this land. For centuries, cultural teachings have been passed down through art. Symbols, colors, patterns, and construction techniques are narratives that reflect values and beliefs of traditional Native American life. American history is bound in the antiquity of its Native people. We are proud of the role Mr. Tamayo has played in ensuring that we can all learn and appreciate this rich heritage. Steve Tamayo was one of four children raised by loving parents Fortunato and Beulah Tamayo. As a migrant worker, Fortunato grew up working the fields from Texas to Montana. Notwithstanding this lack of schooling, he was successful in obtaining a job and taking care of his family. Steve describes his mother as a kind and compassionate woman despite her difficult childhood as a survivor of the American Indian boarding school tragedy. Steve's parents encouraged their children to have a strong work ethic, to focus on getting an education, and to pursue the opportunities they were not afforded. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in May 1984, Steve enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving with the 101st Airborne Division. After returning to Omaha, he sought out Native elders to guide him in his pursuit of cultural knowledge. In 1988, his first teacher was Cleo Frazier from Yankton Sioux Reservation of South Dakota. She resided in the Omaha area and took time to teach Steve and his older brother about indigenous life. This relationship fostered Steve's quest to learn as much as possible about the history and stories of indigenous people. This led him to an elder named Howard Wolf, a World War II veteran from the Umo N Ho N Nation of Nebraska. Under elder Wolf's guidance, Steve learned about art and regalia, including the traditional materials, construction, and the history surrounding Native American artifacts. In 2000, he moved to the Rosebud Reservation, where he was able to gain a deeper understanding of the art of the Northern Plains Tribes. Because of the unique skills and specific knowledge gained, Steve was hired as faculty in the Lakota Studies Department of Sinte Gleska, where he taught college students for 12 years. In 2005, he became the cultural specialist for the Native American Advocacy Program on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. This was a special time for Steve because he was in a place that was the ancestral homeland of his mother's family. That same year was an important point in his professional life. A group of conservators from the Smithsonian Institution stumbled upon him while tanning a buffalo hide in his front yard. Six months later, he was headed for Washington, D.C., for a 6-month internship. Since that time, Steve has been one of the main consultants from the Plains Tribes for the National Museum of the American Indian. He has been part of numerous exhibitions, including an exhibit scheduled to run for 15 years called ``As We Grow,'' featuring historic games and toys of the Plains Indians. In 2015, Steve traveled to Washington, D.C., to erect a teepee that he painted on The Mall and presented to President Obama, which is now part of the Smithsonian's collection. He had the opportunity to paint two buffalo robes for Willie Nelson and Neil Young at the ``Harvest the Hope'' concert in Neligh, Nebraska, to honor them for their work in preserving our Nebraska land. Steve's work has helped to educate our country about our history, the culture, and the struggles of Native American people. Today, Steve leads study groups on all four reservations in Nebraska and nine reservations in South Dakota. He travels to schools and museums throughout the country to help train students, docents, conservators, and curators on the significance of traditional Native arts, as well as the dangers of cultural appropriation. Steve is on the Artists in Schools and Communities roster for the Nebraska Arts Council. He serves as the cultural consultant for the Omaha Public Schools' Native Indigenous Centered Education program. He works as the cultural specialist for the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition. Steve has also been an adjunct instructor for the University of Nebraska Omaha and Metropolitan Community College. In 2014, he was honored by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman at the Nebraska Arts Council's Governor's Arts Awards when he was presented the Heritage Art Award. His proudest moment was when his mother saw him receive that award. Steve has also become a source of pride and empowerment for his children. Of his six children, his eldest daughters, twins Nicole and Rebecca, work in the field of Native American advocacy, health, and education. Steve and his wife, Susan, love their children and their numerous grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I thank Steve for all of his contributions. Because of his work, generations to come will learn about the culture and contributions of the indigenous people.