Jack Bergman

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Honor Bank upon the occasion of its 100th Anniversary. Through its trusted services, reliable staff, and community engagement, Honor Bank has become an indispensable part of Northern Michigan. Founded in 1917 as Honor State Bank, just $20,000 in capital and a determined staff built the bank into the community institution it is today. Over the course of 100 years, Honor Bank forged its path to success through World Wars and financial crises, all while maintaining its commitment to the community it was built upon. Today, the bank's capital has grown, yet it still promotes its ideals of independent community banking. The bank's Honor Code of integrity, hard work, responsibility, teamwork, and reliability is illustrated through its Giving Back to our Communities program. During each month of this year's anniversary celebrations, Honor Bank is highlighting the work of a local non-profit agency chosen by the bank's employees. Through this Agency Spotlight, customers and employees are encouraged to donate needed items, and employees volunteer on average 100 minutes per month to the selected agency. These charities have included the Betsie Valley District Library, Michigan Blood, and the Benzie Food Pantry. Honor Bank continues to set a positive example of what can be achieved when a company is built around a community. Mr. Speaker, it's my honor to congratulate Honor Bank and its staff for 100 years of success, service, and community investments. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such dedicated citizens. On behalf of my constituents, I wish Honor Bank all the best in its future endeavors.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it's my honor to recognize the Northwestern Michigan College Aviation Program upon the occasion of its 50th Anniversary. Through innovation, passion, and dedication, NMC Aviation has become an indispensable part of Northern Michigan. Founded in 1967, NMC Aviation came from small beginnings with three planes and five instructors. In just 50 years, it has grown to be one of the most respected aviation programs in the country. Today, they continue to raise the bar of innovation through ground-breaking courses and program partnerships with Michigan high schools and colleges across the world. Its instructors have real life experience, and its students have access to exceptional training and resources. As a commercial pilot of 22 years, I know the great need for quality pilots in our global economy, as well as the dedication and skill this profession requires. NMC Aviation has proven itself to be one of the best institutions of its kind at training the next generation of pilots. Mr. Speaker, it's my honor to congratulate the NMC Aviation Program for its 50 years of success and community investment. Michiganders can take immense pride in knowing that the First District is home to this outstanding institution. On behalf of my constituents, I wish the Northwestern Michigan College Aviation Program all the best in its future endeavors.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the Keweenaw National Historical Park upon the occasion of its 25th Anniversary. Through committed preservation and community engagement, the Keweenaw National Historical Park has become an indispensable part of Northern Michigan. For over 7,000 years, the Keweenaw area has been a source of natural resources and cultural enrichment. Native peoples first utilized its easily accessible and workable copper to create tools and items for trade. Later, copper became the center of growing industries and cosmopolitan communities in the Keweenaw. This rich history is preserved through the hard work of the rangers and volunteers at the Keweenaw National Historical Park. The celebration of the park's anniversary is the perfect recognition of efforts to preserve our history, culture, and beautiful landscapes. Today, the park continues to raise the bar of innovation through programs and partnerships with state and local governments, private businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Its steadfast work has helped give the people of the Keweenaw Peninsula and all of the Upper Peninsula a sense of unity and common heritage. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Keweenaw National Historical Park for its 25 years of success and community investment. Michiganders can take immense pride in knowing that the First District is home to such an important institution of historical, cultural, and environmental preservation. On behalf of my constituents, I wish the Keweenaw National Historical Park all the best in its future endeavors.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2123, the Veterans E-Health and Telemedicine Support Act. For veterans in my district, the challenge of receiving timely, quality care from the VA is, at times, impossible. In fact, winter has already arrived in northern and upper Michigan. Travel is complex and sometimes hazardous. With some of the most rural geography in the country, veterans in Michigan's First District are forced to travel long distances, often hours, into Wisconsin or hundreds of miles down into mid- and southeast Michigan just to keep simple doctors' appointments. Innovative healthcare solutions like telemedicine are long overdue. Veterans in my district will help validate the requirements for and the quality of such innovations. H.R. 2123 will allow VA-licensed healthcare providers to practice telemedicine at any location, in any State, regardless of where the provider or patient is located. This bill will make it easier for veterans in my district and all across the country to access healthcare services in a convenient setting that fits their schedule, ultimately, putting the veteran first. I have long said that if a program or policy can work in Michigan's First District, it can work anywhere. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of H.R. 2123.