Don Bacon

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the growing threat to our overseas military facilities posed by the Russian Federation. Today, one of the serious risks to our bases in Europe is Russia's corner on oil and natural gas. One such facility is the Army's new medical complex in Germany, planned to be located near Ramstein Air Base, where I was the installation commander. It would be financially irresponsible and strategically reckless to spend $1 billion for a state-of-the-art hospital, only to have the design of the new facility compromise the very reason it exists by relying on Russia as its primary source of fuel. There are local mixed- fuel energy supply options readily available, and it would be inexcusable not to make them part of the design of this project. This is good strategy, good economics, and just plain common sense. We can't allow ourselves to be put in a situation where Russia has the ability to cut off energy to our forward bases, especially when we could have averted this tragic vulnerability ahead of time. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House and Senate to join me in exercising aggressive oversight of this threat to our national security.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Microloan Modernization Act of 2017. This legislation will benefit America's small businesses by improving the Small Business Administration's Microloan program. Small business lending has not kept pace with the improving economy after the Great Recession, and this has been especially true for small- dollar borrowers. Early stage small businesses do not have the proven financial history and lack access to traditional lending. Unable to borrow money from banks and credit unions, they often turn to friends, family, or credit cards to finance their businesses. The SBA Microloan program provides access to capital through nonprofit intermediaries that will loan up to $50,000 for their upstart companies. These intermediaries also offer technical assistance and counseling to facilitate their business' success. H.R. 2056 will improve the SBA Microloan program by expanding the lending volume to microloan intermediaries, by giving them greater flexibility with their SBA technical assistance grants, to provide more preloan comprehensive assistance to businesses in their infancy, and by requiring the SBA to study and report to Congress on the utilization of the program. This bill provides meaningful reforms to modernize the SBA Microloan program, and I am a proud cosponsor. This is a needed bill to support the engine of our economy: our small businesses. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Chair, I rise today in respectful opposition to this amendment. No one can dispute America's need for icebreakers. These capital ships are indispensable tools to ensure the safe and rapid movement of commerce in Arctic waters. I commend my colleagues for their strong advocacy for these ships and share their belief that we need them. However, the responsibility and accountability for constructing and operating America's icebreakers must rest solely where the Congress has assigned it: the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard. The question we are debating today is not whether we need icebreakers, but how to appropriate the funds and who should build them. As important as icebreakers are, they are not warships, and we must not allow funding legitimately appropriated for our combat fleet to be diverted for nondefense needs. While I acknowledge the temptation to raid defense accounts for a worthy cause, we must be mindful of how deep in the hole we are with our air, land, sea, space, and cyber forces. We need to keep our eye on the ball in rebuilding our military's readiness and our modernization. Mr. Chair, I urge a vote ``no'' against this amendment.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Chair, I just want to point out, when I came to the Air Force in 1985, we have since then reduced our ICBM force by 60 percent. Enough is enough. Four hundred is the level we should not go below. Our strategic nuclear force enterprise is America's force of last resort and has, for decades, asserted peace through strength for the United States and its allies around the world. I would like to remind my colleagues that every one of us in the House and the many millions of Americans we represent have lived and prospered in peace precisely because we have made the conscious decision as a nation many years ago to keep a strong, responsive, and resilient nuclear deterrent. The ICBM leg of the nuclear triad is, by design, the largest, safest, and most responsive part of our central strategic forces. It is the very foundation of our nuclear deterrent, and we must preserve the longstanding bipartisan consensus that our ICBMs be kept at high levels of alert and at sufficient numbers to ensure our nuclear deterrent stays credible. As we continue down to a new START level, a treaty level of 400 ICBMs, it is essential that we go no lower. When we say ``promote the common defense,'' this is what those words mean. Mr. Chair, I urge support of this amendment.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in staunch support of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018. I served in the military under the past five Presidents starting with Ronald Reagan and witnessed firsthand the erosion of our combat edge. When I joined the military, we out-trained our competitors with a 2-to- 1 flying-hour advantage. Today, we are lagging behind them in training, and it is unconscionable to send our warriors to fight without every possible advantage. We don't want a close fight, but that is where we are at today. As a General Officer, I was charged with preparing our forces to prevail over any adversary, a nearly impossible task given the damage done by a 22 percent reduction of defense spending over the last 8 years while we are at war. This act will begin to right the ship with a 10 percent top-line increase providing the means to rebuild readiness, deter aggression, and defeat adversaries. It invests in peace through strength. The Constitution charges this body with the power to provide for the common defense. For the Armed Services Committee, this is a solemn obligation rooted in over 50 years of bipartisanship, and we meet this obligation with the 2018 NDAA. Mr. Chairman, I urge support.