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I want to take the time to thank Ms. Lofgren and Mr. Davis for guiding this discussion, this debate today, and Trent Kelly for submitting a great bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution which honors the memory of two great American warriors: Army Sergeant First Class Sean Cooley and Army Specialist Chris Horton. These heroes rest in honored glory, servants to our great Republic, who answered the call and gave their lives fighting for our freedoms and to give hope to others fighting for a better future in Iraq and Afghanistan. We could never repay the debt we owe, but we can honor them by caring for their families. This is why this resolution to establish the Gold Star Family Fellowship Program in the House is so important and has my full support. Since becoming a Member of the House, I have made it my mission to work across the aisle to ensure Congress does its part to honor our heroes and care for the families who bear the daily burden of their loss. To our Gold Star and surviving families, I recall President Lincoln's words to a grieving mother who lost five sons in the Civil War: ``I pray that the Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.'' As we approach Veterans Day, this action is timely and sends an important message of support to our military families and to the American people. The daring raid this weekend which ended the life of the world's most wanted terrorist is a reminder of how much we--indeed, the entire free world--owe to our military, our military servicemembers and their families. Mr. Speaker, I wish to personally thank my good friend and wingman on the Armed Services Committee, Mr. Kelly, for introducing this measure. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr BACON

Mr BACON. Madam Speaker, since President Trump was elected, Democrats have been pushing impeachment. For 2 years, the current chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence told us he had the smoking gun on collusion. The Mueller report showed the opposite, and then the chairman was not forthcoming regarding his staff's communications with the whistleblower. There is no credibility here. The partisan impeachment effort has led to secret hearings, the minority Congress is not allowed to bring in witnesses, and the President is denied representation--violating all previous precedence in this House. Americans demand fairness. There have been no high crimes or misdemeanors, and hatred for the President is not grounds for impeachment. Voters decided the winner in 2016 and will do so again in 2020. America's business is not getting done while the Democratic leadership is playing the pied piper and marching America off the impeachment cliff.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I want to start out by recognizing Mr. Newhouse for his leadership on this issue, for educating us, and for galvanizing our Congress to take action here. I also thank my friend for the character and integrity that he brings to our Chamber every day. The gentleman is a bright light right here in our Capitol. Mr. Speaker, I also rise to address the serious epidemic occurring in the United States, and that is the disappearance and senseless murders of Native American women. Many Americans are unaware of this epidemic, and it must be brought to our attention. According to the Native American Women's Nebraska Task Force, Nebraska, and particularly Omaha, has a high number of missing and murdered Native American women. Thirty-three Native American women are listed as missing in Nebraska. Omaha is ranked third in the United States for having the most unreported cases of missing and murdered indigenous women. Although the Nebraska State Patrol is working with the Commission of Indian Affairs and working as hard as they can to collect and improve data reporting and helping with the investigations, there is just a lot more to do. Unfortunately, this is not just an issue in Nebraska. In 2016, 5,712 cases of missing or murdered indigenous women were reported, and only 116 are logged by the Department of Justice in its database. It is believed that many cases go unreported, so that number is expected to be much higher. One of the ways we can address and bring awareness to this very important issue is to improve and strengthen the relationship between Tribal and State law enforcement agencies, enhance missing persons reports, implement diligent recordkeeping, and maintain communication between law enforcement and the families of the victims. H.R. 2733, Savanna's Act, does just that. I am thankful to be a cosponsor and glad to be on it. It is a worthy act that we should pass. We must also increase media coverage to raise awareness and help locate missing women. In 1996, the AMBER Alert system was established when Dallas-Fort Worth broadcasters teamed up with local police to develop an early warning system to help find missing children. This had a significant impact. Since 1996, over 900 children have been safely found. We need to have a similar system that applies to all Americans and target it here with our Native American population. What we have learned is that the Native American community lacks proper resources to search for these women. When police cases go dormant, our families have taken it upon themselves to search for their loved ones, but that seldom works. It seldom yields results. We need to provide resources to Tribal law enforcement to help locate these missing women, and that is what Savanna's Act is designed to accomplish. We say we will go to the ends of the Earth to protect our families, our friends, and our loved ones. That is how our Native American brothers and sisters feel about their lost loved ones as well. When our country is threatened by foreign countries, we take action. When our country faces a medical epidemic, we take action. When children go missing, we take action, and we know no boundaries. When our fellow Americans go missing, we take action. That is why I am urging my colleagues to support Savanna's Act. We can do better. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Newhouse for yielding.