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Chairman, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2936.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 2936, the Resilient Federal Forests Act. My district is home to three national forests, Ottawa, Hiawatha, and Huron-Manistee. So when we use the term ``in our neck of the woods,'' we mean it. We understand how vitally important proper management of forests is for our environment, our economy, and our special way of life in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. I live right in the middle of the Ottawa National Forest, so this issue really does hit close to home for me. Now as we have seen the devastation from forest fires in the West, it is more important than ever to have this debate. But it is impossible to talk about the need for wildfire suppression without talking about proper forest management. These two go hand in hand--or at least they should go hand in hand. All too often, we hear rhetoric that managing our forests and removing dead or dying trees is a bad thing. This can't be further from the truth. When we leave these dried, rotting trees laying on the forest floor, they become an incendiary breeding ground for fires. Those fires cost the Forest Service billions of dollars and countless hours of manpower to extinguish. Last year alone, we spent $2.9 billion on suppression efforts. This leaves barely any financial resources to allocate towards actually managing our forests. H.R. 2936 seeks to end this cycle. Let's get at the problem now so it doesn't become a disaster later. This is not a partisan issue. This is a commonsense solution for our federally owned forest land. Mr. Chairman, I include in the Record a letter from the Forest Products Industry National Labor Management Committee and a letter from the Intertribal Timber Council. October 31, 2017. Hon. Rob Bishop, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Subject: Support for HR 2936, The Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017. Dear Congressman Bishop: As chair of the Forest Products Industry National Labor Management Committee, I am writing in strong support of HR 2936, The Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017. I urge you to vote in support of HR 2936 when it comes to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote on Wednesday, November 1. The Forest Products Industry National Labor Management Committee is a non-profit trust formed to pursue the common public policy interests of the working men and women in the forest products industry. Collectively, the Committee represents more than two million workers across the nation, including lumber and sawmill workers, woodworkers, machinists, carpenters, and pulp and paper workers. The balanced and sustainable management of our federally- owned forests has been of significant interest to the Committee since it was founded in 1990. Since that time, the Committee has engaged on numerous pieces of federal forest and related legislation. HR 2936 is a bipartisan measure that will address the growing economic and environmental threats posed by catastrophic wildfires. HR 2936 provides a responsible budgetary solution and targeted forest management reforms to improve the health and resiliency of America's forests. Adoption of these proposals will enhance federal forest stewardship; protect forest ecosystems from catastrophic fire and disease; and preserve rural, family wage jobs. The Forest Products Industry National Labor Management Committee urges you to vote in support of HR 2936, the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017, when the measure comes to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote this week. Sincerely, Mike Draper, Chairman, Forest Products Industry National Labor Management Committee.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 40 years of community revitalization in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. When Kincheloe Air Force Base closed in 1977, a renewal of the Saulte Ste. Marie community began as it transitioned from military to civilian use. These 40 years stand as a testament to the hard work and resilience of the folks of Chippewa County, who have overcome the job loss and revenue loss associated with Kincheloe's closing. The transition from military to civilian is not always an easy one, but I am proud to represent a region that has remained focused on investing in the future of our communities. On this anniversary, we not only celebrate our current successes, but we also remember the contributions of our past. Kincheloe Air Force Base played a significant role in shaping our national defense and making our community into what it is today. We are forever grateful to the Chippewa County community for preserving that history throughout these 40 years.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Chairman, it has been an honor to work with the chairman of the Budget Committee as a new Member of Congress because it is such a learning curve to understand the challenges that we have in our country in so many ways, but especially on the fiscal side of things. I would like to spend my time talking to my grandchildren right now. I am talking to your grandchildren as well. In the last 48 hours, I have had an opportunity--it was more of a responsibility--to chat with my grandchildren about the horrific events that occurred in Las Vegas. When you are 8 or 16, you assimilate those things in different ways. I talk to them a lot about responsibility for behavior, responsibility for money, and responsibility for their own lifestyles. I talked to them today to say that we are not going to put you into the debt hole caused by the spending that has occurred over the last decades in this country. We are not going to pass that along to you, because the hole is only getting deeper and more extensive, and we are passing it along to those next generations. Not only is it not right, it is morally wrong and absolutely