Mr. BACON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to this amendment. I can attest unequivocally, based on firsthand knowledge, that this latest attempt to transfer detainees at Guantanamo Bay is strategically unwise and, I believe, morally wrong. None of the arguments in favor of transferring these prisoners are defensible militarily, legally, or financially. We are in a war and these prisoners were captured on the battlefield. There is no hard evidence to support the argument that Guantanamo is a decisive recruiting tool, and is extremely naive to believe that closing it would somehow magically change the hearts and minds of our enemies. We could disarm and renounce every interest we have and they would just invent another reason to attack us. The truth is that many of these prisoners are the worst of the worst, yet they are treated better than many of our own veterans. And here is the key point: prisoners released from Guantanamo have killed Americans in the past and, if given the chance, will gladly do so again, a fact openly conceded by officials in the Obama administration itself. We do not want the blood of Americans killed by these terrorists in custody today on our hands.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two lifelong servants from the State of Nebraska, former Speaker of Legislature Ron Withem and his wife, Diane. Speaker Withem is retiring this month from 2 decades with the University of Nebraska, where he has served as the associate vice president for university affairs and the director of governmental relations. As we see the end of one's historic career, we are reminded of the positive impact one person can have on so many. Ron and Diane Withem have selflessly dedicated their lives to the State of Nebraska both in educating our youth as well as through the legislative process. The impact they have made on the entire State of Nebraska is evident all around us in Nebraska. The story of the Withems is one full of many accomplishments. After moving to Papillion, Ron and Diane both became respected teachers in our local school district. Prior to entering politics, Ron was a teacher of history. Diane spent nearly 4 decades teaching in the Papillion-LaVista schools and prepared many students for college and success, including my own chief of staff, Mark Dreiling. As leaders in our Democratic Party, Diane and Ron's political journey began in 1976, when they campaigned for Hess Dyas during the U.S. Senate primary. Later that year, they both worked for another former Second District Congressman, John Cavanagh, in the general election. Following Congressman Cavanagh's victory, Ron served as a congressional aide in his local office. By the 1980s, Ron was a member of the Papillion-LaVista School Board and was a member of the Papillion Planning Commission. When the legislative seat in District 14 became vacant in 1983, Ron was tapped by Governor Bob Kerry to serve out the term. And serve he did. Ron Withem dedicated 14 years of his life in our legislature, serving as the chairperson of the Urban Affairs Committee, the chairperson of the Education Committee, and the high mark being his election as the first Democratic speaker since 1970, which happened in a Republican- majority body of our officially nonpartisan legislature. During that time, he rose to become one of the most well-respected voices in our unicameral, proudly working on issues that he was passionate about and that would have had a profound impact on our State. Some of his accomplishments are easily visible, such as the Harrison Street Interstate Exchange. Working alongside local elected officials and business leaders, Ron's strong advocacy paved the way for what is now one of our most vibrant areas in the district. A leader among leaders, Ron was instrumental in sponsoring and guiding many other important pieces of legislation into law. He negotiated the State's first major reform in K-12 educational funding, sponsored legislation granting tuition waivers for veterans' dependents, led efforts to improve accessibility and the transparency of our elections, and he worked to create Nebraska's first bone marrow drive system. Through his years in public office, he was well-respected by both his colleagues as well as his constituents. Ron was known for his uncanny ability to remember bill numbers, the year a bill was discussed, and even the most minute details surrounding the debate. As his former aide, Michelle Waite, said: ``He might be a donkey, but Ron had the memory of an elephant for sure.'' He was considered a master legislative strategist who knew how to pull together a coalition from both parties to get the people's business done. After 14 years of serving in the legislature, Ron went to work for the University of Nebraska. During his tenure, he made a tremendous impact on our State by leading the university's legislative relations strategy. He also was the force behind the Building a Healthier Nebraska legislative initiative. The result of this initiative was a new cancer center, veterinary diagnostic center, and a health sciences center facility. Ron was one of the architects behind the compromise that transferred the Nebraska State fairgrounds to the University of Nebraska for the development of the Nebraska Innovation Campus. This public-private partnership leverages university research for economic benefit, all the while preserving some of the history of our State fairgrounds. His colleagues at the university talk about their tremendous respect for Ron. He was known for building quality relationships with others and his ability to meet daily challenges with positivity. Ron once said: ``My goal is to communicate to policymakers the enormous value the University of Nebraska brings to the State and its people.'' His passion for the university and the success of Nebraska's youth motivated him to work in higher education State relations. His achievements in higher education State relations did not go unnoticed. At the Higher Education Government Relations Conference in 2013, Ron was awarded the Marvin D. ``Swede'' Johnson Achievement Award, a very prestigious national level award. As a fellow citizen of Papillion, I want to thank both Ron and Diane Withem for their positive impact that they have made serving our community and our State.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of this bill today. I stand in support of the rule of law. I stand in support of our institutions. I also stand in memory of Sarah Root, a young woman who was murdered by a drunk driver on January 16. She was killed in my district--or Nebraska 02--a short time after graduating from Bellevue University with a 4.0 grade point average, with a bright future ahead of her. She was loved by her parents and her extended family. If you see her picture, that beautiful smile would warm any room. The perpetrator was here illegally from Honduras. He posted bail and never was seen again. ICE failed to hold him, and justice was denied. We can't let this happen again. The bill today will fix this. We can't let a travesty of justice like this ever happen again. Our systems have to hold people accountable. When ICE lets people go like this and they leave, a travesty of justice occurs. Today we stand with Michelle Root, the mother of Sarah Root, who is here, and we stand with Scott Root. We remember Sarah Root, and we say: Never again.