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to wish both the people of Taiwan and Americans celebrating the upcoming Taiwan's National Day on October 10th a Happy Double Ten Day. In the decades preceding and following the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, the United States and Taiwan have built a solid bond that cannot be broken--born out of our shared values and our cooperation with each other in times of crisis, and in times of advancement. During the years, this key ally in the Indo-Pacific has transformed itself into a model of democracy that respects human rights, freedom of speech, rule of law, and market economy. Americans share these values, which is why we have also contributed to Taiwan's success. In 2018, Taiwan was the 11th largest trading partner for the United States overall, and it is my home state Nebraska's 10th largest export market in the world. Our companies have substantial opportunities to expand their business and cooperation with Taiwan. I will, together with Taiwanese friends, work to find areas where we can partner to our mutual benefit. This is a day to celebrate, and to be optimistic. I ask my colleagues to join me in recommitting ourselves to the robust U.S.-Taiwan relationship, and in wishing Taiwan a Happy Double Ten Day.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today during Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize Mundo Latino, a Hispanic publication originating from my district in Omaha, Nebraska, that has had a lasting impact on our Hispanic community for the last two decades. Mundo Latino is a weekly newspaper serving the local Hispanic population. Founded by Abril Garcia, it is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Abril was born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, in 1973, and is a graduate of the prestigious Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, or Tec de Monterrey. Abril immigrated to the United States in 1996 and invested her time and money in the success of her very own business, all while working multiple jobs during its inception. The goal was to create a communication medium that understood the language and culture of the Hispanic community and, more importantly, the needs of immigrants residing here in the United States. Her degree in mass communication studies gave her the knowledge she needed to ensure the success of her startup newspaper. In 1999, Mundo Latino was born and had a distribution of 3,000 copies per month, all while Abril was still working as a cashier at a local grocery store. By 2003, Mundo Latino was printing 20,000 copies per month, an outstanding feat for a 4-year-old newspaper. In 2011, the success of Abril and her staff enabled them to start a second publication exclusively serving the Omaha area. Today, Mundo Latino produces four different publications with a circulation of nearly 40,000 copies a week across the State of Nebraska and has become a cherished voice throughout the Latino community. Mundo Latino is considered the main Spanish newspaper for the Hispanic community in Nebraska and northwest Iowa. Through the years, Mundo Latino has received numerous accolades, including Small Business of the Year and Business of the Year in Nebraska and Iowa, the Organization Award from the Nebraska Latino American Commission, and many others. Mundo Latino exemplifies the American Dream. Our Nation provides us the opportunities to work hard and prosper, and Abril is doing just that. Again, I congratulate Mundo Latino and Abril Garcia on achieving 20 years of excellence in business and journalism.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Mary Beth Muskin for her lifetime of exceptional service and dedication to our community. Dr. Muskin devoted nearly four decades to education and her impact on the Omaha community has benefitted thousands and is an inspiration for all Nebraskans. Dr. Muskin received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Nebraska in Elementary and Pre-School Education. She went on to obtain her Master of Science in Counseling from Johns Hopkins University and returned to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to get her PhD in Philosophy, with an emphasis in Adult and Continuing Education. Dr. Muskin began her career in education while teaching in the Baltimore Public Schools. One day, a man was trying to break into her classroom of thirty-six children. Dr. Muskin will always remember the moment when she knew she had to stop the invasion and slammed the window ultimately breaking his arm. That act of bravery marked the beginning of her incredible career serving inner city students and she has loved every minute of that service. Dr. Muskin eventually moved back to Omaha to marry Bruce Muskin and together that have raised three outstanding children, all of whom who have a passion for education and social justice. Upon returning to Nebraska, she spent thirty-six years working for the Omaha Public Schools across the entire District, and the last six as Director of Counseling at Omaha South High School. Following an extraordinary career in education, Dr. Muskin became the Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League Plains States Region in 2015 and was excited to use her skills in classroom teaching to further the community education mission of the ADL. The Anti-Defamation League Plains States region covers Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas. Their mission is to Protect, Investigate and Educate and the ADL is committed to addressing the issues of prejudice and discrimination that affect all people. They work to ``secure justice and fair treatment of all citizens.'' One of the programs of the