irresponsible. We have to ask ourselves the questions: If not now, then when do we begin to bend the spending curve? If we don't do it, then who will? We know that mandatory spending within our grandchildren's lifetime will eclipse almost, if not, 100 percent of the Federal budget. That means no money for research, for medical, for education, and for all of those discretionary dollars that are so wisely spent. We have to begin to bend the spending curve now, and that means cuts in mandatory spending, while responsibly using the other dollars, the discretionary dollars, to advance good programs. That takes discipline, that takes effort, that takes making tough decisions that are unpopular but necessary for the future of our country. Our Budget Committee wrestled long and hard to present what you are going to vote on, and I am proud of the fact that with the discourse and debate that we had over tough issues, in the end, the American people are taking a next first step forward towards fiscal responsibility that reflects the reality that we owe to our grandchildren, just like our parents and grandparents felt that they needed to do for us during the Great Depression and a couple of World Wars to make sure that we have a physically viable country. This budget is a next first step.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, for years, the Department of Veterans Affairs has seen many of its medical personnel leave to pursue opportunities outside of the VA healthcare system, resulting in fewer healthcare providers and, ultimately, less access to care for our veterans. In the First District of Michigan, which I represent, we are largely a rural district, and our district and our veterans have suffered more than most on this. The GOOD Act utilizes a two-pronged approach to address VA's continuing struggles in recruiting and retaining their physician assistant workforce. This bill creates a pilot program to provide that pathway for veterans to receive the education necessary to become a PA while, simultaneously, requiring the VA to establish a national strategic plan to recruit and retain a robust and long-term medical staff. Our veterans have given so much for our country at exceptional costs, and they deserve access to timely and high-quality healthcare from skilled professionals. I am proud to join Ranking Member Kuster from our Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee in supporting this bipartisan legislation on behalf of our Nation's veterans. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the bill, H.R. 3262.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Chairman, advances in technology have given us the opportunity to increase access and streamline processes for veterans not only in the First District and across Michigan, but across the country. That said, we must ensure that technology is an asset and not an added burden to veterans, as it has been within the VA. The Department of Veterans Affairs IT landscape has been the primary topic of hearings within the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, due to its ever-expanding modernization timeline for outdated systems and lack of interoperability within and outside the Department. The solution is undisputed. The VA must modernize its IT systems or continue to face uphill struggles in timely claims and appeals processing, community care, scheduling, and financial management. Earlier this week, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee received an update from Secretary Shulkin that shows a continued lack of planning and implementation of its data center optimization program, an issue which was initially pointed out by the GAO during a hearing back in February. With all this in mind, I was understandably troubled when I saw the underlying bill provided $52 million less for IT development and modernization than last year's appropriation. I understand that cuts need to be made, and that this bill aims to address other issues plaguing the VA, but it is imperative I make this point to the chairman and the ranking member. Our veterans deserve immediate access to care and timely adjudication of their disability claims from an efficient, effective Department of Veterans Affairs. This simply cannot happen until the VA addresses the woeful state of its IT systems. I ask that the chairman, the ranking member, and the rest of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee work with me to address this issue going forward. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time, and I withdraw my amendment.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Idaho.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment to the Make America Secure Appropriations Act bill. My amendment simply adds $1 million to the U.S. Corps of Engineers' investigations account to assist with projects across the country that the Army Corps is in charge of overseeing. Projects like modernizing the Soo Locks, the lock system located in my district in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan which connects Lake Superior to the lower part of the Great Lakes through the St. Marys River. This is a project that has been around for a long time on the books. Projects like this that have more than 4,500 vessels and 80 million tons of cargo moving through the Soo Locks each year, this lock system plays a critical role in the transport of raw materials and other goods through the Great Lakes region to ports around the entire country. And currently, the construction of a new lock, which is integral not only to my district, but the entire United States, is caught in a mire of uncertainty, and it all comes down to one thing: funding. I think it is appropriate that we are considering this amendment in the context of making America secure because it might be a surprise to some to learn that modernizing the Soo Locks is a matter of national security. A recent Department of Homeland Security report has made clear that an unexpected