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a lifelong servant from Sarpy County, Nebraska, Sergeant Don Voss. As we see the end of one officer's historic career, we are reminded of the need for brave police officers from around our great nation to pick up this calling of service. Sergeant Don Voss joined the police force in 1978 while still serving as a member of the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He received awards such as the Bellevue Jaycees Officer of the Year, the Knights of Aksarben Citizen Soldier Award, and the Michael J. Elman Officer of the Year Award. He received the Department Life Saving Award for quickly administering CPR to an infant, ultimately saving their life. He was a pioneer in community policing as a narcotics officer responsible for combating the growing opiate problem and providing care to Sarpy families whose children and loved ones were battling opiate addiction. Don is a sterling example of someone who has put their life on the line, day in and day out, for nearly 40 years protecting the citizens of Nebraska. Sgt Don Voss, I wish you and your family the best in this next phase in your life. You and the entire police family will always have a friend in Washington, DC.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, in light of yesterday's tragedy, I think it is important to remember those who keep our communities safe, including our military, law enforcement, and first responders. In addition to those groups, I believe educators are also heroes. Today, I want to highlight a family from my hometown of Papillion, Nebraska, the Kelletts, whose story represents what it means to be heroes and servants of our Nation. Bill Kellett recently retired as the director of the Papillion-La Vista South High School band, and was a music educator for 33 years. His students were featured in two Presidential inaugural parades and marched in the 2000 millennium celebration in London. His wife, Andrea, is also a longtime educator who taught history and directed the Titan guard and legion units. Three of their sons currently serve as airmen, and a fourth one is also a teacher in our community. Last December, Captain Kyle Kellett, one of their sons, was recognized with the Lieutenant General William H. Tunner Award as the commander of the most outstanding airlift crew in the United States Air Force. As civil war was raging in Yemen, then-Secretary of Defense Ash Carter ordered all U.S. personnel out of the country, and that is when Captain Kellett and his crew put their lives on the line to protect their fellow Americans. Their no-fail mission was flown at night, over the war-torn country, in bad weather, and with little time for planning. Captain Kellett and his crew quickly evacuated 70 Americans only hours before militants overran their location. His leadership and crew were nothing short of heroic. This is a proud all-American family. I want to thank the Kellett family for their service to our country.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues and fellow citizens to elevate our political discourse in which we participate for the good of our country. Some of what I see in America grieves me. The partisan divide grows more volatile, and decency shrinking in our political dialogue. Many on the left continue to say, Mr. Trump is ``not my President.'' And in the past, some on the right have said, Mr. Obama is ``not my President.'' Now we have people who think it is comical to be photographed with the depiction of the President's bloodied head. I can only think of real-life intelligence photos I have viewed of innocent men and women shortly after their decapitation at the hands of a terrorist. Escalating America's political discussion to actions like what Ms. Griffin is guilty of undermines our Nation's discourse and weakens the unity of our citizens, and I don't know where it stops. I fear we are pulling apart. The left and right should not hate each other. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., asserted: ``Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.'' We must be able to disagree, debate, and then strive together for America. When we pull apart, our Nation weakens and our citizens become more vulnerable. I fear that if we continue down this path, the political wedge will be so ugly it will not be so easily repaired. It is this pulling apart that caused us not to pass a defense spending bill on time for almost a decade. Our military leaders have stated we are back to the hollow force of the 1970s due to this congressional malpractice. Our Navy is unable to fly half of their aircraft; the Army only has 3 of their 58 combat brigades fully ready to deploy; and our Air Force pilots fly less hours today than they did during the hollow force years. In other words, the partisan rancor has undermined our Nation's defense, and our servicemen and -women are paying for this price in readiness. If North Korea, Russia, or another threat tries to take advantage of our weaknesses, our great warriors will pay for it with their blood. I love our country and our representative democracy. We have had our times of extreme divide. At the beginning of our Nation's history, there were very aggressive debates between the followers of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, for example. We saw strife during Andrew Jackson's Presidency, when many of his opponents feared he was going to be America's Napoleon, and we survived those times. But let us not forget the bitter acrimony leading up to the 1860s, when we saw physical assaults on the floor of Congress. That divide was only solved after over 600,000 Americans died in the Civil War. Let us debate the issues. I have already held five townhalls myself to engage in the essential debates to improve our country, and I will hold more. But when it comes to the vitriol and verbal assaults, let us all take a knee and reflect. Are we taking our Nation to a potential precipice of a disaster if we keep turning up the volume of this partisanship? Earlier this year, the congressional freshman class signed a civility pledge. I again pledge civility, but I also implore our Nation to include our media and entertainment to reflect on the tone and ugliness that