Anti-Defamation League that Dr. Muksin proudly oversees is No Place For Hate. Dr. Muskin and her team have brought this program into schools across the region. Under her leadership, the ADL has worked tirelessly in metro Omaha schools, helping to reduce bullying in partnerships with students, parents, teachers, and administrators in our districts. In addition, Dr. Muskin has been a valued friend and counselor to my office and her wisdom regarding eucation and combatting hate has been vital with respect to our legislative efforts. In her spare time, Dr. Muskin volunteers in South Omaha, is involved in voter education programs, and to date has registered over five hundred and fifty voters. The impact of Dr. Mary Beth Muskin on our community and the surrounding states is broad and her passion is contagious. Through her example and leadership, she has built a legacy that will endure for generations to come. We all salute her for her work with students, the community, law enforcement, and legislators to make the world a better place.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Home Instead Senior Care. Since 1994, when Lori and Paul Hogan founded Home Instead in Omaha, Nebraska, it has provided personalized care, support, and education to aging adults and their families. Today, this network is the world's leading provider of in-home care services for seniors, with more than 1,100 independently owned and operated franchises that provide more than 75 million hours of care throughout the United States and 12 international markets. Home Instead Senior Care offices employ 75,000 caregivers worldwide who provide basic support services that enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the dedicated men and women of Home Instead Senior Care, who for 25 years have enhanced the lives of seniors and their caregivers in the United States and throughout the world.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this. After serving 30 years in the Air Force and serving with multiple air operation centers, I know how hard our military works to get this right. Our military forces go through extreme measures to avoid civilian casualties. At any given time, combatant commanders have multiple boards, centers, cells, and working groups that are focused on reducing civilian casualties, in addition to the work of the various target development working groups. Additionally, there are significant and recurring legal reviews conducted as proposed targets are evaluated for compliance with the law of war by judge advocates, legal advisers, and target engagement authorities--and this is before any strike is even taken. To evaluate civilian casualties and allegations, military commanders look at and consider reports from all sources, including NGOs, credible media sources and outlets, and even social media. In addition to evaluating all these various reports, they look at the video surveillance that they have and other forms of data from their ISR assets, witness observations; they take human intelligence and other forms of intelligence. Of course, there are going to be differences in initial reporting-- and sometimes even months afterwards--between what DOD sees and what other groups are seeing, but this is war, and war is chaos. And our adversaries frequently also inflate civilian losses to further their aims. So my position is this. We have a great process in place. It is working. The military has given it their very best to get this right. The integrity of our military commanders is such that we can trust their effort with what they are doing now, and any discrepancies, they are acknowledged and they are investigated, and they try to get it as right as they can. To say our military does not take these allegations of civilian casualties seriously means you don't understand the policy, the process, and the level of effort that goes into avoiding these casualties in the first place. And investigating any allegations of civilian causalities in any post operation, they do their very best to get this right. Our military is working hard. They are trying to achieve our objectives. I stand in objection to the amendment.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Chair, I rise today opposing amendment 546 that would use the NDAA to task the Director of National Intelligence reporting rules for civilian casualties. As Chairman Smith knows and, also, Ms. Stefanik and the ranking member, though I voted for the NDAA in markup, I opposed this amendment then, and I still do. The long story short is that this tasking should be in the Intelligence Authorization Act and not in the Defense Authorization Act. This tasks the Director of National Intelligence, and, thus, it should be handled by the Intelligence Committee and in the intelligence authorization bill. We believe in transparency. We believe in doing all we can to minimize civilian casualties. We believe in proportionality. We believe in knowing if we are targeting and handling these operations correctly. I know from my experience working three decades in the Air Force that our military goes through extensive vetting, extensive legal reviews, and extensive crosschecks before putting a weapon on a target that could threaten civilians. But let's be clear: DOD has a full and transparent oversight framework in place for DOD and U.S. military operations. The FY18 NDAA established a robust civilian casualty reporting mechanism for the U.S. military, and the DOD reporting is fully available to the public. Even more, there are two additional provisions in this bill that increase the level of CIVCAS reporting and directs an independent assessment of DOD's reporting and policy. But, what is important here: This is about DOD and military operations, not the intelligence operations. It is not the DOD's role to report on the intelligence community. It is not the role of the NDAA to task the intelligence community. I recommend voting against this amendment. We should send it to the Intelligence Committee and let them do it the right way, if the Intelligence Committee wants to take it on.