interruption to the Poe--the largest lock in the system-- would have disastrous economic impacts across the Nation, to include a $1.1 trillion fall in national gross domestic product and a spike in national unemployment to a rate of 11.3 percent. Again, this is the Department of Homeland Security saying this. And while Congress has authorized the construction of a new lock twice now over several years, the Soo has been tied up in economic reevaluations and studies that have ultimately kept Congress and the Corps from spending the necessary funds to complete the project. This amendment sends a message to the Army Corps and reminds Congress that projects like the Soo Locks modernization must be a priority. During a time when infrastructure projects and national security are at the forefront of our policy conversations, projects like the Soo Locks should not be delayed because of funding uncertainty or limits to the Army Corps of Engineers' ability to do its due diligence in conducting the studies. I also wanted to take a minute and thank the chairman for working with me and understanding how significant and important the Soo Locks modernization and projects like this around the country are to our economy and our national security. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, how do I even start after getting an introduction like that other than to say that I am so blessed to be part of what I will put up against any Congress as the finest freshman class that has come across this floor to be sworn in. I am just proud to be one of Mr. Arrington's colleagues. Mr. Speaker, when you talk about rural America, how do you know it if you have never been part of it? I was born, raised, and grew up in a little Minnesota farming town. My dad came from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan because there was no work there for 18-year-olds. He went to Minneapolis looking for work. Of course, he found it, and then he found my mom. You know how that goes. So she told him that is where he was going to live for a while, and so that is where I was born. I had to walk all of a half a mile to work on a farm to help. It was about a 200-head dairy farm that also had some corn and some soybeans, and they had hay. I learned how to bale hay, I learned how to not fall off the wagon, and I learned how to shoot the silage into the silo and not fall into the silo when you are doing it. One of the least favorite jobs was cleaning up the dairy barn because it had those unique aromas. On a hot August day, you learn that they are all unique, but they are all important to the betterment of what we are trying to accomplish here. When you work with your hands--I have seen firsthand how rural America works, the dedication, the hard work, and the life that on a daily basis begins before the sun rises and, in many cases, ends long after the sun sets--that is commitment. It is not only commitment to your family, it is commitment to yourself, and it is commitment to your God that you know that you are blessed with what we have in our land. It is such important work. Daniel Webster said: ``Let us not forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man.'' ``The farmers, therefore, are the founders of civilization.'' It is so easy to believe that when the lights go off at the grocery store at night that the food just magically appears on the shelves. It is amazing how that just happens. Well, we know it doesn't just happen. It is the last in a series of long steps. Rural America knows better than anyone what it takes to get the food on those shelves. Rural America feeds the world, produces resources that are used in other industries, acts as job creators and the foundation of the economy, provides food security, and contributes to the moral fabric of our society. Farmers face so many challenges already. They are at the mercy of the weather, crop volatility, and ever-changing prices. Why is the government so insistent on adding more rocks to the pack of the farmer who is already overburdened in so many ways? They don't need any more headaches. I have often said that if something works in Michigan's First District, it will work anywhere. We are largely rural. We have got a lot of big water shoreline, and part of that big water shoreline provides the water to cultivate our fields. We grow a lot of potatoes up there. Anybody who really loves potato chips, chances are they came from a potato that started in Michigan. We grow sugar beets, cherries, and apples, just to name a few. In fact, just this past weekend, back in the district, I had a chance to really taste the cherries that we picked off the tree because it is that time of the year. We should be looking forward and looking to rural America as the example for success, not trying to hold it back with bureaucratic regulations and out-of-control government spending. It is time to cut through the red tape. Rural and urban survival depend on it. Power belongs in the hands of the individual--the farmers, the loggers, the fishermen, the miners, the ranchers, and every other hardworking man and woman in so many districts around the country and especially in our First District of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, speaking of hands, people who work with the land know when you are working with your hands that you don't just go right to the harvest. You first must till the land. You have to plant. You have to manage the growing season. Only then, after that long process that you cannot shortcut in any way, then comes a successful harvest. It has to happen in order. There is no other way. So anyone who expects good things happen easily has never been a farmer and has never been working with their hands. It is our job not just to honor but to raise rural Americans up as an example that hard work and traditional American values are still something to be admired so deeply. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor just to be talking about this subject tonight. It actually makes me want to somehow figure out a way to get back to the district right away to finish up the cherry harvest. It looks like we are going to have a really good one this year because God has blessed us with good weather. Rural America is who we are, and it is who we fight for. I am proud to be a Member of the 115th Congress. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Arrington) for the opportunity to speak on something that is so passionate and dear to my heart.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak today on behalf of H.R. 2749, the Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2017. I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their support for Ranking Member Kuster and myself. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2749 aims to provide the VA with the tools it needs to correct the persistent problem in contracting. The problem is improper pass-throughs. An improper pass-through is when a small business obtains a contract under a set-aside, but gives all or substantially all of the work to a large company and, nonetheless, collects profit. Sometimes multiple companies pass through the work while adding price markups. This has long been prohibited by law and wastes taxpayer dollars; but, in practice, agencies have little ability to stop it. In the VA, veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses have special preference to receive contracts, but bad actors are taking contracts away from law-abiding veteran businessowners who truly want to perform their work. The committee gets complaints about this situation nearly every week. This bill will make every bidder for a VA contract certify that it will perform the percentage of work the law already requires. The bill also directs the VA to work with the Office of Inspector General in a more effective way to find, stop, and, where appropriate, punish the improper pass-throughs. H.R. 2749 relies on existing law and fills in gaps in implementation, but does not create any new bureaucracy. The solution is long overdue. I strongly urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join Dr. Dunn and Mr. Panetta in supporting H.R. 2781, the Ensuring Veteran Enterprise Participation in Strategic Sourcing Act. This bill and my bill are complementary legislation. In addition to the vital healthcare and benefits VA provides to our veterans, it also awards billions of dollars of contracts annually to their small businesses. The impact of these contracts to support livelihoods and create jobs all over our country cannot be overstated. Just as veteran businessowners must abide by the rules, VA must abide by the rules and make available to them the contracting opportunities they have earned. Federal procurement is a very complicated system that sometimes produces strange outcomes. We must continue to work on that procurement and make sure that it functions properly. I strongly urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 2781.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo upon the occasion of its 50th Anniversary. We Michiganders are so proud of the rodeo's half-century of world-class entertainment, turnkey production, and commitment to confronting domestic violence. This tradition began in 1968 to showcase the rich agricultural production and culture of the Upper Peninsula. Originally established as the ``Iron River Area Championship Rodeo,'' the name was changed to ``Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo'' when Michigan state Senator Joe Mack introduced a resolution proclaiming Iron River to be the ``Rodeo Capital of the Upper Peninsula.'' To anyone who visits the wonderful city of Iron River, it is immediately clear that the bustling community takes great pride in hosting the only professional rodeo in Michigan. Throughout its proud history, the Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo has featured some of the First District's greatest musicians, athletes, and citizens of the last half-century. The rodeo consistently brings folks from across Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula together to enjoy a weekend of community, culture, and competition. Moreover, each year, the economic benefits brought to Iron River cannot be understated as thousands of people travel to the region. The Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo is about more than just competition, it's a charitable event committed to bringing public awareness to the issue of domestic violence. By raising money for local organizations working to better our communities, the rodeo has set a positive example of what can be achieved when a social event becomes a force for good in the community. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo for 50 years of entertainment and community service. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such a dynamic event and I look forward to enjoying the rodeo's continued success and dedication.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and his committee for their diligent work on this extremely important and timely law. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3004, Kate's Law. Our immigration system here in the United States is the most generous in the world. Good people from all over the globe who understand the American Dream seek to join us, and we are better for it. Alexander Hamilton, Levi Strauss, Albert Einstein, and so many others have called themselves Americans because of it. But as we continue to draw on that spirit of understanding and acceptance, we have to remember that a nation without borders is not a nation. We have a responsibility here in Congress to be proactive and protect our communities and our citizens from unlawful and criminal immigrants, and that is what this legislation does. Kate's Law, named in honor of 32-year-old Kate Steinle, who was shot and killed in the prime of her life by an unlawful immigrant who had accumulated seven felony convictions, been deported five different times--you have heard this many times said--aims to strengthen public safety by imposing hasher mandatory prison sentences for deported felons who return to the U.S. and increasing penalties for unlawful immigrants who have been convicted of nonimmigration-related crimes. Mr. Speaker, this legislation just makes sense, and I am confident that we can continue to welcome the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free in our country without giving free rein to dangerous convicted criminals in any of our communities.