we are seeing. Let us rein in the anger and disrespect. I implore our President, our Senate, all of us in the people's House, all of our citizens, let us raise the bar of our debate and treat each other with respect. Let us not cross the line between criticizing the issues to criticizing the person. I have served in the military next to many great Americans for nearly 30 years, and we all swore to protect and defend every American with our lives, regardless of our party affiliations. In fact, I rarely knew if a person was a Republican or a Democrat during my time in the Air Force. Let us not forget, too, that, during our history, 1.2 million Americans gave their lives in the defense of this country. They were Democrats, Republicans, Independents. Some had no party at all. Some were Federalists. Some were Whigs. They paid the ultimate price so we could have the privilege of a free and open debate that we enjoy today. They fought and died so our citizens could be the sovereigns of our Nation. Let us turn away from the anger, outrage upon outrage, away from the character assassinations. Let us turn toward civil debate and contend for our ideas and values in a manner pursuant to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. When we lose an election, regardless of the party, let us do so gracefully, and respect the will of the voters and the Constitution. Let us agree when we agree, and respectfully disagree when we disagree. But to resist at all costs, on every issue, is damaging to our country. Today, some are calling for impeachment of our President. With the facts that we have, it is wrong and it is putting politics over the well-being of our country, and we are better than this. Let us turn down the volume.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Lisa L.A. Epperson on the occasion of her retirement from the United States Air Force, the best Air Force in the world. Colonel Epperson has given a great deal to this Nation through her service. Her assignments include Wright-Patterson, Tyndall, Los Angeles, Hill, and Nellis Air Force Bases, and finally here at the Pentagon. Colonel Epperson has influenced mission systems from Defense Satellite Communications System and Minuteman III, an ICBM, to the F-15 and F-22. Most importantly, she impacted our warfighting operations in Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. Throughout her distinguished career, Colonel Epperson represented our country with honor, and I am privileged to pay tribute to her. On behalf of Congress and the United States, I want to thank Colonel Epperson; her husband, David; and their children, Trevor and Cassidy, for their 20 years of service. I wish them Godspeed and continued happiness as they start this new chapter.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1242 entitled, ``400 Years of African-American History Commission Act.'' As a co-sponsor of this legislation, I worked with my colleagues to pass this act in the House and look forward to the Senate also passing this bill. I believe it is important for all citizens of the United States to recognize the unique history, sacrifices, and remarkable contributions that African Americans have made to build our great nation. I am invigorated by this legislative intention to identify and educate the public on the arrival of Africans and their role in building this great country. It is equally important to understand the generational impact that slavery and laws that enforced racial discrimination had on the United States. While there have been many successful and inspirational African Americans with enumerable contributions, we must address ongoing racial disparities in employment and education by focusing on achieving six universal milestones for success. These six universal milestones include: 1. Entering school ready to learn; 2. Reading at grade level by third grade; 3. Graduating from high school ready for college or career; 4. Completing post-secondary education or training; 5. Successfully entering the workforce; and 6. Reducing violence and providing a second chance for returning citizens. I applaud the many organizations actively working to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by African Americans. In my community of the 2nd Congressional District of Nebraska, I appreciate the efforts of Willie Hamilton, president and founder of Black Men United. He is a true grass roots leader. In addition, I want to highlight some other organizations, and work ongoing in the district I serve to implement a coherent cradle-to-college-and-career strategy for improving the life outcomes of all young people. These organizations include Urban League of Nebraska, The START Center, the Omaha Empowerment Network coordinated by Willie Barney, Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership, 100 Black Men of Omaha, Malcom X Foundation, Operation Youth Success, Members of the Midlands Mentoring Partnership, the efforts by the City of Omaha through the Black Male Achievement program previously coordinated by Cameron Gales. Like all complicated issues facing Americans, we need this type of strong community support along with smart bipartisan legislation to address any problem. As the African-American History Commission develops programs, I hope they will consider inspiring communities to continue building partnerships between local organizations, government, businesses and foundations. This will connect young African American men and women with support networks, mentoring programs, and the skills training they need to succeed in the classroom and in the workforce. While we learn from and celebrate the past, we must also look to a much brighter future for all Americans.