Mr. BACON. Mr. Chair, I come here to support the en bloc. There are three great amendments in here that I want to briefly mention. First, we are funding the replacement of three simulators at Offutt Air Force Base, as well as programming equipment that will help us exploit data that is collected during the missions. This is critical for the backbone of the Air Force's medium-altitude manned ISR program. Having those three simulators will have a huge impact. Instead of taking aircraft home that should be flying to Russia, China, Korea, Iran, or wherever it may be--without those simulators, they have to come back to Offutt Air Force Base to do training--this will allow us to do training at home and continue our real-world operational missions. I also want to thank the Chamber for supporting a bill that will help enable our civilian professors to be retained in our military academies, the National War College, and all the different military schools that we have by allowing them to own the copyrighted material that they have. Prior to this bill, the civilian instructors would not be able to have ownership of these copyrighted materials, and many of them get out because they want to progress with their careers. This fixes that and allows them to stay in and maintain that ownership. Finally, I want to praise another amendment that is in this en bloc. We are allowing the academies now to endorse, as well as participate with, foundations that are there to help support the cadets. Prior to this, the academies were not allowed to partner or to endorse these foundations, and it really limited the ability for these foundations to help our cadets. Now that they can work together, they can help provide more money for new facilities and gym equipment, providing a better quality of life for our cadets, while at the same time lowering the burden on taxpayers. Mr. Chair, I want to praise this effort, and I support the en bloc.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I appreciate Mr. Larsen's team spirit, good sportsmanship here, and good cheer. Again, I just want to thank Mr. Larsen, Ms. Castor, and also Mr. LaHood. We are the co-chairs of the Soccer Caucus here in the Congress. I really loved working with the other three here. I also appreciate the good sportsmanship here. We stuck out a good victory despite the heroics on your side, Madam Speaker. But we gave it all. Some of these great new players on our side really did the heavy lifting. I want to thank the U.S. Soccer Foundation for putting this together and for their great fundraising. The important thing is the U.S. Soccer Foundation raised tremendous amounts of money for youth soccer. That is what we want to do. We want to make youth soccer more prevalent and more readily accessible for all our youth. It teaches teamwork, and it is good for physical conditioning. You learn about following the rules and taking orders from the coach. It is great for growing up and learning how to be a more responsible adult. So it is a great team that put this together. I appreciate all the Members who played. We also appreciate the staff members as well as some of the professionals who came out to help bring in more people. We worked together as a team to bring the World Cup to North America here in the future. We are proud of that. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Larsen for being a great teammate.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National Sojourners for their 100th year of service to our nation and for National Sojourners week which is June 3rd through June 8th. The National Sojourners was born of wartime requirements and nurtured by the desire of displaced military Masons to seek each other's company, counsel and aid. Their purpose is to organize current and former members of the uniformed forces of the United States and Honorary Members, who are Master Masons, into Chapters to promote good fellowship, cultivate Masonic ideals, support all patriotic aims and activities in Masonry, and develop patriotism and Americanism throughout the nation. For a century, the National Sojourners have counted among their ranks leaders from every facet in American society. From three U.S. Presidents, to Generals and Admirals, to our junior enlisted personnel, National Sojourners have served patriotically for the cause of freedom. Among their ranks have been several Medal of Honor recipients, some of whom made the supreme sacrifice to ensure our liberty. National Sojourners accomplishes its mission of education through 160 National Sojourner Chapters located throughout the United States and Europe, as well as its Headquarters located in Virginia, which provides support to all Chapters. Love of country is promoted by local Chapters through educational information and programs in Americanism and Patriotism specifically directed to the youth of our nation in the form of Youth Leadership Conference scholarships, high school- and college-level ROTC Awards, and patriotic essay contests. I would also like to welcome our military veterans and National Sojourners to Nebraska, the Heartland of America, where they will host their Centennial Annual National Convention. Thank you for your service and continued patriotism for our country.