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it's my honor to recognize nine exceptional young women from Michigan's First District who have been recognized as All-State athletes in the state of Michigan by the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association. Receipt of All-State Honors signifies that these young women dedicated themselves entirely, through countless hours of practice and preparation, to their sport. These outstanding young women may represent different schools and different teams, but they all share a unique love of the game. Onaway Cardinals pitcher Calley Selke, for instance, earned the right to be called an All-State athlete. Additionally, the Alpena Wildcats took their seventh straight Big North Conference title with outfielder Liz Kendziorski and utility player Jade Schultz represented among those who earned All-State Honors. The Rogers City Hurons had several players who were selected to receive All-State Honors including pitcher Jayna Hance, shortstop Kayla Rabeau, third baseman Hannah Fleming, outfielder Taylor Fleming, and designated player Saige Wagner. These young women led the Hurons to their sixth straight district title and fourth regional title in five years. Not to be outdone, the Indian River Inland Lakes Bulldogs, a team that boasted two All-State athletes of its own in pitcher Chloe Mallory and catcher Pamela Braund, ultimately prevailed as Division 4 State Champs. Mr. Speaker, it's my honor to recognize these young women as recipients of All-State Honors for the sport of softball. Their accomplishments have brought pride to their teams, schools, and hometowns. They have set a positive example of what is possible for anyone in Michigan's First District. On behalf of my constituents, I wish to congratulate Jayna Hance, Kayla Rabeau, Hannah Fleming, Taylor Fleming, Saige Wagner, Chloe Mallory, Pamela Braund, Calley Selke, Liz Kendziorski, and Jade Schultz and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Captain David Lemire as the 2016 Marquette Police Officer of the Year. The Marquette Police Officer of the Year Award is presented annually to a well- rounded law enforcement officer who has excelled in the line of duty by demonstrating a distinct pattern of community service and professional achievement. Captain Lemire was born and raised in Marquette, where, after serving for a decade in the U.S. Army, he returned to give back to his community. For 25 years, David served the citizens of Marquette with distinction, honesty, and a willingness to take responsibility. Honor is David's defining characteristic, and he undertakes every endeavor with discipline and dedication. As a decorated officer, he has received numerous awards that speak to his character, including: A Life Saving Citation for the rescue of two persons on a capsized boat on Lake Independence, the Michigan State Police Award for Professional Excellence, an award for Exemplary Performance and Professionalism from the Michigan Army National Guard for his assistance after a helicopter crash, and the Outstanding Instructor Award at the Northern Michigan University Regional Police Academy in both 2002 and 2010. These awards only begin to describe David's commitment to his community. For every recognized deed, there are hundreds of small achievements that are never acknowledged in the public eye. There is no doubt that Captain Lemire's countless achievements are a contributing factor to Marquette being named one of the safest cities in the United States. Moreover, it's clear that he has positively impacted the citizens of Marquette County. David has received myriad letters of appreciation from citizens thanking him for his comfort and kind words after the death of a family member or at the scene of a tragic accident. His commitment to justice and public service has gone beyond the call of duty. Captain David Lemire has consistently set an example of what a police officer should strive to achieve in their career. Mr. Speaker, Captain Lemire's long list of accomplishments cannot be understated, and I am confident that he will continue to serve as a role model for the next generation of great community leaders in Michigan's First District. His wife, Cindy, and son, Mitchell, can take pride in knowing the Upper Peninsula is a better place thanks to David's work. On behalf of my constituents and the First District of Michigan, I wish to congratulate Captain David Lemire on being named the 2016 Marquette Police Officer of the Year.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1094, the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. Anyone who has been responsible for the success of a business or organization knows that the most important part of the equation is the people. It is no different with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Our veterans have given their all, and they deserve our all; but, unfortunately, vulnerabilities in the VA's administrative processes have led to incompetence, neglect, and even unchecked illegal activity on the part of a small number of VA employees. Unfortunately, lack of oversight and accountability in the hiring and retention process mean that the VA is still failing our veterans. Even in the few instances where the VA has tried to discipline employees for wrongdoing or neglect, it has been foiled by a complex and lengthy administrative process that rarely yields results. S. 1094 addresses the VA's administrative shortcomings by providing the Secretary with the authority to remove, demote, or suspend any employee for poor performance or misconduct while, at the same time, enhancing protections for whistleblowers. As a leader of marines and a Vietnam veteran, I know what our servicemen and -women across generations and conflicts have sacrificed for our freedoms and our country. They don't just deserve quality care; they have earned it. We made a commitment to defend our veterans just as they have defended our way of life, and that starts with reforms that restore efficiency and accountability at Veterans Affairs. I would like to thank Chairman Roe and the committee for all their hard work. I strongly urge my colleagues to support.