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from Texas for yielding to me. I just want to take a few moments to thank the House for the work they did recently on H.R. 1242, and I want to urge the Senate to take action on this bill as well. So I rise today in support of H.R. 1242, entitled 400 Years of African-American History Commission Act. I am a cosponsor of this legislation. I worked with my colleagues to pass this act in the House, and I look forward to the Senate also passing this bill. I believe it is important for all citizens of the United States to recognize the unique history, sacrifices, and remarkable contributions that African Americans have made to build our great Nation. I am invigorated by this legislative intention to identify and educate the public on the arrival of Africans and their role in building this great country. It is equally important to understand the generational impact that slavery and laws that enforced racial discrimination have had on our United States. While there have been many successful and inspirational African Americans with enumerable contributions, we must address ongoing disparities in employment and education by focusing on achieving six milestones for success. These milestones include: entering school ready to learn; reading at grade level by third grade; graduating from high school ready for college or career; completing postsecondary education or training; successfully entering the workforce; reducing violence and providing a second chance for returning citizens. I applaud the many organizations actively working to address these opportunity gaps faced by African Americans. In my community of the Second Congressional District of Nebraska, I appreciate the efforts of Willie Hamilton, president and founder of Black Men United. He is a true grassroots leader. In addition, I want to highlight some other organizations and work that is ongoing in the district I serve to implement a coherent cradle- to-college-and-career strategy for improving the life outcomes of all young people. These organizations include: the Urban League of Nebraska; the START Center, that is run by my friend, Julian Young; the Omaha Empowerment Network, coordinated by Willie Barney; the Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership; the 100 Black Men of Omaha; the Malcolm X Foundation; the Operation Youth Success; members of the Midlands Mentoring Partnership; the efforts of the City of Omaha through the Black Male Achievement Program, previously coordinated by Cameron Gales, another friend of mine. Like all complicated issues facing Americans, we need this type of strong community support, along with smart bipartisan legislation to address these problems. As the African-American History Commission develops programs, I hope they will consider inspiring communities to continue building partnerships between local organizations, government, businesses, and foundations. This will connect young African-American men and women with support networks, mentoring programs, and the skills and training they need to succeed in the classroom and in the workforce. While we learn from and celebrate the past, we must also look to a much brighter future for all Americans.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate May as National Foster Care Month. I also welcome those currently in and alumni of our foster care system, along with our supporters, who are visiting Capitol Hill today. Foster Care Month is a very small way to acknowledge the youth that are a part of the system, along with all of those who make an enormous difference in their lives. This month is about improving the foster care system and providing support to the individuals who selflessly make this system work. The success of our country depends upon the well-being of our youth today. We know, through much social research, that family stability is directly linked to less behavioral and academic problems. We have the duty as a nation to empower all children so they can have the same sense of promise and possibility as any other, regardless of their circumstances. National Foster Care Month is a time to celebrate the selfless men and women who embrace children in the foster care system and recommit to helping more youth find permanent families so they can, too, experience stability and the freedom to fulfill their limitless potential. Mr. Speaker, the foster care system has always and will always be near and dear to my heart. My wife, Angie, and I adopted two children, Austin and Jessica, then 8 and 9, respectively, through the foster care system. The idea that children belong in stable families is not only one of the most bipartisan issues I have the privilege of working on, but it is one that is important to me and dear to me. Nothing is more important to a child's upbringing and long-term success than a loving and stable home. The bedrock of the American story is a strong and supportive family. We must do everything we can to care for all of our youth so they can be free from harm and set up for success so that they might pen our country's unwritten future. Today I have the honor of being shadowed for the day by Kimberly Grosse of Omaha, Nebraska. Kim was in foster care for 8 years. Starting off in a group home, she was later placed at Boys Town, where she graduated from high school. Kim currently works as a communications specialist, dispatching medical EMS helicopters. She also volunteers her time as a court- appointed special advocate for kids currently in the foster care system. Kim, like so many other alumni of the system, pays it forward with her dedicated support. She is a shining example of determination and perseverance in all aspects of her life. I know that this young lady has an extremely bright future ahead. I also appreciate my colleagues from both sides of the aisle-- Representatives Karen Bass, Diane Black, Trent Franks, Jim Langevin, Brenda Lawrence, and Tom Marino--for their leadership in the Foster Care Caucus. I am grateful to fellow Members who help advocate for this important cause. Now, let's continue to embrace the spirit that every child matters and continue to work toward providing all of our sons and daughters an equal opportunity to lead productive and fulfilling lives, not limited to anything but their hopes, dreams, imagination, and perseverance. I salute all of those who are supporters of the foster care system. I also just want to add, I know, firsthand, when you see your foster children grow to be healthy, successful, independent, and loving adults that you gain a tremendous sense of satisfaction and thankfulness.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. BACON. Mr. Chairman, it was an honor to be able to have a bipartisan game out there and have a good time. Soccer keeps children in shape. Thousands and thousands of our kids get to play this every year. We also stay in shape. It also teaches them teamwork and how to follow the rules, and they become better citizens. I had to do an ibuprofen this morning.