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, in honor of National Foster Care Month, I would like to address a vital issue in today's foster care system: the need for more foster care parents. I would also like to recognize a few foster care organizations in Nebraska's Second Congressional District. These organizations embrace children in the foster care system and are committed to helping youth find permanent homes through foster parents, so that they, too, can experience love, stability, and the freedom to reach their full potential, regardless of their circumstances. Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska has been an advocate in the child foster care system for more than 125 years. This year, their mission is to secure 100 foster families who can offer a mature and stable environment. Boys Town Nebraska, where I was fortunate to speak this last weekend at their high school graduation, directly serves about 30,000 children every year and believes that foster parents are the heart of high- quality foster care by offering children protection, permanency, and comfort. The Child Saving Institute values the overall well-being of children by offering free, trauma-informed training to individuals and couples who want to serve as foster parents. And the Nebraska Children's Home Society not only strives to find permanent homes for children, but they also address the need to foster teenagers. All four of these organizations provide care and assistance to the abused and neglected and encourages the need for foster parents for children of all ages. Each year, hundreds of Nebraska youth are removed from their homes due to unfortunate circumstances. Many of them fear where they will end up or if they will ever find their forever home. My wife, Angie, and I adopted two children, Austin and Jessica, from the foster care system when they were just 8 and 9 years old. Even though we already had two sons, we knew that there were not enough homes for older children and siblings. Austin and Jessica are blessings to our family. Even though foster parenting was challenging, choosing to adopt them was one of the best and most rewarding decisions Angie, my wife, and I have ever made. Even though foster children are hurting, they are just looking for someone to be committed to them and help them succeed. It is time to realize that everyone can play a part in enhancing the lives of children and youth in foster care and that these children just want someone to care for them. It is the hope that one day, through opportunity and lessons, these children will grow up and provide safety for their own children, benefiting future generations. The idea of children being placed with stable and devoted families is not a partisan issue. I am very appreciative to my colleagues from both sides of the aisle, and I am thankful to serve as a co-chair for the Foster Care Caucus. I will continue to be an advocate for foster children and encourage the need for foster parents. We must remember that every child, no matter the age, is worthy of love and deserves a family.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor May 15, 2019 as Peace Officer Memorial Day and May 13 through the 19, 2019 as Police Week. I stand in support of those who put their lives on the line, day in and day out, for the protection of those within the State of Nebraska and all over the United States. My district is home to two sheriff offices, a large urban police force, numerous community police departments, the Nebraska State Patrol, and a hand full of federal agencies. They have unique differences in their responsibilities yet they are strikingly similar in how they function. The different shapes of the badges they wear on their chests proudly proclaims their distinct alliance to their home agency, but it is also a symbol that binds them all together into one brotherhood. These gallant law enforcement professionals are driven to serve the public of their jurisdictions. To protect the life, limb, and property in their assigned patrol areas during their long hours for which they have this solemn duty. To those on the front line of our safety; it is not about the pay, the hours, or the conditions they work in. What is of importance to them is the satisfaction of making the world a better and safer place. They are the thin blue line that stands between us and some of the darkest parts of our society. When one of these brave individuals put on their uniform and departs their home for the streets, they are not worried for their own safety. They know their fellow officer have their back when needed. At great personal sacrifice, they are pained by missing the baseball games or recitals of beloved children; the birthdays and holidays they worked instead of being home with their families. I, like so many other members of the military, have a very personal connection and appreciation for those who choose this profession. I spent nearly thirty years in the military and much of that time was deployed with combat forces protecting our freedoms overseas: The men and women in military uniform depend on those back home in the blue uniform. Like so many others in the military, when I was overseas, I left my wife and children here in the U.S. As a former commander, I can tell you that the fastest way to negatively affect a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine within a combat situation was to have them worry about their family back home. Our great police officers, allow the