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it's my honor to recognize the Friendship Centers of Emmet County as they celebrate 50 years of meaningful work in Michigan's First Congressional District. Families throughout Michigan understand how important it is to have quality and compassionate care for seniors, and we are grateful for the Friendship Centers of Emmet County's half-century of community service. The Friendship Centers of Emmet County date back to 1960 when a small group of friends in the basement of a Petoskey church decided to gather for social activities on a regular basis. Eight years later, the group of friends, which had grown significantly and formed a ``Steering Committee for a Drop-in Center,'' successfully petitioned the city for the use of space in the old Petoskey City Hall building. In 1988, the Friendship Center of Petoskey was officially reincorporated as the Friendship Centers of Emmet County (FCEC) with three satellite locations in Alanson, Harbor Springs and Pellston, aimed at serving the educational, social, and physical needs of senior citizens. The Friendship Center of Petoskey remained at the old city hall for the next thirty years until it moved to its current location on Anderson Road in December of 1999. In addition to offering a fun and social space for senior citizens to gather, the Friendship Centers of Emmet County have consistently proven to be leaders in the community through targeted initiatives that enhance the wellbeing of elderly citizens. Programs like ``Sit and Be Fit'' and Tai Chi classes help members stay healthy, engage seniors in activities that enhance their standard of living, and prepare them for an active lifestyle in their later years. The FCEC also hosts several special guest speakers who provide lectures to seniors on topics ranging from health and volunteerism to the arts and environmental issues. This program is one of several that exemplify the FCEC's tremendous efforts to foster continued academic growth within the community, and promote lifelong scholarship in a robust social setting. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the Friendship Centers of Emmet County for 50 years of service in the Emmet County communities. Northern Michigan residents can take great pride in knowing that Emmet County is a better place thanks to the work and dedication of the Friendship Centers. On behalf of my constituents across Michigan's First District, I thank the Friendship Centers of Emmet County for their work and look forward to their continued success.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it's my honor to acknowledge the life of a devoted community leader and dedicated educator, Dr. Thomas Pleger, who passed away at the age of 48 on Sunday, May 7, 2017. Thomas was born on April 24, 1969, to Ernest and Barbara Pleger, and grew up just across the border from Menominee, Michigan in Marinette, Wisconsin. He earned his doctoral degree in archaeology and anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and spent 21 years teaching at various private and public institutions throughout the region. Following his tenure as Campus Executive Officer and Dean at UW Baraboo-Sauk County, Thomas followed his passion for education into the Upper Peninsula where, on July 1, 2014, he became the eighth president of Lake Superior State University, a position he would hold until his untimely passing. As the president of Lake Superior State University, Thomas is remembered for his warmth, generosity, and tireless devotion to the school and its students. Lake Superior State University experienced a tremendous period of growth under Dr. Pleger's stewardship, including the implementation of a One Rate tuition plan, the financial restructuring of the university, the advancement of the R.W. Considine Hall Renovation project, and the procurement of funding for the proposed Center for Freshwater Research and Education. These accomplishments eventually led to him earning an appointment to Governor Rick Snyder's 21st Century Economy Commission, where he applied his extensive background in education to identify Michigan's economic priorities for the next 20 years. Beyond the campus, Dr. Pleger's leadership translated into real results for his community. Indeed, it was not uncommon for Thomas to lend a listening ear or life advice to prospective students, and he was known to connect on a personal level, with a lighthearted sense of humor. Today, Dr. Pleger is survived by his wife, Teresa, father, Ernest, brother, Tim, sons Matt, Andrew, Chad, and Collin, and his sister, Amy Pfister. Not only will Lake Superior State University bear the positive impact of Dr. Pleger for generations to come, but communities around the country will benefit from the countless lives he touched. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Pleger's outstanding career in education cannot be overstated, and his family and community can take great pride in knowing that the Upper Peninsula is a better place thanks to his life's work. On behalf of Michigan's First Congressional District, I ask you to join me in recognizing an outstanding public servant whose contributions will continue to bless Yoopers for many years to come.