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in support of H.R. 1970, the Kerrie Orozco Act. This coming Saturday is the 2-year anniversary of the death of the Omaha Police Officer Kerrie Orozco, who was killed while serving a warrant to a convicted felon and known gang member. May 20, 2015, will forever be a somber day in the Omaha metro area. Every day all across the country, first responders put their lives on the line to protect citizens. When Officer Orozco was killed, her husband, Hector, was going through the process to gain U.S. citizenship, and her death put a halt to it. He has an enormous responsibility as a single parent, and we owe it to Kerrie to ensure that her family is provided the same protections they would have had if this unfortunate situation had not occurred. H.R. 1970 would give many of our first responders peace of mind to know that, even in death, their surviving loved ones can continue the immigration process. This legislation would 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. Current law allows for surviving family members of the U.S. military killed in service of our Nation to continue with their citizenship application. H.R. 1970 will simply extend that privilege to first responders. We owe it to Officer Orozco and other fallen first responders to honor their memory by passing H.R. 1970. I look forward to working with both Democrats and Republicans in Congress to give our first responders the peace of mind they deserve as they head out the door each day to serve our communities.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 14 through 20 as National 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's offices, a large urban police force, numerous community police departments, the Nebraska State Patrol, and a handful 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 proclaim 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. They 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 puts on the uniform and departs their home for the streets, they are not worried about their own safety. They know their fellow officer has their back when needed. At great personal sacrifice, they are pained by missing the baseball games or recitals of beloved children, the birthdays and the holidays that they have worked instead of being home with their family. 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 30 years in the military, and much of that time was deployed with combat forces protecting our freedoms overseas. The men and women in the 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 in the U.S. As a five-time 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 of 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 life on the line, someone that I have always looked up to, and a group of individuals that I cannot thank enough for the blanket of security they provide. There are members of the law enforcement community who serve, retire, and move on with their lives. Eventually they go home, lay down their badge in retirement, but they will no longer miss those family functions and 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 have recently retired: Sergeant Joe Eaton from the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office, 38 years and retired; Sergeant Troy Kister, Omaha Police Department, 29 years and retired; Captain Kevin Pokorny, LaVista Police Department, 32 years and retired; Deputy Stephanie Squiers, Sarpy County Sheriff's Office, 32 years and retired; Sergeant Don Voss, Sarpy County Sheriff's Office, 39 years and will soon retire; Deputy Dennis Yeaman, Douglas County Sheriff's Office, 42 years and still serving, nearing retirement. I want to thank these officers and all others for their service and sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, before I close, I am often asked, as a 30-year, retired military officer, to pay tribute to our law enforcement and to compare. And what strikes me is I used to operate or train in the safety of home, but we would deploy into harm's way. Our law enforcement, every single day, put themselves in harm's way. So we love our law enforcement, we respect them, and we thank them.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bipartisan effort to protect victims of nonconsensual sharing of intimate media in the Armed Forces and to hold those who engage in this dishonorable practice accountable under the military law. This is a bipartisan effort, and I appreciate that. It should be. This is a terrible thing that we have to fix. I am a five-time commander. I was on the front lines fighting this as a commander. I court-martialed those who abused others. I proudly did so. I was recognized as having the best Sexual Assault Response Program in the Air Force back in 2008 and 2009. Also, I am proud to stand here in this bipartisan effort as a husband, a father of a daughter, and a grandfather of three little granddaughters. We have got to do better, and we stand in this together to make a difference. Last month we observed Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and I spoke to the body on the obligation we share as elected leaders to support those who have been victims of sexual violence and exploitation. It is, therefore, fitting that we continue this campaign by turning our good words into legislative action. I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for inviting me to speak on this subject. As members of the Armed Forces, we are taught the values of honor, integrity, loyalty to our Constitution, to our flag, and to the Republic for which it stands. From our earliest days in uniform, we are also imbued with an unbreakable commitment and trust in each other as warriors and teammates. These are not abstract concepts of quaint notions of a bygone age. Rather, they are the foundation of combat readiness and competence under fire. Mr. Speaker, I submit these ideals are the very essence of our strength of arms as a nation. That is why when someone in our midst betrays this trust and dishonors our code, the consequences go far beyond an individual act of depravity. It strikes at the heart of our core values and threatens the foundation of our combat readiness. And when the victims of these crimes perceive they are condoned by the very institution they serve, the damage is greater still. That is why Congress has an obligation to act and to remove any doubt that those who traffic in intimate pictures of their teammates and wrongfully share them not only violate the bonds of human decency, but are breaking the law. That is why I am proud to stand in a bipartisan effort and also with Representative McSally and colleagues on both sides of the aisle as an original cosponsor of H.R. 2052, the PRIVATE Act, to amend the Uniform Code of Military Justice to prohibit the wrongful broadcast of intimate visual images. This is important to change the UCMJ. It will protect the victims of this crime, hold those who engage in these acts accountable, and make absolutely clear--zero doubt--to every member of the Armed Forces that such conduct is unacceptable and will be prosecuted under the law. Those of us in the House who have served in uniform and have been entrusted with the responsibility of command know firsthand the importance of disciplined adherence to standards and of creating a climate of mutual trust that treats all members with dignity, fairness, and respect. For those of us who have fought to enforce our laws and protect the victims of all forms of sexual assault and exploitation in the military, this is not just what is right; it is also very personal. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand with my fellow Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle in support of this important legislation, support for our military, support for our culture, support for the defense of our country. I thank those who are leading the effort tonight.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to congratulate the USA Team on winning gold at the Bocuse d'Or culinary competition in Lyon, France. I would also like to recognize one team member, Harrison Turone, a Nebraska high school graduate. Harrison grew up in Omaha. During his high school career, he enrolled in the Omaha Public Schools Career Center culinary program where he received college credits to the Institute for the Culinary Arts at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha. In addition to his academic pursuit of the culinary arts, Harrison worked at many restaurants in our area and in California. He then moved to New York to train with Chef Mathew Peters for the USA Team selection for the Bocuse d'Or while working at Per Se restaurant. After winning the team's selection and the honor to represent the United States, Peters and Turone moved to Napa Valley to train for a year for the Bocuse d'Or competition. The Bocuse d'Or is a prestigious culinary competition that is held in Lyon, France, every 2 years. It is named after the well-renowned French chef Paul Bocuse. He is recognized as the father of the modern French cuisine and has been awarded ``Chef of the Century'' by the The Culinary Institute of America. While fighting Nazi Germany during World War II, he was shot in the chest and treated at a U.S. Army hospital. He was given a transfusion of blood that saved his life. The United States competed against 23 other countries in the Bocuse d'Or and won. This was the 30th anniversary of the competition, and it marked the first time the United States took home the gold. I send my congratulations to the entire team and a special congratulations to Harrison Turone. You represented your team and our State admirably.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the need to support those who have been victimized by this terrible crime. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men will experience sexual violence, and 7 out of 10 sexual assault cases are committed by someone who the survivor knows. Nearly 50 percent of female survivors will experience PTS, or post trauma stress, and per the Rape and Incest National Network, only 2 percent of those offenders will spend jail time or be convicted of a felony. Sex trafficking is a prevalent problem, and according to the U.S. State Department, 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders. Of those numbers, 80 percent are female and half are children. Sex trafficking occurs when someone uses fraud, force, or coercion to cause a commercial sexual act with an adult or cause a minor to commit a commercial sexual act. Thus, victims of sex trafficking are also victims of assault. They are threatened, taken from families and loved ones, and forced to commit acts they would not do on their own free will. These statistics demand action. I personally know victims of sexual assault, and I have tackled it head-on while as a commander. I started this journey when I was a commander at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany. When I arrived there as a new base commander in 2008, the allegations of sexual assault were too high. I implemented a two-step solution to address the problem. First, all rape accusers, if willing to testify, would have their day in court, have their day to say what happened to a jury. Second, those convicted of rape would have their names and prison sentences distributed widely around the base. Our rates immediately improved. This program was later ranked by the Air Force as the number one sexual assault response program--the number one in the Air Force. So I take this issue seriously. I recently met with Courtney, a constituent in my district in Omaha, who was sexually assaulted while serving as a marine. She shared her story with me, including how she was treated after reporting the rape. And what she told me greatly disheartened me. I could not believe that someone who proudly served in uniform was basically ostracized by the very people she served with. She felt persecuted and ignored for daring to report an assault that should not have occurred, from simple acts of being ignored to having her belongings thrown out of the barracks in black trash bags by her fellow servicemen. Courtney was not only a victim of assault, but a victim of repeated backlash from superiors and colleagues. Courtney developed PTS because of not only the assault, but how she was treated for reporting the assault. In my district office is Makayla, an intern who at the young age of 15 was molested by her father. Makayla's parents were divorced, and one weekend when she was alone with her biological father, the horrendous crime took place. She would live in fear for the next 2 years until, finally, by the grace of God, she told her mom what happened. The days following were a whirlwind, from giving testimony to telling her grandparents what their son had done to her. The lives of both women will never be the same. However, they both know and both knew that God would turn their trauma into triumph. Makayla is now a college student at the University of Nebraska Omaha and shares her story at colleges, schools, nonprofits, and other organizations all over Nebraska. After graduating, she wants to work in politics to change the policies surrounding sexual assault cases. Courtney is also speaking out and has started a blog on social media sites detailing her journey to recovery and sharing her story so others know that they are not alone. She also will be staying in touch with me about potential legislation and ideas to help those who are victims of sexual assault in the military. There are many in Omaha who deserve recognition for the work they do every day to combat sexual assault and human trafficking to help victims. The Women's Center for Advancement helps victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. They have a hotline that victims can call and make that their first step in getting the help they need. Project Harmony offers victims of child sexual assault the opportunity to take forensic interviews instead