military to be a success. I am in awe with the dedication that each officer displays daily. When our military is reunited with their family after a deployment, they can relax knowing their fellow public servants provide a shield of protection. This is a profession that takes a different type of individual, someone who is consistently putting their lives on the line, someone that I have always looked up to, a group of individuals that I cannot thank enough for the blanket of security that they provide. There are members of the law enforcement community who serve, retire, and move on in their lives. Eventually they go home and lay down their badge in retirement, but they will no longer miss these family events. These professionals have the gratitude of the constituents of my district and I want to thank them for their dedication to protect and serve. I would like to honor some of these courageous people who have long distinguished careers or who recently retired. They are: Deputy Sheriff David J. Wintle, of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, for over 29 years of service (deceased). This included 13 years as a K-9 handler. Deputy Sheriff Clarence Cooper, of the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office, for 22 years of service (deceased). He also served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. Officer Paul Briese Sr., of the Eppley Airfield Police Department, for 11 years of service (deceased). He also served 28 years with the Omaha Police Department and 4 years as the Sheriff of Boone County, NE. Officer Robert Wondra, of the Omaha Police Department, for over 25 years of service (retired). This included 22 years as a member of their SWAT team. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Chief Les Johnson, of the Bennington Police Department, for 26 years of service (deceased). Detective Matthew Elsasser, of the Papillion Police Department, for 13 years. He is the Papillion Police Department's 2018 Officer of the Year. I want to thank these officers and all others for their service and sacrifice.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Police Week to ask my colleagues to support H.R. 2378, the Kerrie Orozco First Responders Family Act. As we approach the 4-year anniversary of Omaha Police Officer Kerrie Orozco being killed in the line of duty, this legislation will show our first responders that we care about them and have their back. The Kerrie Orozco First Responders Family Act will amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow for the surviving family members of a fallen U.S. citizen first responder to be naturalized upon compliance with all requirements, waiving any residency waiting period. This bill is simply extending the privileges to first responders that current law affords to spouses of U.S. military killed while serving our country. In 2015, Officer Orozco was killed. Her husband, Hector, was going through the immigration process. His immigration status was put in jeopardy because his wife made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our community. Every day, thousands of first responders leave loved ones to risk their lives for our safety. They need to have the peace of mind that if something should happen to them, their loved ones will be taken care of. I look forward to working with Democrats and Republicans alike to protect our first responders and their families by passing the Kerrie Orozco First Responders Family Act. It did pass unanimously last Congress. We need to pass it again, get it to the Senate, and get it done.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Rutherford, a great friend and colleague, for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize a bipartisan issue that threatens the safety of our law enforcement officers and our communities in which they serve, and we have a solution for it. Enacted in 2004, the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, known as LEOSA, established clear guidelines allowing experienced retired or off-duty officers who maintain proper training to obtain certification allowing him or her to carry concealed firearms. The desired purpose was to create a shared national policy between States allowing off-duty and retired officers to carry their firearms wherever they are, granted they are qualified and received appropriate credentials. As many of my colleagues know, LEOSA has enjoyed a long history of support from both sides of the aisle. When it was first proposed by a Republican, LEOSA was cosponsored by more than half of the House. Subsequent amendments signed into law in 2010 and 2013 under Democratic President Barack Obama expanded LEOSA's coverage to include law enforcement officers in most Federal agencies as well as military police. In both instances, reforms were sponsored by Democratic Senators. LEOSA has always been a bipartisan priority because it is a law enforcement and public safety issue. It is not a Second Amendment or gun rights issue. The same is true about improvements in H.R. 1156, the LEOSA Reform Act, which I am sponsoring. The LEOSA Reform Act seeks to correct a number of unintended gaps and weaknesses in the original LEOSA bill. These gaps and weaknesses are not due to intentional restrictions in the original statute. Rather, they are areas in which the original statute is silent, resulting in conflicting interpretations and unintended restrictions which effectively limit the ability of off-duty and retired officers to carry their firearms, and we want them to do it in a manner that is safest for them and the public. This lack of specific language