of having to appear in court, which can retraumatize the victims. The Coalition on Human Trafficking is training staff at hotels and motels to be able to identify possible victims of sex trafficking. The goal is to provide the awareness training to all hotels within a 50- mile radius of Omaha, and to date they have trained over 85 locations. Finally, we can't forget the members of law enforcement who work tirelessly to catch those responsible for sexual assault and human trafficking. Without them, there would be so many more victims who would still be abused, assaulted, and traumatized. And while there are law enforcement and others dedicated to stopping these assaults and human trafficking, there is more that could be done. Earlier this month I joined my colleagues as an original cosponsor on H.R. 2052, also known as the PRIVATE Act, which would amend the Uniform Code of Military Justice to provide harsher penalties to anyone who engages in what is known as revenge porn. The Violence Against Women's Act of 1994 also helps provide some justice. This act used Federal funds to help investigate and prosecute sex offenders and establish the Office on Violence Against Women in the Department of Justice, a program we must continue to support. Finally, I have agreed to cosponsor H.R. 1035, the Extending Justice for Sex Crimes Act of 2017, which amends the statute of limitations for a victim of human trafficking or a Federal sexual offense to seek and recover damages. This bill sets a 10-year statute of limitations from the date the victim discovers the offense or injury and not when it occurred to file a civil action. It also extends the statute of limitations for a minor victim to file a civil action for 10 years from the date that the victim turns 18. Currently it stands at 3 years. Sexual assault and exploitation is a social problem and a crime. We need to step up and assist with prevention of these acts, prosecute the perpetrators, and provide the provisions for resources for victims.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the more than 48 million Americans who have currently reached retirement age. Shockingly, a significant number of Americans have saved nothing for their retirement. While retirement is often viewed as an issue for older Americans, today's economic realities mean that saving for retirement needs to start earlier than ever before. With rising healthcare costs, longer life spans, a burdensome tax code, and a reduction of pension offerings, more Americans than ever before are shouldering the burden of financing retirement entirely by themselves. The first week of April has annually been proclaimed as National Retirement Planning Week. Under the leadership of the National Retirement Planning Coalition, we are all being urged to rethink what we believe we know about retirement planning. Despite developing trends, the National Retirement Planning Coalition hopes to help guide all Americans towards securing a dignified retirement through holistic planning. Mr. Speaker, there are steps we all can take to achieve financial independence in our retirement years. We now have the opportunity to renew the national conversation on the importance of preparing and protecting retirement. I encourage my colleagues to support legislation which will help their constituents prepare for a dignified retirement.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.J. Res. 85.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the past and future of the United States Navy, the strongest and the best Navy in the world. On this day, March 27, President George Washington signed an ``Act to Provide a Naval Armament'' authorizing the construction of six frigates, which includes the USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat. The passage of the Naval Act of 1794 was, in part, a response to threats to American merchant ships from the Barbary pirates in the Mediterranean. 223 years later, the men and women of the U.S. Navy continue to protecting the goods and information we transport via ships and undersea cables to our overseas trading partners. This includes securing the resources and services we import to fuel our industries. Paraphrasing Admiral Jonathan Greenert: the mandate of the Navy in modern times is to be in the right place, at the right time, ready and able to respond. The 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review signed by then-Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel--may I add a Nebraskan--states that in order to support this mission, we need to ``continue to build a future Fleet that is able to deliver the required presence and capabilities and address the most important warfighting scenarios.'' In that light, I look forward to the commissioning of the USS Omaha this fall, and to congratulating the crew of the newest addition to the United States naval fleet. The USS Omaha, LCS-12, is an Independence-class littoral combat ship, and the fourth ship to bear the name USS Omaha. It is a chain dating back to the commissioning of a sloop-of-war in 1869. The last USS Omaha was a nuclear attack submarine that served in the Navy from 1978 to 1995. According to the Omaha World-Herald, a great source of intelligence, the ship is the sixth in line of Independence-class littoral combat ships with a futuristic trimaran design that sits high above the water. Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work once compared it to a Klingon Bird-of-Prey ship in the movie ``Star Trek.'' The ship was christened on December 19, 2015, by Susie Buffett. The ship's Latin motto is derived from its namesake, the city of Omaha, Nebraska. It translates to ``Courageously in Every Enterprise,'' which denotes her crew's willingness to brave any future endeavor. While I am very proud of the future crew of the USS Omaha, I am equally proud of the members of the Nebraska Navy League and their counterparts for supporting the Navy's missions, their personnel, and their families. In an effort to strengthen the connection between the USS Omaha and the citizens it serves, the Nebraska Navy League has committed to bringing several members of the crew to our community each year. This endeavor helps to enhance the morale of the Active Duty personnel and their families, but it also helps to inform the American public of the importance of a strong United States Navy. The people in the Second Congressional District are proud to have a fantastic new ship bearing the name of Omaha. It honors our community and the many men and women from Omaha and the surrounding metro area who proudly serve in the United States Armed Forces. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.