defeats the original intent of the law, which is to allow off-duty and retired officers to carry their firearms wherever they go. Granted, they have to be qualified and have to have received appropriate credentials. That is a given. It also created an inconsistent implementation across States, leaving many officers to either assume intended risk when carrying in accord with LEOSA or decide not to carry at all. The LEOSA Reform Act adds specific language to address these unintended weaknesses, and in doing so will make existing law stronger and more workable for those who seek its benefit while maintaining the rigorous standards that currently apply. The bill does not put more guns into our communities. Individuals affected by this legislation already have the authority to carry concealed weapons in most locations. Rather, H.R. 1156 will help ensure guns that are already in the hands of trained and certified law enforcement officers and retired officers can safely and legally be carried wherever they may be. In fact, the LEOSA Reform Act will help ensure firearms do not end up in the hands of criminals by allowing law enforcement officers and retired officers to keep their firearms safely on their person, rather than being forced to leave them unattended in vehicles in parking lots of locations that are currently restricted from carrying. The public's need for rapid intervention by off-duty and retired officers is made clear by the recent incident in California, where the heroic actions of an off-duty Federal officer who ran and shot at the synagogue gunman saved countless lives. It is an example that we see repeatedly. With the rise of tragic shootings in our Nation, empowering trained professionals to carry will allow them to respond more quickly to emergencies and provide years of expertise to these situations. I have heard from law enforcement officials throughout Nebraska's Second District and the Nation on the importance these changes will have on the lives of our community's heroes and their ability to protect themselves and others. In fact, the LEOSA Reform Act has been endorsed by 20 professional law enforcement organizations whose membership, when combined, is representative of well over half of all law enforcement in our country. On National Police Week, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in providing greater public safety for law enforcement and our communities at home by cosponsoring the LEOSA Reform Act. Officer safety and public safety is a bipartisan issue, and together we must and can do better. Madam Speaker, I will close with this: If I am in a situation where I am being victimized, who do I want near me? I would love to have a retired or off-duty policeman who is armed, and this bill makes that more likely.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Chair, I appreciate the bipartisan work here to support our bases that need to be rebuilt. I urge the support of this amendment to increase the Air Force O&M budget in the Disaster Aid Package to a total of $670 million for recovery of the military bases that sustained extensive damage by the recent storms. In March, my district in my home State of Nebraska experienced devastating floods where lives were lost and the scale of the destruction made it the worst natural disaster in our 152-year history as a State. The damage to Nebraska's infrastructure, agriculture, and local economy is extensive and includes Offutt Air Force Base, one of the two largest employers in our area. At the height of the storm, one-third of the base was under water, 3,000 people were displaced from their work centers, and 1.2 million square feet of mission space was lost. The flight line was inoperable, with a third of the runway under water. Many structures incurred significant damages, and critical systems were destroyed. Our Nation owes a debt of gratitude to those men and women at Offutt that worked relentlessly to save what they could. The mission impact and cost to the taxpayers would have been worse without their heroic efforts. So I am very grateful for the bipartisan leadership here and the teamwork by Representatives Cunningham, Fortenberry, Dunn, and so many others to make this a reality. You know, Offutt is one of the two primary intelligence surveillance reconnaissance hubs in our country, and it is the home of StratComm, so it is vital that we get this done. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and we need to support this amendment.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an organization that works with children who have had their lives forever impacted by terrorism or traumatic loss. Whether it was a child who lost someone in 9/11 or a child who lost a parent serving in the military, Tuesday's Children has served over 20,000 children since 2001 through trauma and grief support, youth mentoring, mental health services, youth leadership development, and so much more. Today is its annual Take Our Children to Work Day, a program that offers the opportunity for youth to see, up close and personal, what it is like to serve in Congress. Spending the day with me today are Spencer Hawn and Christopher Goodwin. They will be joining me at meetings and seeing what it is like behind the scenes of Capitol Hill. The work done by Tuesday's Children and other organizations in support of the children of our fallen is critical. As a Nation, we mourn the loss of lives lost to terrorists or traumatic events, but sometimes we forget the children of those who were tragically lost. I salute Tuesday's Children and its mission to give back to our wonderful youth.